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General Visitor Information
We are excited to be building a new Welcome Center! While you will notice construction upon parking and entering, please note that all of our museums and garden spaces are open and unaffected.
To read more about the new Barbey Family Welcome Center, please click here.
Heritage is open April 20 – October 20, 2024 from 10 am – 5 pm daily. Please see our events page for more information.
No. Heritage is comprised of three indoor gallery spaces along with 100 acres of outdoor gardens.
Indoor spaces are air-conditioned when necessary.
Heritage is open rain or shine so dress for the weather!
Sorry, pets are not permitted at Heritage. Registered service animals are welcome throughout Heritage Museums & Gardens at all times. Please do not leave animals in your car in the parking lot.
Registered service animals are permitted in all areas of Heritage Museum & Gardens. Please click here for information on service animals.
Yes, main pathways through the event and buildings are accessible by stroller. Optional paths with crushed shell or woodchipped surfaces are also marked on the map available here but may not be navigable by all strollers. Strollers are allowed inside gallery spaces, but note that there are designated stroller parking areas conveniently located outside of the two gallery buildings.
Heritage Museums & Gardens is open in all weather conditions, including rain, heat, or snow. Tickets are non-refundable. Heritage will only close if a major weather event presents a risk to safety (for example, during severe storms with high winds).
In case of a severe weather occurrence during your visit, please follow staff instructions, for your safety and the safety of the staff. You may be asked to take shelter until bad weather has safely passed. View our Weather Policy.
As the majority of the activities are located outdoors and the event takes place in all weather, please dress for outdoor weather conditions ─ including raingear if the weather looks wet ─ and wear comfortable, winter-appropriate footwear.
While everyone’s experience varies, most visitors plan to spend at least two hours to enjoy all of the ground and exhibits.
Yes! Visit The Shop at Heritage from 10am-5pm daily!
Our Horticulture Team can answer it for you! We can answer your questions about our history and horticulture, help you identify plants that you see in our gardens, and even let you know if a plant you see here can be grown at your home.
Contact us with your Heritage horticulture question(s). Please be as specific as possible when referencing where you saw a plant/flower/tree, etc. at Heritage. Please note: We are only able to accept questions directly related to the plants and displays at Heritage Museums & Gardens. We are unable to answer your general home gardening, landscaping, and garden design questions.
Heritage cannot accept plant, insect, or disease samples. We are also unable to provide value estimates for trees or other plants. We do not provide consulting services.
Unfortunately, the bulb river is no longer a garden feature at Heritage Museums & Gardens. However, we have many other wonderful things blooming in May. Please check out our ‘What’s in Bloom’ page for up to date information.
Yes! There is something here for everyone. To learn more about what your children will enjoy at Heritage, please click here.
To read our health and safety practices, please click here.
The Adventure Park is an outdoor tree top adventure including 5 courses of ziplines and climbing challenges. For more information, please click here.
Tickets, Discounts & Refunds
Admission tickets can be purchased online prior to your visit here or at the ticket window upon arrival.
General Admission: Adults $22; Youth (3-17) $12; Children 2 and under free; Members free
Yes! Free admission for up to 4 individuals with valid Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) card, or ConnectorCare card. To reserve, please call 508-888-3300, ext. 0.
The Card to Culture program is a collaboration between Mass Cultural Council and the Department of Transitional Assistance, the Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Nutrition Program, and Massachusetts Health Connector that increases accessibility to cultural programming. See the full list of participating organizations offering EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare discounts.
Program tickets are available by using the calendar page on our website.
Purchasing tickets for regular museum visitation in advance is recommended, but not required. You can print your ticket at home through our online ticketing system, or use a mobile ticket on your phone for entry. All admission tickets are date-specific and non-refundable.
Please note: Certain event days require the advance purchase or reservation of timed-entry tickets for both members and non-members.
Yes, all visitors, including Members, are required to check-in at the admissions booth and have their ticket or Membership card scanned before entry into the grounds, for capacity management and contact tracing purposes.
Tickets are non-refundable. If you need to reschedule your admission ticket’s date, please contact tickets@heritagemuseums.org or call 508-888-3300 ext 0 for help.
