10 Things To Do at Arnold Arboretum in Boston

1. Start at the Hunnewell Visitor Center

While you won't want to hang inside for too long if it's a nice day at the Arnold Arboretum, this is a good spot to get your bearings. Kids can push a button on an interactive map to see where certain plant highlights are throughout the big property, and peek through a microscope to see certain specimens up close.

2. Take a guided family walk 

From the visitor center, staff members lead families on guided walks through the arboretum's collections. These walks are geared to children ages 3 and up, and include some interactive activities kids will love.

3. Pick up a Discovery Pack

Containing materials that encourage children to interact with the plants and other features of the arboretum, these cute little backpacks can be borrowed from the visitor center. Kids get to choose from three packs: Living Museum, Science Lab, or Be an Engineer—the newest discovery pack offering that includes sticks and other materials for crafting bridges and swings.

4. ...or design a D.I.Y. scavenger hunt

For older toddlers and preschoolers, make a list of things to find while you’re in the Arboretum. Depending on your time, the season, the age of your child, and his or her interest level, you might include pine cone (easy to find along Conifer Path), dandelions, acorns, interesting stones or pebbles, or twig shapes.

5. Play I Spy the tree of the month

Every month, Arnold Arboretum picks a new tree to highlight (you can find it on this webpage). Read some information about this special tree before your visit or once you arrive, and then try to find it on the grounds (or use this handy ArbExplorer webpage). Bring paper and crayons to do rubbings of the tree's bronze labels, bark, or leaves (if they’ve fallen).

6. Marvel at the bonsai trees

Show kids how gardening can be an art by strolling through the Bonsai and Penjing Collection, located by the Dana Greenhouses and about a 10-minute walk from the Arborway or Forest Hills Gates.

7. Play Wildlife Bingo

Lots of animals, from hawks to dragonflies, make the Arnold Arboretum their home. Print out and bring some of these wildlife bingo cards to play as you walk.

8. Go on a wildflower walk

Weld Hill, a favorite wintertime sledding hill is blanketed with beautiful wildflowers throughout the warmer months. 

9. Hike up Peter's Hill

The highest point in the park offers a nice payoff at the top: Sweeping city skyline views.

10.Come in May for lilac season

The lavender and mauve blooms are on showy display in mid- to late-spring. Consider spending Mothers' Day at Lilac Day, the free annual Arnold Arboretum event with music and food trucks (picnicking is allowed on the grounds for this one very special day only). 

Lilac Sunday. Photo by Sarah Morris/CC BY 2.0

Know Before You Go...

• The Arboretum is open from sunrise to sunset every day of the year.

• There is no admission charge, but donations are appreciated.

• There are restrooms on the ground floor of the visitor’s center (by the Arborway Gate). 

• Ample parking is available by the Arborway Gate, but regulars often like to park at Bussey Gate—there’s plenty of room, and it’s not such a busy street.

• Picnics are prohibited in the Arboretum except on Lilac Sunday (Mother’s Day). If you do bring snack for your child with you, remember to take any refuse back out with you.

• Organized sports are prohibited on park grounds, but bring some bubbles to blow or a kite to fly.

• Pace yourself. The Arnold Arboretum is a big space, best explored over a number of visits.  Use the Map of the Landscape to decide what you want to see. But…give yourself permission to meander, travel down a secret path, deviate from the plan, or just look up for a few, beautiful minutes. You’ll know it’s worth it when your kid tells you in the car, “look mommy! The trees are growing. It’s springtime.”

Photos courtesy of Arnold Arboretum, unless otherwise noted