Named one of the Top 10 gardens in America by USA Today, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a Twin Cities natural treasure. Its 1,137 acres encompass 32 specialty gardens, extensive plant collections and natural areas, not to mention the Maze Garden, an intriguing attraction for all ages. The Arboretum's Oswald Visitor Center features an art gallery, gift store and an airy upstairs restaurant. Wine and beer served in restaurant, and Happy Hour Thursdays mid-April-Oct. and mid-Nov.-Dec. from 4:30-6 p.m. Open year-round, closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. The Arboretum celebrates nature's glory in all seasons, with an ever-changing array of exhibits and events. In the fall, visitors can enjoy Autumn Unplugged , a collection of scarecrows as well as a lively "Pumpkin Palooza" display. Celebrate the holidays with Making Spirits Bright featuring live music and the Great Hall of naturally decorated trees, festive outdoor decorated landscapes, indoor gingerbread displays, holiday teas and gourmet dinners Winter showcases the outdoors with trails for guided winter hikes, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing; along with indoor conservatory, art gallery shows, photo exhibits and even exhibits such as orchids bring a touch of the tropics . Spring and summer are a celebration for the senses as the gardens blossom and the earth renews in dramatic color and shape. Don't miss the Spring 2010 Big Build by Patrick Dougherty, as an immense environmental sculpture made of twigs and saplings takes shape outside the Visitor Center. The summer ushers in Powerhouse PlantsÑnot your garden-variety superheroes exhibition, demonstrating how food and bio energy fuel the body, life and imagination. The Arboretum's Learning Center boasts a "please-touch" greenhouse, weekend family fun programs, daycamps and classes for all ages on gardening, cooking, botanical arts and more. . There's something for everyone at the Arb!
 
The annual Gala in the Garden is held in mid-June and Toast & Taste in the Garden fundraiser is in late JulyÑwith all proceeds benefitting the Arboretum.
 
Admission
Adults - $9
15 & under - free
Members - free
From April through October,Thursdays are 2 for 1 admission after 4:30 p.m., with the third Thursday free for all after 4:30 p.m. From November-March, admission is free all day Thursdays.
 
Hours
Visitor Center:
November-April: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 10 a.m to 4:30 p.m. Sunday.
May-October: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday; 10 am.to 6 p.m. Sunday.
 
Arboretum grounds are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. or sunset (whichever is first). Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
 
Special hours for SummerHouse and AppleHouse summer and fallÑfeaturing fresh local produce, garden gifts, University meats and cheeses, Arboretum apples, pumpkin and squash and more. Located west of Arboretum on Hwy. 5.
 
Touring the Arboretum
Guided tours: Motorized Trumpet Creeper Tram available May - October (tickets available in Oswald Viitor Center) or free walking garden tours ;monthly regular guided walks schedule varies by month.

• 12.5 miles of paved garden paths and wood-chipped hiking trails
• 11 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails
• 3 miles of snowshoe trails
• Walk, bike or drive Three-Mile Drive