Just 30 minutes from Downtown Boston is a gem of the city. Arnold Arboretum, occupying 281 acres of Jamaica Plain and beyond, is a natural oasis in Boston. The arboretum boasts a collection of over 15,000 plants, including 100s of gorgeous cherry blossom trees!
It’s one of the top spots in Boston to explore the cherry blossoms, which are expected to bloom in just a few weeks.
About the Arnold Arboretum
Established in 1872, the arboretum’s mission remains the same today, nearly 200 years later. According to Harvard University, which owns and operates the arboretum, notes, “the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University is a museum of trees teaching the world about plants.”
The Arnold Arboretum offers an inside look into the natural world, completely free! It’s reported to host among the world’s most comprehensive and best documented collections of temperate woody plants, with particular focus on the floras of eastern North America and eastern Asia.
Cherry blossom lane
Arnold Arboretum also boasts a cherry blossom lane, which has dozens and dozens of cherry blossoms, from weeping to winding and pink to white. The arboretum is completely free and open year-round, making it an excellent spot to enjoy the changing seasons of Boston, particularly from the park summit at Peters Hill, which offers one of the best skyline views of Boston layered with the arboretum’s acres and acres of foliage.
Trails at Arnold Arboretum
Despite its vast 281-acre size, the arboretum only includes two main accessible trails, to make traveling around it stress-free and fun. The Arnold Arboretum Trail is a popular 3.6-mile loop with a 324-foot elevation gain, providing a comprehensive walk through the collections. For a longer walk, take the Boston Walking City Trail, a 5.7-mile route with a 446-foot elevation gain.
The best scenic vistas are atop Bussey Hill and Peters Hill.
