Kentucky Children's Garden Hours and Admission

Hours*

September & October: Open Wednesday - Saturday | 10 AM - 5 PM
Must purchase admission in the Visitor Center by 4 PM

Please note: the Kentucky Children's Garden is closed on days of UK Football home games (select Saturdays in September & October). Check our calendar tab for more information. 

The last day of the 2023 season is Friday October 27, 2023.

*Weather permitting
Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023:

Due to thunderstorms, the Kentucky Children's Garden will delay opening until 11 AM this morning. This is subject to change according to weather conditions. We will continue to update on the Kentucky Children's Garden hours as the day progresses.

Admission

Cost: $4.00 per person for everyone age 2 and above (children under 2 years old are free)

Accepted forms are payment are: CASH, CHECK, VISA or MASTERCARD. 

We do not accept ApplePay, Venmo, Tap or credit cards stored on phones

 

Train Hours

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
3 - 4 PM

Educational Programming

During our season of operation, we offer educational programming each day we are open from 10 AM to 12PM

View our programming calender here

 

Wondering if we are closed due to weather? 

For everyone's safety, we close the garden during inclement weather. We will close the Kentucky Children's Garden for any of the following reasons:

  • Thunder or lightning (we will close for at least 30 minutes after we hear thunder or see lightning)
  • Hard rain
  • Temperatures below 40 degrees
  • Temperatures below 50 degrees combined with rain
  • Heat index above 102 degrees

During our season of operation, you can check our Facebook Page for updates: https://www.facebook.com/The Arboretum, State Botanical Garden of Kentucky. 

COVID-19 Policy for the Kentucky Children's Garden

  • Mask are not required in the Dorotha Smith Oatts Visitor Center
  • Mask are not required for anyone outdoors regardless of vaccination status
  • Stay at home and do not visit if you are sick or display COVID‐19 symptoms such as fever, dry cough, or tiredness. ​
  • Please respect others who are practicing social distancing while you are at The Arboretum and in the KCG. ​
  • Please regularly wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds if you visit the KCG.

Small Groups

We welcome small groups such as a preschools, single classes, birthday parties, summer camps or church groups of less than 30 or 50 people (see schedule below) to visit during our season of operation during normal operating hours. Small groups are SELF-GUIDED and must pre-register. Admission charges of $4 per person (everyone age two and above) apply to both students and adults. We do not offer discounts for small groups.

Spring (when Fayette County Schools are in session) - Small groups are limited to 50 people

Summer (when Fayette County schools are not in session) - Small groups limited to 30 people

Autumn (when Fayette County Schools are in session) - Small groups are limited to 50 people

Please click here for more information.