Plan your Visit

The Garden at Elm Bank

Our 36-acre property features both traditional and modern gardening styles. The Garden at Elm Bank serve as inspiration for your home garden, a place to relax in the natural world, and a backdrop for time spent with family and friends. The display of different plants, flowers and trees provide a beautiful setting for gatherings, walks, picnics, and more. The buildings, grounds and gardens of Elm Bank are accessible with paved and crushed-stone paths.

The Garden at Elm Bank is located on the Elm Bank Reservation at 900 Washington Street in Wellesley, MA 02482. The public reservation, roads, and trails are managed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Please see their website for more information.

Garden Season

Open April-December

Current Hours:

Closed until April 1, 2024


Etiquette & Policies

- Please help us in our work to keep the Garden at Elm Bank beautiful by staying on paths.
- Refrain from climbing trees, stepping in gardens, or wading in pools.
- No dogs, bikes, scooters or sports equipment are allowed in the Garden at Elm Bank.
- Respect the wildlife.
- Drones or any other form of UAV are not allowed on MHS’s property.
- Small picnics are allowed on site, we offer picnic tables and benches throughout the garden as well as bistro seating in the Jim Crockett Memorial Garden. Please see our Group Admission policy.
- Please help us keep the site clean by disposing of all trash and litter.
- By entering the Garden at Elm Bank, you consent to the taking and publication of your photograph and video for MHS promotional purposes.
- Please be respectful of private events by not interrupting or taking photos.
- Parking lots are available on-site, parking is free for Garden visitors

All who wish to use the Garden at Elm Bank as a backdrop/setting for portrait photography, even if the photographer is NOT a professional, must be pre-arranged with the Guest Experience department.

View our full policy and book your session here.


Getting Here

From Washington Street (Route 16)
Enter the Elm Bank Reservation at 900 Washington Street. Drive over the bridge and turn right (this is a one way road). Follow the road about one-half mile to a Stop sign; turn left and park in the lot, approximately 200 feet beyond the stop. The parking lots will be on your left. Enter the gardens via the Gatehouse. PLEASE NOTE: Vehicles over 12 tons, please call 617-933-4921 for delivery directions.

Directions to Elm Bank Entrance on Washington Street (Route 16)
From the East / Boston
Take the Massachusetts Turnpike (Route 90 West) to Exit 16 (West Newton Exit). Follow Route 16 West 4.7 miles to Wellesley Center (5-way intersection with stop light); stay left at the intersection to remain on Route 16 West (Washington Street) for another 1.6 miles to the entrance of Elm Bank Reservation (look for a small green sign on the left).

From Points North
Take Interstate 95 South (Route 128 South) to Route 16 (Exit 22-21B). Follow 21B (left fork of exit ramp) onto Route 16 West. Follow Route 16 West for about 2.9 miles to Wellesley Center (5-way intersection with stop light); stay left at the intersection to remain on Route 16 West (Washington Street) for another 1.6 miles to the entrance of Elm Bank Reservation (look for a small green sign on the left).

From Points South
Take Route 3 North to Interstate 95 North (Route 128 North) to Exit 21B (Route 16 West). Follow Route 16 West for 2.9 miles to Wellesley Center (5-way intersection with stop light); stay left at the intersection to remain on Route 16 West (Washington Street) for another 1.6 miles to the entrance of Elm Bank Reservation (look for a small green sign on the left).

From Points West
Take the Massachusetts Turnpike (Route 90 East) to Exit 14 (Weston). Take Interstate 95 South (Route 128 South) for 1/2 mile to Route 16 (Exit 22-21B). Follow 21B (left fork of exit ramp) onto Route 16 West. Follow Route 16 West for 2.9 miles to Wellesley Center (5-way intersection with stop light); stay left at the intersection to remain on Route 16 West (Washington Street) for another 1.6 miles to the entrance of Elm Bank Reservation(look for a small green sign on the left).

Commuter rail, bus and subway schedules can be accessed by calling the MBTA at 617-222-3200 or by checking their web site. Please call ahead when making travel plans - schedules vary on weekends and holidays.

