Group Tours
UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens welcomes groups of up to 60 people for staff-guided visits Mondays – Fridays and up to 30 for self-guided visits 365 days a year. Any group of 8 or more must register in advance of their visit. For such groups we offer four different options:
Self-guided Tours
Staff-guided Kids’ Tours
Staff-guided Garden Highlights Tours
Special Request Tours/Events
A tour group is defined as a group of visitors to the gardens consisting of between 7 and 60 people. Groups greater than 60 people are not eligible for either a guided nor self-guided group tour. Groups greater than 30 people are not eligible for self-guided tours. This group size maximum is set in order to assure a safe and quality experience for our guests, and to protect our collections from extensive foot traffic. Organizations wanting to tour with more than 60 people may contact April to discuss alternative options.
Self-guided Tours
Self-guided Tours are a good choice for a group which would like to experience the garden at their own pace, particularly if the group intends to take photographs of the plants along their tour. Self-guided tours can last as long as the group desires and the facilities are open. A brochure highlighting the season and/or special areas of the gardens will be provided to the tour participants upon arrival at the McMillan Greenhouse. Registration is required.
Registration for Self-Guided Tours must be completed with a minimum of 48 hours’ notice by completing the Self-Guided Tour Registration Form (see “Register Here” link to the right).
Self-guided tour groups may register to visit any date(s) and time(s) the greenhouses and/or gardens are open.
Staff-Guided Tours
Staff-guided Garden Highlights Tours are also great for those visitors who want an informational overview of the gardens, such as tourists, and senior groups. These groups will be provided with a highlights tour led by experienced visitor services staff and/or volunteers. Tours with a historical emphasis may be requested. Tours will include the outdoor gardens and greenhouse, as desired by the group and weather permitting. These tours last about 60-90 minutes. Registration is required.
Guided tours require registration and are offered at a flat rate of $100 for up to 15 people, $175 for up to 30 people, $250 for up to 45 people, $325 for up to 60 people. Parking is included in the fee for registered groups arriving by bus or passenger van.
Registration for Guided Tours must be initiated by completing the online “Group Tour Request Form” through the gardens.charlotte.edu website a minimum of two weeks (10 business days) in advance of the proposed tour. Not all tour requests will result in a confirmed registration. Tour requests will receive a response by tour staff within 3 business days of their submission. This response will include an approval or denial of the request. Responses to approved requests will include further instructions for registration and payment, both of which are required at least 5 business days prior to the date of the scheduled tour.
Groups of visitors from assisted living and senior care facilities must be accompanied by staff from the facility at the ratio of a minimum of 1 staff person to 10 visitors, whether the tour is guided or self-guided. Visitors needing special assistance must be accompanied by additional staff from their facilities according to law.
Note: If your group is larger than 30 for a self-tour, we recommend programs at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont or the many Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation Nature Centers and Preserves.
Children’s Tours
Staff-guided Kids’ Tours are a good choice for student groups. For school and homeschool groups, experienced visitor services staff and/or volunteers will lead tours appropriate to NC state content standards for the grade level(s) of participants. School tours are typically 60-90 minutes, depending on student age. Registration is required.
Groups of children under the age of 18 must be supervised by their own adult chaperones at the ratio of a minimum of 1 adult to 10 children, whether the tour is guided or self-guided. Children needing special assistance must be accompanied by additional staff from their schools according to their IEP.
Guided tours require registration and are offered at a flat rate of $100 for up to 15 people, $175 for up to 30 people, $250 for up to 45 people, $325 for up to 60 people. Parking is included in the fee for registered groups arriving by bus or passenger van.
Registration for Guided Tours must be initiated by completing the online Group Tour Request Form (see “Register Here” below) through the gardens.charlotte.edu website a minimum of two weeks (10 business days) in advance of the proposed tour. Not all tour requests will result in a confirmed registration. Tour requests will receive a response by tour staff within 3 business days of their submission. This response will include an approval or denial of the request. Responses to approved requests will include further instructions for registration and payment, both of which are required at least 5 business days prior to the date of the scheduled tour.
Guided tour groups are scheduled by visitor services staff on a first-come, first-served basis upon receipt of a registration request. Guided tours are generally offered Mondays-Fridays between 9 am – 2 pm. Alternate times are offered upon request when possible.
Cancellation and Refunds:
Self-Guided Group tours may be cancelled up to 24 hours prior to the scheduled tour date and time by emailing April Faucette, Visitor Services Coordinator at afaucet5@charlotte.edu.
Guided Group tours may be cancelled up to 3 days prior to the scheduled tour date and time by emailing April Faucette, Visitor Services Coordinator at afaucet5@charlotte.edu.
Full refunds are available if cancelled with the lead time listed above.
Groups who cancel tour later than the lead time listed, but prior to the time and date of the scheduled tour will receive a refund of their registration fee minus a $15 processing fee. No-show groups will not receive refunds.
Tours which exceed the size indicated in registration will be expected to pay the difference upon arrival if not before. No refund, full or partial, will be given in the case that the actual number of the participants who arrive for the tour is less than the registered number.
In the rare case that the Gardens must cancel a group tour (e.g. for dangerous weather or unexpected university closure), fees will be refunded in full, within 10 days after the scheduled tour.