Please Note: Due to COVID-19 and State and local regulations, only tours of 15 people or fewer are being accepted at this time.
Docent Tours can be booked Tuesdays through Fridays (no holidays) between the hours of 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Weekend tours are limited. All programs have a minimum/maximum attendance requirement. See below for details.
- Tours are led by trained volunteers.
- Each tour is tailored according to age and group interest.
- Tours provide cultural and environmental information about plants, their uses, and their importance in the lives of humans. Adaptations to climate, habitat and environmental factors are also discussed.
Tours of more than 10 people must be booked at least 4 weeks in advance and can be scheduled by calling the Botanical Center at 401-680-7263 or emailing . Smaller tours of 10 people must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance.
Download a Request for Docent Guided Tour and send it to .
Our “All About Plants!” Tour
This tour is designed for elementary-aged children and follows the Next Generation Science Standards and STEAM Curriculum for teaching botany through hands-on activities such as dissecting a flower, touching smelling, and tasting plants.
On average, tours last 1 to 1.5 hours.
Children’s tour groups and school groups are limited to a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 60 participants, exclusive of chaperones.
Chaperone guidelines: The Botanical Center requires that your group bring 1 chaperone for every 10 students.
Fees and Payments for Educational tours
All About Plants Basic Tour
Program duration: 1 hour
$100 up to 25 students, each additional $4 per student
$5 per chaperone. Teachers are free.
Additional $1.00 per individual to have lunch on-premises.
All About Plants Tour + Activity
Program duration: 1.5 hours
$125 up to 25 students, each additional $5 per student
$5 per chaperone. Teachers are free.
Additional $1.00 per individual to have lunch on-premises.
Activity will vary based on age group, curriculum and teacher preference. Please contact us to discuss the activity options.
*Ask about special rates for Providence Public Schools. Providence Public School rates do not apply to charter schools or private schools that are located in Providence.
Docent Guided Tours
Adult guided tour groups are limited to a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 50 participants.
Topics often covered include:
- General tour and history of the Botanical Center, its greenhouses and the Park
- Basic botany depending on age/grade level.
- Plant adaptations, pollination and reproduction.
- Plants of cultural importance.
Fees and Payments for Guided Tours
Basic Tour
Program duration: 1 hour
$100 up to 10 people, each additional $10 per adult, $5 for children under 13
Additional $1.00 per individual to have lunch on-premises. Lunch NOT Provided.
Rescheduling/Cancellation policy: If there is a need to cancel due to inclement weather, or other reasons given within 24 hours, the tour will be rescheduled at the earliest convenience for the Center. If any other changes to the scheduled tour are needed, please contact the Center within 24 hours of the scheduled tour to accommodate changes. Changes made after the 24-hour window are not guaranteed for accommodation.
- If your group cancels before 7 days prior to your scheduled visit, 5% of the program fee must be paid.
- If your group cancels within 7 days prior to your scheduled visit, 50% of the program fee must be paid.
- If your group does not arrive on the day of your scheduled visit, 100% of the program fee must be paid.