Confirmation emails with your e-ticket are sent out by our ticketing system immediately following your purchase. If you cannot find or did not receive this email within six hours of your purchase, please check your “clutter,” “junk,” “social,” and/or “promotional” folders or tabs in your email account. If you still do not see an email from Heritage, please email tickets@heritagemuseums.org or call 508.888.3300, ext. 0 for assistance.
Yes! You can present your e-ticket on your mobile device to the parking attendant upon arrival and then again to the staff member at the ticket booth.
Complimentary tickets may be redeemed for any day between April 20- October 20, 2024. Please join us on the date you wish to enter and present your filled out complimentary tickets to the ticket staff.
Yes. Your admission ticket is good for the whole day of your visit. Please hold on to your admission ticket if you exit the grounds as you will be asked to present it upon reentry.
No. The Adventure Park at Heritage is NOT included with the purchase of a Heritage Museums & Gardens admission; however, those with a receipt dated within seven days of their Heritage Museums & Gardens visit can receive 10% off on a climb.
Please purchase tickets here.
To read the Ticketing and Refund and Cancellation Policy, please click here.
Heritage Museums & Gardens greatly appreciates the opportunity to give back to our community through donations of complimentary access. We collaborate in this way with non-profit organizations whose missions and work enrich the community in which we live.
Our donations are based on the following criteria:
- Organization must be a registered tax exempt 501(c) (3); please include this number in the request
- Organization should be located in Eastern Massachusettes
- Request must be in writing with organization’s legal name and a primary contact name, address, and phone number
- Event description, date and expected number of attendees should be included in the request
- Requests are limited to one per organization per twelve-month period
Donation requests will be reviewed monthly. Due to the high volume of requests we receive, we are not able to honor every request.
The request must be submitted, in writing or via email to donationrequest@heritagemuseums.org, at least eight (8) weeks prior to the date in which the donation is needed (i.e. event date).
Parking at Heritage Museums & Gardens is free. We have four parking lots available for visitor use all within walking distance of the main entrance.
Yes, there are ample spaces reserved for handicapped parking in the Elm Lot (the lot on the left of entry).
Membership Information
Yes, all visitors, including Members, are required to check-in at the ticket booth and have their ticket or Membership card scanned before entry into the grounds.
We send out membership information every week. Should you want to delay the arrival of the gift membership to a more appropriate date, please contact us.
Each of these refers to the total number of people (children or adults) allowed into Heritage each day you visit. A card-holder needs to be present on every visit, but the guests can change each time. Have kids with you on one visit and friends with you on another! Children 2 and under are always free and are not included in this number.
Yes! Save your receipt to be able to apply today’s purchase toward a year-long Heritage Museums & Gardens membership! This can be done within seven days of your visit, either by visiting the ticket booth on your visit or by calling our Membership Department at 508-888-3300, ext. 159 or 119.
Accessibility, Transportation & Walking Information
The main garden paths are paved and accessible via walking, wheelchair, or electric scooter. All indoor exhibit spaces are fully accessible.
Heritage has a limited number of wheelchairs that can be loaned to visitors on a first-come, first-served basis. Transportation for visitors with mobility challenges may be accessed at fixed stops throughout the grounds at benches marked with the International Symbol of Access. The transport is intended to help visitors with mobility challenges get to points of interest around the grounds. Please be aware that transport does not offer guided tours.
Our nature trails are not paved; please use caution on the trails may have branches, roots, or other natural obstacles. When visiting Heritage, we recommend wearing comfortable shoes and giving yourself plenty of time to experience all that the gardens and grounds have to offer.
A limited quantity of wheelchairs can be borrowed at the ticket booth and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations are accepted.
The distance from the entrance to the back end of the property is about half of a mile, 10- 15 minutes when walking quickly, but we hope you will stop to smell the flowers and enjoy our museum collections as well.
Depending on your plan for the day, visitors usually spend between 1 – 3 hours on the grounds. A casual stroll of the entire grounds on the paved paths may take 45 minutes. Plan more time if you wish to enjoy:
- Visiting all of our museum collections and exhibits
- Playtime with the kids at Hidden Hollow
- Lunch at the café (or your own picnic!)
- Venturing off the main paths to our nature trails
There are spaces reserved for handicapped parking, which are clearly marked. Restrooms, Lilly’s Café, and museum buildings are wheelchair accessible.
