A Botanic Garden Like No Other
Discover the beauty of native plants in a naturally dramatic landscape
Our naturalistic botanic garden just west of Boston showcases New England more than 1,000 species of native plants on 45 acres sculpted by retreating glaciers into eskers and steep-sided valleys, with a brook, pond, and wetlands. Here you’ll find inspiration for your own garden and a new appreciation for the varied plant life of our region. To get a preview before you come, or for those who cannot visit in person, we invite you to enjoy this virtual visit.
Plan Your Visit
The main path through the Garden is a mile-long loop with a crushed-gravel surface, requiring about an hour to an hour and a half to walk. Benches are dispersed throughout. The natural terrain is rugged, with a steep slope at the entrance and exit. Download a Garden map here.
Enjoy our outdoor picnic tables on the patio outside the Education Center. The Education Center also contains a drinking fountain and restrooms.
More restrooms are located inside the Visitor Center, where you may also buy snacks and drinks, or pre-order a box lunch to enjoy during your visit.
You also may buy native plants at our Garden Shop near the Visitor Center.
Location
180 Hemenway Road
Framingham, MA 01701
T 508-877-7630
F 508-877-3658
Garden Shop (plant sales): 774-301-8465
For all other contact info, click here.
Get directions from your location via Google maps. Please note: The exit to use for Garden in the Woods, formerly #12 (Framingham), is now #111 (still labeled Framingham).
Check our local weather
Hours
Wednesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., through Sunday, November 23
Our Garden Shop will be open for holiday shopping in December: Thursday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., December 4–20.
Admission
Tickets are available at the Visitor Center when you arrive.
Native Plant Trust members are admitted free.
Nonmember admission:
- Adult (18-64): $18
- Senior (65+): $15
- Student: $12
- Youth (5-17): $8
- Children under 5: free
- Active service members and their spouses admitted free with valid military ID. Veterans receive 50 percent discount with proof of service.
Please leave pets at home. Service dogs are welcome.
Between mid-April and mid-October, hours for the Garden Shop at Garden in the Woods correspond with the Garden's open hours.
Native Plant Highlights
During the Garden's open season, you can preview what’s blooming, fruiting, or displaying beautiful foliage week by week by visiting our Native Plant Highlights Board. Each garden area showcases a wide array of plant species which change drastically week to week and month to month. Our staff and volunteers survey the garden regularly for blooms and update our digital highlights board on a semi-weekly basis. Check back regularly to see what’s blooming as you plan your visit to the garden.
Nasami Farm
During the growing season, you may also shop for plants at our nursery, Nasami Farm, in western Massachusetts.
Accessibility and Modes of Transportation
Some important information
Please note that only the entrance plateau at Garden in the Woods is ADA-accessible. The natural terrain of the property is too steep for most wheelchairs, scooters, and other motorized mobility devices and presents a safety hazard to visitors using such devices.
For the safety of all visitors and the protection of plant collections and other natural resources, we do not allow bicycles, off-road vehicles, and vehicles or other power-driven devices used for mobility assistance (with the exception of wheelchairs and scooters) on the paths at Garden in the Woods or in our sanctuaries.
For details about accessible parking and other visitor guidelines, please see the dropdown box below.
Tours (in Season)
About our private group tours, drop-in tours, and more
Tours (April–October)
Private Group Tours
Booking for 2026 will begin in February. Our 2025 tour information appears below. Please note: The 2026 tour schedule and fees may differ. Please check back in January for updates.
Private group tours are available at Garden in the Woods from mid-April through mid-October, offering an opportunity to view our seasonal displays and learn about our 125-year history through our Garden Guides. Each tour features several ecologically rich plant communities where function and beauty combine, an abundance of wildlife, views of rare plants, and information on our current conservation work across the region.
Tours are approximately one mile long and require the ability to walk on steep hills. When booking a tour, guests may reserve carts to accommodate up to 10 people for accessibility.
Tours are available on selected days and times and last approximately 60 minutes.
In 2025, tours began at 10:30 a.m.on:
- Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday during April, May, June, September, and October
- Tuesday and Saturday during July and August
To reserve a tour, a group must have a minimum of five people. Reservations must be made at least three weeks in advance.
We require a deposit in the amount of your tour guide fee to reserve your tour time. Our 2025 tour fees were:
- $15 per person, plus a guide fee
- 5–20 people (1 guide): $50
- 21–40 people (2 guides): $100
Complete our tour interest form to be the first to know when 2026 tour booking opens.
Questions? Please email us at shopadmin@NativePlantTrust.org.
Check back in 2026 for information about next season’s offerings for drop-in, children's, and audio tours, and our Virtual Visit.
Parking and Photography
Some do's and don'ts to know before you visit
Parking
Our parking lot is unpaved and accommodates 42 cars, including two handicapped-accessible spaces. If the parking lot is full, visitors may park on public streets, being careful not to block driveways or park on lawns. (See parking map below.) In addition, please note:
- Framingham permits parking on only one side of the street; which side is determined by whether the year is even- or odd-numbered. In 2025, parking is allowed only on the odd-numbered side of streets.
- Parking is prohibited on Raymond Road and Hemenway Road, because they must be kept clear for emergency vehicle access.
- When walking to the Garden entrance, please stay along the side of the road, as local traffic and bicycles use these roads.
Photography
- Commercial photography and group photo sessions for weddings, family portraits, engagements, celebrations, or similar gatherings are not permitted. (If you're a member of the press, please call to make advance arrangements: 508-877-7630.)
- We know you'll be absorbed in capturing images, but please take care to stay on the paths—and don't even think about disturbing the plants to get a better effect.
- Please do not block the paths or stand in the way of other visitors.
Thank you!
Rental Space at Garden in the Woods
Book our Education building for a meeting
We're accepting limited rentals in 2025. You can view our rental flyer here. Please reach out to the Public Programs team for more information by emailing Education@nativeplanttrust.org.
