Grades K–5 Self-Guided Field Trips

Plan Your Visit

• Self-Guided Field Trips

  
  

  Field trips are available Fall (September–November) and Spring (March–June). 

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

  Fall 2025 field trip requests will open August 20, 2025 at 10:00 am.

  
  

• 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 are 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).

  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. 

  Application required. Funds are limited and awarded on a first come, first served basis. For compete details and eligibility requirements: Learn More

   

  
  

• Lunch Options for Self-Guided School Groups

  
  

  Picnic Area 
  The picnic area (located outside the Gardens) is a two-minute drive for Longwood visitors. The picnic area is available seasonally (mid-April through late-October). Bagged lunches are permitted in the picnic area. If using the picnic area, plan on having your lunch before or after your field trip, as re-entry to the Gardens is not currently permitted. 

  The Café 
  Food may be purchased from the Café (located inside the Gardens).  Purchased food must be eaten in the Café and may not be brought into the Gardens. To view current menu options: Café Menu

  Picnicking, bringing in outside food or beverages, or delivery of food to the Gardens is not permitted. Personal water bottles are permitted.

  Due to limited seating, The Café Tent (located inside the Gardens) cannot accommodate self-guided field trips.

  
  

• 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.