School tour Frequently Asked Questions

What do we do while we're waiting for our tour, or while we're waiting for the other people in our group to finish their tour?
You can do any of the following:

• Visit the historic Palm House

• Eat lunch

• Play outside in Franklin Park (weather permitting)

• Bring along worksheets, read-aloud books, sketch pads

We ask that you do not go through the plant collections. That is where your school tour takes place, and other groups are trying to walk through with their guides. On most days, it is quite busy.

Can we bring our lunches?
Yes. Please consolidate lunches in boxes clearly labeled with your school name. Limited space is available inside the Palm House and must be reserved in advance. It is picnic style seating on the floor - no tables or chairs are available. Arrangements can be made for special needs students. During nice weather, many people choose to eat outside in the park on blankets or in the park's shelter house at picnic tables.

How long are the tours?
The tours are approximately one hour long. Your Conservatory guide leads you through the first three biomes: the Himalayan Mountains, Tropical Rainforest and Desert. You are free to explore the last biome, the Pacific Islands, on your own.

My school requires purchase orders - is that OK?
Yes. We accept purchase orders. Please bring a copy with you on the day of your tour so that we can attach the invoice and mail it back to your school.

Can we see the special exhibitions while we are at the Conservatory for our school tour?
Yes. You will see everything currently on view while you are on your school tour. Exhibitions are located throughout the plant collections and in the Atrium and Palm House. The only exception occurs when there is a special event scheduled for the Palm House, in which case visitors are asked to be respectful of the event (i.e., weddings, corporate meetings). Rentals of the Palm House are a major source of income for the Conservatory and they allow us to bring in special exhibitions.