school bus in front of the gardens

Expectations

  • Teachers and chaperones are responsible for ensuring the group’s appropriate behavior throughout the entire visit.
  • Students must be accompanied by an adult at all times. We recommend you break into small groups, with one adult per every six to eight students.
  • Please have your students stay on the paths at all times. This is true in our Conservatory and while visiting our outdoor gardens.
  • Please stagger your visits to the restrooms to avoid overcrowding.

Lunch Areas

  • Groups are not permitted to eat in the Conservatory.
  • Storage space for lunches is not available.
  • Your group is welcome to eat in our outdoor garden spaces. If eating in these spaces, please bring trash bags to "pack-out" your waste. Please remember that our outdoor gardens are part of our museum. Please remind students to remain on the paths at all times.

Accessibility

The U.S. Botanic Garden strives to makes its facilities and programming accessible to all visitors to ensure a successful museum visit. Our Accessibility Page provides more information.

Getting to the Garden / Transportation

School Buses

LOADING and UNLOADING of students must occur at the east curb at Garfield Circle located at 1st St SW and Maryland Ave SW (just east of the Conservatory). See on a map.

There is no bus parking at the U.S. Botanic Garden. There is a tour bus route from the Capitol to Parking Lot B at Union Station. Bus drivers should use this route between the tour drop-off/pick-up point on First Street SW and the bus parking lot.

Public Transportation

The easiest way to reach us by Metrorail is by taking either the Orange, Blue, or Silver line to the Federal Center SW station. Exit the station, walk north (left) along Third Street SW for two blocks, cross Independence Avenue, and continue one more block to Maryland Ave. Look toward the Capitol and you will see the glass dome of the Conservatory. The Cosnervatory entrance is on Maryland Avenue.

Metrobuses #32, 34, and 36 stop behind the Conservatory at Independence Ave and First Street SW. We encourage taking public transportation; you can plan your trip on Metro.

Parking

Metered street parking spaces are available within a few blocks of the U.S. Botanic Garden. A limited number of accessible spaces are available in front of the Conservatory on Maryland Ave SW.

Hours and Admission

The Garden is open daily from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Admission is FREE. Explore more about hours.

Field Trip Questions

Direct general questions about Field Trips to USBGfieldtrips@aoc.gov.

For changes or questions regarding scheduled field trips, refer to the USBG contact information provided at registration.