If you love nature, visiting the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens is one of the best things to do in Dallas! In this post, we’ll go over Dallas Arboretum tickets, hours, prices, discounts, events, membership and anything else you could ever want to know!
As always, feel free to skip the “Our Experience” section and go straight to the information.
Our Experience:
We recently visited the Dallas Arboretum for Mother’s Day. It was absolutely fantastic excursion! With our HUGE picnic basket in hand, no questions asked, we entered the Plaza, where we were greeted by a small, bustling market. After buying some artisan jam and pies (DELICIOUS!), we found a lovely grove only a minute away from the entrance and plopped down underneath a canopy of shaded trees. From there, we rolled out our picnic blankets and enjoyed the day.
The afternoon was filled with laughter as we talked, ate, danced to music, and played Yatzhee (an old family favorite). We had so much fun, that to our chagrin, we forgot to explore most of the gardens! Not that we could have explored everything anyway. The Dallas Arboretum is 66 acres! The few acres we did see were beautiful. We spent a little over half an hour exploring and soaking in the greenery. According to Mom, it was an unforgettable Mother’s Day.
Dallas Arboretum Location, Hours and Gates:
- Dallas Arboretum Location
- Gate 1-3: The Gardens: 8525 Garland Rd, Dallas, TX 75218
- Gate 4: Parking Garage: 8720 Garland Road, Dallas, TX 75218
- Dallas Arboretum Hours
- Open: 9am-5pm for everyone
- Open: 7am for Members ONLY Spring through Fall
- Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day
- Dallas Arboretum Gates
- Gate 1: Main Entrance and Parking Lot
- Gate 2: Private Entrance (Don’t go here, it’s private.)
- Gate 3: Children’s Garden/Drop-off Location (Probs don’t park here either.)
- Gate 4: Parking Garage
Dallas Arboretum Tickets and Prices:
This one is a little tricky. What you need to remember is that Dallas Arboretum ticket prices depend on the time of year. Additionally, unless you’re getting dropped off, you probably have to purchase parking. The Children’s Adventure Garden also costs an additional $3.
Okay now that we have that sorted, here it is:
- GeneralAdmission
- January 2nd—February 18th: $5 per person
- April 11th—July 31st: $16 per adult, $14 per senior and $10 per child (2-12)
- August 1st—August 31st: $3 per person
- November 1st—November 7th: $5 per person
- Every Other Day: $20 per adult, $16 per senior and $12 per child (2-12)
NOTE: Teachers and educators (K-12) get in FREE. Learn more here.
- Children’s Adventure Garden
- May 14, 15, 28, 29, and 30th: FREE
- June 18–20: FREE
- July 2–4: FREE
- September 3, 4, 5, 10, 11: FREE
- November 11, 12, 13: FREE
- Every Other Day: $3
- Parking
- August 1st—August 31st: $5-6 per vehicle
- Every Other Day:
- $15 per vehicle if purchased on-site.
- $11 per vehicle if purchased online.
- NOTE: Purchase parking at the same time you purchase your Dallas Arboretum tickets online here.
For more on Dallas Arboretum tickets, click here. For more on Dallas Arboretum parking, click here. To learn more about Dallas Arboretum discounts, keep reading.
Dallas Arboretum Discounts:
Assuming you’re not visiting the gardens during August (when admission is only $3) or January, February or November (when admission is sometimes $5), you might be looking for a deal. Don’t worry! We’ve got you covered. You can check out the official discount page here or read the list of discounts below.
- Buy 1, Get 1 Free Admission (AKA BOGO Wednesdays)
- Available on selected Wednesdays during:
- June 1-29
- September 21-October 26
- November 9-16 & 30
- December 7, 14 & 28
- Not valid with discounted admission prices
- Available on selected Wednesdays during:
- Military, Veterans and First Responders
- FREE admission on Veteran’s Day with valid photo ID
- 10% discount on Dallas Arboretum membership with valid ID
- Seniors (65 years and older)
- $1 off admission on Thursdays
- 20% discount in Gift Store.