The main path through the gardens is wide, paved and clearly marked on the Heritage guide map. A few areas are more steeply graded or on wood-chipped pathways. Most of these areas are manageable with an assistant or are nearby to an ADA transport stop. Heritage provides complimentary transport around the grounds for visitors in need of assistance.
Transportation can be accessed at fixed stops throughout the grounds at benches marked with the International Symbol of Access. The transport is intended to help visitors get to points of interest around the grounds. Please be aware that transport does not offer guided tours.
Yes! However, priority is given to visitors with mobility challenges on our complimentary transport. There are fixed stops throughout the grounds. The transport cart must navigate busy walkways so wait times may reach up to 30 minutes. Please note that transport does not provide tours of the lights.
Services & Facilities
We do not have lockers available for visitors.
There is no ATM on site. However, the Shop and the Cafe both accept payment with credit or debit cards and there are ATMs available nearby at TD Bank or Bank of America on 6A.
Yes. Guests can connect to our “Heritage Museums” Wi-Fi network free of charge during their visit. Please note that some areas of the Grounds do not have Wi-Fi coverage. If you’re posting to social media, please tag us at #heritagemuseums!
Restrooms are located in The J.K. Lilly III Automobile Gallery, at Lilly’s café, and in The American Art & Carousel Gallery. Portable restrooms are located near the main entrance and by the entrance to Hidden Hollow.
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Water can be purchased at the café.
Water fountains are located on the lower level of the J.K. Lilly III Automobile Gallery, in the McGraw Family Garden of the Senses, at the corner of the Parade Field, and inside The American Art & Carousel Gallery.
Food & Drink at Heritage Information
The café is located minutes from the admissions booth. The café is currently offering beverages, including water, snacks, and lunch options. There is limited tented and outdoor seating available on a first-come, first-served basis. In order to access the café you must have paid admission to the grounds.
Please see their menu here.
Visitors are also welcome to enjoy their food and beverages on the lawns or use provided picnic tables. We encourage you to bring your own blanket for picnics.
Visitors may not bring alcohol, but beer and wine are available for purchase at the café.
Barbeques or fires are not permitted.
Group Sales for Adults, School & Youth Groups
Heritage is offering self-guided & guided tour options for both adults and school/youth groups.
A 10 person minimum is required to receive group discounts; admission includes gardens and museum exhibits. For more information visit the Group Tours page or for school and youth groups, please visit the School & Youth Group Visits page.
For reservations and rate information, contact: Group Sales via e-mail at groupsales@heritagemuseums.org or by calling 508.888.3300, ext. x178.
Visit our School and Youth Group page for more information.
All tours include one free chaperone per every 10 children and all 1:1 aids are complimentary. Additional chaperones are $17 a person.
We currently only offer group tours. Please visit our group tours page to learn more.
If you choose not to book a tour, please know our friendly and knowledgeable staff are always on hand to answer any questions you may have.
Yes! The Adventure Park at Heritage and Heritage Museums & Gardnes are currently offering a climb and self-guided visit combo group booking. Click here for more details.
Wedding, Parties and Event Rentals
Weddings and receptions, corporate events, and other private parties are welcome at Heritage Museums & Gardens! Please visit our Wedding & Events page to learn more.
No. Third-party commercial activity is prohibited on Heritage Museums & Gardens’ (HMG) property. This includes outside companies, groups, or individuals conducting sales or holding programs for which participants have paid a fee that utilize HMG’s grounds, facilities, or collections. Click here for more information.
Photography Information
Yes! Heritage offers different photo packages to suit your needs. Please visit our Photography Packages & Policies page to learn more.
Heritage Museums & Gardens welcomes visitors to take videos or photography of our grounds. We do ask that all visitors taking photography and/or videos help us protect and maintain the grounds and gardens for all of our many visitors by referring to our photography/video policies. Please note that use of drones for photography is not allowed.
For the enjoyment of all our visitors, please stay on the pathways and mowed lawn areas. Refrain from walking in mulched or planted garden beds. Do not remove plants, plant labels or containers. Do not pick flowers or plants. Avoid damage to collections and disruption of visitors. Photographers and their equipment may not block or interfere with normal pedestrian or vehicular traffic. All commercial photography or photography sessions must be coordinated in advance. Please visit our Photography Packages & Policies page to learn more.
