Group Visits
Guided Tours
A guided tour is a wonderful way to experience Longwood Gardens and its beauty. Explore highlights of Longwood's diverse gardens while learning about our history, as well as plans for our future.
Our guided tours are available Tuesday–Saturday at 10:00 am, 11:30 am, 1:00 pm and 2:30 pm.
Choose from the following options:
The Longwood Story
Designed to introduce the Longwood heritage and tell the story of how one man's vision turned Longwood into the world's premier horticultural display garden. This tour is perfect for first-time visitors.
The East Conservatory
Explore intimate garden spaces like the Court of Palms, the Court of Bamboo, the Patio of Oranges, and the Oval Basin, while marveling at the innovative craftsmanship and extraordinary plants that make this a garden like no other. Also on the tour (when available) are the newly renovated Music Room, Ballroom, and Organ Museum, all restored to their 1920s splendor. This tour is not available to students.
Guided Tour Rates (includes Gardens admission)
60-minute Tours
Adults: $15
Seniors (ages 62+): $14
Students (ages 5-22): $6
Behind-the-Scenes Guided Tour Add-On (for guests age 15 and older)
Extend your guided tour by discovering non-public areas of Longwood! Our special behind-the-scenes tours are 30 minutes in length and are available Tuesday–Saturday at 10:00 am, 12:00 noon and 2:00 pm. The cost is an additional $2/person (behind-the-scences tour is only sold in combination with one of the guided tours listed above).
We currently have one special interest area open to the public:
Open Air Theatre
Tiptoe your way into an unforgettable historic experience with a Behind-the-Scenes tour of the Open Air Theatre. Visitors will be able to tread in the same backstage area frequented by modern day performers and famous performers of past. Also, take an underground look at the enormous pumps that make the area's water features possible.
Policies
- All guided tours require advance reservations and a minimum of 15 ticketed guests. Tours can be arranged for fewer than 15 guests, but the full fee for 15 will be charged.
- Reservations must be made 2-3 weeks in advance.
- A major credit card is required to hold your guided tour reservation.
- Refunds are given with 48 hours notice, but cancellations must be made directly through the Group Visits Office.
- If cancellations are made after the 48 hour notice, only the admission fee will be refunded.
Additional information for student tours:
- Chaperones and teachers accompanying groups within the required 1:10 ratio will be charged at the student rate. Any additional chaperones and teachers will be charged at the adult group rate.
- Teachers and chaperones must stay with their group at all times.
No exceptions will be made to this policy.
Self-guided Tours
Visitors choosing a self-guided tour will be given an easy-to-follow guide map of the Gardens, allowing the group to go at its own pace and experience the areas of the Gardens that specifically interest them. Bring your cell phones and access the free, self-guided Cell Phone Audio Tour for the Conservatory and outdoor garden areas. The call is free but your cell phone plan provisions and minutes apply. The Cell Phone Audio tour features more than two hours of recorded information that you may access at your own pace.
Rates:
Adults: $12
Seniors (ages 62+): $11
Students (ages 5-22): $3
For self-guided tours, reservations are preferred, and payment by cash, check, or major credit card is due on arrival. One payment per group is requested. We regret that we do not have a will-call window.
