Seeing the Holden Arboretum in fall will forever stay in our memories as a place of beauty and joy. With this guide you can plan exactly what to see at Holden Arboretum, perfect for the whole family.
**We partnered with the Arboretum to share these photos and information with you. All opinions are our own.
The Holden Arboretum connects play with nature and there’s nothing we love to show our kids more as we travel.
From Cleveland, the Holden Arboretum is only a 30-minute drive. On the way you’ll be treated to gorgeous scenery and a tree-filled landscape that is just a hint of the beauties to come.
Why go to Holden Arboretum in Fall?
At the Holden Arboretum in fall, the red, yellow, and orange leaves are vibrant and stunning throughout much of the arboretum. We loved so many things on our day in the Arboretum. Here are our top ten highlights.
1. Search for Flowers, Plants and Ponds
It’s an arboretum! The best part of Gardens are always the variety of plant life you will be exposed to. The peace and stillness you can experience at the Holden Arboretum in fall is a welcome relief from our busy life.
We loved using the Seek app on our phone to ‘discover’ the plant-life as we walked along. This kept our kids engaged and interested as we meadered through the beautiful scenery.
2. Hide in StickWorks
Stickworks was just created this year by artist Patrick Doughtery. It is created with willow sticks which are bent and tied together forming walls and windows.
Play hide and seek as you weave through the woven wooden sculpture.
3. Search through the Halloween Scavenger Hunt
Don’t miss the Holden Arboretum’s unique opportunities for the whole family. Ask at the gate or the visitors center for the scavenger hunt through the Halloween displays.
The Halloween scavenger hunt is a simple search for 8 different displays of fun Halloween décor. The kids are following comic book characters trying to discover who stole the blue birds nest. You’ll find bats, cats, spiders and more along the journey through the arboretum. Just enough fun the kids will walk without complaint.
4. Pull out the Camera for Photo Ops Galore
The Holden Arboretum in fall provides stunning photo opportunities around every turn. While the trees, ponds and flowers are spectacular year round, the fall season has even more chances to capture the perfect money.
Especially during the Halloween season, you’ll find pumpkin scarecrows, decorations and playful set ups through the gardens perfect for those fall photos.
5. Walk among the Leaves on the Murch Canopy Bridges
Murch canopy walk gave us a unique opportunity to swing with the leafy branches 10 feet off the ground. You will walk from one platform on a swaying bridge to another steady platform. There are 6-7 bridges to cross as you enjoy the leafy treetops.
During COVID you will most likely experience a wait to get in the canopy walk. Once on the boardwalk You will be asked to wait on each platform until the next one is clear before going onto the bridges. During busy weekend or holidays wait times can be long. Try to visit early morning or in the late afternoon.
6. Play in Buckeye Bud’s Adventure Woods
The Adventure Woods is the perfect stop for kids of all ages. Hidden under dense tree tops, you find a shady wonderland of a natural playground. Bamboo noise makers, a fairy village, a stage for performances and stumps to jump from will inspire the kids imagination.
Here you’ll find a portable bathroom and hand washing station. This is so convenient at it is quite a ways from the front of the park.
7. Climb the Emergent Tower for a Scenic View
The tower is a thrilling 202 steps up to an unforgettable view above the canopy across the entire valley and even to Lake Erie. The climb itself has multiple platforms with interesting information about trees, your body as you climb, and the tower.
You’ll love seeing the unique view from several different perspectives all the way up.
My little kids we a bit nervous because you can see through the flooring and see how high you are. On the top platform it does sway just a little so you felt just a little bit uneasy. But the high wall all around the platform makes you perfect safe in this unique 360 degree perspective. We love asking our kids to try things that make them nervous and teach them about overcoming their anxiety and fears, so this was a secure opportunity to have those important conversations.
During COViD they are limiting guests and asking to wait for others as you ascend and descend. Be prepared for waiting especially if you go on weekends.
8. Picnic Under the Fall Leaves with a Lake-Side View
Right next to the Visitor’s center there is a gorgeous picnic area. You’ll find picnic tables under the colorful trees and even a few down by a small pond. An outdoor lunch is perfect in this area. There is no food available to buy at the Arboretum so bring your own lunch to make a whole day of it.
9. Hike Trails through Wooded Forests
Our family enjoyed a small hiking trail from Buckeye Bud’s Adventure Woods to the Emergent Tower. Beyond this, there are miles of hiking and walking trails around the area. Ask for a map to see the trails and the distance. Getting deep into the trees and woods here will soothe the soul.
10. Explore the Treasures in the Discovery Gardens
For a variety of experiences, wander through the Rodendrum Discovery Garden and the Tree Allee. You’ll be treated to brightly colored flowers in many varieties. If you have more time from here you can walk around Corning Lake and out to Forcham Island- which is visible when you drive into the Arboretum. The sight of this island made my kids eager to explore.
From the smallest flowers to the larger reflecting ponds, you’ll be delighted with the variety of foliage beauty at Holden Arboretum in fall.
What do you love to see at Arboretums?
Another of our favorite gardens is the Dallas Arboretum.
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