Try a Tour!
With 323 acres to explore, there is so much to see and do at the Gardens! Not sure where to begin? Try one of our many docent-led tours, from the Gardens’ art exhibits and history to its wild and cultivated spaces.
Garden Tours
Explore the Gardens.
Two free tours daily.
Every day at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., you can access a free tour. Whether introducing friends to the Gardens on a Highlights Tour or diving deeper with a Wetlands Tour or other specialty tour, there is something for everyone. Pre-registration is recommended for specialty tours.
Highlights Tour
Weekdays, May 1 – July 4
Daily, July 5 – September 3
Weekdays, September 4 – October 20
11 a.m. – noon
Join us for this hour-long drop-in tour. Start by the Great Lawn and explore our central gardens. Learn the origin stories of each surrounding garden and about the people who made them possible; hear highlights of the Gardens’ history, and discover more about garden design and botanical elements. This tour is free and does not require advance registration.
Hike the Trolls Tour
Fridays, May 3 – October 18
1 – 2:30 p.m.
The Guardians of the Seeds have emerged from the woods and are waiting for you to find them! On this guided hike, we’ll find all five of the trolls hidden in the woods and along the way explore the real botany behind the magic of the exhibit. Join us to learn more about the artist Thomas Dambo and the team that built them, hear behind-the-scenes stories of how they were constructed, and discover how you, too, can join the trolls and become a guardian of the forest. This tour will last approximately one and a half hours and will cover about 2.5 miles of paths and trails.
See Change: Climate Stories Tour
Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Saturdays, May 2 – June 21
Sundays & Thursdays, June 22 – July 22
Tuesdays & Saturdays, July 23 – October 19
1 – 2:30 p.m.
How can we build climate-resilient communities? By engaging with stories about the natural world and exploring how our relationships with the environment are impacted by the changing climate. Join us on this new tour of the Gardens as, together, we examine shifts in human values and behaviors and discuss the future of nature’s interactions. Enjoy the chance to share your perspectives on the changes you see occurring around you in this unique conversational format. The tour lasts an hour and a half, starts on the Great Lawn, and concludes in the Vayo Meditation Garden.
Native Plants Tour
Mondays, May 6 – October 14
1 – 2:30 p.m.
For a deeper dive into the world of native plants, join our docent-led Native Plant Tour. Free with the price of admission, we begin with a stroll down the Haney Hillside, moving from cultivated native plantings to the natural landscape of the Shoreland Trail. We then travel on the Maine Woods Trail to discover fern glens and wetlands up to the upland spruce-fir forest of the Birch Allée. Please note: this tour lasts about ninety minutes and moves swiftly over hiking trails; sturdy boots or shoes are recommended. Pre-registration is encouraged as tours do reach capacity; drop-ins are welcome. Please meet outside the Café building by the Great Lawn to join the tour.
Wetlands Tour
Wednesdays, May 1 – October 16
1 – 2:30 p.m.
From ponds and vernal pools to small rivers, on this free staff-led tour, we’ll explore the Gardens’ many wetlands to see how water affects each natural community. Learn how important wetlands are to our ecosystem, how they provide vital habitat for wildlife, and what we can do to preserve them. Please note: this tour lasts about ninety minutes and moves swiftly over our steeper hiking trails. Pre-registration is encouraged as tours do reach capacity; drop-ins are welcome. Please meet outside the Lyn and Daniel Lerner Visitor Center by the Heafitz Wetland Bridge to join the tour.
Biodiversity Tour
Tuesdays & Saturdays, June 22 – July 22
Sundays & Thursdays, July 23 – October 20
1 – 2:30 p.m.
Biodiversity is the variety of all life on Earth. It provides us with everything that makes life on Earth possible—clean air and water, fertile soil, medicines, fuels, materials, shelter, places for recreation, and a stable climate. This important part of our ecosystems is currently being threatened though, with reports showing that we have lost 60% of the global biodiversity in the last 40 years. In this new tour, we’ll explore the rich biodiversity at the Gardens, learn about its value, and discover how you can help protect it in your communities.
Accessible Cart Tour
Our one-hour Accessible Cart Tours are led by trained Gardens’ docents, rain or shine, on our quiet electric cart. These tours are a wonderful opportunity for those who may not otherwise be able to walk the Gardens. The cart can accommodate up to five (5) passengers. The tour is $12 for members and $15 for nonmembers (in addition to admission), except on Wednesdays when the accessible cart tours are free.
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