- Teachers and Educators (grades K-12)
- FREE daytime admission (9am-5pm) with valid school ID (Parking fees apply)
- To reserve your Dallas Arboretum tickets ahead of time, please send a picture of your school ID to [email protected]
- 10% discount on Dallas Arboretum membership with valid ID
Dallas Arboretum Parking:
Generally, the Arboretum checks for parking passes. Additionally, it costs more to buy parking on-site than online. So, buy your Dallas Arboretum tickets and parking passes BEFORE you go to the gardens.
Now, you’re probably thinking— “I wonder if there’s free parking near Dallas Arboretum?”
Hmmm, kinda sorta. Someone on Tripadviser swore by parking at White Rock YMCA and taking the free bus service to and from the Arboretum. And, according to Google Maps, there is a 13-minute bus connecting the two locations. The reviewer wrote, “the buses are beautiful and have great service.” Another option that we heard suggested was to skip the shuttle all together, and park at the 7/11 or the Exxon Gas station which is about an 11-minute walk away. Our personal advice…pay for parking and avoid the hassle. P.S. In case you forgot, parking is $5-6 per vehicle through August, and costs $15-11 every other day. You can purchase parking with your Dallas Arboretum tickets online here.
Dallas Arboretum Dining:
If you have neither the time or patience to pack an elaborate picnic (both regrettable and entirely understandable), it’s OK. The Dallas Arboretum has excellent food options to accommodate your appetite. Check out the menus and details here, but following is a quick overview for your convenience:
- April 18—September 16 | Seated Garden Tea
- Daily seating at 11am & 2pm. This is a seasonal experience that offers a three-course tea menu designed by Chef James Sparks. Only available to guests 13 years and older. Reservations required.
- June 16 & 18, July 14 & 16 | Children’s Tea
- Seating at 2pm. Children’s Tea is also a seasonal experience that offers a three-course tea menu. It is a special event open to children and is sure to be memorable. Reservations required.
- Year-Round | DeGolyer Indoor Tea Room
- Open daily from 11am–3pm (closed May 17-19). Less enchanting than the Seated Garden Tea, but just as delicious. Enjoy an “exquisite” menu inspired by Chef James inside the historic DeGolyer House.
- Year-Round | DeGolyer Outdoor Loggia
- Open daily from 11am–3pm (closed May 17-19). First-class menu features delicious meals inspired by Chef James Sparks. Outdoor seating with temperature control. Alcoholic beverages available for purchase.
- Year-Round | Lula Mae Slaughter Dining Terrace
- Open daily from 10am–4pm. Order something quick and convenient at the sandwich counter and enjoy your meal on the terrace, soaking in a fantastic view of White Rock Lake and downtown Dallas. Alcoholic beverages available for purchase.
- Year-Round | Café on the Green
- Weather permitting, open daily from 10:30am–3pm, and until 4pm on the weekend. You can enjoy casual outdoor dining and special seasonal items while listening to recorded or live music. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase.
- Spring and Fall | Grilled Cheese Sandwich Kiosk
- Weather permitting, open daily from 10:30am–3pm, and until 4pm on the weekend. Convenient, affordable and delicious.
Dallas Arboretum Gardens:
The Dallas Arboretum is 66 acres and has about 20 separate gardens. If you want to see everything the garden has to offer, we recommend blocking off 3 hours. Below are some of the most popular gardens.
- Lay Family Garden: This one is an absolute must. It is very gorgeous, and all the water artworks are phenomenal. Did we mention the waterfall and the koi fish? 😃 This garden is unique, peaceful, instagrammable and many other positive adjectives. It was our favorite garden.
- A Woman’s Garden: This Garden is a fan favorite. It features distinct statues bearing powerful messages, an infinity pool and fountains filled with floating flowers. To top it all off, there you can see and capture White Rock Lake just beyond the infinity pool.
- Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden: This Garden is a standout! The additional $3 you have to pay to enter, is totally worth it! 😅 The Garden covers 8-acres, has tons of outdoor galleries and interactive activities centering around life and earth science, and provides yet another gorgeous view of White Rock Lake. Some of the interactive activities are led by an instructor from the Arboretum. Last but not least, there’s a delightful edible section of the Garden that teaches children where food comes from and how to grow it.
