We were given tickets to visit the Dawes Arboretum. All pictures and opinions are my own unless noted otherwise.
If you’re looking for a place to get outside and explore, a visit to Dawes Arboretum needs to go on your list….
The Dawes Arboretum is a stunning nonprofit arboretum situated in Newark, Ohio. Established in 1929 by Beman and Bertie Dawes, the Arboretum spans nearly 2,000 acres and boasts eight miles of hiking trails and a four-mile Auto Tour. With over 17,000 living plants, it is truly a nature lover’s paradise. The Arboretum offers a serene and rejuvenating environment, making it an ideal destination for relaxation and appreciation of the beauty of nature.
There’s so much to explore that you could easily spend an entire day discovering everything.
A few things you can do while visiting:
– Discover trees from all of the world.
– Taking a walk on one of the many trails.
– Climb the Observation Tower for a birds eye view of the famous Dawes Arboretum Hedge Letters.
– Experience the Kinetic Art of Lyman Whitaker along the Parkwoods Trail.
– Take a break in the tranquil Japanese Garden.
– Walk over the boardwalk by the Red Barn and around the pond to discover a stunning pine forest. (My favorite!!!)
– Stroll down the StoryTrail and read a fun story featuring a grumpy bear and an unwelcome surprise! The trail is in such a cool spot – a magical woodland garden if you will!
– Pack a picnic and enjoy it one of their many picnic tables! There are even a few in the Pine Forest.
Download the Full Arboretum Map here. They have Arboretum Audio Tours and a mobile app that makes it easier for you to explore the grounds with an interactive map and GPS-based navigation.
RED BARN RESERVE
The Red Barn Reserve boasts a variety of natural wonders, including meadows, a pond, a boardwalk, wetlands, wooded areas, and a rustic barn. By using the trails, visitors can delve into the diverse ecosystems found within the reserve.
This picture was taken from their 36-foot Observation Tower. Not only can you see for miles, but it’s the best view of their 2,040-foot-long Hedge Lettering, spelling out “Dawes Arboretum.”
We loved the story trail, which is supported in part by the Young leader of licking county. The story trail features weatherproof signs along a pathway in a gorgeous woodlands, which display the pictures and words from a children’s book. This year’s story is “Mother Bruce” by Robert T. Higgins.
We visited in early spring when everything was just starting to bloom. It was absolutely gorgeous at that point, I can only imagine how pretty it gets as the seasons go on.
Highly suggest taking the trip. It’s the perfect family friendly activity.
Phone: 740-323-2355
Email: information@dawesarb.org
Address: 7770 Jacksontown Rd., Newark, OH 43056
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