The Garden joins 21 other Richmond-area cultural institutions on a set of shared values, protocols and safety measures.  Safety measures include tickets with timed arrivals, a reduced number of visitors, and requiring face coverings for visitors inside buildings (exceptions are made for small children).  See all of our guidelines, get helpful tips, and see what to expect on our Plan Your Visit page.  Please note that the Garden continues to follow directives set by the Commonwealth of Virginia and guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control.

Yes, you are welcome to visit even if you are not a Garden Member.  Please purchase your online ticket in advance.  Garden Members get unlimited regular daily admission. If you’ve like to join as a Garden member you can do that online or in person. 

Yes. Face coverings are required indoors and are strongly suggested at all times to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, especially to those who may be vulnerable. Face coverings are not required for children under age 10 or those with a medical condition. If you have a medical condition and cannot wear a face covering, please practice social distancing at all times for the safety of others.

Entry and exit routes are one-way for safety reasons and to prevent cross-traffic. All visitors should enter from Parking Lot B, the group entrance near the Garden Shop.  This setup allows guests to go by the restrooms and refill water bottles (touchless) on their way to the atrium. There is no re-entry into the Robins Visitor Center from the Garden. Please observe the Garden’s signage to assist with the new directions and help with our safety protocols. Look for floor decals and arrows and practice 6-foot social distancing when inside buildings. When outside please practice social distancing and allow other guests room to pass and step aside so they can do so. Visitors who want to visit the Garden Shop may do so at the start or the end of their visit, thanks to the addition of a second entrance into the Garden Shop from the Garden.  Download a PDF of the  Garden map. 

While we hope that you are able to arrive within 30-minutes of your stated ticket time, we understand that may not always be possible. Due to the need to manage traffic flow and attendance numbers, if you arrive more than 30 minutes after the start of your ticket reservation, and capacity limits have been reached, we may ask you to rebook your ticket for a different day and time. If we have not reached our maximum capacity for the Garden we will do our best to accommodate you if we can.

Along with your face covering, you may also want to bring water (we have a touchless water bottle refilling station) and hand sanitizer and, as always, dress for the weather. Food service is available. You can order online in advance or on your smartphone. Pick up your order at the Tea House to eat outside. See the menu and order online.  Outside food and picnics are not allowed to be brought into the Garden.

The Conservatory is open with one-way traffic flow.  Please enter through the front door of the Conservatory and exit out each side. To see the opposite side, please enter again from the front of the Conservatory.  The Robins Visitors Center is open  (9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Wednesday – Sunday). The Garden Shop is open (10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Wednesday – Sunday); however, it does require a ticket to enter the Shop.  The Lora Robins Library remains closed. Bathrooms in the Visitors Center and select restrooms in the Kelly Education Center and the Children’s Garden are open. 

Some areas of the Children’s Garden that are “high-touch” remain closed. These include WaterPlay, the International Village, the treehouse and the area inside the metal fence (Sand Play, WaterPlay and the mulberry tree).  Look for the new Fairy Forest along the Tree Trail in the Children’s Garden.

Yes, all visitors must go through the online ticketing system. This means visitors must purchase a ticket and members must reserve a free ticket, even if they are only accessing the Garden Shop.

Yes. You are welcome to bring your own wheelchair. Due to COVID-19, we are unable to supply loaner wheelchairs to members and guests. You may also want to read more about the Garden’s accessibility.

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, we are currently not able to provide loaner strollers. Please bring your own stroller if you need one.

The Garden is open rain or shine. Please be advised that in the case of tornado or hurricane warnings, guests will be directed to seek shelter. Tickets are non-refundable and Garden member tickets are non-transferable.

If you have a library book to return we will be happy to take it for you at admissions, or you can hold on to it until our library reopens. There will be no fines. 

Yes, although members are free, they must reserve a ticket and members will scan their own membership cards and tickets upon entry. Be sure to bring your membership card or have your renewal email with you when you visit. Only current members will be able to reserve tickets. Please note, member tickets are nontransferable.

On your first visit to our new online system, you will be prompted to create an account with your email address, a password and contact information. Once you have an account, you will be able to sign in with your username and password only.

When you reserve your tickets, you will see a confirmation message, however, your tickets will be sent to the email in the account you created. In the email, you will see a link to your ticket and then a button to print your tickets.

If you should need assistance, please call (804) 262-9887, x300 Wednesday – Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. or email [email protected]

Of course! Fidos/Flowers After 5, Fridays Alfresco and regular daily admission tickets through 11/19/2020 are currently on sale. 

You can buy the same number of tickets as corresponds to your membership type. For example, an Individual member can buy one ticket. A Dual member can buy two. A Family member can buy 2 adults and up to 6 kids. A Friends member can buy up to four adults and eight children.

All tickets are online only; no walk-ups; For safety and social distancing all visitors will need a pre-purchased timed ticket. 

Yes, you can use your guest passes. To do so, please reserve a timed “member ticket” for your guest and bring your “Member for a Day” guest pass with you when you arrive. 

No.  Garden member tickets are non-transferable and tickets are non-refundable.

Guests can order food and beverages online to be eaten in the Garden. Food can also be ordered online from your smartphone while in the Garden. Pick up your online order at the Tea House. You are welcome to eat anywhere in the Garden, including the Tea House deck, the Children’s Garden picnic area or tents, or tables near Bloemendaal House. Outside food or picnics are not allowed to be brought into the Garden.

