Home
Visitor information

Visitor information

Visitor hours and guided tours

Leave your worries at the door as you wander through each of the conservatory rooms full of both unusual and familiar plants. Free and open to the public.

We welcome all ages. We ask that children be well supervised.

Access the greenhouse through Room 139 (located at the southeast corner of the Biology Building on the IU Bloomington campus).

Hours of Operation

The greenhouse is open during the following hours:

Monday–Friday: 7:30 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Thursday Maintenance Day: 7:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Weekends: Closed

Please note that Thursdays are designated maintenance days, and operating hours are reduced accordingly.

Closed on weekends and during some holidays and IU breaks. Check our Facebook page for closing notices.

Things to remember

To help you enjoy your visit, please keep the following in mind:

This is a working greenhouse. The plants require daily care (e.g., watering, pruning, transplanting). You may need to temporarily move to another part of the greenhouse until tasks are completed.
Floors are frequently wet.
Do not touch the plants or take any of the fruits.
We ask large groups and classes to make appointments so as to avoid conflicts with other visitors or greenhouse maintenance. See below for information about scheduling a visit.
When in doubt, ask. Our knowledgeable staff is happy to answer questions.

Tours

Greenhouse tours are available by appointment only.

Tour requests should be scheduled at least one week in advance.
Earlier scheduling is strongly encouraged to ensure availability.
Tours requested on Thursdays may be accommodated, and the greenhouse will open for scheduled appointments as needed.

Scheduled tours

Guided tours are scheduled throughout the year. Groups of more than ten people should schedule a "large group tour" (see below). Our guided tours typically take approximately 45 minutes. Advance registration is appreciated, but not required. View the registration form to see a list of upcoming tour dates.

The greenhouse is located in the southeast corner of the Biology Building. Tours meet outside of Room 139 at the bulletin board.

Large group tours

Tours for large groups (ten or more people) are available Monday through Friday by appointment. Large group guided tours last approximately 30 to 60 minutes based on the interests of the group.

Schedule a large group tour

IU Biology faculty member Farrah Bashey-Visser offers children a chance to touch cotton bolls from the greenhouse cotton plants. Courtesy photo

Class Visits

Educational and class visits are welcome with advance notice.

A minimum of one week’s notice is required for all class visit requests.
Class visits scheduled on Thursdays may also be accommodated, and the greenhouse will open for approved visits as necessary.

IU classes

IU instructors may bring their students to the greenhouse for special class sessions. Please arrange a time through the "Schedule a Class Visit" form to avoid conflict with other scheduled activities.

Schedule a class visit

Animals on Premises

To maintain a safe and controlled environment for all visitors and plant collections:

Only service animals are permitted inside the greenhouse.

Severe Weather

During severe weather conditions, the greenhouse will be closed. Please check our Facebook page or the Biology Department website for updates and additional details.

Parking

Parking is available in the Atwater Garage (921 Atwater Avenue, Bloomington) just a block south of the Biology Building. Enter the garage from South Faculty Lane between Atwater Avenue and East Third Street.

A parking fee is normally charged on week days.

Contact the IU Office of Parking Operations for other options.