My daughter recommended us to visit this fantastic arboretum. It was super worthwhile! Just to get out of the city first a bit into a well-preserved and landscaped beautiful lush green space with evergreens and oaks and gardens. It's free every day! There's a visitor center, where they have clippings of flowers that are labeled for easy identification and appreciation. Also throughout the arboretum are little plaques identifying flora. We went up to see the view of Boston from Peter's Hill and walked alongside the blooming mountain laurel bushes. Walkable paths are asphalt or wood chips. We saw a wild turkey, several robins, and occasional people. Super glad we explored this wondrous place! read more

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It's been quite some time since i stopped by the arboretum. As a kid my grandma and mother used to take us there and take photos in the summer. I have some very good child memories here. They used to have hedge? Carvings of animals and stuff which was super cool. Didn't see that today but not sure, we didn't have time to check the whole arboretum. I think this place is so cool, there's families walking, roller blading, skating, biking etc dog walking you name it. It's clean in there so please keep it that way if visiting. There are ample signs of the types of trees, plants, and different zones. Porta potty available on the paths, resting chairs, benches and even spreads for a picnic. Friend had his wedding there not long ago. Easy commute from Forrest Hills train station on the orange line and walk up the street. Multiple gates to go in from, but main gate closed to cars at 4pm i think. The arboretum is closed at dusk. Beautiful walk on a beautiful day. read more

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The Arnold Arboretum is such a beautiful public park that we are so lucky to have access to in the Boston area! It is completely free to the public, open daily year round from dawn to dusk. Fun fact: This is North America's oldest public arboretum and is managed by Harvard University. It is a public park that also serves as Harvard's living museum of plants and trees. I think the Arboretum is a wonderful place to visit any time of the year. Amazing for photos and casual strolls. There are so many pathways you can take & you can easily spend a couple hours here! Parking: free street parking but depending on the time you visit, there may be limited parking available. Other Transportation: short walk from MBTA Orange Line-- Forest Hills station! read more

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This is the most beautiful park in Boston. I have been coming here for years and it makes me so happy. When I'm having a hard day and just need some sun, I always make my way to the Arboretum. There are plenty of walking and biking paths which I love. You can spend hours here! We are so lucky to have this in Boston. They have such beautiful and unique trees, a lot of which come from Asia. I've also come here on nature trips to observe the beautiful flora and how the colors change throughout the different seasons. I particularly recommend coming here in the Autumn and Spring months. September & May are the best. There is also plenty of street parking along Arborway, as well as a parking lot in the park. The staff is also super friendly! read more

Amazing place to reflect and walk and enjoy nature's beauty it's now in the season of the lilacs this place is family friendly and bike friendly read more

Challenging parking situation, especially after hours but still a great option for a walk, run, or photoshoot. We made the best out of an overcast day & the few trees still in color pulled their weight - for us and many others. I like that their map is so straightforward. There is one main paved roadway & several smaller unpaved offshoots. read more

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I love the Arboretum at all times of the year! I've been coming here for many, many years. It is wonderful to have a place like this in the city, and it's something to behold in every season. I Winter can be beautiful whether there is snow or not. There's plenty of evergreen trees for it to still be color. Spring and summer offer beautiful flowering trees and florals in abundance and in the fall during peak foliage season, the colors are gorgeous. It's such a perfect place to come for a walk, a run, a picnic, or a photoshoot. Its dog friendly, and kid friendly too. I see many people walking their dogs, and kids riding their bikes. If you are looking for a place to escape to nature but don't want to leave the city, the Arboretum is the place to go! Photos are from the snowstorm a few weeks ago, and springtime and falltime photos from a photoshoot I took here in the spring. read more

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Grew up north of Boston and had never been here before. Was house-sitting in JP, so figured I'd check it out. There's varied elevations if you're a hiker and plenty of paved trails for walkers and cyclers. Some guy was even on some electric uni-cycle thingy! If you do hike, wear shoes that won't slip on the pine needle blankets, especially on a descent. It's mid November and roughly 55° in full sun. I parked at the Bussey Street gate and had a delightful hour long walk. There's no picnicking (I'm sure given the slobby nature of humans) but it'd be a great setting for one! read more

