Plan Your Visit K-12

The School & Youth Group Reservations office, located in the Visitor Center, provides a separate reception area, ticketing window and restroom facility for group guests to gather comfortably before beginning their visit. Please plan to arrive 15 minutes prior to your tour start time. Just outside the Group Visits office is free parking for buses, as well as a bus driver's lounge for resting.

Guided Student Rate: $5
Self-guided Student Rate: $3

Group programs require a minimum of 15 guests to receive the group rate. Chaperones and teachers accompanying groups within the required 1:10 ratio are FREE. Any additional adults will be charged at the student rate of $5.00. Prices are subject to change without notice.

Full payment is due by cash, check, or charge on the day of your visit. Please consolidate all monies into one payment. All guided tours require a minimum of 15 guests. Tours can be arranged for fewer than 15 guests, but the full fee for 15 will be charged.

Student Boxed Lunches are available through Longwood’s Terrace Restaurant for $5.00 per student - includes choice of sandwich, snack and beverage. Please reserve your boxed lunches through the Group Sales office.

Brown Bagged Lunches should be clearly marked with the students name, class, and school.  All lunches should be consolidated into large boxes or bags.  Longwood staff will transport lunches to the designated location within the gardens.

Picnic Area featuring 70 picnic tables, grills, restroom facilities and ample parking in the shade of tall trees is available mid- April through the Christmas season (weather permitting). Although the picnic area is adjacent to the Gardens, it is outside of the main entrance. School groups utilizing this area will need to drive a short distance and are encouraged to plan accordingly. Longwood can not guaruntee an alternative location due to inclement weather.

Reservations are required for all guided school visits at least 3 weeks in advance.

Please call (610) 388-1000 ext. #177 as soon as possible if you need to increase or decrease the size of your group, or to cancel for any reason.

Students
To ensure the best experience for your students, please review the following guidelines.

• Please prepare your students to be divided into groups of 15; each group will stay with a Longwood guide, and should have at least one chaperone.
• All guided tours are walking tours. Dress comfortably for active outdoor learning. Please wear clothes that are weather appropriate and shoes that provide support and protection, for example sneakers or hiking boots. 
• Please limit the use of cell phones and audio equipment (including iPods, MP3 players and portable electronic games) while on tour.
• Food and beverages are not permitted inside the Gardens.

Chaperones
Chaperones are a key component to a successful school field trip. Longwood requires a student to chaperone ratio of 10:1.  It is important to keep them informed about the day’s events, lunch plans, meeting locations, and departure time.

• Please keep your group together at all times.
• Assure your group behaves appropriately and resolve any discipline issues that may arise.
• Assist students who have an emergency.
• Know how many children there are in your group and learn their names.
• Do a head count from time to time, especially when moving through the conservatories.
• Please have teacher contact information in case of emergency.