Cylburn Arboretum

Beautiful arboretum in historical estate location is Baltimore’s largest public garden. Plenty of parking on mid-summer weekday and open nature center with friendly employees. The only miss was inability to tour Cylburn Mansion. There is a choice of paved paths or hiking trails and well-thought out arboretum layout to please an eye. Worthwhile detour from I-95 when passing through Baltimore, free admission was an added bonus.

I visited before the Gardens were planted and still had a lovely experience. Volunteers and employees were hard at work planting when I arrived. Definitely visit the Nature Center, staff there were great! They have Luna Moths and Grey Tree Frogs on display and the center is very well maintained. I only wish I could have visited on the weekend so I could tour the mansion. I will absolutely be back to see the gardens!

This is a wonderful place where kids can run around and learn at the same time. The staff and volunteers are incredibly kind, and they host amazing events. It’s a peaceful environment, and the recent renovations have made the space even more interactive for all ages. I visited today and discovered so many new things I hadn’t known before. It’s definitely a spot I’ll keep on my list whenever we’re looking for something engaging to do. It’s also a great place for spiritual reflection. Highly recommended!

We went for one of the open house tours in early April. The staff in the mansion and the nature education center were wonderful. They were very knowledgeable about the history of the grounds and the flora and fauna one can find there. Of note, we were immediately greeted by adorable northern mockingbirds at the entrance of the mansion and only continued to see birds and flowers from there. The trails were easy to walk in regular shoes or sandals. There are wheelchair ramps, automatic doors on the education center, and braille labels on the premises. The upper floors of the mansion were not open to the public for tours (on the day we were there).

Definitely not as large as I'd expected. Outside garden waa beautiful, full off bumble bees just minding their business. I wish we'd had a selfie stick/tripod, cause it was a beautiful backdrop for photos.

What a gem in the city! We visited on a sunny Fall day and enjoyed hiking on one of trails in the woods - the start of the trails are well-marked although there could be better signage on the trails themselves. The grounds and the mansion are lovely as well and we’ve never had an issue with parking.

Went here on a Saturday, it was great they have different ways to get to the mansion and gardens. You could either walk the paved path or walk on one of the many trails. And the trails have different levels as well. It wasn't too busy. Got to see so e deer on the property as well. Definitely worth the visit!

Beautiful variety of trees and well-kept gardens. We went in early autumn, and the flower beds were still looking lovely. Best of all, it’s free to visit.

Baltimore's Best Kept Secret always a refreshing and peaceful time at the Arboretum. Many volunteers and activities make this a great place to spend time or to visit. The landscaping is magnificent and the flowers always seem to be in bloom. Truly this is one of Baltimore's hidden gems.

Beautiful park and ghost mansion. The house seems to be open less frequently but definitely worth a stop. Incredibly restored historic house with beautiful details inside and out. If the walls could talk I'm sure the stories would be fascinating. It's a very serene place for a stroll. Gorgeous green space. Lots of easy free parking. Relatively new nature center looks nice, although wasn't open when we were there early morning. The grounds are lovely, even if that's all you get the chance to see. I've also walked the trails on the far side of the property, which are really cool. I always try and stop by when I'm in the area and the weather permits. Free and easy.

Was great place to visit Lovely garden to walk around Historical house and statues Great inter active center especially for children

A peaceful spot for a stroll or picnic, especially if you are a birder or plant lover. The grounds aren't huge, but offer plenty of trails and green spaces to meander. The nature center is simple, but thoughtful in its displays. I can't speak to the mansion because it was closed when we visited. Cylburn seems like a secret respite within city limits: only a handful of other people on the grounds and easy-peasy parking.

A peaceful gem in the city! Beautiful trails, lots of flowers, and great for a weekend stroll. It's free and never too crowded. Just wish the visitor center had longer hours.

This is an extensive space, and even in what is effectively the winter season, it still has some aesthetic qualities and naturalistic intrigue to be worth hiking for a while. There are manicured gardens surrounding a mansion, but much of the park was relatively wild. Docking a star because none of the buildings were open, which was noted on their website. They seemed quite casual about this, and I don't know if they're blaming it on COVID or the economic downturn or something else, but being closed is just not ideal. The main attraction thankfully remains the great outdoors.

