The Dawes Arboretum

Take in the 16,000 trees, shrubs, flowers, and other plants that call this spectacular arboretum home.

Stroll amongst the 2,000 acres of lush gardens, complete with nearly 16,000 trees, shrubs, and other plants at the Dawes Arboretum. There is also a ton of history embedded throughout the property; Beman Dawes purchased the 140-acre plot of land in 1917 and named it “Daweswood,” and it has only grown in size as the years have passed. The arboretum was established in 1929 and officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2016; today it welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. The fascinating history of the land is told in the Daweswood House Museum, which has genuine antiques and memorabilia from the family on display.

Dawes Arboretum has around 12 miles of hiking trails for visitors to enjoy at their leisure. As you explore the property, you’ll come across the tranquil Japanese garden and its reflection pond, one of the most northernmost bald cypress swamps in the country, and the Dutch Fork Wetlands, which is a 70-acre expanse that has been restored and now boasts a lively ecosystem of birds and mammals. There are also a number of programs for kids and families, such as summer camps, story times, and exciting pop-up exhibits. There is truly nothing like walking through around the arboretum and taking in the extreme care and love that the organization has poured into it. The Dawes Arboretum is dedicated to fostering a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can learn from and interact with nature in a meaningful way. The seemingly endless expanse of greenery found at the Dawes Arboretum is guaranteed to bring you to a place of peace, wonder, and connection with nature.