Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University

Arboretum · Jamaica Plain

Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University

Arboretum · Jamaica Plain

5

125 Arborway, Boston, MA 02130

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Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by null
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by MATADOR_NETWORK
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by Mark Hunt
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by Mark Hunt
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by null
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by null
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by null
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by null
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by null
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by null
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by null
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by null
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by null
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by null
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by null
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by null
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by null
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by null
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by null
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by null
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by null
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by null
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by null
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by null
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by null
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by null
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by null
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by null
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by null
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by null
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by null
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by null
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by null
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by null
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by null
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by null
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by null
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by null
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by null
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by null
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by null
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by null
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by null
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by null
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University by null

Highlights

Nestled in Boston's Emerald Necklace, Arnold Arboretum is a stunning, free 281-acre living museum brimming with diverse flora and peaceful trails for all to enjoy.  

Featured in Eater
Featured in Conde Nast Traveler

125 Arborway, Boston, MA 02130 Get directions

arboretum.harvard.edu
@arnold_arboretum

Information

Static Map

125 Arborway, Boston, MA 02130 Get directions

+1 617 524 1718
arboretum.harvard.edu
@arnold_arboretum

Features

restroom
wheelchair accessible parking lot
wheelchair accessible entrance

Last updated

Jul 7, 2025

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@eater

"A sprawling, 281-acre nature preserve that boasts over 2,000 different tree species and is free and open to the public every day." - Erika Adams

How to Eat Your Way Through Jamaica Plain in One Day - Eater Boston
View Postcard for Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University
@cntraveler

"A gorgeous 281-acre green space within Boston, Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University is the oldest public arboretum in North America (c. 1872) and the highlight of Frederick Law Olmsted's famed Emerald Necklace series of green space in the city. Prolific biking and walking trails zigzag past more than 16,000 accessioned plants, many meticulously marked with signs. The natural splendor is a feast for the eyes, which are able to spot the sheer diversity of trees and plants at every turn. QR-coded signs and the arboretum’s easy-to-use Expeditions app make it possible to dig deep into the environment." - Paul Rubio, Todd Plummer

The 17 Best Things to Do in Boston
View Postcard for Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University
@matadornetwork

"Founded as a public partnership between the City of Boston and Harvard University, this “living museum of plants” occupies 281 acres of land upon which grow 15,000 trees, shrubs, and vines that have been documented for research and education by Harvard students, faculty, Arnold Arboretum scholars, and visiting scholars from around the world. It’s free, open to the public 365 days a year, and has a jaw-droppingly beautiful collection of seasonal flowers, fruits, and foliage to view. There are free, guided, 90-minute tours on Saturdays, Mondays, and Thursdays at 10:30 AM, and Sundays at 1:00 PM, in addition to other seasonal walks and family activities coordinated through its visitor center." - MATADOR_NETWORK

Nature and Parks in Boston
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@travelleisure

"A living museum of trees and plants, part of Harvard University." - Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca is an award-winning journalist and co-founder of Be a Travel Writer, an online course for the next generation of travel journalists. Her photos, videos, and words have appeare

30 Best Things to Do in Boston
View Postcard for Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University
@cntraveler

"Let’s start big picture here. A gorgeous 281-acre green space within Boston, Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University is the oldest public arboretum in North America (c. 1872) and the highlight of Frederick Law Olmsted's famed Emerald Necklace . Prolific biking and walking trails zigzag past more than 16,000 accessioned plants, many meticulously marked with signs. The natural splendor is a feast for the eyes, which are able to spot the sheer diversity of trees and plants at every turn. QR-coded signs and the arboretum’s easy-to-use “Expeditions” app make it possible to dig deep into the environment. Any standout features or must-sees? There's not a bad view to be had in the entire arboretum. But a good starting point is the quarter-mile long Explorers Garden Tour, which showcases dozens of exotic plants from Central China and Korea plus the much-photographed Franklin Tree, which once grew in Georgia but is now extinct in the wild. Was it easy to get around? The arboretum is easy to navigate, but it's also easy to get lost (Don't worry, given the many well-marked intersections, you won't stay lost for long.) The best thing to do is to download the “Expeditions” app , which has a map feature that will help guide you along trails and keep you on track during audio tours. Since the terrain is hilly and not all paths are paved, touring the arboretum could prove difficult for those with mobility issues. All said and done, what—and who—is this best for? Arnold Arboretum is free 365 days a year and open from sunrise to sunset. Tree huggers and budding botanists will find themselves in heaven, but anyone looking to immerse in nature and learn (a lot) in the process, will find a visit here time well spent. Grab one of Boston's blue rental bikes, breeze across the city, and enter through any of the eight entry gates. Note that bikers must stick to paved roads. Alternatively, explore by foot (and off-road), starting at the Forest Hills gate, accessed by taking the Orange Line to Forest Hills. This is the way to do it if you’re looking to learn anything or everything about this awesome collection of trees, which happens to be one of the world's most comprehensive and best documented collections of temperate woody plants." - Paul Rubio

Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University – Review | Condé Nast Traveler
View Postcard for Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University

Holly Ainsworth

Google
Such a beautiful piece of nature tucked away near the city. Arnold Arboretum is a peaceful place to walk around and enjoy the outdoors. There are many different paths you can explore and various plants blooming at a given time. Highly recommend checking this park out!

