10 Things to See and Do at The Dawes Arboretum this Summer

This beautiful weather has inspired me to start planning ALL the outdoor adventures we’re going to have this summer. I’m starting the list with one of our favorite places to explore — The Dawes Arboretum. With nearly 2,000 acres, there is something for everyone.

The Dawes Arboretum is a nonprofit arboretum {and living tree museum} located in Newark, Ohio. Founded in 1929 by Beman and Bertie Dawes, The Arboretum now covers nearly 2,000 acres and includes eight miles of hiking trails and a four-mile Auto Tour. They have more than 15,000 living plants!! You can easily spend the entire day exploring. It is beautiful — a great place to relax and experience the wonder of nature!

Fun Fact: The Dawes Arboretum is recognized by the National Registry of Historic Places.

Here are 10 Things to See and Do While Visiting

1. Attend the Arbor Day Festival
   • Don’t miss their Arbor Day Festival! The perfect way to celebrate all things trees with hands-on activities for kids, mini-talks from their plant experts, tree climbing, live music and more! They will even be giving away tree seedlings (while supplies last) and food trucks will have items for purchase. Plus, visitors will get a sneak peek at the new History Center exhibit. Thanks to their presenting sponsor, Park National Bank, admission to The Dawes Arboretum is FREE on April 30!
2. Check out the Daweswood House Museum including the new history center exhibit.
   • The Daweswood House Museum was originally the home of the John Brumback family. John, a pioneer blacksmith and farmer, designed and financed the construction of the brick farmhouse in 1867.vAround 1917, the Dawes family moved onto the Brumback farm, known at the time Woodland, including the 50-year-old brick farmhouse that became their country home. In the late 1920s, modernization and structural changes were made to fit the family’s needs. Today, ten rooms of the Daweswood House Museum display 19th and 20th century antiques and memorabilia that reflect the lifestyle and collecting interests of the Dawes family.
   • The brand-new History Center exhibit will be open Wednesday to Saturday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. The exhibit will feature eight pieces of clothing and accessories from the original founders in the Dawes family, which will be on display for the first time since The Arboretum’s opening in 1929. I can’t wait to check this out. Last time we visited we weren’t able to, so this is very exciting! The Daweswood House Museum will also open back up in May for the first time since the pandemic began. The museum will be open through October with guided tours Wednesday to Sunday at noon and 2 p.m.
3. See tallest art pieces ever hosted at The Dawes Arboretum from The Myth Makers.
   • The Arboretum will also welcome six monumental sculptures from artists The Myth Makers on May 27. The bamboo birds—some standing more than 20 feet tall—will be the tallest art pieces ever shown at The Dawes Arboretum and will be on display throughout the property.
4. Climb the Observation Tower and look at the Hedge Letters.
   • We did this last time we visited and it was really neat! The Hedge Letters spelling ARBORETUM were first planted in March of 1942. A total of 1,367 Thuja occidentalis were planted 12 years after DAWES was installed, likely due to tightened funds stemming from the Great Depression. Beman Dawes wanted every pilot and passenger in the sky to know exactly what property they were flying over. The hedges were replanted in 1990 and 1991 by a large volunteer core including local residents and Dawes family members. The climb up our 36-foot Observation Tower is worth the visit in any season! Not only can you see for miles, but it’s the best view of our 2,040-foot-long Hedge Lettering, spelling out “Dawes Arboretum.”
5. Go fishing at Dawes Lake.
   • Arboretum members can enjoy catch-and-release fishing at Dawes Lake all year-round at no additional cost. Fishing licenses are NOT required to fish at Dawes Lake.
6. Walk through the Japanese Garden
   • This is a favorite and must-do! The Japanese Garden has beautiful landscaping and benches surrounding a large pond. Truly a serene area artistically created with rocks, gravel, hills, a pond, flowing water, trees, shrubs and a stone path that crosses a reflecting pool. This is the perfect place to relax.
7. Swing on the benches in the Learning Garden.
   • Features an arbor, tables and chairs, raised beds of vegetables, an ADA-accessible walkway and beautiful plantings in the surrounding areas.
8. Explore the Natural Play Area on the Parkwoods Trail.
   • The path is paved.
9. Read as you walk the StoryTrail (new book will be posted on the trail starting June 4!)
   • Every summer they turn one of their many trails into the StoryTrail. The pages of a picture book are reproduced as waterproof vinyl signs and posted along a quarter-mile {family-friendly} walking trail.
10. Enjoy a drive through our Auto Tour.
    • You can download the tours here.

Click here to see all upcoming programs

Here are a few pictures from our visit last May. It truly is a beautiful place with magic around every corner.

Tips for Your Visit

• Read through the Visitor Guidelines before visiting.
• Reserve your tickets ahead of time. Children 5 and under are free!
• Download the full map here.  Don’t forget about the audio tours and mobile app. It makes it easier to explore the grounds!
• The Dawes Arboretum Visitors Center is open daily from 10am to 4pm.
• Bring a picnic!
• Make sure you wear tennis shoes or comfortable shoes. There are so many Dawes Arboretum offers amazing walking & hiking paths, both paved and unpaved, that you don’t want to mis out on. 

Enjoy your visit! It is a remarkable place.

Address: 7770 Jacksontown Rd, Newark, OH 43056
Admission is FREE to members.
$10/adults, $5/ages 5-12, Free/5 and under
Open Daily
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