Tips, Policies & FAQs

Our Garden is wheelchair and stroller accessible, except for the Asian Garden, which has partial wheelchair access. Manual wheelchairs can be rented for $6 at admission on a first-come, first-served basis.

All visitors must have a valid ticket for entry to the Garden that clearly states the date and time of the visit and has a valid bar code that has never been previously scanned (redeemed) at an entry point.

A ticket is considered invalid if the date and/or time on the ticket is more than one hour after the visitor attempts to enter, the ticket has been reproduced or duplicated, or the ticket has previously been redeemed.

Members are required to accompany their guest(s) when redeeming a Member guest pass. Member guest passes are only valid with an active Membership. Some special events are excluded from Member guest pass redemption. Children age 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Pets are not allowed in the Garden. Service animals trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities as defined by the ADA are welcome.

Birthday parties can be scheduled through our Special Events office. Call 251.459.8868 for more information.

The Gardens are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Days.

Bellingrath Gardens and Home is open every day from 8 am to 5 pm, except on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Days when the Gardens are closed. Bellingrath Gardens and Home has extended hours during the Magic Christmas in Lights season when the Gardens are open until 9 pm.

Enjoy 3 million sparkling lights and over 1,000 displays from late November through early January. Visit our Magic Christmas in Lights page for specific dates and hours.

The Garden is open to the elements and contains natural areas, including running and still water. Visitors should be aware of the natural surroundings, including tree limbs, insects, birds, reptiles, and other wildlife, inclement weather, steep slopes, and uneven surfaces. Visitors are advised to take precautions to protect themselves from these ordinary risks of outdoor spaces.

Feeding, petting, touching, harassing, or harming any wildlife, including birds, is prohibited.

Yes. Bellingrath Gardens and Home is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, operated by the Bellingrath Morse Foundation since 1950 and further supported by the Bellingrath Gardens and Home Foundation, created in 2004. For details about our foundations, our Corporate Partners Program, and membership in the Friends of Bellingrath, click here.

Outside food and drink are prohibited.

Outside alcohol is prohibited.

Deposit trash, recyclables, and compost in designated receptacles.

Drone use is prohibited on the Garden grounds and may not fly over BGH property without the express written permission of BGH’s Marketing & Public Relations department. For information, you may contact us at 251.459.8973 or via e-mail.

During your visit, you may be videotaped, photographed, or recorded by BGH or its agents. Your admission serves as your permission for the use of your image by these parties.

Outdoor photography for personal use (not including weddings, engagements, anniversaries, quinceañera, sweet sixteen, maternity, blog, or staged/group photography) is allowed, but you must stay on the paths and not disturb the plants and collections.

Multiple changes of clothes for personal use photo or film shoots are not permitted unless you have received permission through a Special Occasion Photography Permit.

Commercial photography or filming is prohibited without the express written permission of BGH’s Marketing & Public Relations department. You may contact us at 251.459.8973 or via e-mail.

Media representatives wishing to take pictures should contact the Marketing & Public Relations department at 251.459.8973 or via e-mail and provide appropriate details to help the PR staff facilitate the assignment.

Most of the Garden consists of outdoor spaces. The Garden’s 65 acres are open in all weather conditions. Dress for the weather and wear comfortable attire for exploration. Water and other refreshments are available at the Magnolia Café.

Weapons and firearms of any type are strictly prohibited at all times.

BGH staff and visitors have the right to an environment free from abusive, threatening, or inappropriate behavior. BGH reserves the right to remove any person acting unacceptably or inappropriately. Your visit is at all times subject to any notice we post on our premises and subject to any direction, supervision, and guidance of our staff.

Unauthorized events and all rallies, demonstrations, leafletting, and similar behavior are prohibited on Garden grounds.

Unauthorized solicitations of any kind, whether commercial, religious, educational, or otherwise, or conducting any unauthorized commercial activities, including solicitations of money or other contributions or donations are prohibited without prior written approval.

The sale of goods or services or the display of goods or services is prohibited without prior written approval.

Vehicle traffic is limited to designated roadways. Driving or parking on pedestrian pathways or planted areas is strictly prohibited. Parking areas are reserved for BGH visitors, staff, and vendors only. Overnight parking is strictly prohibited.

Reservations are not required.

Stay on the paths: do not enter planted areas or water features; do not restrict foot traffic by blocking off walking paths, or directing traffic within the Garden; do not climb trees or rock outcroppings.

Preserve our plant collections and art installations: do not pick flowers or plants, climb rocks or landscape features, or otherwise disturb collections or artwork.

Restrooms are located within the Entrance building, Gift Shop, and the Boehm Gallery next to the Home.

The Magnolia Café is open daily for lunch from 11 am to 2 pm and serves refreshments and snacks in the afternoon. There is a beverage machine stocked with soft drinks and bottled water behind the Boehm Gallery.

Guests are not permitted to bring their own food or drink into the Gardens.

Smoking, including the use of electronic cigarettes, is not permitted on the Garden grounds, or in or around any facilities.

Allow at least 1.5 – 2 hours to tour the Gardens and an additional 30 minutes to tour the Bellingrath Museum Home.

The Garden does not have coat-check facilities and does not accept luggage or store personal items.

BGH reserves the right to inspect all bags and to report, relocate, or dispose of any unattended object or bag in such way as we consider appropriate.

Strollers are allowed throughout the Garden grounds.

For assistance planning your visit, reserving tickets, or sharing your feedback about a recent visit, contact the Admissions Office, open seven days a week, 8 am–4 pm

251.459.8909

[email protected]

Garden facilities can be rented for weddings and parties. Get more information on Weddings and Private Events.

Throughout the year, Bellingrath Gardens and Home boasts an abundance of year-round blooms. To find out what’s blooming when you plan your visit, see our What’s In Bloom page.