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If you are a Bostonian, you owe it to yourself to visit this park at least once if not more times each year. I easily spent hour here meandering the paths with no set destination. I covered half the park closest to the last stop on the orange line. An urban paradise at the price of T ticket. And you can visit Harvard without going to Cambridge because the grounds are immaculately maintained by the university. Not quite hiking because the multiple off-road paths are short. The wood chip paths are so easy on the feet! If you take this place for what it is (it's all about the trees), you will leave better than you came. I look forward to visiting again in the fall to see a different shades of the park. At the time of my visit, the roses were clinging on and the maples had a hint of transitioning into fall. read more

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Arnold arboretum blew me away! I love flowering trees and I was sooo impressed by the variety they had here! The trees are all labeled too so you can learn about the different types. They are so dog friendly it's amazing! Street parking can pose a bit of a challenge but it's worth the patience! I want to go back for the next season of blooms already. read more

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This is an amazing huge wonderful place to explore. I like to go for Lilac Sunday on Mother's Day. I climb Peter's Hill to get a panoramic view or wind up Bussey Hill to just rest up among the pines. I love the rose garden which extends back to flowering quince and plum trees in the spring. There are so many paths and so much history, we are very fortunate to have this treasure in Boston. read more

Arnold Arboretum - Lilacs and redbud - Parks Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Arnold Arboretum is a peaceful escape from the city, with winding paths, open lawns, and beautifully curated collections. The Japanese area and bonsai collection feel especially serene, with delicate, sculpted trees that invite you to slow down and look closely. It is a perfect place to spend a quiet afternoon reading under the trees. read more

Beautiful place to experience the fall colors in Boston. Great for all ages where the paths are not too strenuous and you can take your tike exploring all the trees at a leisurely pace. With only a small hike you get to see a stunningly beautiful Boston skyline. You can also ride your bike along the wide and spacious paths. Definitely a great place to bring a date and just take in the beautiful nature within the city. read more

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Absolutely delightful. Paths meander through fabulous foliage. The bonsai garden is magnificent. Strolled with 2 year okd old grand-daughter and it was beautiful. read more

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This 260+ acre park is actually a Harvard museum - their "tree museum"!! They even have a small stand of Franklin Trees that have gone extinct in the wild and were native to Georgia! I went early January so the trees were bare but it was still lovely - I can only imagine how magnificent it must be in spring and fall! It's a fantastic oasis offering an escape from the city without having to go too far. The paths are very well marked with plenty of maps all around, even online, and easy to follow. There are numerous info signs, many with QR codes, providing details information about the various trees and plants - it truly is a museum! Most of the paths are paved and well maintained so I'd say this park is very handicap accessible - but some of the paths have quite a bit of incline - especially the climb up Bussey Hill. But it's very much worth the effort - with views of the hills surrounding the greater Boston area. Entrance is free and it's open every day. There are many benches and seating areas, several ponds, and a nice visitor center at the main entrance. I took an Uber here from the city and it was quick, easy, and reasonable. The parking looks to mostly be street parking and crowded. read more

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Funny how so many reviews recommend the Arnold Arboretum for picnics, since that's not allowed... well, with the exception of their annual (except for their hiatus in 2020+2021 due to covid) Lilac Sunday in early May. No fires or bbqs either. Nor smoking. Dogs are allowed, but must be leashed at all times, and owners are asked to just be responsible and clean up after their furry pals. This was, I think, my first visit of the Arboretum. Spring was still working its magic, so certain trees were still rather bare mid-April, but the cherry trees were still on the floral upswing, and quite lovely against the blue sky. We hung out for a bit on the eastern corner of the park, which happens to be the closest bit to the Orange Line MBTA Station, Forest Hills. We got to meet a park ranger and her 4 hoofed partner, and walk about the three ponds as we soaked in the sun, flowers, and trees. Pay attention to your surroundings in case a park vehicle comes up from behind you. I also spied a water fountain with a doggy bowl beside it. *** Another visit late April 2022 turned up a bunch of students on a school trip and the bare beginnings of the lilacs along Bussey Hill Road. read more

