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Insider Tours

Go far Beyond the Garden Gates on an exclusive and revealing behind-the-scenes tour with our expert guides. Tour the Open Air Theatre, Italian Water Garden, the state-of-the-art Production Greenhouse, and the Conservatory and its Heat Plant.

Offered most Thursdays–Sundays at 11:30 am and 2:00 pm. Space is limited to 15 guests per tour. 

Please note: Some of our behind-the-scenes experiences are not fully accessible. See accessibility notes under each tour. 

Tours cost $4 per person, $3 for Members, and are approximately 45 minutes in length. Stop by the ticketing counters in the Visitor Center to purchase tickets and to find out the subject of the tour on the day of your visit or add the tour to your online ticket purchase.

Production Greenhouse Insider Tour

11:30 am & 2:00 pm on May 2, 3 & 5; June 13; July 18 & 19; August 2; October 6 & 20; November 2, 3, 10, 16 & 17; December 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15

Take a behind-the-scenes tour of Longwood's production greenhouses—where our expert horticulturalists research, study, propagate and grow many of the plants that end up on public display in the Gardens.

This tour is accessible by wheelchairs and other mobility devices. Longwood Scooters and all strollers are not permitted inside the Production Greenhouse and must be parked at the entrance to the space.

Boiler Control Room

No tours are scheduled at this time.

In the cold of winter, the Conservatory is transformed into a tropical oasis filled with orchids and other flowering plants. Discover how this 4-acre glasshouse operates and maintains the beautiful plants on display. The tour culminates with a visit to the heart of the Conservatory—the Heat Plant Control Room where you can see the massive boilers that generate steam to heat the Conservatory. 

Please Note: This tour requires the ability to climb stairs and is not accessible by wheelchairs or other mobility devices. 

Open Air Theatre Insider Tour

11:30 am & 2:00 pm on May 17, 24 & 30; June 21 & 30; August 8, 16, 18, 25 & 30; September 12, 13, 20, 26 & 27; October 3, 4, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 24, 25, 26, 27 & 31; November 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22 & 24

Explore the secrets of the Open Air Theatre. See fountain pumps up close and tour dressing rooms under the stage. An unforgettable historic experience, visitors will be able to tread in the same backstage area frequented by modern day performers and famous performers of the past.

Please Note: This tour requires the ability to climb stairs and is not accessible by wheelchairs or other mobility devices. 

Italian Water Garden Insider Tour

11:30 am & 2:00 pm on May 11, 19 & 26; June 1, 2, 9, 16, 22 & 23; July 6, 7, 13, 14, 21 & 27; August 3, 4, 11 & 24; August 22 & 29

Pierre du Pont's love of water is brought dramatically to life in this garden of his design. Pruned littleleaf linden trees, clipped ivy, and green lawns surround 6 large and 12 small blue-tiled pools with 600 jets of water and a water staircase that recirculate 4,500 gallons of water each minute. Explore the sculptures, fountain features and history of the Italian Water Garden. Enjoy an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour and discover how this amazing garden works.

Please Note: This tour requires participants to walk on grass and is not accessible by wheelchairs or other mobility devices. 

Main Fountain Garden Insider Tour

11:30 am & 2:00 pm on May 9, 10, 12, 16, 23 & 31; June 6, 7, 14, 15, 20, 27& 29; July 5, 11, 25 & 28; August 1, 9, 10, 22 & 29; September 5, 6, 8, 19 & 28

Go far Beyond the Garden Gates with our expert guides on a revealing behind-the-scenes tour of the Main Fountain Garden and its Pump House. Experience the grand garden design and visit the historic Pump House that still operates the magnificent fountain display.

Event Dates and Times

xxx

Thu, May 23, 2013

11:30 am

Thu, May 23, 2013

2:00 pm

Fri, May 24, 2013

11:30 am

Fri, May 24, 2013

2:00 pm

Sat, May 25, 2013

11:30 am

Sat, May 25, 2013

2:00 pm

Sun, May 26, 2013

11:30 am

Sun, May 26, 2013

2:00 pm