AMES CITY TOUR FIELD GUIDE
A One-Hour, Curated Walk Through Reiman Gardens: Butterflies, a Tropical Conservatory, and Seventeen Acres of Display Beds
This 60-minute adult guided tour of Reiman Gardens in Ames covers the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing, the 5,000 sq. ft. Hughes Conservatory, and the outdoor gardens — this guide explains what to expect, group rules, and booking essentials.
A One-Hour, Curated Walk Through Reiman Gardens: Butterflies, a Tropical Conservatory, and Seventeen Acres of Display Beds.
Reiman Gardens’ Adult Guided Tour is a focused, staff-led hour that moves guests through the institution’s signature indoor attractions and its 17 acres of outdoor planting — from exotic, live butterflies in flight to the ever-changing displays inside the Hughes Conservatory. The tour pairs a personal, trained guide exclusively assigned to your group with full access to the Gardens’ principal spaces, offering a compact, interpretive take on this Ames landscape.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing
Guided visits include access to the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing, where exotic, live butterflies fly among the displays — a sensory peak of the hour-long tour and a primary reason groups book a guided visit.
Hughes Conservatory’s Tropical Display
The tour walks through the Hughes Conservatory’s 5,000 square-foot tropical display, a dynamic indoor garden that is shown on guided itineraries except during scheduled Conservatory changeouts.
Seventeen Acres of Outdoor Gardens
Beyond the interiors, the guide leads guests through 17 acres of outdoor gardens, stitching together seasonal beds and landscape features into a single, interpretive hour.
What the day feels like
What the Hour Feels Like
The tour unfolds as a brisk, interpretive loop: a visit to the Butterfly Wing, a walk-through of the tropical Hughes Conservatory when available, and a guided stroll across select swaths of the 17-acre grounds. Trained Reiman Gardens staff are assigned exclusively to your group, providing context and access to areas included with admission during the 60‑minute visit.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this tour is best for — and when it’s not a fit.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Guided Tours run on a 60-minute schedule and are offered Monday through Friday only; tours must be arranged at least four weeks in advance.
The 60-minute guided tour costs $15 per person with a minimum of 10 people (minimum charge $150 if the group minimum is not met); the fee includes admission to the Gardens.
Guided tours must be booked at least four weeks in advance; groups may add a lecture for an additional fee depending on availability.
Guided Tours provide a personal, trained Reiman Gardens tour guide assigned exclusively to your group and access to all included areas during the visit; plan for an active 60-minute walk through indoor and outdoor spaces.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the guided tour?
Guided Tours are 60 minutes in duration.
What does the tour cost and is there a group minimum?
The guided, 60-minute tour costs $15 per person with a minimum of 10 people; if the minimum of 10 cannot be met, groups may switch to a self-guided experience or be charged for the 10-person minimum ($150).
When must tours be booked?
Tours must be arranged at least four weeks in advance.
Are there limits on group size per guide?
Groups must have a minimum of 10 guests and there is a limit of 12 guests per tour guide; larger groups will be divided to maximize the guest experience.
Are bus driver admissions included?
Yes — bus driver admissions are included with group tours.
Are tours available on weekends?
No — tours are available Monday through Friday only.
Do garden membership discounts apply to guided tours?
No — discounts affiliated with Garden Memberships do not apply toward guided tours or group visits.
Can I add a lecture to the guided tour?
Yes — groups may add a lecture for an additional fee, depending on availability.