The best time to view the peony is end of May and begin of June. This blooming only happens on the short duration of time. We were lucky to visit arboretum during this time on our trip to Ann Arbor. The peony garden can be reached in two locations. The best parking is near Ronald McDonald House of Charity Ann Arbor. That parking lot gets you direct access to the garden. The other parking near Nichols Drive and go the entrance by taking the first right trail to the top and reach the garden. The garden has 28 bed of flower beds. Each bed has the name of flower indicated. During the blooming time, there are a lot of visitors. Parking may be full. The flower is beautiful and the pedal open wide and bright. I got my peony moment during my visit. Some flower has fragrances smell. So don't forget to smell the flowers during your visit. read more

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The first time I came here in April and there were no flowers or green and everything was brown! I came back on the last day of May with my husband and it looked completely different!! There is a lot of green everywhere and soo many different flowers (especially the peonies before they were vandalized)!! We parked in the back where it is about a 15-20 min walk to the peonies. It was a nice and mostly shaded walk. We even saw a new bird (Great Crested Flycatcher)! I think it's only worth coming for the peonies but otherwise, it's free (unless you park in the front and then you have to pay). read more

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We spent two days in AA and this was my favorite activity! What a beautiful time to witness the thousands of peonies in the peony garden. So many different variations and colors. We stopped by the visitor center and got a guide to the different types of peonies. They also had a restroom which was nice. We took the 2.7 Nichols Walking Trail and really enjoyed the nature, wildlife, scenic city overlooks, and the Huron river views. I would say it's a medium level of hard given that most of the path is easy walking but some steeper inclines and steps that get your heart rate working. It was incredibly pleasant, we spent a little over 90 mins exploring. Also, we learned there is free parking in the Blue M28 lot on the weekends and were able to utilize it! Looked like dogs were welcome, met some friendly pups. Saw people having a picnic in the park and a cute little free library! Such a wonderful place, really glad we came! read more

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We didn't quite know what to expect from this place. It surpassed our best case hopes, though. The entrances are easy to miss if you don't know what to look for. But once your on the trail, you see why the reclusiveness is so important to what makes this place special. You feel lost in nature after about 5 minutes of walking. Paths winding downward, upward, and every direction. There are so many ways to experience this place! The visitor center is a funny thing, lol. It's more like some sort of office space used as a mini-gift shop (really just stuff placed on a counter with some candy for sale). But the people tending to it are very friendly and informative. We went twice because of how beautiful the first experience was. The rain cut that first time short. There are some mosquitoes along the river and in areas near it. Take bug spray if mosquitoes usually gravitate to you. Anyway... visit this hidden gem of Ann Arbor. It really pays homage to the "arbor" part of that name. read more

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This place had me having a mixed feelings before. We went to the Matthaei garden before but it was closed for a private event (that wasn't said on Google). I was pretty disappointed but a nice girl on the phone from this garden told me to check out the other botanical garden near the University of Michigan. I was annoyed at first because it's such a hassle to find parking, you need a permit everywhere, but eventually I found a parking (garage P4) that we were able to go to that was just a little bit of a walk down, but the gardens was absolutely worth it. The visitor center is great because we were able to use restrooms over there (and buy some candy), before walking around the peony garden. There are so many beautiful peonies at the moment, the scent was intoxicating. I was getting lost in nature and then I eventually ended up getting somewhat lost in general, trying to find the Shakespeare play. But my toddler and I eventually found our way out and enjoyed our much needed dose of nature for the day! read more

Nichols Arboretum - Parks Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

A great place to take some time away from the hustle and bustle. There is a trail along the Huron river, overlooks, and open fields. With downtown Ann Arbor nearby. The trails are short, but you could string them together to make a decent hike. The main loop is more road than trail, but there are pathways all about for a little bit of "off roading". Easy to get to with lots of access points. Benches at several spots, including along the river. On a nice day, the students will be doing 'studenty' things, adding to the atmosphere. The only downside can be trying to get a parking spot in one of the University lots on a weekday. read more

Nichols Arboretum - Parks Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

Nice place to spend the day walking around viewing all the sites. This is a great spot to get photographs. read more

Had the most amazing day here when visiting Ann Arbor. So many beautiful areas to explore and how cool to be located right in the city. We found free street parking on a residential street nearby. read more

Amazing place to walk and explore nature. Great for walking the dog. Peony garden is best time of year!