Every once in a while, I like to meander through green spaces. So this has been on my list since moving to Baltimore. It was a beautiful day so I decided to go "get lost" in the arboretum. While it is large, I believe over 200 acres, it somehow felt smaller than expected. Not an issue, just an observation. I also expected more trees, shrubbery and flowers. Again, not major just an expectation. A couple buildings were closed on the day I visited so I don't think I got the full experience. However, the property was still beautifully maintained and enjoyable. For my next visit, I'll do a bit more planning to ensure everything is open but otherwise it was a good visit.

Beautiful place! Great trails. The arboretum is an oasis of tranquility and beauty in Baltimore City... you can learn so much about trees and plants as you connect with nature. Always a treat to return there and witness the changes from season to season.

4915 green spring Blvd Baltimore ,Md Such a beautiful 200 acre urban park . It has many beautiful trees and plants and a gorgeous mansion. We came here to walk and take some beautiful pictures . I think the building can be rented for weddings . If you are in Baltimore and like green spaces this is definitely a gem to see

This is a beautiful place!! You have to come here! I've had the pleasure of coming here twice now and it is spectacular. So peaceful and beautiful. One of the gems of Baltimore city. They have plenty of free parking and event spaces at the Vollmer Center, the Mansion and the grounds that you can rent for a fee. They do nature camps and if your a teacher, you can do field trips here as well, there's an education coordinator. If your looking for a peaceful place to relax and walk, look no further! So many plants, trees and events you really can't go wrong.

I went to Cylburn Arboretum and Mansion for a tour of the mansion and a photography session. This 200-acre urban oasis in Baltimore City is worth exploring. The property is vast and beautiful with an array of vibrant flowers and areas to explore. I enjoyed photographing many different places on the property. I would highly recommend a nice walk through the grounds. We were given a private tour of the mansion, as the mansion is only open occasionally to the public or via a private tour. The outside of the mansion is lovely, exuding a timeless charm. However, as I ventured inside, I couldn't help but notice that the interior didn't quite live up to the beauty of the exterior. While it retains some of its original allure, there's an air of neglect that's hard to overlook. Visitors can only tour one floor of the house as the rest is either occupied by offices or in disrepair. Overall, Cylburn Arboretum and Mansion is a lovely place for peaceful stroll and for capturing some amazing photographs. Just be prepared for the mansion's interior to fall a bit short of your expectations.

Yelp fam! This place has a special purpose for me. I love walking here to clear my mind. As we all know the last 9 months has been challenging, lonely,boring,etc. Mental health is important , especially in these crazy times. As a way to get ourselves out of the house and clear our minds. My fiancée & I always venture to The Arboretum. I had never been , When we first arrived I wasn't sure what to expect. What I found was peace, calmness and creativity. I love photography & videography, going to the CAA allows me to think clearly & have a chance to photograph nature. They have a huge selections of trees and flowers. Along with gazebos for relaxing and thinking. The CAA has paths you can explore the grounds and really just get in touch with nature. Tales look at the photos but go visit for yourself! Since our initial trip we have been several times and every time is better than the last. I really enjoy how secluded it was in the early morning. We were able to take a long walk, I took lots of photos on the walk, we found a gazebo and took a seat while the sun hit us. It was truly peaceful, I would recommend going during non peak hours . So you can take a look around and find out what they have to offer. Check them out!

Found this little gem while visiting Baltimore and my father had to be admitted to Sinai Hospital. I used to walk around the arboretum as a respite from being in a hospital room. The arboretum is located right across the street from Sinai There are many different trails to walk on, gardens, and the Clyburn Mansion to explore. The trees have markers for identity purposes and they also have classrooms and workshops. Its a beautiful place to walk anytime of the year but ofcourse when things are in bloom is most ideal. Dogs are allowed on a leash!

Me and my husband came to Cylburn Arboretum to soak up some sunshine and nature-- we found plenty of both at this lovely place inside Baltimore City. There are plenty of trails here that are suitable for beginning hikers. Bring some boots and look out for mud and roots. There are bulbs sprouting along the trails that will soon be blooming. We spotted some snowdrops already blooming. My husband has a large body of knowledge about plants and trees and even he was stumped and amazed by some of the species of plants that we found here. I was particularly thrilled to find a Corkscrew Witch Hazel just on our way in. This is a very safe and clean place-- Cylburn Arboretum is a wonderful asset to Baltimore City and perfect for families, children, and dogs. The buildings are currently closed but there are plenty of lovely natural places to explore here.