Framingham/ Worcester Commuter Rail line:
South Station to Worcester: From the Amtrak terminal at South Station or Back Bay Station, Boston; Take the Framingham/ Worcester Commuter Rail train to Wellesley Square station. You may call for a taxi at the station, which is about 5 min. from Elm Bank.
Purchase tickets at the station, where available, or on board. Outbound trip takes approx. 30 min. from South Station and 10 min. from West Newton. Inbound trip takes approx. 45 min. from Worcester and 15 min. from Framingham. Weekday service runs approx. every 30 min. during peak hours, every 1.5–2 hrs. during off peak and every 2 hrs. on weekends.

Needham Commuter Rail line:
South Station to Needham Heights: From the Amtrak terminal at South Station or Back Bay Station, Boston, take the Needham Commuter Rail train to Needham Junction station. Taxi service is available at the station, which is about 15 min. from Elm Bank. Purchase tickets at the station, where available, or on board.
Outbound trip takes approx. 40 min. from South Station, 30 min. from Forest Hills and 20 min. from West Roxbury. Inbound trip takes approx. 10 min. from Needham Heights.
Weekday service runs approx. every 30 min. during peak hours, every 1.5 - 2 hrs. during off peak and every 2 hrs. on Saturday. This route does not offer Sunday service.

MBTA "D" Green Line Trolley:
On the Boston transit system, connections to the Green Line trolleys can be made via the Blue Line at Government Center station, via the Red Line at Park Street, via the Orange Line at Downtown Crossing, Haymarket and North Station. Take the Green Line "D -RIVERSIDE" train to Woodland Station, the second to last stop. You may call for a taxi at the station, which is about 10 min. from Elm Bank.
Outbound trips from underground stations require standard fare of 85c or any MBTA monthly pass, except Bus pass. Purchase Charlie ticket or use exact change at the station. Trip from Kenmore Station to Woodland takes approx. 25 min. Service runs every 5-10 min. daily.

Routes, fares and schedules can be accessed by calling the MBTA at 617-222-3200 or by checking their web site. Please call ahead when making travel plans - schedules vary on weekends and holidays.

MBTA bus route #59:
Watertown Sq. to Needham Junction via Newtonville From the bus station at Watertown Square in Watertown, take bus #59 to the last stop, Needham Junction station. You may call for a taxi at the station, which is about 15 min. from Elm Bank. Requires standard bus fare. Outbound trip takes approx. 40 min. from Watertown Sq., 20 min. from Newtonville and 15 min. from Newton Highlands. Service runs approx. every 30 min. on weekdays and every 45 min. on Saturdays. This route does not offer Sunday service.

Newton Nexus Bus Service:
Nexus North Route 1 & Route 3. This local bus service connects to several mass transit stations in Newton.
Both Nexus 1and Nexus 3 make stops at Newtonville and Auburndale stations connecting to the Framingham/Worcester Commuter Rail Line. Follow the appropriate directions above from these stations. Nexus 1 and 3 also make stops at the Woodland Station, which connects to the MBTA "D" Green Line. Taxi service is available at the station, which is about 10 min. from Elm Bank. One-way bus fare required: For schedules and fares, contact the Newton Nexus Bus Service at 617-552-5500 or visit their website.

Greyhound and Peter Pan Bus Lines:
Most Greyhound and Peter Pan busses departing from the South Station Bus Terminal in Boston, stop at Riverside Station on the "D" Green Line. (Express busses, however, usually DO NOT make this stop. Check schedules before boarding.) For schedules and fares, contact Greyhound at (800) 231-2222 and Peter Pan at (800) 343-9999 or visit their ticket counters at the South Station Bus Terminal.

Wellesley Transportation Service
781-235-2200 between 5 a.m. and midnight.

Veterans Taxi
781-235-1600

Colonial Cab
By reservation only. Provides discounts for advance booking. Call 508-653-5600.

Garden Map

Preview & download the garden map here.

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SINCE
1829.

Massachusetts Horticultural Society is dedicated to encouraging the science and practice of horticulture and to developing the public’s enjoyment, appreciation, and understanding of plants and the environment.

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