Arborwhat? Discover a place for families to explore the great outdoors together

It’s not a forest. It’s not a museum. And it’s certainly not a mausoleum. What it is is a public treasure, and it’s located right in the heart of Western North Carolina.

Surrounded by the lush folds of the botanically diverse Southern Appalachian Mountains in Asheville, the North Carolina Arboretum is adjacent to the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway and is nestled in one of the most beautiful natural settings in America. The 434-acre public garden serves as a living classroom for all ages to experience the great outdoors and explore how plants are important to our world.

A walk through one of the Arboretum’s cultivated gardens is a low-key way for families to reconnect with nature. Considered a signature garden of the Arboretum, the Quilt Garden is a unique interpretation of traditional quilt block patterns with plants, representing the close ties between heritage crafts and gardening and the contemporary art and craft of quilting in the Southern Appalachian region. The garden consists of 24 in-ground beds divided by gravel and slate walkways. Families can enjoy exploring the garden up close via the path walkways as well as from an observation area that provides a stunning overview of the entire garden.

There are more than 10 miles of hiking and biking trails on the Arboretum grounds, making it a popular destination for amblers and athletes alike. Most trails are easy to moderate in difficulty, and are suitable for all ages. For a more in-depth experience, families can join a guided walk led by an interpretive guide. Available on Tuesday and Saturday afternoons for $3 per adult and $2 per child, the walks take groups along woodland trails and through a variety of forest types. Depending on the season, topics of discussion include wildflower and plant identification, natural history and tree lore, and the cultural and land use history of the Arboretum campus, which is adjacent to the Bent Creek Experimental Forest.

While visitors may find giant trees in the forest, a grove of tiny trees is housed in the Arboretum’s special bonsai garden. The botanically diverse collection is unlike any other. Represented are traditional Asian bonsai subjects such as Japanese maple and Chinese elm; tropical plants such as willow-leaf fig and powderpuff; and American species such as bald cypress and limber pine. Of particular importance are the plants native to the Blue Ridge region, such as American hornbeam and eastern white pine, which enable the Arboretum to bring the thousand-year tradition of bonsai home to the mountains of Western North Carolina.

Indoor exhibits at The North Carolina Arboretum provide engaging experiences for families no matter the weather. Traveling exhibitions from around the country are featured at the Baker Exhibit Center and provide interactive enrichment for all ages and interests. The Education Center of the Arboretum displays exhibits throughout the year by artists and craftspeople that highlight the region’s rich cultural heritage and crafts industry. Families can also learn about local plants and animals in the Nature Discovery Room at the EcoLab, located at the ground floor of the Education Center. Exhibits in the self-led space include “Birds of Western North Carolina,” which offers a wildlife feeding station and indoor viewing platform; “Amphibians and Reptiles of Western North Carolina,” featuring live specimens commonly seen at the Arboretum and surrounding areas housed in realistic habitats; and “Insects of Western North Carolina,” highlighting a collection of over 50 locally-collected butterflies.

According to Jonathan Marchal, K-12 Education Coordinator for the Arboretum, the public garden has emerged as a leader in providing outdoor recreational and educational opportunities for schools, youth groups and families in the region. “More than 376,000 visitors enjoy the Arboretum each year, as well as over 11,000 students participating in guided outdoor learning experiences from Arboretum educators,” said Marchal. “Numerous studies have shown that time spent outdoors is beneficial to mental, physical and emotional health of children, and by encouraging families to spend time outdoors the entire family shares these benefits.”

Established in 1986 by the General Assembly as an affiliate of the University of North Carolina, the Arboretum was founded nearly a century after Frederick Law Olmsted, the ‘Father of American Landscape Architecture’, first envisioned such an institution near Asheville as part of his legacy to the Biltmore Estate. The Arboretum celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.

The Arboretum is open every day this spring and summer from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. The Baker Exhibit Center, Education Center, and Bonsai Exhibition Garden are open Monday through Sunday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Parking is $8 per personal vehicle, $30 per commercial vehicle, and $50 for buses. Annual memberships are also available for individuals and families. For more information, visit ncarboretum.org.