If you want to run, bike, enjoy a beautiful stroll with your family and dogs- this is the place to be! What a lovely arboretum! It's free and they have many bathrooms and exhibits to check out all year long! The staff at the exhibits are very kind and friendly. You can also take classes here with Harvard- or just enjoy the beauty of nature while seeing the Boston skyline. Can't wait to see the seasons change here with my growing family. Love this beautiful place! read more

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The Arboretum is such a wonderful place for both locals and visitors. Always free, and you can also take tours with a guide - also free! I took a tour with my parents who were visiting, and we learned so much and noticed many more things than we would have normally. It really felt like a museum visit. At other times, I've just casually strolled around, and then it feels more like a nature walk or botanical garden visit. However you decide to experience the Arboretum that day, it's going to be incredible. One thing I love about this place is that, regardless of what time of year you come, there's always something to see. We've come for Lilacs in May as well as Witch Hazel in January. And the bonsai - don't even get me started on how OLD and COOL those are! If you're a first-time visitor, definitely try to time it so that the bonsai gazebo is open when you come... you won't regret it. read more

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I love coming here in any season. In the Summer the flowers are in bloom. The grass is green and the trees are full. Everything is so fresh and clean. There are benches so u can sit and rest and talk in the gorgous views. Nice to walk with a friend or your family. read more

A great escape in the middle of Boston for a walk, hike, or bike ride! This place is huge, so the trail options are endless. Totally free to enter, and there is a visitor center you can stop at with any questions. It was my first visit, and the visitor center staff gave me a highlighted map with suggested trails to do for the time I wanted to spend walking. Dogs are allowed here, so you can bring your best friend with you for a walk. So many varieties of trees to see here, and it was nice to see them with fall colors. There's also a T stop right by the arboretum, so it's easily accessible by car or public transportation. read more

It's really more of a park than an arboretum. So nice that it is free to enter and that many plants had plant ID tags. But if you're a plant geek from California like I am you might expect some flowers! It's October. We found one tree in fall color. I was told at the visitors center where on the map to find the beautiful Franklinia tree with red foliage and white flowers. "You can't miss it" she said. Well, we trekked around for about 3 miles hunting for that tree. I asked 3 people where to find it. We finally left without finding it. I'm so disappointed! read more

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What is not to love about this place?! It is a wonderful place to visit and explore in every season. A gorgeous and spacious campus that is well-maintained. Lots of paths to explore, sit and think, people-watch, and enjoy simple moments. A beautiful glimpse of the nature of the North East, as well as some rare varieties, which is just so impressive. I enjoyed reading the signs documenting the facts and history. You can get as immersed in the learning as you want, or just appreciate from afar. Even when there are lots of people, you still find that there is an element of peace and stillness. There is a visitor center, where the bathrooms are, and not any water fountains around that I could find, so make sure to plan accordingly. It's free to go explore, so put on some good walking shoes, grab a friend, and enjoy! read more

Do you like city parks, but hate the litterbugs and the noise? Do you love nature but hate crowds? Well do I have an option for you!! Come on down to the Harvard Arnold Arboretum, where you might actually think you're on a private estate that is maintained by the fanciest landscapers and gardeners in the land! It also doubles as a poor man's zoo because it's free here, and there are a lot of cute animals, including birds, bullfrogs, and maybe some bugs you haven't seen before. Come on down to the Arnold Arboretum: it's a city park but it's run by Harvard so you know they spend the dough to make it nice than your pitiful tax dollar your local city or state-owned park. Also great for running, dog-walking, roller-blading, or that one guy ski-wheeling! read more

Arnold Arboretum - Storing nuts at the Arboretum - Parks Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

