School Group Tours & Visits
Enhance your science curriculum with a visit to the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Each of our guided tours are paired with the Georgia Standards of Excellence and self-guided visits can be enhanced with pre and post-visit activities tailored to each grade level. Scroll down for information about self-guided visits.
Guided Tours
Please note that guided tours are not available between Memorial Day and Labor Day. School groups may still schedule self-guided visits during that time. We are fully booked for school tours through April.
School groups may schedule a guided tour to explore the Atlanta Botanical Garden with a docent. Below are descriptions of our engaging and educational guided tours. Upon registration, you will be asked to select which tour type you would like.
- Guided School Tours are offered Tuesday - Friday at 10 a.m.
- Guided Tours must be scheduled at least four weeks in advance.
- Minimum group size: 10 | Maximum group size: 50
- Groups must include one chaperone for every eight children.
- One chaperone for every eight children is admitted free of charge. If you choose to bring additional chaperones, they will be charged the student rate. To keep group sizes manageable, we kindly request additional chaperones to not accompany the tour groups.
- Tours last 1 to 1¼ hour. Include time for your group to assemble before and after.
PRICING
Students: $10
Adult Chaperones: Free (one for every eight students)
Additional Chaperones: $10
Guided Tour Options
Productive Plants
Grades K - 8
Discover the incredible ways plants impact our everyday lives from food to medicine to shelter. Students learn about locally grown produce when they encounter seasonal fruits and vegetables in the luscious Edible Garden, Then, they will travel to the tropical rainforest and desert environments in the Fuqua Conservatory to see important exotic plants such as chocolate, vanilla, rattan and aloe.
Garden Senses
Pre-k – K
Discover the beautiful Atlanta Botanical Garden using sight, sound, touch and smell. Listen to the sound of frogs calling, feel a fuzzy leaf, and smell a flower! Come ready to explore and observe during this interactive tour of the Garden. (Georgia Early Learning and Development Standards, 48 – 60 Months: CD-SC1.4a, CD-S3.4a, Georgia Standards of Excellence: SKL2.a, SKL2.b)
Plant Diversity
Grades K – 3
While most plants have similar parts, they vary in function and appearance according to their environments. During this tour, students discuss plant adaptations as they explore the outdoor gardens and the Fuqua Conservatory – particularly the rainforest, desert and Southeastern bog gardens. (Georgia Standards of Excellence: SKL2.b, SKL2.c, S1L1.a, S1L1.b, S2L1.a, S2L1c, S3L1.a, S3L1.c)
Plants Around the World
Grades 4 – 7
Students visit the outdoor gardens and the conservatories as they investigate biomes and habitats. Their explorations include the desert, rainforest and bog gardens which emphasize biogeography and plant adaptations. (Georgia Standards of Excellence: S4L1.c, S7L4.a, S7L4.d)
General Tour
Grades 7 – 12
Students are introduced to the outstanding features of the outdoor gardens and the Fuqua Conservatory.
Self-Guided Visit
Please note: We are fully booked for school tours through April.
School Groups may schedule a Self-Guided Visit to explore the outdoor gardens, Children’s Garden, Fuqua Conservatory and Fuqua Orchid Center without a guide. See below for grade specific Garden Guides including onsite activities, a scavenger hunt and pre/post visit materials based on Georgia Standards of Excellence.
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Self-guided school group visits may be scheduled Tuesday – Friday at 9:30, 10:30 or 11:30 a.m.
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Self-guided school group visits must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance.
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Minimum group size: 10
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One chaperone for every eight students is admitted free of charge. If you choose to bring additional chaperones, they will be charged the student rate.
PRICING
Students: $8
Adult Chaperones: Free (one for every eight students)
Additional Chaperones: $8
Free for Title I schools
School Group Scheduling Guidelines
Scheduling School Group Tours & Visits
- To register, please read through these guidelines, and then fill out the form below.
- Tours are limited and scheduled on a first-come, first-serve basis.
- For multiple tour dates and times, complete multiple online registration forms.
- Guided Tours may not exceed 50 students per time slot. If your group is larger, you must select enough dates and times not to exceed the student maximum.
- Guided tours are not guaranteed if the group arrives more than 30 minutes late.
- All tours take place rain or shine. In the event of inclement weather, guided tours can be changed to the Garden’s indoor facilities.
- If you must cancel your tour, please contact the Youth Programs Coordinator at least 24 hours before your scheduled tour time by email at tours@atlantabg.org or by phone at 404-591-1543. If you want to reschedule, you must submit a new registration form.
- Eating in the Garden is not permitted. Outside food and drink are not allowed on Garden grounds, though groups may picnic next door in Piedmont Park.
Parking Information
- There is a fee to park on-site. If your group chooses to park onsite Tuesday – Friday, you can purchase a $10 parking voucher per bus. Payment for bus parking can be included with your tour payment. Small vehicles can park in the parking deck and pay upon exiting. Parking in the parking deck is free for the first 30 minutes, $3 for 31 – 60 minutes and $2 for each additional 30 minutes. There is no fee to park offsite.
- Vehicles have 30 minutes for drop-off and pick-up at the Garden. Vehicles that remain at the Garden longer than 30 minutes will be charged for parking (cost information listed above).
- Bus parking is not guaranteed and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Payment Information
- Payment must be made all together either in advance or at check in. You must submit one payment, either check, Visa, American Express, Master Card, or Discover. You may not pay separately. The Garden does not accept cash at this time.
Checking in and Garden Rules
- School Groups will check in with the Registrar at the Student Drop Off area by Mershon Hall.
- School Groups must follow the Garden’s Safety Protocols found here.
To schedule your School Group Guided Tour or Self-Guided Visit, please fill out the form below.
Please note: We are fully booked for school tours through April.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Call: 404-876-5859 ext. 2556 | Email: tours@atlantabg.org