By admin October 10, 2018

Garden Tours

Walking tours of the 35-acre gardens at the Nevin Welcome Center highlight herbs, decorative flowers, tropical containers, conifers, vegetables, rhododendrons and groundcover collections. Each tour is a unique experience depending on the time of year and plants in bloom. Your guide will introduce the theme of each specialty garden and identify key plantings. Tours last approximately one hour and may include some steps, though accommodations can be made for groups or individuals with mobility concerns.

Arboretum Bus Tours

An experienced guide will board your bus to provide your group with a narrated driving tour of the 100-acre F. R. Newman Arboretum. Your guide will share information about the collections, history, and mission of Cornell Botanic Gardens as you enjoy the scenic landscapes and woody plants of the arboretum. Walking tours of the arboretum can also be arranged, providing a closer look at our tree and shrub collections.

Specialty Tours

Groups that have a specific focus or unique interest, such as master gardeners, herb societies, nature study organizations, etc., may request a specialty tour for in-depth study of a particular topic, collection, or nearby natural area. Our staff will work with you to create a tour experience that meets your group’s goals and needs. Please inquire for additional information.

Tours for Cornell Classes

Our gardens and natural areas are here for education, research and enjoyment. Cornell student groups may tour Cornell Botanic Gardens at no charge. From plant identification to art history, we encourage any class to visit and take advantage of our outdoor learning labs.

Fees

The cost for guided tours is $12 per person (Cornell student tours are free). Registration with a non-refundable deposit of $25 is requested at least ten business days in advance to reserve a tour date. Balance of payment (minus the deposit) is due the day of the tour. You may pay by cash, check or credit card (Visa, MasterCard or Discover).  Note: Tour fees may be reduced or waived for groups with limited financial resources.

Booking Your Tour

To schedule your adult group tour, please contact Kevin Moss at (607) 254-7430 or km274@cornell.edu. We will make every effort to accommodate the date you request, however we may ask for alternate dates if the date requested is unavailable due to conflicts with other groups or events. Please contact us at least ten business days prior to the date desired for your tour, if possible. We may not be able to accommodate last-minute tour requests.

Note: For school and youth group tours, please contact our information desk at botanicgardens@cornell.edu.

Self-Guided Groups

Not interested in a guided tour? No problem!  Your group is welcome to tour on their own at no charge, seven days a week, from dawn until dusk. However, please make a reservation anyway so we can help maximize your group’s enjoyment and alert you to any potential conflicts. Visitor maps are available at the Nevin Welcome Center during open hours, and in brochure boxes throughout the gardens. Self-guided audio cell phone tours are available, as are several tours using the PocketSights app, available for your smartphone or tablet as a free download from the iTunes Store or Google Play. Learn more.

Directions

View detailed directions to our site.

Parking

Parking at the Nevin Welcome Center for cars is available via “pay by plate” metering. The cost is $1.50 per hour, however the first hour is free. Parking is free on weekends and after 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. If your group is not coming by bus, please consider carpooling as parking spaces may be limited on busy days. Limited free parking is available on site for buses; in the event of multiple buses, you may be directed to an alternative parking location nearby.

Cancellations

Please notify us as soon as possible if you need to cancel your tour for any reason. Tour deposits are non-refundable.

Late arrivals

Please call to inform us if you are running late. In most cases, you will be provided with the cell phone number of the tour guide ahead of time. If not, please call our main information line at (607) 255-2400. If you are more than 30 minutes late, we reserve the right to shorten or cancel your tour. If you are late and do not contact us, the guide or docent may not be available to lead your tour.

Weather Considerations

Tours will take place as scheduled if there is light rain or passing showers. However, in the event of lightning or other hazardous conditions, we may be forced to suspend or cancel a tour.