Abe Wei

Google
A great place to just escape or spend time with someone. There’s so many different plants and flowers that it will have you feeling refreshed. There’s something for everyone here. Too often we got caught in the hustle and bustle of life, but the Arboretum is a great place to just slow down and rest or have deep conversations. Highly recommend!

Ana Espinoza

Google
One of my favorite places to walk around. It’s beautiful in every season and if you’re willing to wander, you can find some beautiful trails/paths with less people than the main paths. Parking isn’t the best but if you go during a weekday it’s usually easy to find a spot.

Rishibha Bansal

Google
Visited on Lilac Sunday! It was surreal. The tour guide was amazing and very knowledgeable. He brought all the trees to life! Definitely a place to visit often, during various seasons. Don’t forget to check out the bonsai section!

K T

Google
The arboretum does not disappoint. A few weeks in May the lilacs are in bloom and are just beautiful to see and smell. But there are always numerous varieties of shrubs and trees to explore. You can walk on the paved road and/or explore paths throughout the property. This is free and highly recommended if you love nature.

JIGISHA BHOLE

Google
Great place for a picnic. It has plenty of lilac variety. I visited the lilac festival here, they are amazing. The bonsai collection here too good.

Shipra

Google
Amazing place to relax in the nature within the city. Well maintained, clean and beautiful trees.Lilac bloom Sunday was amazing. Good place to take family , dog walking and picnics.

Trương Lan Hương

Google
Arnold Arboretum is a place that you will have some beautiful things to see all the time. I com in mid May and Lilac is in bloom, and yellow white flowers everywhere. They also have wisteria and some cherry blossoms tree still look beautiful.

Gabrielle V.

Yelp
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!

Aprille C.

Yelp
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!

Cami C.

Yelp
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!

Vivian C.

Yelp
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.

Hannah S.

Yelp
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.

Cristina R.

Yelp
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.

Danielle - A Pseudonym B.

Yelp
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!

Maria M.

Yelp
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.

Savannah H.

Yelp
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.

Inci K.

Yelp
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.

Joy G.

Yelp
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.

Rachel H.

Yelp
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!

Lila S.

Yelp
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.

Marjan M.

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

Osula L.

Yelp
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.

Sharon J.

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

Angela Z.

Yelp
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.

Sasi M.

Yelp
This is a lovely gem along the emerald necklace. I've been wanting to come here for awhile, and finally made it. The place is huge and a single day wouldn't do it justice. If you wanna get away from the city without going to far, this spot is perfect. Just a few steps in and the road's busy noses are drowned away by the swaying trees and buzzing bees. It feels calming to just stroll along the paved pathways in a nice sunny evening.

Giovanna L.

Yelp
Perfect spot for foliage photoshoot for people who don't want to travel far from Boston. They also have a small exhibition where you can learn a lot about different plants types

Matt D.

Yelp
The Arboretum is a beautiful place to go almost anytime of year. It encompasses such a wide area so be prepared to walk. It's fun to stroll through the different areas. One of my favorites is the rose garden. With the Arboretum's sheer size I'm amazed it continues to be free. Boston is lucky to have it. If it's your first time visiting I highly recommend stopping at the visitor's center first. There's someone there at the main desk who can answer questions and there's a map.

Sara C.

Yelp
Beautiful park to walk around in. It's not too large, but there's beautiful greenery and a paved walkway.

Nefize T.

Yelp
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.

Hieu V.

Yelp
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!

Kevin B.

Yelp
Arnold Arboretum is a beautiful free and open-to-the-public park, one part of the "Emerald Necklace" of greenery in central Boston (linking all the way back to the Boston Common). Come here for a lovely stroll through forests and fields, and climb a couple small hills to get good views of the surroundings (including one of the best vistas of central Boston from atop Peters Hill). We loved spending two hours here hiking around and being outdoors!

Danielle D.

Yelp
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

Simon S.

Yelp
The arboretum is an absolutely beautiful place to spend time in. Going for a walk, exercising, or just sight seeing, one won't be disappointed. The arboretum was designed by the Dutch landscapers who designed Central Park (Olmsted and Vox) and shares many similarities to New York City's Central and Prospect Parks.

Sophia B.

Yelp
The Arnold Arboretum is nestled in plain view stretching from JP to Roslindale. There's something for everyone here. Bike path is escorted by a scenic route leading to the Forest Hills train station. The trees are exotic and brilliantly displays the love of summer when in bloom. You can learn about the species of trees and plants as you stroll the high hills and acknowledge the ever-flowing tiny waterway. Take pictures, including wedding photos, prom and birthday pics. Enjoy your day at the Arboretum. If you see a grey-haired woman with dreadlocks say hello to me.