I am truly shocked that I have never written a review for Nichols Arboretum. This is possibly my favorite place on campus and holds so many special memories for me! It's one of the very first places I visited on campus as soon as I started living in Ann Arbor the summer before I started my freshman year at Michigan and it's a place I've returned to countless times just to walk the grounds, soak in the beauty, all year round. The Arb is beautiful and has something so unique to offer in all four seasons! In the spring, it's obviously peony season and the Peony Garden is in full, STUNNING bloom, which is also a great time for photoshoots! My friends and I took our senior photos together in the springtime while we were on campus! In the summer, I've come here to enjoy the river, tubing or just walking alongside it, Shakespeare in the Arb, etc. In the fall, I've come here to soak in the fall colors and dressed up as a zombie to participate as a zombie hindrance to runners during a 5k run through The Arb! In winter, it's actually my favorite time of year and especially to hike all the abundant trail offerings the Arb has! The Arb is truly a great place and dare I say a MUST-VISIT whenever you're in Ann Arbor, especially if this is your first time coming into town! You can see a bit of the Huron River and just enjoy some really beautiful trees, which is a prominent feature in Ann ARBOR! Parking can be a bit limited, especially on weekends during peak peony season time, so my recommendation is to come early and to come on Sundays if you must visit during the weekend. That way parking is free in a lot of the neighboring lots. Lastly, it should go without saying, but the Arb is very dog-friendly! I brought my dog here very often throughout the years and we absolutely loved exploring the arboretum together! Whether it was dips in the river, fields for us to both run around in, and everything in between, we shared so many precious memories here! When my dog passed away, I worked with the arboretum to set up a tribute tree in his honor to carry his legacy on and you can find it at the entrance to the Peony Garden area for the next 20 years - it's a perfect spot to picnic and people watch! :) read more

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We make our way to the arb annually when the peonies are blooming. The field of peonies is like no other. The variety and colors are beautiful. Of course, the peony garden is not a secret, so be prepared to fight for parking. There is also a cool wooded area nearby where you can get a break from the sun. We didn't check out the gift shop, which was open, because it was too crowded at the time we went. read more

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Beautiful peonies garden, trails, plants, stream or creek where people can kayak, just gorgeous! read more

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You can't go wrong with the well maintained grounds. A great variety of wooded settings. If you are lucky enough to come at the right time of the year, you can catch the abundant peonies and rhododendrons in bloom. After rainy weather during the summer, the wooded trails can be full of mosquitos. Consider staying on the paved trial on such occasions or bring insect repellent. If you reach the bottom, you get a resplendent view of the Huron River. read more

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My wife and I take our little dog to Nichols Arboretum when we are in town. We do not live in Ann Arbor. I grew up past University of Michigan's North Campus, back when it was still half cornfields in that gap between the development of Ann Arbor and the sprawl of suburbs to Detroit. So I have been coming to Nichols since probably 1984. I also attended law school at U-M. I do not believe Nichols has changed much if it all. There isn't any great reason to alter anything. It's a lovely venue for a stroll. The hikes are not strenous, but you could put together probably a three mile route if you wanted to, maybe longer, if roundtrip and around the perimeter. It is not as crowded as you might be concerned about. They do not seem to allow bikes -- I remember, decades ago, riding through, but it is for the best that is banned. I write to mention three aspects. First, if you need to use GPS, if you just type in Nichols, it will take you probably to the parking lot that is for valets, next to the helicopter landing pad for the hospital. That is not useful. Try Ronald McDonald House. That is next to the main entrance. Second, if you need to use the facilities, they have restrooms in the building, and they have porta-potties. They also have drinking fountains, including a doggie one. Third, there are a few parking spaces marked with "permit required," and if you ask at the gatehouse they will issue one. At least they did when we visited. read more

This was my first time here and I was extremely impressed. The peonies were about 70% in bloom. I really liked how there were sections of peonies with a map giving you the name of the peonies in that section. It was a hot day and my husband and I sat on a bench and just did some people watching. It was a nice relaxing atmosphere and with a light breeze the smell of peonies wafting through the park. I think next year I'd like to come back just before the peonies bloom, and then come back a few times over the course of the full blooming season. read more

