Named one of the Top 10 gardens in America by USA Today, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a quick getaway right in the metro area. Explore 1,137 acres at your own pace including 32 specialty and demonstration gardens, expansive tree and plant collections, woodlands, wetlands and prairie. Celebrate the changing seasons, with nature-inspired exhibits and events, indoors and out.
Popular destinations for families include the new Green Play Yard (especially for infants, toddlers and preschoolers), the Maze Garden and Bog boardwalk; and Thursday storytime in the Library, weekend family fun (every Saturday and Sunday). The Arboretum's Learning Center boasts a "please-touch" greenhouse.
Tickets for tram and bus tours in the Visitor Center. Opening summer 2013 are visitor circulators that shuttle you to popular gardens for step-on, step-off experience.
Open year-round with these seasonal highlights:
SPRING.... Catch the spring wildflowers, crabapple blossoms, lilacs and thousands of tulips (peak bloom predicted for Mother's Day weekend).
SUMMER....glorious annuals and perennials, stately tree and pine collections as well as specialty gardens featuring roses, hostas, lilies, peonies...even a Japanese garden and more.
AUTUMN....the best fall color in town, scarecrows in the garden, awesome pumpkin displays and weekend events.
HOLIDAY....festive, nature-inspired decor in the Great Hall, visits with Santa, storytime by the holiday trees, cookie decorating for families (complete with cookies, frosting and sprinkles), holiday teas, family breakfasts and so much more.
WINTER...the season to imagine--from scouring seed catalogs in the Andersen Horticultural Library to x-country skiing (named best classic trails by Minnesota Monthly in 2012) and snowshoe.
IDEA LAB FOR GARDENS....Whether novice, experienced or expert gardeners, must-sees are the Home Demo gardens with ideas for small space vegetable gardens, ornamental and vegetable gardens (who like each other!), salad gardens, and international vegetable themes that change up each year.
OSWALD VISITOR CENTER .....light-filled, natural beams create a beautiful setting. Includes gift store, casual restaurant (serving wine and beer), Reedy Gallery (a collection of oils and watercolors from national and Minnesota painters) and Restaurant Gallery (photographs and more from Minnesota-based photographers and artists). The historic Snyder Building features the Andersen Horticultural Library and serves as the place for monthly traditional teas and seasonal gourmet dinners.
EVENTS AND PROGRAMS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY... including children's daycamps and adventures; adult gardening school, dinner with a chef cooking classes...even Yoga in the Garden with Lifetime Fitness in summer 2013.
Admission
Adults - $12 for ages 13 and up
12 & under - free
Members - free
From April through October, the third Thursday is free admission after 4:30 p.m. From November-March, admission is free all day Thursdays.
Hours
Visitor Center:
November-April: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 10 a.m to 4:30 p.m. Sunday.
May-October: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 10 am.to 6 p.m. Sunday. Check for holiday hours at www.arboretum.umn.edu
Arboretum grounds are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. or sunset (whichever is first). Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Special hours for AppleHouse in the fall„ featuring fresh local produce, garden gifts, University meats and cheeses, Arboretum apples, pumpkin and squash and more. Located west of Arboretum on Hwy. 5.
Touring the Arboretum
Guided tours: Motorized Trumpet Creeper Tram available May - October (tickets available in Oswald Viitor Center) or free walking garden tours; monthly regular guided walks schedule varies by month.
12.5 miles of paved garden paths and wood-chipped hiking trails
11 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails
4 miles of snowshoe trails
Walk or drive Three-Mile Drive
Now connected to Minnewashta Parkway regional bicycle and hiking trail. No fees if biking through on trail; $5 day pass if bicyclists wish to use Arboretum buildings and walkways and trails. Locked bicycle racks available.
Group Rates
$7 per person for groups of 10 or more in one vehicle. Call (952) 443-1422 to schedule group tours and reserve group tour packages.
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