Tyler Arboretum354

Lots of trails. Lots of stuff for kids to play with, climb on, and imagine.

The butterfly house is wonderful! Easy walking with a stroller to the butterfly house, pond with turtles, etc. Not far also - and managable with a larger-wheeled stroller or jogger - is the meadow maze which is fun for the kids to run around and try to find the big rock in the center. All was managable on foot for my three- and four-year-olds with the six-month-old in the stroller. Pack a picnic to enjoy at the picnic area. Staff are very friendly, unique visitor center and gift shop, lots to see in close proximity to parking. Quiet and relaxing without a long drive from "suburbs" - a real gem!

I couldn't believe the size of the Arboretum! The portion fenced in to keep the deer from damaging the plants is only a small portion of the 650-acre property. We took the kids on a nice hike through the trails; Tyler has 20 miles of hiking trails to choose from. They were well-marked and clear of debris. A great learning experience for the kids b/c EVERY tree, flower, and shrub is labeled, which is amazing considering the size of this place! My youngest loved the Meadow Maze - a labyrinth mowed into the meadow grasses. The butterflies were flying around the plants the Arboretum planted up in that area. There are cute discovery stations around the outer circle of the maze that teaches kids about animals, plants, and the interaction between them and their environment. Plenty of parking in the lot. We're considering becoming members (only $55 for a family for a year) so we can get free admission and discounts on the kids/family programs. PS: GREAT bird watching! We saw a bald eagle while walking through the meadow maze.

Tyler is a hidden gem of a place: 650 acres of beauty in the midst of suburban sprawl. The kids loved the Meadow Maze when we visited. We went in the early fall and the meadow grasses were high and the butterflies were everywhere. The ancient trees are amazing; lots of them are almost 200 years old. For older kids, the hiking trails are great, well-marked and clear. Springtime is the best at Tyler; so many flowering plant collections, including lilac, magnolia, rhododendron, cherry, and crab apples. Only $5 for adults and $3 for kids, and Tyler members get in free.