Marie Selby Botanical Gardens (and its newly affiliated Historic Spanish Point companion campus in Osprey) and The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art reopened to the public May 27, after being closed since mid-March in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

At Selby, reopening means that only the outdoor spaces of the gardens will be open to visitors—not the Museum of Botany and the Arts, nor the Garden Shop or restaurant. And for the moment, there will be no events, programs or classes scheduled. At The Ringling, the reopening  call for access to the art museum galleries and to the first floor of the mansion, Ca’ d’Zan, with social distancing and masks on the part of visitors strongly encouraged. (Staff will also wear masks, and there will be limited occupancy and closure of select areas). Because of the interactive nature of exhibits at the Tibbals Center in the Circus Museum, and the nature of business at the museum store and all food venues, those parts of the museum campus will not reopen at this time. The Historic Asolo Theater and the Bolger Playspace will remain closed. No docent tours of the art museum will be taking place, and trams will operate only for persons with limited mobility.

Enhanced cleaning and sanitation procedures are also taking place at both organizations.

Here's a peek at what it was like at both Ringling and Selby during their reopening week.