Garden Tours for Adults
Enhance your knowledge by taking one of Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s adult guided tours for individuals. Discover seasonal highlights or learn about a specific Garden area during our seasonal tours. Join Garden Guides as they share their areas of expertise during the Talk and Tour themed garden tours.
All tours are now drop-in only!
Beginning in September 2025, pre-registration is no longer required! Tours are now offered on a first-come, first served basis and are limited to 15-35 participants, depending on the tour. Simply check in at the front desk upon arrival.
Tour Schedule April – August 2026
Public Guided Tours* IN-PERSON
*Public Guided Tours no longer require pre-registration through our website beginning in September 2025. These tours will now be offered as drop-in only on a first come, first served basis and are limited to 15-30 participants, depending on the tour. While these tours are free to Members, non-members are required to pay regular admission fees at the Admissions desk prior to attending the tour.
Seasonal Splendor Tours
Experience the ever-changing beauty of nature on our Seasonal Splendor tour, a journey through the garden that celebrates all four seasons in vivid detail. From the delicate blossoms of spring and the lush, vibrant greenery of summer to the rich, fiery hues of autumn and the quiet, frosted elegance of winter, each visit offers a completely new perspective. Discover how the garden transforms throughout the year, revealing unique colors, textures, and scents with every season. Whether it’s your first visit or a returning favorite, there is always something new to see, making each tour a fresh and unforgettable experience. This tour is offered monthly except December, January, July and August.
April Seasonal Garden Tours | April 16 OR April 28
May Seasonal Splendor Tour | May 21
June Seasonal Splendor Tours | June 10 OR June 24
Themed Tours
Enjoy a guided tour of the Garden through the lens of a particular themed topic!
NEW! Paths Around the Glass: A Tour of Resilient Beauty | May 26, May 28, June 3, June 11, June 23, July 21 OR August 4
Step beyond the Conservatory and tour the new garden areas added as part of the Conservatory expansion. “Paths Around the Glass” is a guided outdoor tour that showcases the plants that can not only thrive in Richmond’s climate, but are designed to provide food and shelter for insects and wildlife. You will discover the adaptive design techniques used to create the varied areas around the conservatory, including: a hillside garden, a parterre meadow, a new courtyard for gatherings, and aquatic plants and paths around the new lake area. As you go through the spaces, you will discover a rich variety of plants that are primarily native and are well-suited for this environment from evergreens to hardy perennials that return each year. The landscape is designed for resilience, transitioning from formal irrigated garden beds to more natural environments that rely on drought-tolerant and self-sustaining plantings that can thrive throughout the year.
NEW! Wellness in Bloom: The Healing Garden | May 27
Exposure to plants and green spaces has been shown to boost mood, increase focus, and alleviate symptoms of anxiety or depression. Botanical gardens create an environment where mindfulness comes naturally—every leaf, petal, and fragrance draws attention to the present moment. This kind of mindful observation can improve concentration and encourage a sense of gratitude. A garden visit can be an opportunity for a mental reset that fosters positivity and emotional resilience, turning a simple outing into a form of natural therapy. This tour highlights practices that you can add to your walk through the garden to bring balance and enhance your behavioral health well-being!
NEW! Form, Symmetry & Style: A Garden Design Walk | June 2
Explore three historical European garden traditions on this guided tour noting Italian, French, and English design styles incorporated at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens. Discover the beauty of formal garden symmetry and grand axial views, where pathways and vistas align to create a sense of order and perspective. Encounter sculpted hedges and serene water features that reflect the influence of European landscape design. Walk through romantic plantings and intimate garden “rooms” with lush greenery and seasonal blooms. Learn to identify and celebrate the hallmarks of European garden design as our journey unfolds.
NEW! Worlds Under Glass: Desert to Rainforest Tour | June 16, June 25, July 7, July 23, August 6 OR August 18
Take an immersive journey through Earth’s diverse plant biomes – each distinct in climate, flora, and visual impact. Wander through the stark beauty of the desert, where resilient plants thrive with little water. Step into Mediterranean climates known for food, wine, and fragrances. View the layers of the hot humid tropical rainforest filled with lush foliage, fruit trees, and orchids. Then, enter the subtropical house where nectar-rich plants and shrubs support the living butterflies. Each space reveals how plants adapt, survive, and flourish in different conditions, offering a vivid, global celebration of plant life.
Grace Arents: Invisible Philanthropist Tour | June 20, July 8 OR July 22
Join Garden Guides Susie Austin and Nancy Crouch for a dive into the life of our benefactor Grace Arents and the ways she transformed Richmond and a rare opportunity to tour the first floor interior of Bloemendaal House, her residence for many years. June 20th is the 100 anniversary of the death of Grace. Her visionary interests in health/wellness, education and the environment had impacts across the city, even today! The tour includes a stop at the library to discuss our exhibit “100 Years of Grace: A Botanical World Tour.”
NEW! Dream Creatures of Mexico: A Walking Tour of Alebrijes | June 25, June 27, July 23 OR August 13
Join us as we explore a fantastical outdoor art exhibit on display throughout the Garden featuring vibrant and whimsical, large-scale cartoneria (papier-mâché) creations designed by Mexico City cartoneros (papier-mâché artists). This immersive exhibition pays tribute to the exceptional craftsmanship of Mexican artisans while celebrating the depth and beauty of Mexico’s rich cultural heritage. Along the way, you’ll discover how these extraordinary creatures are brought to life, uncover the symbolism behind their imaginative forms, and learn about the history and enduring traditions that make this beloved folk art so unique.
Themed Friday Drop-In Tours IN-PERSON @ 1 PM
Join a Garden Guide for a 30-minute tour led by a variety of Garden Guides! No pre-registration required. While these tours are free to Members, non-members are required to pay regular admission fees at the Admissions desk prior to attending the tour. Meet in the Atrium of the Robins Visitors Center. Each tour will start at 1 pm.
Friday, April 10
Friday, April 17
Friday, April 24
NO TOUR MAY 1 DUE TO PLANT SALE
Friday, May 8
Friday, May 15
Friday, May 22
Friday, May 29
Friday, June 5
Friday, June 12
NO TOUR JUNE 19 DUE TO JUNETEENTH FREE DAY
Friday, June 26
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We adapted a new Garden-wide system as of March 6, 2024. Please create or activate your account the first time you use the system.
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Updated Adult Learning Cancellation Policy
As of April 12, 2024, the Garden has an updated cancellation policy for Adult Learning programs.