To limit the risk of transmitting COVID-19 coronavirus, the United States Botanic Garden (USBG) has changed its operations. The Conservatory and gated outdoor gardens are temporarily closed to the public while Bartholdi Park and the Terrace Gardens remain open. Please monitor this website for updates to operating status. Many resources can be accessed online, including educational materials, virtual tours, informational videos, and our fall programs will all be online. Connect with resources from home at www.USBG.gov/AtHome.
As a living plant museum, there is so much to take in at the U.S. Botanic Garden! Consider a guided tour to learn more about the Garden's plants or collections.
Online Virtual and Video Tours
Explore interactive virtual tours and video tours on our Virtual Tours page.
Guided Tours
Free 45-minute highlight tours of the U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory may be available on the day of your visit. Please check at the Visitor Information Desk upon your arrival.
Tours on specialized topics or temporary exhibits are scheduled seasonally. Please check our calendar of events to see what may be available as you plan your visit.
Group Tours
Groups of 10 to 15 adults may reserve a free 45-minute guided tour of the Conservatory at 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Reservations must be made at least four weeks in advance. To arrange a group tour, please email usbgtours@aoc.gov or call (202) 226-2055.
Due to high visitation and traffic flow throughout the Garden, no group tours are scheduled during the Cherry Blossom Festival, National Peace Officer's Memorial (May 15th), days immediately preceding and following Independence Day, and Veteran's Day through the end of the USBG's holiday show Season's Greenings (end date for Season's Greenings is the Sunday following New Year's Day). However, groups are more than welcome to visit the Garden during this time.
Due to the group-size limitations and the in-depth nature of our tours, the U.S. Botanic Garden does not offer tours for children or school groups. Please visit our Teachers section for more information about planning a trip to the USBG, including age-appropriate activities.
Cell Phone / Smartphone Audio Tour
Use your cell phone to learn more about the gardens and plants at the U.S. Botanic Garden.
Phone call option
To get started, call (202) 730-9303 or visit usbg.oncell.com.
Enter a stop number to hear a story about the Garden. You may hang up and redial the tour at any time. During the tour, you can control the audio by pressing 1 to rewind the recording, 2 to pause/play the recording or press # to skip the recording. Normal fees apply to your call.
Smartphone / Web option
Smartphone users can stream audio tour stops by visiting usbg.oncell.com.
Sample audio tour stops:
Conservatory Stops (partial list) |
Outdoor Gardens Stops (partial list) |
101 - USBG Brief History |
201 - Welcome to the Outdoor Gardens |
102 - Garden Court |
202 - West Lawn |
104 - U.S. Exploring Expedition |
203 - Pollinator Garden |
109 - Murals |
204 - First Ladies Water Garden |
112 - Plant Conservation |
205 - Regional Garden |
115 - Orchids |
210 - Amphitheatre |
117 - Mediterranean |
211 - History of the Rose Garden |
120 - Medicinal Plants |
301 - Welcome to Bartholdi Fountain and Gardens |
126 - World Deserts |
302 - Bartholdi Fountain |
132 - Hawaii |
301 - Kitchen Garden |
134 - Primeval Garden |
312 - Sustainable SITES Initiative |
139 - Plant Adaptations |
313 - Sustainability in the Garden |
144 - Tropics |
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150 - Southern Exposure |
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153 - Children's Garden |
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