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SOCIAL DISTANCING: I was going stir crazy and couldn't stand another day sitting inside/not being active. But, I wanted to be responsible about what I was going to do. I figured reconnecting with nature would be a nice win-win situation. My Los Angeles/California idea of what an arboretum is..is not this! In my mind, this is more like a nature park (poh-tay-toe, poh-tah-toe!) because of the expansive space to walk on trails, along the Huron river and marked trail running if you wish! We walked about 2 miles and felt like we could keep a safe 6' from other folks also enjoying the arboretum. The trails were a smidge muddy but they're not difficult so you don't need heavy duty hiking boots but try not to choose sneakers that have completely flat/smooth soles like I did. I'm looking forward to visiting when the peonies are in bloom (Mid-May to Mid-June). read more

The amount of green space available in this campus-adjacent arboretum is plentiful and varied in topography. While bits of it are quite manicured, much of it is more woodsy. There is certainly plenty of opportunity to get a good workout in. The partisan in me would like to point out that it's not as pretty as the University of Kentucky Arboretum, but it's probably better than what a lot of universities have, and it's certainly good enough to spend plenty of time there. And it's free. read more

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This is one of my favorite mature spots in the city. A few different ways to enter. We chose the entrance by the hospital. Great for a romantic stroll and enjoying all of the flowers. It's a hidden zen spot in the middle of the city! read more

Peace and mind-healing solace is but minutes away from the Michigan campus and the S. University district. A favorite place of mine to visit as a kid has only gotten more intriguing as an adult (the outside part at least). After a very long time I finally got to visit again, the last time being in the dead cold of winter (at night no less). It had rained and threatened to do so again but that slightly cool, very humid air also was conducive to a hike. We entered from behind the hospital complex and Ronald McDonald House, which is the quickest way to reach the vast peony garden. Too bad it was September and not May when they typically bloom. Still, the nice signs and species descriptions were a glimpse of what could be. In fact, it was the presence of all those tags and specially isolated trees and plants we encountered throughout the walk that impressed me the most. When I was a kid everything goes, today, the arboretum is a splendid example of the university's environmental protection and studies program. Down by the (mighty 'Urine, pronounced with a nasal East Coast accent) river (Huron) we lingered on some felled trees and skipped some rocks. Despite the recent rain the river remained at its normal levels, perhaps attesting to a year affected by climate changes and less rain. Ascending to the Geddes Road entrance was delightful. It was heavy humidity now under the canopy of the trees. The paths were more groomed than memory served and I appreciated the raised trails over rare and exotic species of plants. Even in fall there's no shortage of natural intrigue. Recommended for solo mini expeditions and family outings. read more

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My relatively recent experience of this place can be placed alongside memories of time here as far back as 44 years ago (there's a "old guy" comment, for sure). I like visiting "the Arb" as much now as I did then. It still has the feel of an oasis in a sometimes hectic college community. Despite the changing landscape, NA somehow feels like it's the least changed place in town. read more

Covid times got me a chance to explore the Nature close by . I have been thinking of this place for almost an year and finally did it. This place is amazing and peaceful. M-28 parking lot on washington hts is free after 5pm weekdays and free all day on weekend but hardly there are no free spaces. Got free street parking coz its Sunday. Walked around 1.5 hr and explore 2-3 trails. The best part is the river. Its so peaceful to sit with your feet in the water and enjoy the scenary. As you explore you'll find one of the richest landscapes in the region, as well as a complex glacial topography that presents vast panoramas, broad valleys, and intimate dales and glens. Must on your checklist if you visit Ann Arbor. . read more

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The best place to take a walk in the trees and along the river. There's no better way to clear your mind or enjoy a run or hike with your dog or friends. You can get lost in the Arb for hours. Parking is tricky but worth trying to find. read more

Nichols Arboretum - Parks Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

Came here after seeing it on numerous "things to do in Ann Arbor" sites. Coming from a small liberals school, I think it's SO cool that U Mich has this park in the middle of their campus. I went during COVID times, so the visitor center was closed but the park itself was open and we were able to easily find street parking on the side (although we did go on a weekday). The park is just the right size to explore multiple trails, while not getting overwhelmed. I was so surprised at the different kinds of environments you see there--rivers, manicured grass fields, rail tracks, botantical gardens, and tall fields. It was so beautiful and amazing. Highly recommend to take a picnic here. It'll have you spending 1-2 hours. read more

