Gainesville Self-Guided School Tours
The Gainesville Garden is a wonderful place for students to explore and engage with the natural environment around them.
School tours are offered Tuesday through Friday starting at 9:30, 10:30 or 11:30 a.m. Tours are limited to one group per day.
If your group would like to take part in more than one tour, please register for each tour separately.
A variety of self-guided options are available as well as the option of a guest speaker for an additional charge (subject to speakers availability).
A minimum of one adult chaperone for every 8 students is required; a maximum number of adults is allowed, based on the number of students.
Please note: The new Ada Mae Pass Ivester Children's Garden will not be open for children's tours. All school tours will utilize the main Garden and hiking trails only.
Gainesville Garden Partnering with Budburst
The Atlanta Botanical Garden in Gainesville is proud to partner with Budburst through the Chicago Botanic Garden. Budburst is a way to engage visitors and school groups. Promoting guests to be citizen scientists and learn more about the importance of the plants growing in their own backyards. Budburst community scientists work together with research scientists, educators, and horticulturists to answer specific, timely, and critical ecological research questions by making careful observations of the timing of plant life cycle events, also called phenophases. These life events differ depending upon the type of plant, but usually include leafing, flowering, and fruiting phases of plants as well as leaf color and senescence. Nature needs you. Now more than ever.
Sensational Senses
Look, touch, smell and listen at the Atlanta Botanical Garden Gainesville. What sounds do you hear in the forest? Which flowers have an appealing smell? Can you find a fuzzy leaf? Open up your senses to the joys of nature and come ready to explore! Available all year. (Grades K–5)
Georgia Standards of Excellence: SKP1.b, S1L1.a, S2P1.a
Fabulous Flowers
What is the reason for a flower? Use your powerful observation skills to learn about the parts of a flower and to watch pollinators hard at work in the Garden! Available April–October. (Grades 1–2)
Georgia Standards of Excellence: S1L1.a, S2L1.a, S2L1.c
Garden Explorers
Discover the amazing world of plants and how they all look different. Explore the Garden looking for various leaf, flower and seed shapes all while keeping an eye out for native wildlife. Available March–November. (Grades 3–5)
Georgia Standards of Excellence: S3L1.b, S4L1.b, S5L1.b
Self-Guided Activities
On your next visit to the Atlanta Botanical Garden, Gainesville enjoy these self-guided activity sheets available to print at school or home.
Cancellation Policy
If you must cancel your tour, call the registrar at least 24 hours in advance at 404-888-4761. Please give as much notice as possible so tour guides can be contacted. All tours take place rain or shine. There is no fee to park on-site.
Food and Drink
There is no café on site. Eating in the Garden is restricted. Picnicking is not allowed. Snacks are available for purchase at the gift shop. Water bottle refill stations and drinking fountains are available in the visitor center.