Pack a picnic and spend the day at Holden Arboretum, located in Kirkland, Ohio! There is so much to explore and see including gardens, miles of trails, a canopy walk, 120 foot high tower, special exhibits, and more at Holden Arboretum. This is a must-see NE Ohio attraction for families with kids of all ages.
There is no better way to enjoy the great outdoors than at Holden Arboretum. There is so much to see and do, we’ve visited two times this season so far and haven’t even touched on it all!
The gardens are stunning with blooms throughout the season. I couldn’t stop taking pictures of the blossoms!
The gardens are spread apart with multiple variations of that garden’s theme to explore and enjoy. They call it “biodiversity” where they showcase a variety of life and connectedness among species – I call it beautiful. I do like how they incorporate Ohio native plants to the landscapes because #1 it provides habitat, food, and nectar sources for Ohio wildlife and pollinators. #2 I like the inspiration for my own home gardening!
There are miles and miles of trails. Around the gardens, most are paved – stroller and wheelchair friendly – and then off of those trails, you’ll find trails that climb up into another section or more primitive trails that run into the woods.
There is so much to explore that each trip, you’ll find something new like this grafted tree that provides a secret retreat under it’s branches that my teens found.
There are miles and miles of trails to discover. We’ve only touched the outsides of each of the main areas of Holden Arboretum and we’ve probably spent at least 6 hours there so far. If you are in the mood for a garden tour, you can walk there or venture into the woodland forest, or along the lake!
Although there are many native species of plants and trees, there are so many varieties that I’ve never seen and just marvel at too!
There are several ponds and a larger lake too. The vegetation there offers its own unique beauty.
And wildlife! We were excited to see this guy crawling out of the pond!
Ohio Forest Canopy Walk
Holden Arboretum offers a canopy walk included with your admission. Stroll along the 500′ long elevated walkway that’s 65′ above the forest floor! This is an amazing way to enjoy the beauty of the forest! You’ll see new sights as you are walking among the treetops!
Emergent Tower
Another must-see is the Emergent Tower! Climb to the top of this 12 story high (120′) tall tower to enjoy breathtaking views!
This is another Ohio attraction that I encourage you to purchase a membership to because you’ll want to go back again and again. From Akron, it’s only about a 45 minute drive, so a very easy drive to enjoy nature at least a few times this summer. A bonus for members is that you can enjoy the outdoor gardens even on Monday when they are closed to the public. That is when we’ve visited the first 2 times so far. The downside is that the tower and canopy walk is closed on Mondays, so we plan to go back very soon to experience both!
Throughout the gardens, there are so many surprises like these little ferry homes made out of tree stumps – something I’d love to try at home!
This Stickwork creation by Patrick Dougherty was a surprise! It has twisting mazes, towering castles, and hedges full of faces—all completely made from willow sticks and branches.
So far, we’ve spent our 24th wedding anniversary and my birthday at Holden Arboretum this summer and it was just such a fun outing for both. Be sure to bring a camera or charge your phone because it’s the perfect place to take selfies and pictures of your kids enjoying nature!
Kids Attraction at Holden Arboretum
Holden Arboretum is always offering something new to see and explore. They offers classes, photo sessions, special hikes and more. Right now, they have a fun maze called Mission Botanica where kids (and adults) can enjoy learning about plants, trees, and wildlife with an interactive maze.
There are things to discover around every corner.
There are opportunities for kids to climb, leap, hang, and fly with fun playground type activities throughout the maze.
There are learning opportunities too. Answer the question by choosing the path that represents your answer. You’ll soon find out if your answer is wrong by running into a deadend!
Plan your visit to Holden Arboretum now. Purchase tickets here. Or become a member so you can return for free all season long! Some memberships include free admission to the Cleveland Botanical Garden year-round access too!
There is a new membership called Access that’s only $25 for families using SNAP, WIC, Medicaid, or EBT benefits.