- McCasland Sunken Garden: The Sunken Garden is literally sunk into the ground. You will traverse a staircase to enter into a beautiful, cozy enclave. This extremely popular, picturesque garden has a charming, mystical air. Hang out on the lawn by the fountain. Or if you’re getting married, consider it for a venue.
- A Tasteful Place: Here you can find a vegetable and herb garden. But, the real draw of A Tasteful Place, are the tasty things that come out of the kitchen. There are often free tastings and cooking demos using sustainable, locally grown food. We definitely recommend prioritizing this garden. Check the Arboretum’s calendar here to see what’s on the menu!
These Gardens are our top 5 to visit, but there are many other appealing gardens too! For example:
- Crape Myrtle Allee (super instagrammable),
- Chandler Lindsley Shadow Garden (offers a ton of shade),
- Margaret Elizabeth Jonsson Color Garden (flaunts vibrant flowers and plants),
- Nancy Rutchik Red Maple Rill (has 80+ Japanese red maples),
- And much, much more!
If you want to learn more about all the gardens and fully visualize your trip, take a virtual tour. Dallas Arboretum has taken the liberty of filming all of its highlights. Just click here and virtually visit the garden of your choice. And, if you don’t want to spoil the scenery but still need something to satisfy your inner planner, click here to view sample Dallas Arboretum itineraries.
Dallas Arboretum Events:
Seasonal Events:
The Dallas Arboretum loves and recognizes every season of the year. Without fail, the gardens transform at least four times annually. You can watch videos of each transformation or read about the seasonal shifts below.
- Autumn: Pumpkins and gourds everywhere! Fall at Dallas Arboretum means entering into a Pumpkin Village, featuring pumpkin houses. The arboretum uses a mind-boggling 90,000 pumpkins and gourds! There are themed events throughout the season including but not limited to a hay bale maze and a pumpkin patch. There is also a huge Halloween celebration later in the season!
- Spring: Honestly, this is probably our favorite season to go simply because it is so colorful. The Arboretum also pulls out all the stops for this one, hosting Dallas Blooms—a season-long festival with over 500,000 tulips, live music, food, wine, and beer tastings. It’s the botanical gardens of your dreams.
- Summer: It’s a topiary extravaganza! During summer, you can view expertly shaped evergreens and stand in awe of horticulture at its finest. There are also a ton of events as well as frozen dessert stands lining the sidewalks to keep you cool. To top it all off, July and August boast cheap $3-5 admission to the garden.
- Winter: Last but not least, we have Holiday at the Arboretum. One dozen Victorian-style gazebos are decorated to reflect the 12 Days of Christmas. Guests have the opportunity to visit Christmas Village where they can shop, eat, drink and hang with Santa. The best part of this season is the evenings. At night, the gardens light up with over a million lights.
Regular Events:
The Dallas Arboretum runs so many events, it’s hard to keep track of them all! There are markets, tastings, cooking classes, concerts, fairs, expos and probably a dozen other things. In our humble opinion, the Arboretum’s website is a bit difficult to traverse. But, if you follow the links in this post, you can’t get lost.
- First things first, check out the calendar! The calendar reveals all, and by checking it, you ensure the best garden experience. Pay close attention around holidays too! There is almost always something special going on. For example, when we went on Mother’s Day, there was face painting, food stands, a market, a petting zoo and probably something else we’re forgetting. The calendar had all the details.
- After you check out the calendar, you might want to check out the Dallas Arboretum events and activities page. Here you will find all the on-going, seasonal events. In addition, you’ll also find any upcoming pop-up events.
- After browsing the event page, you might realize you’re really interested in Dallas Arboretum’s cooking classes and demos. In which case, you can go here to learn about all the food-related events. Make sure to scroll to the bottom of the page to look at “Upcoming Events.” Pay special attention to the Summer 2022 Chef-tastic cooking series which is FREE with general admission. There are also FREE Horticulture presentations.
