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MN Landscape Arboretum Directory Logo
3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska, MN 55318
612-624-2200
Admission: $20.00
16+: $20.00/Advance; $25/Gate; 15 and under: Free (Pedestrians/Bicycles: $15 at the gate)
Pay at the Gate beginning 4/1/24. Scroll to the bottom for am advance ticket link.
Hours of Operation:
Mon. 08:00 AM – 07:00 PM
Tue. 08:00 AM – 07:00 PM
Wed. 08:00 AM – 07:00 PM
Thu. 08:00 AM – 07:00 PM
Fri. 08:00 AM – 07:00 PM
Sat. 08:00 AM – 07:00 PM
Sun. 08:00 AM – 07:00 PM
Open Year-Round. Oswald Visitor Center & Snyder Building 9am-6pm daily.

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 (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.

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Visitors will find a variety of unique exhibits at the Arb

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Things to Do at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

1. Play at the Nature Playground

The Arb’s Green Play Yard is aimed at preschool age children and is one of our favorite Nature Playgrounds in the Twin Cities.

2.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.

3. 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.

4. Attend Kid-Friendly Events

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.

5. Join the Pods for Preschool Program at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

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.

6. Participate in 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.

7. Register Kids for Arboretum Summer Camps and/or Children’s Garden

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:

Ages 5 – 7
Ages 7 – 9
Ages 9 – 11
Ages 12 – 15 (CIT program)

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

8. Explore the New Arb 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 $12 for non members. This bike path connects to the Highway 5 Regional Bike Trail.

9. 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.

10. 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.

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Bike Trail - Planned for summer of 2021


Year Round Fun at the Arb


The Arboretum offers some of the BEST Free coloring pages!

My favorites are the Flora & Fauna Coloring Pages. Small kids, who may not be ready to draw on their own, can start their own botanical notebooks with these coloring pages.

Offerings change, but look for Seed Packet Coloring Pages, which would be great for making your own garden markers for seeds you are starting indoors and alphabetical bird prints.


Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Discount tips:

Minnesoat Landscape Arboretum Sensory Garden

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

If you plan to visit often, membership is the best way to save on visits to the MN Landscape Arboretum. Remember that kids (15 and under) are always free, so you don’t need a family membership. New membership rates as of April 1, 2024:

  • A duo membership is $125. This is best if you are planning mostly family visits on the weekends. The duo membership will have paid for itself in 4 family visits.
  • A solo membership is only $75. This would be great for a stay-at-home parent who wants to attend the story times. This membership also pays for itself in 4 visits.
  • Dog Memberships have been eliminated. You may now bring a leashed dog for trail access within Dog Commons as part of any membership.
  • If you have older teens, there are also Duo+2 memberships available for $160. If you have one teen the additional fee will be paid for in two visits or in one visit if you have two teens. That’s a pretty good add on deal.

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum


Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Map

Find a PDF map of the Arboretum grounds or use this cool interactive map that let’s you know what’s in bloom during your visit so you can plan your walks accordingly.

Useful Links

Arboretum Light Show
Image courtesy of the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

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