Private Group Tours

The Gardner offers personalized tours and workshops for adults and professional groups

Discover more of the Gardner Museum’s magic through a private guided tour. Knowledgeable Museum Teachers will engage you through conversation and close looking, while also sharing insights and stories about the Museum’s history, collections, and installations. Tours are typically one hour long and focus on approximately five works of art.

What’s your pleasure?

The Gardner Museum offers a range of tour options.

Isabella and Her Museum

The Grand Tour: Explore masterpieces of the Gardner Museum, and find out why this is one of the greatest private art collections in America.

Collecting Stories: Discover how Isabella created her remarkable collection, and hear stories about the lengths she would go to purchase her objects of desire.

Picturing Portraits: Isabella filled her museum with portraits of people (especially royalty!) and arranged them in ways that had personal resonance for her. Learn more about the Museum’s founder through the personalities she collected.

Group size: 6 - 60. Pricing: $20 per person; $17 for seniors; $5 for members.

Choose Your Own Adventure

Our educators will help you create a personalized, one-hour tour tailored to your group’s interests. Ideal for special celebrations, family gatherings, reunions, book groups, special interest groups; or friends wanting a unique outing together. Possible topics include Love at the Gardner, A Trip to Venice, or A Designer’s Eye. If desired, tours can also include writing, sketching, or other participatory activities.

Group size: 2 - 60. Pricing: $35 per person; $30 for seniors; $20 for members.

Horticulture and Landscape Architecture

The Gardner Museum is a great destination for groups interested in plants and garden design. Renowned for our magical courtyard garden, these tours include an introduction to the role of landscape design and horticulture at the Museum, past and present. Experience the magic of the verdant courtyard; take a stroll through the Monks Garden, redesigned in 2013 by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates; and learn about Isabella and her passion for gardening. This tour is co-led by a member of our Horticulture or Landscape architecture staff.

Group size: 6 - 45. Pricing: $100 base price plus $20 per person; $17 for seniors; $5 for members.

Self-Guided Tours

Groups of 30 or fewer may choose to visit the galleries on their own. Due to the intimate nature of the Museum's galleries, self-guided groups must be divided into groups of five or fewer to explore the Museum. Outside tour leaders and guides are not allowed to lead groups through the Museum.
Self-guided groups must make a reservation using the form below.

Group size: 30 or fewer. Pricing: $15 per person; $12 for seniors; Free for members.

Creative Retreats for Professional Groups

The Gardner Museum is an ideal setting to gather with colleagues for an enriching experience that will enhance your work together. We offer custom-designed workshops that focus on team-building, managing burn-out and stress, or professional reflection/development. Workshops typically include time in galleries, art-making, and reflective activities. Refreshments can be provided. Please contact Corinne Zimmermann at tours@isgm.org to learn more about options and pricing for custom-designed creative workshops for your organization.

SIGN UP

Use the form below to schedule a group visit. Fees include admission to the Museum. A $25 non-refundable deposit is requested for all guided tours.

Number of adults:

Number of seniors:

Number of people TOTAL:

Contact information for Group Coordinator:

Name:

Phone:

Email:

Contact information for Group/Organization:

Name of Group/Organization:

Address:

City:

Zip Code:

Contact information for Group Escort day-of visit (if different than Group Coordinator):

Name:

Phone:

Email:

Preferred Date (1st choice):

Alternative Date (2nd choice):

Alternative Date (3rd choice):

Is there another time you would prefer to visit?

Please include the date and time in the entry field.

Why are you choosing to bring your group to the Gardner?

How did you hear about tours at the Gardner?

Please tell us about your course or curriculum and any particular goals you have for your museum visit:

Dates and times for tours at the Museum often book up quickly. All groups must register at least three weeks in advance—registering early means your desired date and time are more likely to be available.

Your tour is confirmed only once you receive an email stating your request has been processed and approved. Guided tours must submit a $25 nonrefundable deposit to complete the confirmation process. The balance may be paid in advance or upon arrival by cash, check, or credit card.

For questions about reservations, please email tours@isgm.org or call 617 278 5147 Monday through Friday, 9 am–5 pm. 72 hours notice is required for cancellations or to change the date of your visit.

Parking

Metered street parking, as well as several parking lots and garages are located nearby. The Museum offers a reduced parking rate at the Simmons College garage. Buses must find their own parking.

Food

Café G, the Museum restaurant, can accommodate groups on a limited basis with advance notice. Please call 617 566 1088 to request a table. Weather permitting, the public parks along the Fenway may be used for a picnic.