Programs:
The Dallas Arboretum values education highly, and it shows through their vast array of programs. They have summer camps, outreach programs, after-school programs, homeschool programs, FREE garden STEM at home lessons, overnight visits, girl scout and boy scout specific offerings, and teacher professional learning workshops. Click here to learn more.
Dallas Arboretum Membership:
THIS IS IMPORTANT!!! If you love the Dallas Botanical Gardens and plan to go more than once a year with a group of family or friends, buy a family membership. At $148, the family membership is a steal! Membership covers year-round admission for six people and provides free parking. Thus, it pays for itself in two visits. So, we repeat, if you and your large group are planning to go to the Dallas Arboretum more than once a year, buy a family membership for $148.
To illustrate the cost-effectiveness of a membership, here’s our story – it’s short. We paid $107 for parking and six Dallas Arboretum tickets…on a discount day. If we had gone on a regular day and purchased parking on-site, it would have cost us $135. The Dallas Arboretum can be VERY expensive. But with a membership, it can be QUITE affordable.
The individual membership is $101 and only allows you to bring one guest. So, you can skip this package without regret. But that family membership is an awesome deal!
$148 Family Membership
- FREE year-round general admission for you and five guests of your choice
- FREE parking for up to two vehicles
- 12 complimentary admission tickets to Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden
- Reduced prices for special Dallas Arboretum events and classes
- Express entry during major events
- Discount at Dallas Arboretum Gift Store (both physical and online)
- Merchant Discount at specific nurseries like Calloways (subject to location)
- Membership is tax deductible by law
Seriously, re-read those benefits, learn more and purchase a membership.
Summary (TL;DR):
Dallas Arboretum is huge, beautiful and an ideal place for a picnic featuring board games. It is generally open Mon-Sun from 9am to 5pm, and prices vary based on the season. Check out the prices here, browse discounts here, and buy Dallas Arboretum tickets here. Purchase tickets and parking BEFORE you go. Give yourself 3 hours if you want to visit all of the gardens, and make sure to check out the calendar for special events! Last but not least, if you’re visiting in a large group, buy a membership if you plan on going to the arboretum more than once a year. At $148, the family membership covers year-round admission for six people and provides free parking. Thus, it pays for itself in two visits.
FAQ:
- What is the Dallas Arboretum?
- One of the best botanical gardens in the nation, spanning an entire 66 acres.
- Is there free parking near Dallas Arboretum?
- Sort-of. Check out our parking breakdown section here.
- Are there any Dallas Arboretum free days?
- No. But there are discounts. Check out our discount breakdown section here.
- Dallas Arboretum Food…How does that work?
- You can bring your own food. As a matter of fact, we recommend it! However, there are also dining options on-site. You can visit those options, here.
- What are the Dallas Arboretum picnic rules?
- According to the Dallas Arboretum website, “you can bring your own picnic basket with food, snacks and any drinks. Visitors may picnic anywhere on the grounds, except in dining areas… Food is allowed only in specified areas in the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden. Wagons are allowed at the Arboretum and are also currently available for rent.”
- What isn’t allowed in the Dallas Arboretum?
- Don’t bring dogs, kites, frisbees, roller skates, balloons, or balls. You also can’t grill, smoke, play amplified music, walk in the garden beds, climb the trees, pick the flowers, or play in the water features.
- What’s this I hear about a Rainy-Day Guarantee?
- If rain ruins your Arboretum visit, you can get a voucher to revisit the grounds. The voucher is good for 3 months.
- Can you point me to a Dallas Arboretum Map?
- Sure thing! Click here!
If you’ve read this far, congratulations! You are now fully prepared to buy your Dallas Arboretum tickets, throw a picnic, play some games, and take lots of pictures, and if you have an extra minute or two, let us know how it goes. We’d tell you to have fun, but we already know you will. 😉
Goodbye, until next time, and if you want to see more posts like this, make sure to subscribe to our email list where we describe everything to do in DFW!
P.S. If you want to learn more about us, visit our About page here, and if there’s some place in DFW that you want to know more about, shoot us an email and we’ll probably review the venue.