PLAN YOUR VISIT

  • Please stay on paths or grass. Walking in flower beds may damage plants, landscape rocks may be slippery or structures can be damaged. Small strollers and wagons are allowed; please no scooters or skateboards.

    Don’t pick it if you didn’t plant it. Plants are grown for display and educational purposes. Wildlife and plants at the Gardens must stay at the Gardens. Do not pick or remove plants / wildlife from the premises OR bring in any plants / wildlife from outside of the grounds without prior staff permission.

    Respect wildlife in the Garden. Please observe with your eyes only and do not feed the animals or fish.

    All programs, story times, and tours must receive prior approval from Bookworm Gardens. Contact us to learn more.

    Explore together. Due to the nature of the surroundings, children younger than 13 years old are to be supervised at all times. Adults are responsible for monitoring their children and ensuring everyone follows the rules.

  • Picnic tables are available by the Magic School Bus. However, the Gardens do not provide trash bags and /or receptacles for the removal of trash. Please carry out what you have carried in.

    We encourage visitors to bring a water bottle with them to the Gardens. We have a bottle filler and drinking fountain available for guests. We do not sell any bottled water, food or concessions.

    In compliance with our liquor license, the Gardens does not permit carry in of alcoholic beverages.

  • Bookworm is a smoke and vape-free, environmentally friendly facility. Smoking and vaping are not permitted anywhere on the grounds. The only permissible smoking area is in the Bookworm parking lot.

  • Bookworm does not permit the right to carry weapons or concealed weapons on the grounds. The Gardens reserves the right to deny anyone access inside the Gardens.

  • Service animals are welcome, but please leave pets and Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) at home. Please let us know you have a service animal when you arrive so we can make our staff aware.

  • By visiting Bookworm Gardens you understand that you may be photographed, filmed or videotaped and you hereby give permission and grant the perpetual right to use your likeness, image, photo (collectively, “image”), without compensation, for broadcast or exhibition in any medium and to put the finished pictures/recordings to any legitimate use without limitation or reservation.

    We encourage visitors to take photographs or shoot videos for their personal use and enjoyment.

    Filming / photoshoots (this includes photos or videos of weddings, engagements, quinceañeras, family portraits, senior/graduation portraits, maternity shoots, or the like, and all other commercial photography or videography) are allowed during regular business hours with the purchase of a Photographer’s Fee. Pricing is as follows: groups of 4 or less, $50 for two hours and groups of 6 or more, $150 for two hours. We expect all visitors to be respectful of the grounds, stay on paths, and not block pathways.

  • The majority of our site is accessible via wheelchair and stroller. Most paths are made of hardened rubberized mulch. Some paths are gravel or flagstone (less easily navigated by wheels). We have a wheelchair onsite that can be used on a first come, first serve basis.

  • Free parking is available on a first come, first served basis.

  • There is parking available for vans and buses. Guests can be dropped off at the entrance to the Gardens and park in the open areas of the parking bays.

  • The Gardens makes every effort to remain open during posted hours, but reserves the right to close in the event of inclement weather.

Garden Rules

To ensure the longevity of Bookworm Gardens, please respect the following policies. Visitors who do not comply may be asked to leave.

FAQs & Guidelines

General

  • Bookworm Gardens is a non-profit botanic garden inspired by children's literature and located in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Our mission is to inspire the love of books and nature in the young and young at heart.

  • Bookworm Gardens is open to the public from May 1 - October 31. During the season, hours of operation vary; please check our Hours & Tickets page for details as you plan your visit.

  • No. Service animals are welcome, but please leave pets and emotional support animals at home.

  • Bookworm brings to life more than 80 books around the Gardens. When you visit, find laminated, weather-proof books nestled in stone book towers throughout the Gardens. Grab a book, settle onto a bench, and immerse yourself in a story surrounded by nature.

    Click here to download the complete 2026 book list and map.

  • Yes. The majority of our site is accessible via wheelchair and stroller. Most paths are made of hardened rubberized mulch (highly usable). Some paths are gravel or flagstone (less easily navigated by wheels). We have a wheelchair onsite that can be used of a first-come, first-serve basis.

  • We encourage visitors to take photographs or shoot videos for their personal use and enjoyment.

    Filming / photoshoots (this includes photos or videos of weddings, engagements, quinceañeras, family portraits, senior/graduation portraits, maternity shoots, or the like, and all other commercial photography or videography) are allowed during regular business hours with the payment of a Photographer’s Fee. Pricing is as follows:

    • Groups of 4 or less: $50 for two hours

    • Groups of 6 or more: $150 for two hours.

    Any visitors filming or taking photographs must take care to be respectful of the grounds, stay on paths, and not block walkways.

Ticketing

  • 2025 admission prices are as follows:

    • General Admission Adults (18+) - $12

    • General Admission Youth (3-17) - $10

    • 2 Years Old and Younger - $0

    • Sheboygan County Residents - $0 (with online registration a day or more in advance), $3 at the Gate

    • Bookworm Members - $0
      Explore membership options here.

    • AHS Reciprocal Garden Members - $0 with membership card

    • Museums for All Attendee - $3

    Learn more and purchase tickets here. Please be aware that pricing varies during special event weeks and programs.

  • You can purchase online advance tickets for your date of visit up to the day before your planned visit. Day-of tickets are available for purchase at the admission booth.