This was a nice tranquil park that my walking group used with about 30 women trekking the paths. This isn't a large park, but it's just enough to get the job done. I must come back when it's warmer to see what spring/summer flowers cover the landscape. This is a nice little escape that helps you escape the city life.

Cylburn Arboretum is a tranquil green oasis in the rush of the city. Sitting right across from Sinai Hospital, its 200 acres are a mix of lawns, small gardens, and woodlands, all of which are crisscrossed by pavement and dirt paths. It came as a surprise to me that I had lived in Baltimore over a year before it was first introduced to me and even reviewing it I have that sense that it would be better if it remained a secret, but it must be shared. It's a great spot for walking, picnicking or just relaxing. Closed on Mondays. See you there!

We picked an odd day to visit the arboretum, Easter Sunday, but I was pleasantly surprised at how many other people had the same idea. I'm very glad it was open, too, because it was a perfect day for a picnic. The grounds are quite lovely, and very well kept. We enjoyed a nice short walk down a trail or two, and we walked around the mansion and just about all of the grounds. There are a ton of flowers, trees, shrubs, and grasses to keep one very engaged. I appreciated that most of the plants had their biological and common names listed as well. It wasn't universal, so I'm still guessing as to the identity of a couple, but it was quite helpful for gardeners of any experience level. By the way, that's not me; I have a brown thumb. Our green thumb friend invited us to scope out the place. It was a wonderful experience, though, and I would gladly return. The visitor's center up front is modern and clean, and the staff were super helpful and knowledgeable. Such a wonderful oasis in the heart of the city!

I'm generally very appreciative of botanic gardens, arboretums and green spaces. This one is on the smaller side (for botanic/arboretum) but is a large green space and lovely respite from the city. It's free. It's outside. It's pretty great and we are fortunate to have it. Go. Enjoy.

***PLEASE READ*** - Aggravated Assault via Shooting on Premises. On 5/21/22 I attended a wedding here at the Cylburn Arboretum. It was a late afternoon early evening event so I had driven down from New Jersey and planned to drive back up the same day. At around 9pm I had left the wedding and walked to the parking lot. To my surprise, the parking lot was completely dark with little to no lighting. I entered my car, sat down, and was soon after met with 2 individuals who then attempted to rob me. I was being held at gun point from my passenger side door as yelling from both of them and myself broke out. Intimidation shots were then fired into the air for me to exit my vehicle. I refused and instead reversed out as quickly as I could with my head down and fled the scene as they proceeded to fire at my car. When fleeing the venue I noticed the gate was left unattended and wide open for anyone to come and go as they please. After contacting the wedding couple to let them know of the active shooter inside and then working with police, I followed up with venue about the incident which turned out to be an EXTREMELY disappointing experience. I was directed towards the Chief of Safety and Risk Management who was slow to respond to any of my emails. I explained to him that this ordeal could have been prevented and that I wanted my concerns about the safety of this venue addressed. To avoid this from happening again the following was discussed over the phone: lighting poles in the parking lot, installation of surveillance cameras, and someone attending the front gate. In addition to this I was also looking for the reimbursement of damages inflicted on my car. Ultimately, I was given the run around for months as their legal team had apparently gotten involved and did not want to take responsibility. Not only that but my request for updates on safety for future guests was also ignored. This was one of the most traumatic experiences of my life and I would not wish this on anyone. With the lack of accountability taken on their end and the likelihood of nothing being done for the safety of future guests, this could very possibly happen again with more devastating results. I am currently considering legal action for neglect but I feel that is also my responsibility to make the public aware of this incident as well via this review. Hope this helps when considering booking an event here.

WOW WOW WOOOOOOOOOOW!!!! Yesterday, I was proposed at Cylburn Arboretum on my birthday no less. Prior to knowing what was happening I took in all of scenery. It's such a beautiful quite location. The greenery and flowers. Mansion and gazebos. The beautiful benches and water was all so captivating. The grounds were perfectly manicured which was a huge plus. A lot of the beautiful hidden gems in Baltimore. Lose it's beauty due to being unkept but not here. My now fiancé (eeeeek) found a really cute area to make it all happen. Cylburn will always hold a special place within my heart. Just beautiful!