Mia M.

Yelp
Who wouldn't love the (Arbs)? As the people who grew up in Jamaica Plain called it. Such a beautiful place to go to I. The middle of the city! We need more trees! I love the Arbs!

Ray L.

Yelp
Great place to free your mind and Soul. Great place to take a Selfie. Great place to take Wedding photos. Great place to have a iconic with your family. A Great place to be at any season of the day...

Eric D.

Yelp
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!

Mike G.

Yelp
Great place for taking relatively short hikes on relatively flat trails. The only downside is the road noise and much to my surprise construction going on within the Arboretum. Although it was not major construction somehow the peace and quiet is a part of an arboretum that I look forward to.

Rati V.

Yelp
Gorgeous on any day, and it's big enough that it never feels crowded. Dogs are allowed and so fun to see many pets and families enjoying time outside. Always wish I could spend more time here to relax!

Patrick J.

Yelp
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.

Steven B.

Yelp
It's free peaceful and clean don't pick the flowers and have a pleasant stroll Two entrances one behind forest hills upper busway take the t and walk across street from the orange line

Erin K.

Yelp
This is a beautiful tree zoo. - The arboretum is divided into subsections (succulent garden, maples, etc) with informational plaques scattered periodically. - It makes for beautiful photos! I saw a wedding party having a photo shoot here. - If you are travelling from Boston, I suggest biking here! The distance is not too bad, and it was great being able to relax amongst all the nature at the arboretum. - My favorite time to visit is in the Fall, because the temperature is not too cold and not too hot. Plus you can see all the beautiful colors. Overall: - A definite place to visit at least once if you live in the Boston area!

Drew T.

Yelp
AN Ancient city park, filled with every kind of tree and bush. A beautiful, pastoral walk, not feeling you are surrounded by city. Generations of Bostonians have enjoyed walking and relaxing here for decades. There is little better you can do in Boston on a nice spring, summer or fall day, especially with a close friend.

Delmo D.

Yelp
Beautiful and full of nature and peace! I recommend going on long walks with your significant other.

Kelley M.

Yelp
Truly a unique place in Boston! Lovely all times of year. If you want to get a good view of the city, you have two places to go. You can climb to the top of the hill on the main part of the Arboretum or you can go across Bussey Street and go to the top of Peters hill.

N B.

Yelp
Great place to walk the dogs on leash. Lots of wooded shady paths to stay cool in summer. Paved walkways for bad weather. Bonsai exhibit is always impressive. Great view of Boston skyline. No picnics allowed. Occasional hotshot on a bicycle, but mostly safe for pets and kids. This place is huge! If you like public parks and nature near the city, you should love it.

Ness S.

Yelp
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.

Karsten G.

Yelp
With the weather breaking, we were looking to find some local trails for us and the dogs (new to the area). Arnold had really good reviews and is nearby. Upon arriving, we were a bit nervous to see all the parked cars lining the entrance. This made us think the park would be very crowded. We were able to find some street parking just outside and were relieved that the park was big enough that it didn't feel crowded at all. The grounds are very well maintained and even had a few streams for the dogs to play and get a drink. Check it out!

Andrew P.

Yelp
Catch Chris McCardle's walks. You learn a lot. History through flowers and city politics

peter r.

Yelp
This is an absolute gem in the Boston area. It's a wonderful place to relax and appreciate nature. It is safe and very well-maintained. I highly recommend it.

Shaquille A.

Yelp
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.

Scott O.

Yelp
Beautiful but I don't want you to know. I would love to keep this place all to myself. Cannot wait to go back in the summer!

Juan P.

Yelp
Great place to see wander and explore and there's not much more to be said until I reach 85 characters

Kaydee A.

Yelp
Their wonderful staff gave our clients a great tour and were full of fun knowledge! The Arboretum is a great place for walks and biking any time of the year.

Melanie R.

Yelp
This is a beautiful place to walk around or even jog. I have come here to take photos because the scenery is absolutely beautiful. If you're looking for a good place to take photos then the arboretum is a good place to go. I also love that as you're walking through the arboretum , you can learn more about the trees and flowers. It's great if you want to learn more about the history of the plants there as well just take photos and enjoy the scenery. They do guided tours if people are interested.

Angelene L.

Yelp
So beautiful. It's a great place to go for a walk, maybe pet some dogs, and find peace in the city. There's many things to see and plenty of room to find space for yourself here. Something really special is that have this really cute walk through picture book for kids that come to visit. Worth a trip to see all of the beautiful flowers and trees.

Daniel P.

Yelp
For people who love to walk and enjoy flora in a park environment this is the place. It is Seasonal as the trees all bloom at different seasons which adds to the Arboretum's character. The Arboretum is part of the Olmstead Emerald Necklace of Boston that takes a while to fully appreciate making for many enjoyable relaxing visits.