Charter a Bus to the Atlanta Botanical Garden

Parking Options in Midtown ATL

Piedmont Park is one of the city’s busiest greenspaces. It also happens to share a parking deck with the botanical gardens. Finding parking in the deck during peak visiting hours (during the fall/winter holiday season and most weekends) is already difficult for one car. Throw several cars into the mix and you’re going to spend a long time making laps up and down the deck.

If you’re a small group or a solo traveler, expect to pay the following rates for parking:

Drop-off Period (0-30 minutes): FREE

31 - 60 minutes: $2

Each additional 30 minutes: $1

Maximum daily rate: $15

 

Oversized vehicles like charter buses, minibuses, and limousines are not permitted to park on-site (some exceptions are made for school tours). Depending on when you’re planning to visit, your charter bus driver can drop your group off at the main entrance or at the rear of the property through the South Service gate off Piedmont Road.

Off-site parking is available throughout Midtown, but you will need to organize it with a private lot or garage. One of the closest large-scale parking lots is located about 4 miles away at the Georgia World Congress Center Marshalling Yard for $25 a day. Your bus driver can proceed to your parking option of choice after your group is dropped off. You'll just need to ensure any parking fees are covered. Once your day at the gardens is done, your driver can pick everyone up and shuttle you off to your next destination.

Hours and Admission

Garden hours vary depending on the season. The gardens are always closed on Mondays. On Tuesday-Sunday gates typically open at 9 a.m. and close between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Check the garden’s website before planning your trip to ensure you have plenty of time to see everything.

Visitors will be charged the following rates for admission:

Adult: $21.95

Child ages 3-12: $18.95

Child under 3: Free

 

Entrance fees can get pricey for large groups. Thankfully, the botanical gardens do offer small discounts for groups.

Group Tour Options and Discounts

Are you planning a family reunion, privately organized tour, or community trip to the Atlanta Botanical Garden? Inquire about group visit reservations in advance to secure the best rates.

Self-guided tour groups of 20 or more adults should make ticket requests at least two weeks in advance. Tickets are $18.95 per person and can be used during normal garden hours.

Docent-led guided tours of 10 to 60 adults require at least four weeks’ notice. Tickets are $22.95 per person and tours are available Tuesday-Friday from 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Guided tours may be limited when the garden closes early for special events like Garden Lights during the winter holiday season.

School Group Visits

If you’re traveling with a school class, academic club, or summer camp, consider taking a modern charter bus to the gardens. All of your students will stay entertained with onboard TVs, and chaperones can cool off and relax in a climate-controlled cabin and reclining seat.

The Atlanta Botanical Garden welcomes school groups for self-guided tours and docent-led educational tours. Just like the adult tours, self-guided tours must be booked at least two weeks in advance and docent-led tours must be reserved at least four weeks out.

Self-guided tours can take place during normal business hours between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Guided tours can only be booked Tuesday-Friday. The self-guided option is $8 per student (a maximum of 50 students), while the guided tour is $10 per student. You’ll be required to have one chaperone for every 8 students. Admission for required chaperones is free, but any additional guests will cost $10 per person.

Educators taking the guided tour route can choose from five educational tracks that cover everything from plant-based nutrition to biomes and habitats. Your tour will last around an hour and a half as students explore beautiful plants from around the world.

Atlanta Botanical Garden Highlights

Touring the garden’s grounds in full will take your group at least two hours. If you want to take your time, grab a bite to eat, and explore at your leisure, make it a half-day trip.

The majority of the grounds are wheelchair accessible. There are a few gravel paths, but these do have alternative pathed routes for visitors with mobility concerns. Be sure to also ask your National Charter Bus reservation specialist about our options for ADA-accessible charter buses.

If you’re planning a relatively short trip to the gardens, make these locations a priority:

Cascades Garden

As one of the first gardens near the attraction entrance, Cascades Garden is a wonderful start to your journey. It’s home to the beloved Earth Goddess from the Imaginary Worlds exhibition of 2013-14. The 25-foot topiary sculpture is now a permanent garden resident, blooming with more than 18,000 annuals and hundreds of other surrounding plants.

Image courtesy of salin1 on Flickr.

Glade Garden

The Atlanta Botanical Garden has several pieces in its permanent art collection from famed glassworker Dale Chihuly. His piece Saffron Tower is the focal point of this garden and is a must-see during your visit. It’s an amazing piece to view at any time of day, but it is especially dazzling when illuminated in the evening.

Fuqua Orchid Center and Fuqua Conservatory

These indoor collections include more than 2,000 plant species from around the world. Cool off in the orchid house and learn about the colorful flowers of Madagascar, Peru, Sumatra, and beyond. The Fuqua Conservatory includes the Desert House, an orangerie, and the Tropical Rotunda. You’ll find everything from nutmeg trees to desert roses and tropical cycads in this popular section of the garden. Be sure to say hello to the frogs in the amphibian exhibit as you enter and exit the conservatory lobby!

Children's Garden

Are you traveling with a group of little ones? Take them to Lou Glenn’s Children’s Garden to play and learn among the blooms of dogwoods and hibiscus trees. This garden has a treehouse playzone, a mini amphitheater, gardening areas, and a splash pad in the warm months. Events and classes rotate throughout the week, so check the programming calendar to see what your little ones can participate in during your visit.

Private Event Rentals in the Gardens

Looking for a unique venue for your next special event? The Atlanta Botanical Garden has around a dozen rental spaces that are perfect for your wedding, corporate gathering, or any other occasion. Say “I do” in the romantic (and fragrant) Rose Garden or host an intimate reception at Cascades Garden with views of the Earth Goddess.

There are also several indoor spaces if you’re hosting a summer event but aren’t too fond of the Atlanta heat. Locations like the Hardin Visitor Center and Day Hall have amazing views of the gardens without the overbearing summer rays.

If you’re planning a large, lavish wedding or a big corporate gala, reserving a private shuttle service is the easiest way to ensure your guests arrive on-time and ready for a lovely evening. Parking can’t always be guaranteed on-site, even after hours or during the off-season. Your guests won’t need to make laps around the parking garage, ultimately making them late for your event. National Charter Bus can book a motorcoach fleet and team of professional drivers customized to your event needs.

Travel Around Atlanta with National Charter Bus

Wherever your Atlanta group trip takes you, National Charter Bus has your transportation covered. Travel to the beautiful botanic gardens, to the Georgia Aquarium, or even to Zoo Atlanta. You’ll have a professional driver, a dedicated reservation expert, and a comfortable charter bus to make your trip run as smoothly as possible.

Have a few questions about how our rentals work? Check out our pricing guide and rental FAQ page! If you still have more questions, our team is available 24/7 at 404-400-1914 to assist you in booking group transportation for your trip.