Grades 9–12 Self-Guided Field Trips

Plan Your Visit

• Self-Guided Field Trips Spring 2026

  
  

  Self-Guided field trips are available select dates,  Wednesday, March 11- Thursday, June 11, 2026. 

  Self-guided field trip arrival times are available 10:00 am–2:00 pm. 

  For current self-guided field trip availability, visit: Self-Guided Field Trip Availability

  
  

• What is Included with a Self-Guided Field Trip?

  
  

  Free admission  for school groups with 15 or more students in grades Pre-K through 12 (ages 4–18). 

  Complimentary admission for:   
  Students (ages 4–18) 
  1 adult chaperone (ages 19+) for every 10 students attending the field trip 
  School Paraprofessionals and Nurses 
  Bus Drivers

  We are delighted to make field trips accessible to all, keeping with our mission of bringing joy and inspiration to everyone through the beauty of nature, conservation, and learning. 

  
  

• Group Size and Capacity

  
  

  A minimum of 15 students is required to receive free admission. Groups with fewer than 15 students may visit by purchasing individual timed tickets prior to arrival. 

  Schools may bring up to 400 students per academic year (September-June).

  For current self-guided field trip availability, visit: Self-Guided Field Trip Availability

  Daily Capacity for Self-Guided Field Trips

  Total: 170 students per day

  Groups with more than 170 students may attend on multiple days. 

  
  

• Student Groups for Self-Guided Field Trips

  
  

  Longwood Gardens requires one adult chaperone (19+) for every 10 students attending the field trip. 

  Students (ages 4–18) must always be accompanied by an adult chaperone (19+).

  
  

• Free Adult Chaperones

  
  

  Longwood Gardens requires one adult chaperone (19+) for every 10 students attending the field trip. 
  
  Longwood Gardens provides one free adult chaperone admission for every 10 students. The number of free admissions is dependent on the number of students attending the field trip. 
  
  Free chaperone admissions may be used by any teacher, parent or adult  (19+) attending the field trip.

  
  

• Additional Paid Adult Chaperones

  
  

  Additional adult chaperones (19+) must purchase timed admission tickets prior to arrival at tickets.longwoodgardens.org
  
  Additional adult chaperones may use their Longwood Membership to enter the Gardens. Member Reservations may be required, see the Member section of our website for more details. 
  
  Sell-out is possible.

  
  

• Transportation

  
  

  School groups must travel by bus or 15-passenger van. 

  
  

• Longwood Grant for Title I Schools

  
  

  Longwood Gardens offers a Title I school grant to support field trip transportation costs. The grant provides reimbursement of up to $500 per school bus and return coupons for students. 

  An additional application is required. Funds are limited and awarded on a first come, first served basis. For complete details and eligibility requirements: Learn More

   

  
  

• Lunch Options for Self-Guided School Groups

  
  

  No outside food and/or beverages, including bagged lunches carried by individuals or groups, are permitted inside the Gardens. We do not provide space to store bagged lunches inside the Gardens during the field trip. Bagged lunches may not be stored inside the Gardens, carried into the Gardens by individuals and/or groups or eaten in the bus lot. 
  Delivery of food to the Gardens is not permitted. Water bottles are permitted. 

  Due to limited capacity, the Café Tent, located inside the Gardens, is reserved for educator-guided school groups.

  Picnic Area

  March 11 – April 10, 2026: Picnic area is closed. The area is not available for use by guests during this time. 
  April 13 - June 11, 2026: Self-Guided school groups may use the Picnic Area to eat bagged lunches. The Picnic Area is located outside the Gardens, a two-minute drive from the Visitor Center. Seating in the area is available first come, first serve. The Picnic Area has 70 picnic tables and restrooms but is not covered. Please arrange alternative plans in the event of inclement weather. Use of the picnic area is limited to before or after the field trip, as re-entry to the Gardens is not permitted.

  The Café 
  Food can be purchased in the Café, located inside the Gardens. The Café accepts cash or credit card payments; seating is available on a first come, first serve basis. Food purchased in the Café must be eaten in the Café seating area and cannot be brought into the Gardens. To view current menu, visit: Café Menu

  
  

• Weather

  
  

  Field trips occur rain or shine. In the event of predicted severe weather, Longwood may cancel field trips for safety. Cancellation notice will be sent up to one day in advance. Field trips will be re-scheduled based on current availability.

  
  

• Cancellations

  
  

  Cancellation of a field trip less than three weeks prior to a reserved date may affect a school’s ability to receive complimentary field trips in the future.

  To cancel a field trip reservation, visit: Field Trip Visit Information

  
  

• FAQ's

  
  

  What if I have less than 15 students?

  15 students in attendance are required on the date of the field trip to receive free field trip admission. Groups with fewer students are welcome to visit by purchasing individual timed tickets. To view current Gardens Admission Availability, visit: Tickets

  To explore additional community programs and accessibility initiatives, visit: Community Programs

  Do my students all have to be in the same grade level?

  No. School groups with students of various grade levels are welcome to request a self-guided field trip.

  Do students need to stay with an adult chaperone while exploring the Gardens?

  Yes. All students (4-18) must be with an adult chaperone (19+) at all times. All guests must observe our visiting guidelines. Adult chaperones are responsible for communicating these guidelines to ensure the safety of all guests, exhibit and plant collections.

  Can self-guided school groups eat bagged lunches inside the Gardens? 

  Self-guided school groups cannot eat bagged lunches inside the Gardens. Due to limited capacity, the Café Tent, located inside the Gardens, is reserved for educator-guided school groups.

  What if I have school paraprofessionals or nurses that are required to accompany students?

  We provide free admission to school paraprofessionals and nurses required to accompany individual students. Please include these staff members when making your reservation or updating the school group numbers.

  How long can schools groups explore the Gardens?

  The Gardens open at 10:00 am. Groups are welcome to enjoy the Gardens until close. To view hours by date, visit: Longwood Gardens Hours

  I have students with special needs. How do I ensure their needs are met?

  We strive to ensure that every guest has an excellent experience when visiting our Gardens. If students require special accommodations, please alert us to the student needs contact Group Visits prior to your arrival at k12@longwoodgardens.org or 610-388-5223.

  Do you offer mobility devices?

  Yes. Complimentary wheelchairs are self-service and available in the Visitor Center Lobby, first come, first served.

  Strollers and electric scooters are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Rentals area in the Visitor Center. A valid photo ID is required to rent strollers or electric scooters. To learn more, visit: Wheelchair, Scooter, and Stroller Rentals

  Can attendees bring their own water bottles?

  Yes, personal reusable water bottles are encouraged.