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Do you enjoy visiting other public gardens when you travel? Show your Cornell Botanic Gardens membership card to gain free or discounted admission and other benefits at more than 300 beautiful destinations across North America!
Free admission to our summer drop-in garden tours. Lower registration fees for our classes and workshops. Reciprocal benefits at 300+ Public Gardens in North America. Invitations to art exhibit openings and special member-only events.
Show your Cornell Botanic Gardens membership card to gain free or discounted admission and other benefits at more than 300 beautiful destinations across North America! You can view the list of participating living museums on the American Horticultural Society’s (ASH) online directory.
Our Gardens and Natural Areas. We are responsible for the natural beauty of the Cornell University campus including cultivated gardens, an arboretum, and natural areas. Together these comprise one-third of campus, and with off-campus natural areas, a total of 3,600 acres. BROWSE THE MAP explore.
- Parking, Seasonal Hours, and Admission
- Amenities
- Exploring Cornell Botanic Gardens
- Visitor Etiquette
- Photography and Filming Policy
- Dog Policy
- Seasonal Closures
- Accessibility
- Gorge Safety
- Renting Our Spaces
Do I have to pay to park?
The parking lot for the Nevin Welcome Center and surrounding gardens is a Cornell University metered lot. Rates are $1.50 per hour from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays for up to three hours. You may pay using the meter in the parking lot or by using ParkMobile, location Cornell University zone 4120. Visitors are not required to pay to park during evening hours and on weekends. Parking lots in the F. R. Newman Arboretum, Mundy Wildflower Garden and other off-campus natural areas are free. V...
What are your hours of operation?
All our gardens and grounds are open every day of the year, from dawn to dusk. You are welcome to visit between sunrise and sunset. The operating hours for the Nevin Welcome Center vary seasonally. View current hours.
Do you charge admission?
No. All of our gardens and natural areas are free and open to the public seven days per week year-round. We welcome and are grateful for all donations, which can be deposited in our donation box in the lobby of the Nevin Welcome Center.
Where are restrooms located?
Restrooms are available in the Nevin Welcome Center, which is open Tuesdays through Sundays, 10:00a.m. – 5:00p.m. When the center is closed, portable restrooms are available near the parking lot. There is also a portable restroom located near the Sculpture Garden in the Arboretum. Please note that there are no portable restrooms available during the winter months.
Are food and beverages available for sale?
There are currently no available refreshments for sale in the Nevin Welcome Center. View restaurantsnear the Nevin Welcome Center.
Cornell Botanic Gardens is expansive. What are the options for getting around the gardens and natural areas?
We have over 500 acres of gardens and natural areas on the Cornell University Campus. Depending on your time and ability, you can explore our areas on foot, or drive to various locations. Bicycle travel is encouraged and bike racks are available at the Nevin Welcome Center. Click herefor walking distances from the Nevin Welcome Center to other on-campus destinations.
Where can I get directions to explore off-campus natural areas?
We manage 22 nature preserves off of the Cornell campus. View a list and directions for each of these nature preserves or visit ithacatrails.comand search “Cornell Botanic Gardens” for a list of all hiking trails that are part of Cornell Botanic Gardens.
How long does it take to explore Cornell Botanic Gardens?
We recommend planning on two to four hours to see the majority of our destinations on Cornell’s campus. Shorter and longer visits are possible, depending on your interest. Click hereto view recommended routes based on your ability and interests.
To ensure the health of our plant collections, and for the enjoyment of all our visitors, please: 1. Carry litter out with you. 2. Keep all dogs on leashes and clean up after them.
Any use of university-owned (indoor or outdoor) property for filming or photography must receive prior approval in writing from University Relations by submitting a request using this form. This requirement applies to Cornell Botanic Gardens, including F.R. Newman Arboretum, gardens around the Nevin Welcome Center, and natural areas, both on-campus...
Are dogs allowed at Cornell Botanic Gardens?
We welcome dogs and responsible dog owners at Cornell Botanic Gardens. Dogs are required to be on a leash at all times and you must clean up after them. Please keep them out of the garden beds. For your convenience, two dog waste stations are located in the F. R. Newman Arboretum. NOTE: For the safety and comfort of staff, volunteers and other visitors, dogs and other pets are NOT allowed on guided tours.
Are any parts of Cornell Botanic Gardens closed during the winter?
Most of our areas remain open in the winter though some exceptions apply: The F. R. Newman Arboretum is closed to vehicle traffic during the winter months but pedestrians are welcome to explore the arboretum year-round. Parking is available at the Mundy Wildflower Garden parking lot off of Caldwell Road at the intersection with Forest Home Drive, directly across from the arboretum. View parking areason our interactive map. The trail through Cascadilla Gorgeis closed to pedestrians typically f...
Is Cornell Botanic Gardens accessible for people with mobility or physical disabilities?
Cornell Botanic Gardens locations have varying surfaces, slopes, and levels of access. The Nevin Welcome Center is a fully accessible facility and a wheelchair is available by request at the Garden Gift Shop. View details about accessibilityin the specialty gardens around the Nevin Welcome Center. F. R. Newman Arboretum: Paved roads and paths exist throughout the Arboretum. There are also steep slopes and chipped paths. View details. Natural Areas: View detailson the accessibility of our natu...
Practice respect and safety when visiting the gorges. While Cornell encourages our community to visit the natural places that make Ithaca truly ‘gorges,’ we ask that visitors practice respect and safety at all times when hiking or using the trails. Please follow all caution and regulation signs, which change throughout the year depending on weather...
In January, 2020, our policies changed and we no longer rent out our spaces – indoor or out – for events.
A current membership card from the American Horticultural Society ( join now) or from a garden participating in our AHS Reciprocal Garden Network entitles you to special admission privileges and discounts at 360+ gardens throughout North America!
People also ask
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Why should you visit Cornell Botanic Gardens?
Cornell Botanic Gardens inspires people - through the cultivation of 150 acres of specialty gardens, conservation of plants and 3400 acres of natural areas, and the education of lifelong learners - to understand, appreciate, and nurture plants and the cultures they sustain.
