The Garden joins 21 other Richmond-area cultural institutions on a set of shared values, protocols and safety measures. You can read the full statement or see them reflected in the new procedures below. Please note that the Garden will continue to follow directives set by the Commonwealth of Virginia and guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control.

Yes, you can join as a Garden member and visit now, or you can wait until Phase II of our reopening and visit later this summer when we open to the public.

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 will be 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. If visiting the Garden Café, please do so at the start of your visit — there will be 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 from the Garden Cafe. You can order in person, or order online in advance and pick up your order at the Tea House to eat outside. See the Garden Cafe menu and more info about ordering online.  Outside food and picnics are not allowed to be brought into the Garden.

No, most buildings won’t be open during Phase I of our reopening. The Robins Visitors Center and Garden Cafe (10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Thursday – Sunday) will be open as well as the Garden Shop (10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Thursday – Sunday). Also, bathrooms in the Visitors Center and select restrooms in the Kelly Education Center and the Children’s Garden will be open. 

Once the Garden reopens, some areas of the Children’s Garden that are “high-touch” will remain closed. These include WaterPlay, the International Village, the treehouse and the area inside the metal fence (Sand Play, WaterPlay and the mulberry tree). Vending machines will also be closed.

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 and/or Garden Cafe.

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! Members can buy a ticket for now or reserve their tickets for later this summer. Tickets will go on sale to the public on July 12 for visits starting July 16.

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. During Phase I of our reopening tickets will be available to members only. During Phase II timed tickets will open to non-members as well.  All tickets are online only; no walk-ups.

When we first open during Phase I,  timed tickets are for members only.  When we move to Phase II 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.

The Garden Café will be open with their regular menu (please note the salad bar will be prepackaged and coffee will be served). Visitors who wish to go through the self-service line in the café must do so at the start of their visit — there will be no re-entry into the Robins Visitor Center from the Garden. Guests who purchase food in the self-service area of the café can eat in the café or on the café patio.

Guests can also order food and beverages online at lewisgintercafe.com to be eaten in the Garden. Online ordering allows guests to order ahead and choose a pickup time to coordinate with their visit or order online from their smartphone while in the Garden. Online orders will be picked up at the Tea House and eaten in the Children’s Garden picnic area,  at the picnic tables set up under the tent in the Children’s Garden or at tables in the Rose Garden. Outside food or picnics are not allowed to be brought into the 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 opens on June 25, the same day we open to members. 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 your 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.

Flowers After 5 concerts for June and July are cancelled. Decisions about August and September dates have not yet been made.

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.

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 by June 8 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 will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through 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 and/or Garden Cafe. Face coverings are required indoors and in the Garden Shop. We will 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.

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