It was a rainy 4th of July when we went to the Arboretum...which literally means a nature museum. The visitor center was not open due to the holiday, but there were clean/stocked porta potties around the park. The trees are spectacular...many unusual and rare varieties, many planted in the later 1700s and early 1800s...so now they are enormous. Many varieties of Japanese maples, and so many bushes and shrubs, many of which are the largest I've ever seen. I had know idea Mountain Laurel, Rhododendrons and some Azaleas could get so big. There are many areas where the trees are so big, the canopy so high, it feels like you're in a Jurassic Park. We love walking, so the 280 acres we knew would be a challenge, but honestly we had know idea how big that is. The place is huge. So many paths to takes, so many places to explore. We walked for about 4-5 hours, and maybe we saw half of it. One of the highlights is the shrub and vine garden, which also has the bonsai collection which was absolutely amazing. I highly recommend seeing the bonsai. They are housed in there own little pavilion with lots of camera and alarms if you lean in to look too close. Some date back to the late 1700s. I've never seen a collection like this anywhere. We ran out of time so we had to skip a few areas...like the Chinese garden path, and some of the roses gardens. Beware there are lots of hills, but the views from the top are worth the climb. Also, there is no place to get water/drinks once your past the visitor center, and it is a long walk back. Bring drinks with you, and enjoy the walking. Also, lots and lots of dog walkers, and bicycles on the paved paths. read more

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Absolutely beautiful and huge! It's a peaceful getaway from the city and my favorite place to jog, take the furbaby for a walk, or just sit and think!! Plenty of water stations too which is lovely. read more

Arnold Arboretum - Parks Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

I need to come back when it's not February!! But even in the dead of winter, I still enjoyed my visit. It was cool to see the structure of the barren trees, especially the Dawn Redwood near the entrance. Their plaque from the Redwood says: This dawn redwood was grown from seed brought to the Arboretum in 1948 from China. Once believed extinct, the dawn redwood has grown for more than 150 million years. In spring and summer, look for the feathery needles of the dawn redwood's characteristic green foliage. In fall, these needles turn a striking shade of bronze before dropping to the ground--an unusual characteristic for a conifer. In winter, the deep fluting and buttressed roots of the dawn redwood's trunk are visible. Thank you to everyone who works diligently to keep this arboretum fresh, updated, kept up and in general, a BEAUTIFUL place to explore, relax and fill my cup! read more

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Wow, what a gorgeous place. I came here for a jog with a friend, so didn't have much of a chance to look through the different flora and fauna, but for someone whose mental/emotional battery is charged by being in nature, this was definitely balm for my soul. Especially with the bounteous foliage! There are plenty of paths (both paved and dirt) to explore and, while it was busy on an unseasonably warm October afternoon, we had tons of space to just run around. I will say though that getting here was a little painful. I must have waded through five or six rotaries in total for the round trip - add to that rush hour traffic and everyone being impatient to get somewhere and my blood pressure was through the roof by the time I finally made it. A word on parking: you're better off driving past the entrance and finding a spot on the street. Though there are some spots right in front of the visitor center, they looked to be reserved or for staff only. The problem with the street parking (at least coming from the direction of Jamaica Pond to the north) is that you're shooting off the busy Arborway and crossing over a bike path. Thankfully I found a spot without too much trouble but if I were to come again, I'd probably find a quieter hour/day. read more

This is a really nice arboretum. I couldn't believe it's free to the public. A park this nice in LA would definitely cost money just to go in. I love that you could even bring your dog. If I lived here, I'd bring my dog all the time if the weather's nice, which it was when I went in late September 2021. They even had a Caterpillar Lab that day, displaying all different kinds of live moth and butterfly caterpillars from the region. They had really cool demonstrations and the staff working was really knowledgeable. It was all free and an incredible treat. They have both paved roads and designated dirt paths throughout the arboretum. People road their bikes through it or walked. Unfortunately, the Larz Anderson Collection of Japanese Dwarf Trees garden was closed when I went. It was pretty small though. The visitor center was also closed but they had 3 porta potties hidden to the right of the entrance gate right when you enter behind the wooden wall. The porta potties had hand sanitizer in them. They're kind of hard to find. I had to ask someone who was working there to show me where they were. I took public transportation here so I'm not sure with what the parking situation is. It didn't look like there were any parking lots in the grounds though. This park is definitely more for locals and I can see why everyone loves it so much. read more

Arnold Arboretum - Late September 2021 - Parks Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Large public park right in the city with a large assortment of trees from around the world. Makes you forget you are in a city since you are surrounded by trees, shrubs and happy squirrels. Ample walkways, trails and paths can keep you busy for as little or for as long as you'd like. Walking from one end out and back takes about an hour. Peter's Hill offers views of downtown Boston. The Arboretum is a good spot for running, walking, practicing bikes with young children etc. Very popular over Mothers' Day week-end as they have "Lilac Sunday" which draws crowds. Huntington Entrance (on JP side) has a very neat visitors center, but tends to be more populated. The entrances in Roslindale - Bussey Street and Mendum Street for example are less busy. No picnics or eating on the grounds. read more