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Nichols Arboretum is a total delight. I stopped in to enjoy the peony gardens and enjoy a nap in an inflatable lounger by the Huron River. It was the perfect day. The arboretum was busy, but not uncomfortable crowded. The peony garden was the most crowded of folks trying to get their instagram swag on. It's definitely a very photogenic area. If you want to escape the crowds, I'd recommend hitting the trails and finding a quieter area to relax. There was plenty of parking and lots of green spaces to throw down a picnic blanket and relax. I did see a sign that advised that hammocking is not permitted, but I also saw someone hammocking. Hiking? Relaxing? All can be done here and I would advise you to visit for both! I would definitely come back the next time I'm in the area. read more

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What a gorgeous walk or run! At times the trail can be a bit overcrowded; however if you plan your trip during non-peak hours, this is arguably one of the most enjoyable runs in Ann Arbor. I love seeing and hearing the story of the Arb throughout the seasons and through the years. Please don't leave without a visit. read more

Updating my review to include a rave for the INCREDIBLE peony gardens here. It's my favorite time of year and it's currently upon us so I felt obligated to update to share my love. Over 270 varieties of peonies can be found here and they hold over 800 bushes and can bloom up to 10,000 flowers at peak time. They come in a variety of colors, shades of pink, red, white, and some yellow. And the smells! it smells incredible there thanks to all those stunning blooms. During certain days they also have performances in the garden. Last year when I was there they had a lovely concert of Chinese flower music put on by the Confucius Institute at UofM. It was such a lovely afternoon. The park itself is pet friendly so there are lots of dogs moseying through the gardens with their humans (our pup loves going there with us). Pack a picnic and spend an afternoon here taking in the sights or bring a camera and capture all the beauty to tide you over to the next year. The Arboretum is huge so FYI--the peony garden is located near the 1610 Washington Heights entrance. read more

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What a beauty! This arboretum is sooooo huge and has so many trails. We came at 7 on a Sunday morning to run and there were already few runners who have started their way. It was a beautiful morning and just perfect for an outdoor fun and hilly trail work out. It's mostly green everywhere and more like a forest to me. There was also the Huron river. It's well-preserved and maintained for research and it is founded by University of Michigan and more than a 100 year old garden. Location is close to the UM Hospital and Mott's Children's Hospital. We parked at the Mott's parking lot. FREE ADMISSION! read more

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Beautiful, well maintained trails and park in middle of the busy city. The have entrances/parking in few places. I recommend the Nicolas dr parking gets you right on the trial along the Huron river. Trail terrain can be flat or rolling hills depends on which one you take. There are plenty of benches to rest. Beautiful city views. Ideal for kids. A taste of outdoors just in our backyard without hours of drive. read more

Nichols Arboretum - Parks Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

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Love this place a lot. A great place to walk your dog, take a jog, read a book or have picnic with friends. My favorite part of this arb is each summer, Shakespeare in the Arb, which starts from 2001, will take place here. The show is always awesome. This year's show is Love's Labour's Lost. All the actors and audience move to different locations in the arb when scene changes. Show starts at 6:30pm and ticket office opens at 5:30pm. If you come to the show during weekend with great weather, come around 5pm! Two years before, I came 3 times to finally get ticket. It's great show, so many people come. The show last 3 hours. Bring chair/blanket to make yourself more comfortable. read more

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Nichols Arboretum is a very lovely park right next to the U of M medical campus. Parking may be potentially a little tricky, but we were here on a weekend so there were a few more options. The great thing is that admission is free! This would be a great place for families, dog-walkers, or really anyone who loves spending a little time in nature. There are several miles of easy- to moderate-intensity trails, my favorite of which pass by the river. Their gardens, especially the peony gardens they have now, are also lovely. The blooms are huge, colorful, and very fragrant! This would be a great place to spend a few hours on a nice spring/summer morning or afternoon. read more

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We started frequenting the arboretum years and years ago, always going through the entrance on Washington Heights to see the peony bloom every year (late May/early June). Several times we lucked out and stumbled on the annual peony sales. We picked up a few peony tubers for our own home garden. The peony garden can be accessed walking a hundred yards or so at the most, and there are an ample number of benches so one can sit and read and look at the thousands of blooms and listen to nature. But it's a nice space even after the peony bloom. Later, we started walking around the rest of the arboretum, and was surprised by its spaciousness and the variety of terrains. That such a special place was saved so close to the university and the hospital is amazing. It is, without any reservation, the most satisfying arboretum in the Midwest. read more

