The Atlanta Botanical Garden will reopen to the public starting Friday, May 23, 2020. There will be safety measures in place, and a new system of ticketing with specific entry times.
Tickets will go on sale beginning Thursday, May 21st.
If you have a membership to ABG, you can visit now, before the public opening on the 23rd, but you’ll still need to reserve your entry time slot.
All members who joined or renewed before May 2020 will automatically receive two additional months of membership, to compensate for the weeks ABG was closed.
The Gainesville garden location remains closed.
You may also be interested in:
- Zoo Atlanta is open once again
- Stone Mountain Park: Get $5 off a parking pass
- Scenic drives: Explore the South Fulton Scenic Byway
- Many spring festivals are rescheduled — here are the new dates
- Guide to Metro Atlanta farmers markets
Staying safe at Atlanta Botanical Garden
As always, just because something is open doesn’t mean you have to go. We advise you to weigh your personal risks and make decisions based on what’s best for you and your family. For some of you, it may be better to delay excursions to places like the zoo.
Not sure if a trip to ABG is right for you? Here’s a New York Times report on the relative risks of outdoor activities.
Please stay home if you have symptoms of illness, or have had an exposure to a person who became ill.
If you go to the Garden this spring and summer:
♦ The CDC advises wearing cloth or paper face coverings in public whenever possible. The Atlanta Botanical Garden strongly recommends wearing masks on the grounds and REQUIRES masks in restrooms.
♦ Atlanta Botanical Garden advises maintaining a reasonable distance from others, and steering clear of congested areas.
Here are the main safety measures now in place:
- Timed tickets will limit capacity (see below for ticket info)
- Indoor spaces are still closed (see the list below for what’s open and closed)
- The splash pad and children’s garden is still closed
- Masks are REQUIRED in restrooms and for entry to the Longleaf Quick Cafe
- Picnic-style food is being sold (credit/debit card only) and you can eat it outdoors in designated areas
- One-way flow through many Garden pathways will promote social distancing
- ABG staff and volunteers will wear masks
- Hand sanitizing stations will be available in public areas
New hours at Atlanta Botanical Garden
Because of the new limits on capacity, the Garden is offering extended hours through the summer months.
Hours are Tuesday thru Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with the last entry at 8 p.m.
Membership Mondays
A garden membership just became more valuable — because members can now reserve an entry time slot on Mondays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Previously, ABG was closed to the public on Mondays.
Garden memberships come at multiple levels: $78 for an individual, $105 for a couple, $115 for a family — and more expensive VIP memberships with added perks.
What’s open at the Garden
Most of the outdoor spaces will open immediately — including the canopy walk, Storza Woods, rose garden, Japanese garden, edible garden, skyline garden, and the Great Lawn.
Note some paths are now marked as one-way.
The children’s garden with its play area and splash pad will remain CLOSED for now.
For now, the indoor spaces are also closed. This includes the conservatory and orchid center, the gift shop, and the Longleaf restaurant.
Special exhibit: Alice’s Wonderland Re-imagined
It looks as if this special exhibit will pick up right where it left off. The ABG website indicates it as being open from May 23 through November 1, 2020.
It features enormous topiary-like sculptures, including Alice, the Red Queen, White Rabbit, and Cheshire Cat.
The sculptures are lit dramatically after dark.
This open-air exhibit does not require an additional fee — it is included in your garden entrance fee.
Admission prices & timed ticket system
With a timed ticket, the garden will allow a limited number of guests in every 15 minutes.
You won’t be limited in how long you can stay, but the ABG website advises that the average visit lasts between 90 minutes and two hours.
You are encouraged to arrive on time, and may be denied admission if you are more than 15 minutes late, depending on capacity.
The ticket office is open and will sell you a walk-up ticket if there is availability — but it’s a much safer bet to plan ahead.
You can buy tickets online — choose a mobile or print-at-home option.
You can also purchase by phone.
Tickets are not refundable. However, if the weather is bad, you may be able to reschedule your day and time slot by emailing admissions@atlantabg.org
Current prices:
- Adult (age 13+) — $21.95
- Children age 3 to 12 — $18.95
- Under age 3 — FREE
Military discount
The Atlanta Botanical Garden offers $2 off daily admission for up to four tickets purchased by military.
The Gainesville Garden offers 10% off of a daily admission ticket.
Triple-A membership discount
The Atlanta Botanical Garden offers $2 off daily admission for up to four tickets purchased by military.
The Gainesville Garden offers 10% off of a daily admission ticket.
Parking
There is an onsite parking deck at the Garden. It has generally been slow, crowded, and inconvenient, so the timed ticket system may make parking easier too.
Enter from Piedmont Avenue and park on levels 4, 5, or 6 for garden access. (The Monroe Dr. entrance gives you access to Piedmont Park, but not the ABG.)
You can expect to pay about $4 for parking during an average garden visit.
Parking prices:
- Drop-off period (0 – 30 minutes) — Free
- 31-60 minutes — $2
- Each additional 30 minutes — $1
- Maximum Daily Rate — $15
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