For the health and safety of students and staff, we have made some changes to our operations.

Indoor classrooms: Surfaces and shared materials will be cleaned in between each class.  Hand sanitizer will be available in the Astellas Atrium and in each classroom. You will be required to use hand sanitizer when entering the building and classrooms.

Face coverings: In accordance with state guidelines, students and instructors must wear face coverings over their mouth and nose for the duration of class. The Garden will not provide a face covering; please bring your own. Should you need to take a break for a drink or snack, kindly step outside or into the hallway to do so. Long classes will have pre-scheduled breaks.

Capacity: All classes have a capacity limit to ensure students will be seated 6 feet apart.

Parking/Garden entrance: Upon arrival, all cars must stop at the Gatehouse and show a printed copy of your class confirmation or display it on your smartphone. Unless you require accessible parking, please park in lots 5 or 6.

Learning Center access: The Learning Center is open only to those who have registered for a class. Upon arrival for each class session, please show a printed copy of your confirmation or display it on your smartphone. You must enter through the main entrance to the Learning Center. 

Timing: Plan to arrive no earlier than 15 minutes prior to the start of your class.

Services will be limited: Bring your own water or a bottle to fill, as there is no access to drinking fountains. Touchless water dispensers will be available. We cannot ensure that chairs, tables, and other common surface areas are sanitized at all times. Please act accordingly.

Help protect yourself and others: Please stay 6 feet away from people outside your own party, including Garden staff. In accordance with state guidelines, a face covering is required when you’re within 6 feet of people outside your own party. If you are sick, or have been in contact with someone who is sick, please stay home. 

The health and safety of our staff and our visitors is our priority. If visitors do not follow social distancing and other guidelines, we may be forced to close the Garden. We reserve the right to request that visitors who do not follow the guidelines leave the premises. An inherent risk of exposure to the coronavirus (COVID-19) exists in any public space where people are present. Persons visiting the Chicago Botanic Garden do so at their own risk.  

The Chicago Botanic Garden will not tolerate discrimination or abuse of staff by customers. Such behavior may result in the loss of membership privileges, removal from the Chicago Botanic Garden, and/or prosecution. 

We will continue to monitor guidance from state officials and gauge Garden operations, and, if necessary, we will make adjustments. With your help, we can keep the Garden safe for all.

For more information, see our FAQs.