Access to lovely and peaceful outdoor spaces has been my saving grace during the pandemic, and Cylburn has been top of my list. It's a beautiful oasis that makes you forget you're in the city when you need an escape. In addition to the many different types of gardens, open green spaces and majestic trees, there are some simple hiking trails for anyone looking for a more woodsy experience. Whether you're looking to relax or get some exercise, there isn't a more beautiful backdrop around!

It's my favorite place in Baltimore. Literally, this place keeps me sane. Such calm... My little respite from all the hussle and bussle off life. So grateful for the staff that maintain the trails. You guys with so hard to clear the fallen trees. Please know that it's appreciated!

This is my happy place. Well, one of them! If you follow me on Yelp, you know I'm into places that just give you the right vibe/energy, and this place does it! I think the best times to visit are in spring and fall. I love the way the colors transform over the seasons, but even more so, the experience shifts! Little nooks and crannies all over the establishment being light to what nature truly has to offer us. This is definitely a place I love to journal, meditate, and find peace! I hope you take some time to find it here too.

This place is beautiful, even when I went after a some snow. There's so much expansive land and trees. I enjoyed the open area so much just to walk around the trails. There were also gazebos with with benches to chill and take in the views to relax. In the main building, there were pamphlets and magazines to learn more about events and activities at Cylburn and all around Baltimore. The lady who worked the desk was also helpful and friendly. They also posted large permanent info graphics that showed how they used the earth's surface to heat and cool the building year-round without the use of air-conditioners and heaters; there was another with how they used compost toilets, instead of regular ones, in order to save more water. I thought that was pretty cool because I never really thought about either of those options. Plus, both actually worked well for the building. There happened to be an Art Exhibit event that featured paintings, mainly watercolors, of various flowers and plants. I was able to walk around the gallery and look at all of the paintings. It was pretty cool to see the detailed and realistic art pieces. The staff even provided water colors, brushes, and paper to paint our very own things. I literally sat down and painted to my heart's content. I look forward to going in the spring to see all of the blooming flowers and greenery.

The Arboretum was a nice place to stroll on a chill fall afternoon. There was one garden still with colorful flowers. There were many walking trails which I didn't get to try as I didn't have on the right attire. I'll have to come back next time! Unfortunately, the house only is open on weekdays with limited hours. So it looks like I won't be checking out the inside. There was another building that had some educational events about nature for kids. It seemed rather family friendly!

Cylburn is the fastest way for city dwellers to feel as though they have escaped the city. Located off of Northern Parkway, nearby Sinai Hospital, the arboretum is a wonderland of trees, grass, plants, and more specifically, flowers. I love to go to take photos, to share a picnic, lie in the grass and read a book, or just wander around and forget that life exists outside of this beautiful spot. It's so nearby the Whole Foods in Mt. Washington, you can even get something off the hot bar and your food will still be warm to eat once you've secured your picnic blanket! For those that are looking for a bit more structure, there are events held on the grounds of Cylburn which are listed on the website. I have spoken with one of the staff and know that there are photography workshops being developed, amongst others. Before the winter holidays, the arboretum sells poinsettias grown on the grounds, and in the spring they sell bulbs. There are plans in the works to develop a new structure on the property that will allow for more programming. In my opinion, Patterson Park is cool in its own right, and a wonderful place to play sports or view skylines of the city. Cylburn is a totally unique experience, and is very underutilized. Do yourself a favor, and check it out! A few more points: -There is a clean bathroom toward the rear of the mansion building. -Dogs are allowed -There are hiking trails in the woods, they aren't particularly long, but are beautiful -If you like digging in the dirt, there are volunteer opportunities -If you want to learn about digging in the dirt, Master Gardener classes are held at the arboretum -Weddings are held on the grounds

What an amazing venue. My review is for my experience here for my cousin's wedding. Upon arrival I was blown away at how beautiful the landscape is. Truly remarkable. The houses and sites are gorgeous. The setup for the wedding was fantastic. An outdoor space with a giant tent and dance floor. The place really lights up at night. My girlfriend walked around the grounds a bit before it got too dark. Lots of history. Whether you're just looking to check out a beautiful venue on a nice day, or looking to do something here, this place is pretty magical.

