Families need nature at all times of the year! We’ll go on a StoryWalk to learn how a little bird can bring back the Sun! Then we will go inside and make a paper model of an Eastern chickadee.
Take in the sights and sounds of the arboretum under the light of a full moon. Facilitator Bob Linscott will lead the group through some mindfulness in nature practices as we meander along the paved road to our final nighttime viewing location on top of Bussey Hill.
October is one of the most beautiful times of year at the Arboretum, with leaves changing color and all sorts of unique seeds and fruits appearing on the branches. Join docent Vicki Amalfitano for a theme tour to learn about all the changes that happen in the Arboretum's collections in the fall.
Join Matthew Battles, editor of Arnoldia, the Arnold Arboretum's quarterly magazine, for an immersive workshop to practice writing under, about, and in collaboration with trees.
Join docent Lisa Gaquin for a brisk early morning walk along the inside perimeter of the Arboretum. This 3.5 mile walk will be fast-paced, energetic, and will involve walking over hills and rough terrain. Note that this is not a traditional tour: you may hear some information about individual trees and history, but the main goal is to get outside and get some exercise!
Peters Hill, Arnold Arboretum, 125 Arborway, Boston
Bring your family and friends to Peters Hill for an afternoon of free tours, crafts, family activities, and more! Did we mention free ice cream and bubbles? Free activities open to all ages include:
Tours of Peters Hill offered in both English and Spanish
Plant information tents featuring wildflowers and plant defenses, fascinating Arboretum plant highlights, know-how of Arboretum experts, and a rich assortment of cuttings to view up close
Ice cream, art activities, lawn games, StoryWalks®, and more!...
The Arboretum is teeming with coyotes, hawks, deer, turkeys, and more. These animals can be elusive, but they leave behind tracks and other signs of their presence. Learn to identify these signs and what they can tell us about wildlife behavior with Certified Wildlife Tracker and Naturalist Hillary Lisowski.
Hunnewell Building, Arnold Arboretum, 125 Arborway, Boston
Families need nature at all times of the year! Learn about the beautiful redwing blackbirds that have returned to the North Meadow. Wear a redwing blackbird cape, go on a StoryWalk® about wild birds, get a redwing blackbird tattoo, and learn about bird songs in the Arboretum.
Frederick Law Olmsted, considered the father of landscape architecture, designed some 500 public spaces in North America. The Arnold Arboretum, the only arboretum he designed, is a National Historic Landmark and a model for others around the world. Arboretum docent, Bill Beizer, will identify the elements of the Arnold Arboretum that best reflect Olmsted's philosophy and approach to landscape design.
Break out your binoculars and see what kinds of birds the Arboretum has to offer in late winter. Join Curatorial Assistant and birding enthusiast Adam Banks to get some fresh air, look for and listen for local birds, and re-familiarize yourself with the birds here before migration season starts in the spring.
Stay connected to nature and enjoy the health benefits of a winter walk at the Arnold Arboretum. Docents will cover seasonal interest, Arboretum history, and our plant collections.
Please dress for the weather, including footwear. Roads are plowed but not salted and walks may venture onto woodland paths. After your tour, warm up with a hot drink and further conversation with your docent and Arboretum Visitor Staff.
Stay connected to nature and enjoy the health benefits of a winter walk at the Arnold Arboretum. Docents will cover seasonal interest, Arboretum history, and our plant collections.
Please dress for the weather, including footwear. Roads are plowed but not salted and walks may venture onto woodland paths. After your tour, warm up with a hot drink and further conversation with your docent and Arboretum Visitor Staff.
This winter bird walk is an hour and a half ramble, suitable for beginners as well as more experienced birders. It will be led by Bob Mayer, Arboretum docent and intrepid birder. The Arnold Arboretum is an excellent landscape to see those year-round birds who remain with us in Massachusetts. Bring binoculars if you have them, and download a checklist of birds from our website.
The walk is geared toward adults, and starts from the Arborway Gate at 125 Arborway.
Stay connected to nature and enjoy the health benefits of a winter walk at the Arnold Arboretum. Docents will cover seasonal interest, Arboretum history, and our plant collections.
Please dress for the weather, including footwear. Roads are plowed but not salted and walks may venture onto woodland paths. After your tour, warm up with a hot drink and further conversation with your docent and Arboretum Visitor Staff.
Spruces and hemlocks and pines, oh my! Take a walk and use a hand lens to see the intricacies of evergreen needles and cones. You will be surprised at something you’ve never noticed before.
The walking portion of this program will be a mile on moderately sloped woodchips, gravel, and paved paths. In the event of inclement weather, registrants will be notified. For more information, please call (617) 384-5209.
Stay connected to nature and enjoy the health benefits of a winter walk at the Arnold Arboretum. Docents will cover seasonal interest, Arboretum history, and our plant collections.
Please dress for the weather, including footwear. Roads are plowed but not salted and walks may venture onto woodland paths. After your tour, warm up with a hot drink and further conversation with your docent and Arboretum Visitor Staff.
Join us for a tour of the proposed Roslindale Gateway Path: an accessible shared-use pedestrian and cycling path through the Arnold Arboretum. When complete, this path will provide a missing pedestrian link between Forest Hills Subway Station and Roslindale Village Commuter Rail Station, offering carbon-free commuting options and connecting Boston residents with the natural spaces in their own neighborhoods. Come learn about this collaborative project with the Arboretum's Head of Operations and Project Management, Danny Schissler.
Join us for a family hike as we explore the winter landscape to find something beautiful to each of us. We will go through varied parts of the landscape, including a forested area and an exploration of the ponds, looking at things large and small. Our route includes a short uphill hike, but we can amend the pathway to be flatter and more even as participants require.