Learning Garden
Schedule a tour to see the Learning Garden up close, explore its habitats, and deepen your connection to nature’s rhythms. Good Friend offers guided, interactive tours at the Niskayuna garden every Friday from 1:00p -5:30p (weather permitting), between June 12 and September 25, 2026.
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How did Good Friend go from a sparse residential site to an ecologically designed landscape, bursting with bounty and beauty? Learn about the Garden, its inhabitants, and the land stewardship principles behind its design.
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From color theory to birdsong, explore Good Friend's ornamental, edible and wildlife landscapes with all five senses.
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For curious kids ages 4-13, this tour is an up-close, hands-on experience. We’ll spy on bugs, discover plant communities, and get down in the soil to learn all about the wonders of a sustainable garden. Season depending, kids can pick their own posy of blooms to take home. (Note: Small Wonders Tour participants must include at least one responsible adult.)
Planning a Visit
The Learning Garden is open for tours by confirmed appointment only. Tours occur summer Fridays from June 12 - September 25, 2026, at 1p, 2:30p, 4p, and 5:30p (weather permitting), and are limited to groups of 5 or fewer for each time slot.
To schedule a tour, get in touch or email hello@goodfriendgardens.org. Indicate your preferred date(s), time slot, your best contact number, how many will be attending, and the type of tour you would like.
Things to Know :
Details. Tours are limited to groups of 5 or fewer. Tours are $18 for each adult and $12 for each youth, ages 3-17, due upon arrival for the tour. There is no charge for children younger than 2, however they do count toward the head count.
Timing. Tour slots are are 1p, 2:30p, 4p, and 5:30p. Tours last about 1 hour.
Keep it comfortable. Good Friend is a multi-habitat working garden with a flower farm. It has some steep, slippery, and uneven areas, and is not ADA-compliant. Dress for the weather, bring sunscreen and protective clothing, and wear comfortable shoes. Paths are grass and cedar mulch so it will be difficult to navigate a stroller or wheelchair.
Arrive on time. There are several tours each Friday. To get the full benefit of a tour, including time for questions, be sure to arrive on time. Shortchange is no fun.
Be cool. For your safety, stay on paths and walkways. Do not:
Go into neighboring properties or walk through garden beds;
Take seeds or pick from the garden without permission;
Visit the garden if you have not scheduled a tour.
Plan ahead. Good Friend is a private residential garden. There is no restroom on site.
Love ‘em, but keep the pets at home. Trained service dogs are most welcome.
Ask questions. Questions are the best way to get to know the garden. Fire away!
Take pictures of the garden. Tour visitors are welcome to take photos of the garden for inspiration, but tours are not for photo shoots. To use Good Friend for a photo shoot (landscape, engagement, headshots, etc.), get in touch.
Park right. Park in designated areas. Visitors will receive parking instructions in the tour confirmation email.
Cancellations: In the event you must cancel your tour, do so by replying to the tour confirmation email as soon as possible. If weather conditions force cancellation of the tour, Good Friend will call and send an email at least two hours in advance. Cancelled tours can always be rescheduled.
