Please plan your visit between April 15 and October 31 when the paths and trails of Garden in the Woods are open to  the public.

The gardens and habitats at Garden in the Woods offer wonderful experiences for the whole family to explore. Native plants are an exciting alternative to the annuals and cut flower arrangements many children see in and around their homes. The simple beauty of the Garden at different times of the day and in various seasons is very calming. Just sitting on a bench in the middle of the Garden, reading a book, is very enjoyable.

The diversity of plant habitats offered at Garden in the Woods is astounding. The Woodland Garden has hills and deep woods. The Lily Pond has wetlands, floating islands, many turtles and frogs, and other fascinating creatures. The Idea Garden is full of learning experiences from container gardening to borders, edible plants, and a roof garden. The bog, swamp, acid slope, limestone outcrop, and wildlife garden offer naturalistic displays of native plants. The Meadow comes to life in a giant way in August. The Western Plant Collection amazes everyone that cacti can grow in New England. The Invasive Plant Jail instructs about these scourges of the plant world. The New England Garden of Rare and Endangered Plants offers an appreciation of the fragile world in which we live.

Please pick up a scavenger hunt sheet at the Garden Shop when you pay your admission. There are two different versions, written for older or younger children. Kids have lots of fun trying to find the various plants and animals in the Garden. They also learn from the experience.

The new interpretive signage affords a wonderful understanding of the particular Garden or habitat you are visiting. Many of these signs are interactive with questions (and answers) about the plants and animals  located there.

The Garden Shop offers native plants and eco-friendly games, clothing, pots, garden tools and gloves, and snacks.

Family Calendar

Click here for the calendar of events at Garden in the Woods. Also, check out our great selection of classes for children, field trips, and more.

 
Please note: The paths are wide enough for strollers and carriages, however, please note we have some hilly terrain to maneuver. The main Curtis Path is about one mile long. Bathrooms in the Education Building have changing stations and are handicapped accessible. More bathrooms are located in the Garden Shop. Parents are asked to keep children out of the garden beds. Stay on the paths and be safe. The Society's native plant collection contains many rare and endangered species which cannot be replaced. Also, there is the chance of poison ivy being present in a garden bed.