Tour Schedule July – December 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.

Grace Arents: Invisible Philanthropist Tour | 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.” 

Dream Creatures of Mexico: A Walking Tour of Alebrijes | July 23, Aug 13, Sept 3 OR Sept 26 

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.  

Worlds Under Glass: Desert to Rainforest Tour | July 23, Aug 6, Aug 18 OR Nov 10 

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. 

Paths Around the Glass: A Tour of Resilient Beauty | July 21, Aug 4 OR Sept 9 

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. 

Seasonal Splendor Tour | Sept 22, Oct 6 OR Nov 5 

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. 

 Wellness in Bloom: The Healing Garden | Oct 21 

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, led by Garden Guide Gail Taylor, highlights practices that you can add to your walk through the garden to bring balance and enhance your behavioral health well-being! 

Gardenfest of Lights Behind-the-Scenes Tour | Dec 3 

Are you curious to know what really goes into creating Gardenfest at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden and especially how the themed light forms are created? Join Garden Guide, Anita Waters, to hear how each year’s theme is interpreted through their layout within the Garden. Then take a guided tour around the Garden to see this year’s “basement buddy” creations and hear stories about how previous theme’s forms have been recycled and reused throughout the years. 

Gardenfest Interiors: Featuring Nature Tour | Dec 8 

From wreaths to swags to tree decorations, you’ll find amazing examples of how you can use preserved flowers, leaves and fruit to create a “natural holiday décor.” Volunteers from the Dried Decor Team collect materials all year and preserve them using a variety of techniques. Each year, the interior designs change, so every display will be a surprise. Visit the Lora H. Robins Library  and Bloemendaal House to see the 2026 creations. Learn what inspired the decor from Garden Guides and the designers.