If you need some outdoor nature fixes in the Boston area this is the place. Its not the bustling Boston Common for sure and the 1 less star really is for general accessibility by car can be sort of a pain. Outside of that you can find many areas and spots in the arboretum to relax with a book, picnic or hike in the multitude of trails while you learn about the different flora and fauna in the place. I have been inside the educational building and if you have time for it, its actually really wonderful, especially for kids. There are lots of off shoots to the trails that make some on foot access to the park outside of the main entrances that are really good fun to explore. read more

Beautiful scenery year round, and perhaps the best spot to enjoy fall foliage right in the city. I never fail to stumble upon something new wandering through the dozens of walkways and trails. Meanwhile, the plentiful benches and open space make it easy to rest and relax and do some people-watching and dog-watching too. Even during peak weekend hours, this place manages to feel spacious and peaceful. One of Boston's crown jewels. read more

Arnold Arboretum - Parks Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Lovely to walk and explore different botanical species. Dog and bicycle friendly. Beautiful for blossom lovers. Must visit in April and may! read more

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A picture is worth a thousand words and there are so many pictures posted of the arboretum (fun fact, it's owned by Harvard U) by so many unique Yelpers. There's nothing that I can say that should make you fall in love with the arboretum. If you get the chance, then you need to come there and breathe the experience yourself... fall in love with the arboretum for yourself! read more

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Such a beautiful place and another addition to the Emerald necklace of Boston. Designed by famed park wizard Olmstead this is another true masterpiece. I love the central hills with look outs all over the park. There is plenty of signage throughout the park detailing locations, programs, and special plantings and trees. I was especially impressed with the world wide expedition program bringing plants from around the world to basically see how they do. Super cool! The views of downtown Boston from the taller hills were exceptional and progides a wonderful quiet space to rest and contemplate. The trails and roads were very well maintained and the plantings and trees were beautiful. This is a treasure of a park and Bostonians and visitors alike should enjoy this wonderful place! read more

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Wonderful place for everyone! A true treasure in our wonderful city! Beautiful, relaxing. read more

Favorite green space in Boston by far! I've gone during the summer and spring months and it's always beautiful. I haven't been in the fall yet but I'd imagine it's gorgeous. It's also very easy to follow any social/physical distance regulations while at the arboretum. There's always plenty of space to pop a squat with friends or significant others if you're looking to just hang and enjoy the space. If it is open and you're able, I'd recommend checking out the Bonsai collection further towards the back. In my opinion it's one of the best parts of the arboretum. read more

Arnold Arboretum - Parks Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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This place is OK. There were some great perks to it; lovely greenery, lots of trails, lots of spots to picnic. However; it is very busy and you should definitely wear sneakers otherwise your feet are gonna get dirty! I made that mistake of wearing sandals not expecting it to be all grass/dirt/mulch trails. Lol read more

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This is a wonderful park in the middle of Boston (in Jamaica Plains). The park is quite large and has a lovely collection of bonsai and dwarf trees. Unfortunately, we came here a little after most of the leaves had lost their luster and many had already fallen. And it was still beautiful. If you timed your visit better, I suspect that the fall foliage would be spectacular. The park is also free to the public. A fabulous investment and return on tax dollars. read more

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Beautiful place but I wish it was a bit more organized. Given that it is open to public for free, it is a blessing. We saw many kinds of flowers and took photos. It was busy but you could still have some privacy. I enjoyed our time. I think we only saw less than half of it in two hours so if you wanna see it all, plan for a longer walk. read more

A beautiful place to walk around, get some quiet time and be left alone in boston. On a warm day you will see everybody and they mama here but you can come and do your own thing as you all awkwardly avoid eye contact. A nice place to catch up, go on a small hike for those who aren't trying to be super active, or even a nice walk with some ice cream after a date. Cute place for photoshoots as well! There are also a ton of trees here that i learned about which i really enjoyed. Take your girlfriend, kids, or self here and enjoy the peace! A staple in boston. read more

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