Cylburn Arboretum is a great place for a walk, quiet reflection or to let the kiddos run around. The visitor center and mansion were closed when I arrived. I'm looking forward to returning in the spring when flowers are in bloom and to check out both the visitors center and mansion.

It's so beautiful here! We came to visit Baltimore for a few days and hit up this spot. The parking was easy to find! It's a great spot for pictures and relaxing, but there isn't much to do but walk or sit. It would be an amazing place for reading or meditating or reflecting though! Wish I lived closer. A great free place to get some pictures and relax! I'd recommend this place!

Fun! I've been in Baltimore for business for the past few months and my family finally came down to visit me over the weekend with my dog! I was looking up dog-friendly activities and I stumbled across the Cylburn Arboretum online. We drove out, parked in the shade (there was plenty of parking) and then went for a walk. There are paved paths, which are nice, but they were in the blazing hot sun so we decided to get a bit more rustic and took one of the dirt paths in the woods. We got plenty of exercise and it was fun. The mansion and surrounding gardens were nice to look at as well. The visitor's center has a few brochures and a bathroom and chilled water fountain. There are also a few dog poop bag stations on the path so there are no excuses for not cleaning up after your dog. There are benches along the paths for you to sit and take a rest and there are plenty of huge, grassy fields where you can lay out or picnic.

Who: Friends What: Late-afternoon mild hike When: When the daffodils have bloomed en masse, before much else is stirring; in intermittent rainstorms and thick, fresh heat Where: Cylburn Arboretum grounds Why: to escape the oppressive concrete of Baltimore City; or, to see something beautiful; or, to dig up a salamander and let it meander in your cupped hands while you stand under a tree for slight shelter from the warm Mid-April rain. Any and all of the above, and maybe more. Pro tip: stop at Taharka Brothers for some ice cream afterwards.

Cylburn is the gardens and estate of chemical magnate Jessie Tyson, built in the late 19th century. The estate looks grand from the outside but inside, we found disappointment. Much of it is closed to the public and that which is open is mostly used for storage and contains almost no original furniture or paintings. Outdoors, however, Cylburn shines. Although the trails are poorly maintained and often dead end unexpectedly, the grounds feature a wealth of wildlife, including cardinals, blue jays, squirrels, and a ton of chipmunks. Being the first time I had ever seen a chipmunk, I found the Arboretum novel enough to be worth the trip. Cylburn also makes a great place for field trips, as they have an extensive educational program laid out, featuring a greenhouse, conservation education, and a first-hand demonstration of composting. Good escape for Baltimore city dwellers, great field trip target for local schools, and a decent destination for Baltimore tourists seeking a bit of green relief from the city (or maybe crowd relief from the Aquarium).

We went here this past Saturday for a cloudy day stroll. The place is very well maintained with a new visitor's center and nice parking lot. We thought that the place would have more flowers and trees to see but despite all of that, it is still a lovely place to go. There was a wedding being prepped there and I can see why brides would pick this location. The staff is very helpful. Also, it's FREE!!

really lovely grounds for walking. Lots of hidden spots that my kids love to find and explore. Huge improvements since I first began coming here nearly 15 years ago. Well worth the trip.

In the summer, the first thing that will hit you is the incredible amount of great smells coming from of all of the lush gardens and forests here. The best part: absolutely free, and they're open Summer hours Tuesday-Sunday 8a-8p, Winter hours are Tuesday-Sunday 8a-5p. Not only are there beautiful gardens to saunter through, they also have quite a few mild hiking trails that meander through the woods that are really nice. I'm surprised more people aren't here taking advantage of the peace and quiet that this park offers; it's a really great getaway from all of the hustle and bustle. They also have various events and classes you can find out more about on their website: http://cylburn.org/education-events/calendar/. Cylburn Arboretum is a true gem just minutes from the city, I definitely recommend making a visit here.

Here at Cylburn Jazz under the stars. Music is nice, a breeze is blowing. Mixed crowd. Kid friendly as well. Lots of vendors, and food trucks if you don't bring your own food and drinks.

This place is so beautiful! There is always a new plant in bloom when we go. It is well kept and really nice to walk around. We have even taken family pictures there a bunch of times. Also, the trails there are fairly easy to walk on.

