Self-Guided School and Camp Group Visits
Free Admission for Children’s Groups
Children’s groups from pre-K through high school are admitted for free when the Garden is open. Teachers must register in advance for these self-directed visits.
Preregistered groups will receive an admission pass for entry to the Garden grounds and Steinhardt Conservatory, travel directions, and school group guidelines.
Registration for Self-Guided Visits
Registration is required and must be requested at least two weeks before the date of your visit. Register early to get your first choice of dates during the most popular seasons. Choose your trip date and print your free admission pass. Make sure to bring your admission pass with you to the Garden.
See School Group Visiting Policy and Procedure
Directions
Groups Traveling by Bus:
Drop-off Location at 455 Flatbush Avenue
Children’s groups coming by bus for self-guided visits should be dropped off and picked up at the Flatbush Avenue entrance at the corner of Empire Boulevard. Map ›
Groups Arriving on Foot or by Subway
Additional entrances to BBG are located on Eastern Parkway and at the Visitor Center on Washington Avenue. BBG is easily accessible via subway: 2/3 to Eastern Parkway, 4/5/S to Franklin Avenue, Q/B to Prospect Park.
For directions to the Garden, visit Directions.
Garden Hours
March–October
- Tuesday–Friday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Weekends and holidays: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Closed Mondays
November
- Tuesday–Friday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Weekends and holidays: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Closed Mondays
December–February
- Tuesday–Sunday: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Closed Mondays
See also Hours & Admissions.
Tips for a Great Visit
Exploration Guides
- For aid in exploring BBG, download the Teacher's Map and Activity Guide (PDF), a Garden map (PDF), and a Kids' Field Journal (PDF), or pick them up at the entrance.
Guidelines
To protect our collections and ensure that all visitors enjoy their experience, we ask that you share these rules with your group and follow them. A garden requires a great deal of care; we truly appreciate your help preserving this hundred-year-old living museum.
- Every group must have a ratio of at least one adult per ten children. For grades pre–K through 1, a ratio of one adult per seven or eight children is recommended. Students must be accompanied by adult chaperones at all times.
- Plants may not be touched except in the Fragrance Garden. Do not pick flowers, climb trees, or walk in planting beds.
- Eating or drinking on Garden grounds or in the Steinhardt Conservatory is strictly prohibited.
- Active sports, balls, Frisbees, and running are not permitted; audio devices may only be used with headphones.
- Do not throw coins into fountains or pools or wade in water.
- Sitting on lawns is permitted only on Cherry Esplanade; blankets may not be used.
Visiting with Large Groups
When more than one class or group is visiting from the same school or organization, the groups should split up to tour the Garden’s collections separately. Smaller groups of children will see more of the Garden and have a better time. Please be aware that the Steinhardt Conservatory, school lunch area, and Garden Shop have capacity limits, and admittance may be temporarily restricted until space permits.
Restrooms
Restrooms are located in the Administration Building, Steinberg Visitor Center, Steinhardt Conservatory, and at the Flatbush Avenue entrance. Please allow time before and after your visit for restroom use.
Clothing
Children and adult leaders should wear clothing and footwear appropriate for an active outdoor walk and shifts in weather.
Traveling with Lunches
We encourage children’s groups to have lunch before entering or after leaving the Garden. Picnic areas located near the Garden include Dr. Ronald McNair Park (near the Steinberg Visitor Center), Mount Prospect Park (at Eastern Parkway), and Prospect Park (across Flatbush Avenue).
The Garden has limited seating for registered school groups in an uncovered outdoor lunch area located next to the Discovery Garden. This area is open seasonally in the spring, summer, and fall, Tuesday through Friday, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. School groups must be accompanied by the appropriate ratio of adult chaperones.
Garden Shop
BBG’s Garden Shop is open year-round and offers a selection of books, plants, and gifts for purchase, including a special children’s section. Children’s groups are welcome to shop in groups of ten or fewer, with adult supervision.
Accessibility
Most facilities at the Garden are wheelchair accessible, including the main entrance, Steinberg Visitor Center, education greenhouse, Steinhardt Conservatory, and several restrooms. Please let us know if individuals will be arriving by wheelchair or if they are physically challenged so that we can help you plan your route accordingly.
Learn more about accessibility at the Garden.