What to Bring to a Botanical Garden: A Garden Visitor Checklist
Planning a botanical garden visit? Use this practical garden visitor checklist for what to bring, what to leave home, photography gear, plant shopping and more.
Visiting a botanical garden doesn’t require a lot of gear, but I’ve learned that bringing a few carefully chosen things can make the day much more enjoyable.
Comfortable shoes and water are obvious, but garden travelers have a few other things to think about. I want a way to record the plants that inspire me, take plenty of photographs, and occasionally bring home a plant from the garden shop. And just as importantly, I’ve learned there are a few things that are better left at home.
Before your next visit to a botanical garden, arboretum, conservatory, or historic garden, use this checklist to help you prepare.
new to garden travel?
Get the Free Garden Visit Checklist!
Before your next garden adventure, grab your free checklist to help you remember what to bring, what to check before you go, and what to leave at home.
Before You Visit the Garden
A little preparation before leaving can prevent surprises once you arrive.
garden visit tips
Before You Leave…
Know Your Growing Zone Before You Go
Many botanical gardens have wonderful plant shops, and it’s tempting to bring home something you’ve just seen growing beautifully in the garden.
Before I travel, I like to have my own USDA hardiness zone noted in my planner or Garden Visit Journal. Your hardiness zone isn’t the only factor that determines whether a plant will thrive at home, but it gives you a useful starting point before buying a plant that caught your eye hundreds of miles away.
What to Bring for a Day at a Botanical Garden
garden visit
What to Bring…
Garden Traveler Tip!
Carry as little as possible. You’ll enjoy several hours of walking much more without a heavy bag on your shoulder.
What to Bring for Garden Photography
garden visit
Camera Gear…
Want to come home with better photographs? Read my Guide to Photographing Gardens.
What to Leave at Home
Before packing your bag, check the individual garden’s visitor policies. Rules vary considerably from one garden to another.
Drones: Many gardens restrict or prohibit drone use without advance authorization.
Pets: Unless a garden specifically permits pets, leave them at home. Service animals are treated separately under applicable rules.
Large tripods and photography equipment: Some gardens restrict professional equipment or require advance permission.
Outside food and beverages: Some gardens welcome picnics; others limit food to designated areas.
Oversized bags and rolling bags: These can be particularly problematic in conservatories, galleries and historic homes.
Bicycles, scooters and recreational equipment: Check the garden’s rules before bringing them.
Plant-collecting supplies: Never take flowers, cuttings, seeds or other plant material unless the garden specifically permits it.
Garden Traveler Tip!
Check before you go: Spend a few minutes on the garden’s website before your visit. Garden rules vary, and checking ahead can save you a trip back to the car.
Flying to Your Garden Destination?
When a garden visit is part of a larger trip, I keep the things I’ll need for my first garden day in my carry-on whenever possible especially comfortable shoes, medications, chargers and essential camera equipment.
Read my post on Carryon Luggage Tips where I provide practical tips for maximizing your carryon bag and for one of the best traveling hacks that my husband created.
Read Women’s Carryon Weekender Tote Best Packing List to learn how I mastered three bags into two. I get asked all the time how I make it work on flights.
Download the Garden Visitor Checklist
Take the time now to download the Garden Visitor Checklist before your next garden visit. You can have the complete list printed on paper or saved on your smart phone-whichever makes your travel planning easier! Have what to bring to a botanical garden before you go beyond your garden gate.
be prepared
Get Your Garden Visitor Checklist
Before your next garden adventure, grab your free checklist to help you remember what to bring, what to check before you go, and what to leave at home.