I visited the Cylburn Arboretum for a Free Jazz concert that I heard about on the radio. It was a awesome way to spend an easy summer evening. There were several vendors selling there wares as well as couple of food trucks. All the concert guess set up on the lawn of the Mansion with thier pop up chairs, snacks and wine. Everyone really seemed to have a great time. I can't wait to go back on July 30th.

The Cylburn Arboretum is fun to visit, taking you to parts of North Baltimore you might otherwise not see. The trails are quite enjoyable, the greenhouses and gardens are worth a look (or two), and it's simply a great green space in a city that needs such locations. There are never crowds, parking is plentiful, and it's a great place for relaxing for an hour or two.

Love this place! Go once a week since there is always something new blooming if you look carefully. There are trails around the the campus too with lovely native woodland plants. In the winter and early spring, you may not see many blooms at first glance, but if you explore all the gardens you can always find some treasures :-). All the staff are also super nice. Lastly, the mansion is decorated for an open house at Christmas and - all free to enjoy .

Gorgeous place. Affordable rental space. Looks so perfect for a fall wedding. We took gorgeous photos of the kids here that I have to post. Its just one of those gifts that keep on giving. Always something to discover. Just go! Its worth the time.

This is a sanctuary in the City, its really surprising something so beautiful can be surrounded by such ugly things, I suggest going! I think the best time to go is when the daffodils are in bloom... which is in may?? Im sure theres other times to want to go to this park, its diverse

I really like this arboretum because it is a little bit of green super close to Baltimore city. It's a small park, but it has some really cute spots to sit and chat, or read a book. Some of my favorite spots are the stretch of bamboo stalks, the cute wooden pavillion, and the nice stone bench under some trees. I recently discovered that there is a 5 senses garden with soft lambs ear, a variety of herbs, etc which was delightful to explore, and would be a fun spot to take kids.

This arboretum is really more of a pretty, large-ish park than an arboretum. There's the mansion, the big lawn, the formal gardens... and some woods that appear to be just the same sort of woods that occur anyplace you don't mow by the side of any road in the Mid-Atlantic area. To my mind, an arboretum is supposed to have a lot of trees cultivated to show you, say, what this or that type of tree is like. Or maybe even what trees from this or that part of the world are like. While I like the Cylburn fine, I don't know that "arboretum" is what I would call it--if you go there looking for an arboretum after, say, visiting the Morton in Illinois or even the National Arboretum, you will not find what you set out to visit.

I agree with Cassie S. that this is really more of a park than an arboretum. Husband refers to this kind of growth as "willful neglect", which allows a lot of the natural flora to just run rampant. We actually love that - it's (obviously) much more natural than a well-manicured lawn. We walked most of the paths to do some geocaching and, though we weren't too crazy about the side that borders the road, once you get back a little further it's quite nice. Lots of daffodils about this time of year - they seemed to be overflowing from the mansion (which looks delightfully spooky on an overcast day near sunset). The ravine trail was especially nice, though we were disappointed to see all the large trash (appliances, garbage cans, etc) strewn about. In short - a nice little urban park, though nothing I'd drive up from NoVA especially to see.

The hubbs took me here for our anniversary and this was a really beautiful find!The grounds are well kept. There are tons of different kinds of flowers planted all over in a very orderly way, so you can walk little paths through the gardens and admire different types of plants and flowers. Most of them are labeled which was helpful for me since I don't know much about plants. Butterflies were everywhere which added to the charm. Some of the gardens had interesting statues as well. Benches are all over the grounds, so while we were walking we were able to sit and take a rest and just look around at everything. We happened to be there while the sprinklers were running which made it a little hard to walk around some of the areas without getting wet, but it was so hot out that I walked right under them & it was refreshing. They were only on for an hour or so, so we were able to go back to those areas later. There were also dirt paths going through the woods, they were a little more rough to walk through, but it was a lot of fun. There were a lot of paths, some which wound in circles, so it kept us busy. There was an azalea area which was closed when we were there, I hope to come back when they're blooming.

Beautiful local treasure. Highly recommended for even slow walkers/hikers. My dog also enjoys it. And the welcome center volunteers are really cool and knowledgeable about everything from area history to birds!

Beautiful urban park - could have more shady spots and food -the info center is a waste of space - wish they had music or lively events -,altho mother's day plant sale is great.

This is so beautiful and FREE! I love it. I've visited several times. It's even nice when the flowers aren't in bloom.