Escape to a beautiful 100-acre educational resource and enjoy the wonder of the garden as students enrich their knowledge of nature while meeting Nebraska and Iowa academic standards. Experience soaring palms in the Marjorie K. Daugherty Conservatory, acres of native grasses and trees in the Arboretum and Oberman Bird Sanctuary, colorful symmetrical plantings in the Hitchcock-Kountze Victorian Garden and so much more through our various educational programs for you and your class to enjoy!

Click here to request your field trip

Click here to view current availability

Click here to view the Nebraska and Iowa State Science Standards supported by Lauritzen Gardens themed field trips

Special Highlights

• La Calavera Catrina
  Discover the rich history and iconography of La Catrina, one of the most recognizable figures of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) through eight larger-than-life skeleton sculptures by Los Angeles artist Ricardo Soltero. On display from August 17 through November 8, 2025.

• Goldenrod Festival
  September 11, 2025 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

• TROLLS: Save the Humans by Thomas Dambo
  November 25, 2025 through May 18, 2026

• Arbor Day Festival
  April 21, 2026 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Pricing and Tour Information

Sponsored K-12 School Group Tours
Thanks to our generous sponsors, field trips for homeschool groups and accredited public and private school groups with students in Kindergarten through 12^th grade are provided with free admission. School staff (at the required ratio of 1 adult per 10 students) are also admitted at no charge. Additional parent chaperones are welcome to use their Lauritzen Gardens membership to attend with their child or pay regular admission. Sponsorship applies to groups with at least 10 students.

Bus Reimbursement for Sponsored Field Trips
Sponsored field trip groups who qualify for bus reimbursement must request and receive confirmation of eligibility upon booking. Participating schools must be located in the Omaha-Council Bluffs Metropolitan Area, as defined by Lauritzen Gardens. Reimbursements cannot be granted for trips in conjunction with visits to other locations and must be submitted within 60 days of the field trip.

Please note: Busses in districts that utilize Zum bussing must be back at school BEFORE 2 p.m. in order to avoid surge fees. Lauritzen Gardens cannot guarantee reimbursement for surge fees for buses that return after 2 p.m.

Pricing for Paid Field Trip Groups
Non-sponsored field trips for groups, such as preschools, daycares, after-school organizations, etc. receive a reduced group admission rate of $5 per student. One staff per 10 students (the required ratio) will be admitted at no charge; groups serving Pre-K students can include 1 adult per 5 students. Additional parent chaperones are welcome to use their Lauritzen Gardens membership to attend with their child or pay regular admission. Reduced group admission applies to groups with at least 10 students.

Booking Information
Tour options are described below and typically last 90 minutes, with optional add-on experiences extending the duration. Please book your tour at least two weeks in advance.

Click here to view the Nebraska and Iowa State Science Standards supported by Lauritzen Gardens themed field trips

Tour Options

Themed Outdoor Garden Guided Tour (90 minutes, Grades K-12, up to 100 students)

Highlights various outdoor garden spaces based on seasonality with your choice of standards-based themes:

• Adaptations & Survival (K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8)
• Habitats & Ecosystems (2, 7)
• Life Cycle (1, 2, 3)
• Conservation & Ecology (Middle School & High School)
• Spring 2026: TROLLS: Save the Humans

 Optional Add-Ons:

• Sofia’s Play Garden (30 minutes, Grades K-5)
• Marjorie K. Daugherty Conservatory Walk-Through (30 minutes, Grades K-12) available after September 22, 2025

This tour is typically available March-May and August-October, weather permitting.

Themed Indoor Garden Guided Tour (90 minutes, Grades K-8, up to 75 students)

Highlights various indoor garden spaces including the Marjorie K. Daugherty Conservatory (available after September 22, 2025) and floral display hall with your choice of standards-based themes:

• Adaptations & Survival (K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8)
• Habitats & Ecosystems (2, 7)
• Life Cycle (1, 2, 3)
• Conservation & Ecology (Middle School & High School)
• Poinsettia Show (Available all of December)

 Note: This tour will seasonally include a classroom component; more information will be provided upon booking request.

This tour is typically available November-February or in case of inclement weather during outdoor tour months.

Discovery Tour (90 minutes, Grades K-12)

Self-guided experience in outdoor garden spaces only. Groups must maintain the required 1:10 adult to student ratio while enjoying the gardens. Discovery tours for grades K-5 may enjoy time in Sofia’s Play Garden if availability permits; inquire upon booking. Sofia’s Play Garden is not intended for middle school or high school age students.

Green Studies Tour (90 minutes, Specialty High School & College Groups)

This option is for groups studying specialized topics; contact us for additional details.

Seeds of Learning- Play in the Garden (90 minutes, Pre-School Only)

Includes seasonal findings throughout our garden spaces nearest the visitor and education center plus time in Sofia’s Play Garden

Festivals (90 minutes, Grades K-5)

These special events feature area organizations with hands-on activities related to the festival theme. Festivals are a self-guided experience. Sophia’s Play Garden is not available to groups during festivals.

• Goldenrod Festival - September 11, 2025, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
  
• Arbor Day Festival - April 21, 2026, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Click here to request your field trip

For more information, please contact the Lauritzen Gardens Education Department at (402) 346-4002, ext. 253 or e.heckeroth-brown@omahabotanicalgardens.org.