Plan Your Visit

Hours

OPEN APRIL 1 - OCTOBER 31
MONDAY - TUESDAY 9 am-4 pm
TWILIGHT TUESDAY
(MAY 3 -AUGUST) 9 am-8 pm
CLOSED WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY - FRIDAY 9 am-4 pm
SATURDAY - SUNDAY 9 am-5 pm

Our office is open year-round, Monday through Friday
from 8 am - 4 pm.

Admission

ADULTS $20

SENIORS (62+) $14

YOUNG ADULTS (13-18) $14

CHILDREN (2-12) $5

CHILDREN UNDER 2 Free

MEMBERS Free

The Gardens

Discover the charm and playful spirit of Ladew Gardens, a 22-acre masterpiece that reflects the vision and light-heartedness of its creator, Harvey Ladew. Inspired by his extensive travels to England, where he first admired a whimsical topiary of several hounds chasing a fox, Ladew returned to be among the first Americans to recreate the artistry on this side of the Atlantic. Today, the gardens are meticulously maintained to the highest horticultural standards and under the design of Harvey S. Ladew. Recognized by Architectural Digest as one of the “10 Incredible Topiary Gardens Around the World,” Ladew Gardens is a destination cherished by more than 30,000 visitors annually. Beyond its beauty, the gardens serve the community with over 100 events and educational programs and welcome visitors of all ages.

The front of the Manor House

The Manor
House

The Manor House is a living legacy and a wonderful tribute to Harvey S. Ladew's revered style, elegance, and wit. Built in 1749, the Manor House has been transformed into the stunning showcase it is today. Each room reflects Ladew's artistic vision, with a charming collection of antiques and treasures collected from his travels across the globe. Highlights include the Oval Library with a secret door, over 2,500 books, and architectural details dating back to the 16th century—all of which are favorites among visitors.

Inside the Butterfly House

The Butterfly
House

Step into the awe-inspiring Butterfly House, a seasonal outdoor exhibition where visitors witness the complete lifecycle of native butterflies and moths on Ladew’s grounds. This unique exhibit highlights the insects and the essential plants that sustain them. Take our docent-led tour to learn what makes these animals and their magical habitat special and how to support butterflies in your yard.

The Butterfly House is free to visitors. Tickets are required at admissions, and available on first come first served basis

The Butterfly House opening day is set for July 5 and the last day will be September 26th, 2025. Closed on Wednesdays.

The Ladew Cafe

The Cafe at Ladew, serves delightful meals that patrons can enjoy on the cafe’s terrace all season long. The cafe features a wonderful variety of scratch-made sandwiches, seasonal salads, desserts, and a kid's menu.

Open Thursday to Tuesday, 11 AM - 3 PM.

Meadows

Walk our curated Pollinator Gardens Trail, showcasing the native plants and pollinators through the wildflower meadow. Ladew designed the six-acre landscape in the 1990s to create biodiversity and reduce carbon emissions by eliminating the need to mow this area weekly. With bluebird boxes, various wildlife, and Ladew’s annual sculpture exhibits featured on the paths, visitors are encouraged to explore each habitat for its beauty and educational value. 

Nature Walk

Ladew’s one-mile, self-guided Nature Walk trail is a beautiful complement to the formal gardens with educational signs, a Wetland Forest boardwalk, and a bird blind for bird observations. When Harvey S. Ladew lived on the property, the Nature Walk area was a pasture for his horses and a steeplechase course. After years of inactivity, nature reclaimed the land and birthed the woodlands beloved by many since 1999.

Tours are self-guided. Download the map.

Accessibility

Ladew Gardens is committed to making our Gardens, Manor House, Nature Walk, Butterfly House, Gift Shop, Café, and programs accessible to everyone, including making every effort to meet the needs of guests with mobility limitations. However, due to the historic nature of the campus and buildings, some areas may present challenges to those in wheelchairs or who have difficulty walking. The garden terrain varies from compacted-gravel walkways to grass-paved paths, to mulched trails through wooded areas. Seating areas are provided throughout the Gardens. Ladew offers a wheelchair for loan at no charge on a first-come, first-served basis. You may contact us in advance of your visit at 410.557.9570, x 218 to reserve the wheelchair. Or you may make your request at the Admissions gatehouse when you pay the admissions fee. We will ask to retain your car keys or driver’s license while you use the wheelchair.

  • The newly restored Cottage Garden, Hunt Scene, Woodland Garden, Victorian Garden, Berry Garden, and Croquet Court are accessible by paved and/or hard packed surfaces.  The rest of the Gardens are lawn and mulched or gravel paths.  Please note that wet ground conditions can make the Gardens more challenging to navigate. 

  • The original 18th-century structure has had many additions to it over the years, creating the necessity for one or two steps in between many of the rooms. Only two of the rooms in the Manor House are wheelchair accessible.

  • The first quarter of the mile-long Nature Walk trail is wheelchair accessible boardwalk, however, the path leading to the Nature Walk is a rough gravel path.

  • The Butterfly House can be accessed via a wheelchair-friendly path through the Café Courtyard and then a short distance across a grass path. The floor of the Butterfly House is gravel. Please note that the paved pathway to the Café Courtyard entrance has a fairly steep grade.

  • Restrooms are all wheelchair accessible. Please note, however, that the paved pathway to the Café entrance has a fairly steep grade.


  • Ladew Gardens offers handicapped parking in our main parking lot. During special events additional handicapped parking will be provided in designated areas.


Special Occasion Photography

Ladew’s award-winning gardens offer a stunning backdrop for engagements, weddings, graduation, family, and special occasion photos. To schedule, contact Barbara Barnoff.
By appointment only.

CONTACT

bbarnoff@ladewgardens.com
410.557.9570 x215