It’s good to stay hydrated. You may want to bring water to drink (we have a touchless water bottle refilling station). Also, bottled water is for sale in the Robins Visitors Center, and Garden Shop. Vending machines are available in the Children’s Garden.

No. Butterflies LIVE! will return in 2021. The exhibit’s confined, indoor space makes social distancing impossible. M&T Bank kindly transferred their sponsorship to Wind, Waves and Light (see below).

M&T Bank: Wind, Waves and Light — Art in Motion now through October 18, 2020. This exhibition reflects on how humans are inspired and connected through movement, the shifting elements of the natural world through the seasons and the patterns of migration, pollination and growth.  An artist and engineer, George Sherwood creates kinetic sculptures that evoke shimmering leaves, flocks of birds, schools of fish, and waves of light and water.  We still have KidQuest too!  You can print KidQuest (PDF) at home and bring it with you or pick one up from our Welcome Wall in the Visitors Center. Don’t forget to bring a pencil.

Also, we’ve got plenty in bloom! If you are wondering what will be in bloom during your visit, please visit our month-by-month What’s in Bloom pages.

Tickets are now available for Flowers After 5 and Fidos After 5.   We also have a new event called Fridays Alfresco, a special ticketed event for friends or for a date.  See more info below. 

We are showcasing 13 George Sherwood sculptures in all. You’ll find the sculptures located all over the Garden. Here’s a PDF map you can print out at home or view on your smartphone. See if you can find them all! 

Yes! Since the M&T Bank Wind, Waves and Light sculptures really focus on movement, we thought it would be fun to run a video-based contest this year. Answer the question,  “How does Wind, Waves and Light move you?” Then, tag your posts #WindWavesandLight and you’ll be entered to win a prize package. Best of all, you’ll see your video submissions highlighted on our website. It’s a great way to get a sense of what the exhibition is like.

Love still photos? No worries! We have a category for still photo Instagram submissions too. You can see the rules and details on our Wind, Waves and Light Instagram contest page.

Fridays Alfresco Date Night in the Garden is a new ticketed event. It runs  5-9 p.m. Friday nights in August and September (Aug. 7, 14, 21, 28, September 4, 11, 18, 25)
Plan an escape with your loved one to a garden paradise. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden has more than 50 acres of fresh air, fragrant blooms and cool evening breezes—perfect for a special Friday night out.  Enjoy exciting new dining options along with beer, wine and non-alcoholic drinks.

Tickets for Fridays Alfresco are online-only (no walk-ups), limited and have a timed arrival. The event is rain or shine; no refunds.  Admission is $14 adults; $11 senior citizens (65+); $8 children age 3-12; free for children under 3. There is a member admission for this new event: $7 adults and $5 youth. (Become a member now to get the member rate).

Yes! We still have KidQuests and there are several to choose from! You can print your own Wind, Waves and Light KidQuest (PDF) at home and bring it with you or pick up at the Welcome Wall in the Robins Visitors Center.  We also have a Butterflies KidQuest (PDF) and other KidQuests and activities you can do at home. Please note, we will not be giving out prizes for completed KidQuests. 

Yes, we have already extended memberships and will notify you via email of your new expiration date. We did not extend your membership if you responded to our email to opt-out of an extension.

Yes, we extended your membership based on the amount of time you missed on your active membership.

We will not be printing new cards. Your current membership card will continue to work for the duration of your membership, as your extension will be reflected in our system. You should have received an email or a postcard with your new expiration date. Please hold on to this notification and if possible, bring it with you when you visit. This will help ensure a timely check-in process.

For members interested in using their American Horticultural Society Reciprocal Admissions Program benefits at other gardens and whose printed expiration dates have passed, Membership staff can reprint cards as needed. Before you plan to travel, please contact Membership at [email protected] or (804) 551-3538 to request a new card.

We encourage renewing online before your visit and having your confirmation email with you to expedite the check-in process until your new card is mailed to you.

We can accommodate in-person purchases and renewals. Please note your new card and materials will be mailed to you

Yes! You may either mail it to the Garden or turn it in during your next visit.

Yes, the Garden Shop is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday – Sunday. Please note that visitors must purchase a ticket and members must reserve a free ticket, even if they are only accessing the Garden Shop. Face coverings are required indoors and in the Garden Shop. We have a new entry point and exit in the Garden Shop creating a one-way flow of traffic. Please look for signs directing you to this new pattern. Also, if you prefer, select items are available at our online store. 

The Garden Shop offers touch-less transactions for credit cards only and an emailed receipt. We are not accepting cash or checks at this time.  For the safety of all we have installed sneeze guards at our cash register area. Look for sanitizer stations as well. 

Yes,  you can shop from the safety of your home at shop.lewisginter.org or we will be happy to help you over the phone if you call Wednesday through Sunday: 804-262-9887 x325.  We offer quick shipping or curbside pick-up at our shop.

No, the Garden Shop carries a large array of products from home décor to garden accents and unfortunately, we are unable to offer everything for shipping or online purchase at this time. You can always call us and we will help you purchase items over the phone if you don’t see what you are looking for online.

Tours are currently available by appointment only. Please email us at  [email protected] or call 804.262.9887 x345 to schedule.  If you are interested in a facility rental, we also suggest attending Celebrations Abloom Wedding & Special Event Showcase on 9/2/20.

Please contact Facility Events at [email protected] or call 804.262.9887  x224

Please contact Facility Events at [email protected] or call 804.262.9887 x224 or x345