Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

Address: 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska, MN , 55318
Upcoming Events: Jump to Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Events

Website Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Phone (612) 624-2200
Grounds 8am-5pm

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, a top visitor attraction, contains more than 1,200 acres of gardens and tree collections, prairie and woods and miles of trails. As a premier northern garden, the Arboretum was borne out of the University of Minnesota Horticultural Research Center (currently the U of M College of Food, Agricultural and Resource Sciences or CFANS). Established in 1958, with the Men’s Garden Club of Minneapolis, Lake Minnetonka Garden Club, Minnesota State Horticultural Society and other community supporters creating the Arboretum as a gift to the University of Minnesota.

Things to Do at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

The obvious thing to do at the Arb is to explore the garden, and plenty of them are fun for kids – the Maze Garden, the Japanese Garden and the Sensory Garden are all great starts. Go beyond the gardens with these 10 ideas for family fun.

Play at one of the Nature Playgrounds

The Arb has two marvelous nature play yards. The Green Play Yard is aimed at preschool age children and is one of our favorite Nature Playgrounds in the Twin Cities. The Under the Oak Play Yard is open to all ages to play, climb and explore.

Visit the Fall AppleHouse & North Star Donuts

The AppleHouse opens in the fall when apples ripen in mid-August through October. Families can buy fresh apples, cider, pies and mini donuts.

Check out the Children’s Book Section at Andersen Horticultural Library

The Arboretum’s Andersen Horticultural Library has a children’s section featuring beautiful kid-friendly books highlighting nature in all seasons. Take a break from the outdoors when visiting the Arboretum by finding the perfect spot for reading in the library.

Attend a kid-friendly event

The library hosts StoryTime on Thursday mornings at 10:30am. Stories will reflect the seasons and nature. Arboretum admission is charged for these events. If you plan to bring your preschooler(s) to this event often, a $60 solo membership will cover your own admission for the year and kids are always free.

Weekends often include special events geared towards kids and family that explore the Arb’s plant collections, natural history and other attractions. Look for special firefly viewing, Halloween events, hot cocoa in the winter, pancake breakfast during maple season, and visits from Santa. We share these events on our Family Fun Calendar.

Join the Pods for Preschool Program

The arboretum offers a Tuesday morning parent/child preschool program. Sessions run for 10 weeks and are $120 members/$140 non-members. These programs have limited spaces. Each week kids will participate in activities such as planting, art, sensory and science, discovery zones, action and music, story time, Green Play Yard adventures, greenhouse exploration and snack. Parents should plan to participate with their child. Non-participating siblings can attend for free, but each participating child must be registered. Learn more here.

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum homeschool programs

Whether you home-school or not, families can participate in Homeschool Days (although you’ll have to pull the kids out of school if you don’t home-school). Registration costs $10.00 for individual students with discounts for members. However, these events are always held on 3rd Mondays, so gate admission is waived. These educational enrichment experiences include hands-on interactive science. Classes can be registered for individually.

Arboretum summer camps

The Arboretum posts its summer programs in mid-December and they open for registration in early January. Camps are offered for the following age categories: 5-7, 7-9, 9-11 and 12-15 (CIT program).

Explore the new Arboretum bike trail

Bicyclists and walkers can bike through the arboretum and can pre-purchase admission with a smart phone prior to reaching the gate. Bicyclist/pedestrian admission is $15 for non members. This bike path connects to the Highway 5 Regional Bike Trail.

Three-Mile Walk

Three mile walking trail is fun to explore the various plant species in the display gardens and natural areas with kids who need a good walk. It is stroller-friendly for parents of small children. Kids of all ages will find plenty to interest them, including a koi pond, hedge maze, small waterfalls and beautiful flowers. Families can also access the Bog and Green Heron Trail from the Three Mile Walk Trail

Warm up in winter

In the winter, take advantage of cross-country ski and snowshoe trails. Stop in the conservatory to get a dose of summer on a cold day. Then, birdwatch while you lunch at the cafeteria. Pick a table near the the big bay windows so you can see the birds.

Take a break at Rootstock Cafe

Grab some farm-fresh sandwiches, salads, soup and breakfast. Find this cafe on the second floor of the Oswald Visitor Center.

While the gate fee can be high, Membership comes with free admission all year.

Year-round family fun at the Arboretum

Jan-Feb: It’s Snowshoe Fun to Exercise Outdoors in Minnesota
March: Maple Syruping with Kids in the Twin Cities
Apr-May: Don’t miss the stunning tulips blooming!
June-Aug: Nature Playgrounds in the Twin Cities: Get Back to Green
September:
- The Arboretum is among the most beautiful places for a Fall Colors Tour
- Twin Cities Apple Orchards: A Family Guide
October: Halloween Events in the Twin Cities
November/December: Each year, the Arboretum has a beautiful Winter Lights display: Light It Up: Twin Cities Holiday Light Displays