  • Yes, reserve a free ticket for your visit. There is no cost for visitors ages two and younger.

  • A library experience pass gives the holder complimentary general admission for two adults and unlimited kids (within the same household). All others in the group must pay the appropriate admission prices. These are not applicable for special events. They also can’t be used to pay for a partial ticket to an event or adult tour.

    You do not have to register in advance to use a library experience pass, if you would like to, please select the ticket price of Bookworm Member during the registration process.

    We accept experience passes from libraries that have purchased a pass from us. We will not be accepting experience passes from other organizations.

    If you’re a library looking to get an experience pass or more information, please email info@bookwormgardens.org.

    • Museums for All

      Through Museums for All, those receiving food assistance (SNAP benefits) can obtain reduced general admission to Bookworm Gardens by presenting their SNAP EBT (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Electronic Benefit Transfer) card at the Front Gate.

      Museums for All is a national, branded access program that encourages individuals of all backgrounds to visit regularly and build lifelong museum habits. 

      This reduced rate is available during all normal operating hours (excluding special events) for up to four individuals per EBT card.

    • Bookworm Gardens Members receive free admission. Subject to change for events

    • Residents of Sheboygan County also receive free admission with advance ticket purchase, excluding event days. Upon arrival to the Gardens, you must present a current Wisconsin driver's license, or state ID at the Admissions booth to establish proof of residency. If you do not have an Wisconsin identification card, you may establish residency by showing a valid photo ID along with one of the following:

      • Sheboygan County lease

      • Sheboygan County library card

      • Sheboygan County student ID with photo

      • Sheboygan County utility bill

      • Sheboygan County work ID and check stub

  • Yes! Our membership program is a part of the American Horticultural Society Garden Network. Members from participating AHS gardens receive free general admission to Bookworm Gardens.

    Note:

    • You must present your membership card at the admission booth for reciprocal access to the Gardens.

    • Reciprocal memberships are not valid for entry during special events at Bookworm.

    • We do not accept reciprocal gardens’ library experience passes, only our own.

    • We recommend calling ahead to Bookworm for the most up-to-date information and to confirm reciprocity. Contact us at (920) 287-7895.

  • All non-family groups with 10 or more children are required to have a reservation and program through our Field Trip program. If you would like a guided tour for adults see our Adult Programs page.

When You Arrive

  • Parking is free on a first-come, first-served basis in Bookworm’s adjacent lot, just south of the main entrance to the Gardens. Additional free parking is available in the large UW Green Bay – Sheboygan campus parking lots. Please do not park in the small UW – Extension parking lot.

  • Most visitors choose to stay on site for approximately two hours. This visit time can vary depending on the ages of those in your group.es here

  • Yes. Our picnic area is located next to our Magic School Bus. We have a carry in, carry out policy. You will need to take your garbage and recyclables home with you. Please plan to bring a reusable water bottle; drinking fountains and water bottle fillers are available near the restrooms. We do not sell water or other concessions on site.

  • Yes. We have two restrooms at the front of the Gardens, attached to the main building. We also have 3 family restrooms and a care room in our Family Restroom Building at the back of the Gardens.

Refund Policies

  • Tickets are non-refundable and are valid for their specified date. If you are unable to use your ticket, you may transfer your tickets to a different date for a $5.00 fee, use it toward regular season admission (May-October), or apply its cost towards a Garden membership. 

    In the event of extreme weather, we’ll post a closure statement both on our website and Facebook page. In such an event, we will refund the full price of your ticket(s). Our visitor service team will send you an email reminding you to contact us either for a refund or to reschedule your visit.

    • Refunds

      • No Refunds: There are no refunds available for Garden special event tickets. Once purchased, tickets cannot be refunded for any reason. Refunds will not be given for dissatisfaction with any event.

      • Lost, Stolen, or Unused Tickets: Tickets will not be replaced if lost, stolen, or unused.

    • Weather Occurrences

      • Event Cancellation: Refunds will not be issued for any weather occurrences in which the Gardens does not cancel the event. Please note that events will proceed rain or shine unless explicitly canceled by the Gardens. In the unlikely event of weather causing cancellation, you must contact us for your refund or help rescheduling your visit. 

    • Ticket Transfer

      • Non-Transferable: Event tickets are non-transferable to another event, Gardens membership, or Gardens education programs. Tickets are only valid for the specific event for which they were purchased.

  • What is the refund policy for Classes and Programs?

    • For programs canceled due to low enrollment or hazardous conditions by Bookworm Gardens, a full refund will be issued by contacting info@bookwormgardens.org

    • Notification of program cancelation will occur by email or phone. In cases of inclement weather, call 920-287-7895 to check the status of the program. 

    • When canceling a summer camp 30 days or more in advance, a refund of 50% will be issued. No refund will be given for camps canceled with less than 30 days notice.

    • Refunds will not be issued if requested on or after the start date of a program, or for sessions missed due to attendee illness or other personal situations. Refunds are only issued if Bookworm Gardens cancels the programming due to low enrollment or inclement weather. 

    • We do not offer supply kits as a to-go if you are unable to attend the program in person.

    • Dress according to the weather; all programs will be held, rain or shine, unless notified otherwise. No rain or snow dates are planned.

    • Gates and classes open at the start of the class unless you have been notified by the instructor ahead of time.