Nichols Arboretum - The view of the peony garden from the Washington Heights entrance in early September. - Parks Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

Went back when the peonies were blooming! I got lucky I got out of work early and had a short walk to the garden. It was scorching hot that day, but definitely worth it. Will surely be back next year, hopefully all the flower beds will be planted. read more

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One of the few places with true greenery in Ann Arbor. Super natural, and everyone is respectful of the area. Great place to walk around, relax and take some pictures. It can get pretty busy with visitors on a nice day but it's a very large area so there's plenty of room. Got family photos taken here and they turned out great during the fall colors. Great backgrounds everywhere you go that make for awesome photos. Not sure of the policy on hammocking or picnic but this seems like a great place to do it as long as you're respectful of the park. Bring some friends or family and just go for a nice walk, you won't regret it! read more

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We were very excited to visit the park but unfortunately we never made it in. First problem was that both Waze and Apple Maps takes you to a dead-end neighborhood street when navigating to the park. Parking is almost nonexistent and signage, for what parking you can find, states that a permit is required for which you can find more information at the "visitor's center". Where this visitor center is located I have no clue. No signs and it does not show up on Waze or Apple Maps. I'm sure the park is beautiful but after spending 20 minutes or so driving around it really took the excitement out of it and we just have up. read more

Beautiful place to visit, especially if you are a peony fan like me! I never knew there were so many different kinds of peony out there. The key though is to make sure you go during the peak season. Unfortunately the peony season is short lived, and last year I went about a week too late and there was not much left to see. This year I went the second week of June and there were tons of blooms still out. I would think early June is the best time-but check their website before going, they have information on the best times to go. I plan to make this a yearly visit! read more

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My friend and I decided to go for a walk. This was the park he'd go to back in college. Past the cemetery, you'll find lots of greenery, small hills where people are doing their thing with frisbees, trails, flowers, water, a bridge where my friend used to smoke weed at...you know, stuff. They were having a race down here when we were doing our leisurely walk. read more

This is a nice place to take a walk through the woods in the middle of town. All the trails are wide so you won't get lost. There's a little visitor center at the entrance where you can pick up maps and refreshments. There are informational signs throughout the arboretum for those who are interested in that kind of thing. There are many opportunities (benches, stumps, etc) to sit and relax and just unplug and enjoy nature (but of course there is a strong cell signal if you prefer not to unplug). read more

The Arb is what makes a trip back to Michigan so special. I love living in Los Angeles, my current home, but Los Angeles is, for the most part, fabricated beauty. Michigan is natural beauty, and Ann Arbor residents/visitors are privileged to get to experience such a wonderful wealth of natural beauty so close to such a precious city. Whether you're on a date with your significant other, out for a jog, writing a paper on your laptop, sunbathing, biking/roller blading, etc. the arb is a perfect spot to spend your afternoons. I wish I spent more time here as a student, but I'll take advantage of it every chance I get now! read more

Absolutely beautiful! You can walk forever in the Arb, and never see the same spot twice. Each day you go and each step you take in another direction will show you some other pretty detail you can't believe you missed the last time. You'll see other people walking, relaxing, taking pictures, being romantic, laughing, having fun and generally just enjoying the Arb whenever you go. read more

The arb is my favorite place in Ann Arbor, just outranking the Botanical Gardens. Surprisingly few non-undergrads seem to know about it, though. It is the closest thing to Central Park you'll find around these parts, with walking/jogging trails, trees for studying, flowers for admiring, and big, big fields perfect for running around or reenacting a Civil War Battle (actually, no, please don't do this). And there is the Huron River, where the ducks are as fearless as the squirrels in this crazy city, and where locals will bring their dogs for a quick swim. I don't think I'd go in the water, but that's just me. The dogs really do love it here, though. If you are planning to go to the river, bring some sturdy shoes, as it's a steep descent. You can park in the Blue Lot behind the Markley Dorm (on Washington Heights), provided it's after 5 pm. There is also some metered parallel parking right in front of Markley, and meters run till 6, I believe. It is way easier to park in summer, when the students are away. There is another entrance off of Geddes, and you can park for free on the side streets there (but good luck finding a space!). Entry to the arb itself is free, of course. I did see one portapotty by the peony garden, and I think there's a bathroom at the information center by the Washington Heights entrance (open weekdays during businss hours), so there's no excuse to defile the river! read more

Nichols Arboretum - Huron River - Parks Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

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