8 Botanical Gardens & Arboretums Around Philadelphia

Sue Krawitz Tandoc:  A year round, tropical Butterfly Atrium with more than 400 butterflies make Hershey Gardens a favorite of children. Family fun awaits as kids can take part in special crafts and activities, scavenger hunts and create masterpiece coloring pages. The children's garden offers 32 themed gardens for endless fun.

Spanning more than 1,100 acres, Longwood Gardens showcase horticultural splendor, intricate fountain systems, architectural grandeur, and so much more. Fun activities abound for guests all of ages.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc:  Winterthur offers 1,000 acres of outdoor and indoor fun for families. Kids can see and hear animals such as frogs, koi and chipmunks, play hide and seek, stroll through the gardens and enchanted forest, play inside the Touch-It Room, visit the library and galleries, take a train ride, enjoy a picnic lunch and more. There are many family programs and special events throughout the year as well as special exhibits.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc:  The Long Walk at Nemours Mansion is filled with pink flowering horse chestnuts and pin oaks and reaches from the Mansion to the Reflecting Pool. The 1 acre pool contains 157 jets that shoot water 12 feet into the air, to the squealing delight of any child. All tours are self guided.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc:  Filled with kid-friendly features, the Tyler Arboretum is 650 acres of wholesome natural fun. There are hiking trails through woodlands, meadows and streams, plants, flowers, herbs, trees, plants and historic buildings.

Special features include a fragrant garden, vegetable garden, Thoreau's cabin, Magical Path, Crooked Goblin Shack, treehouses, Butterfly House and Stopford Family Meadow Maze. Special events are featured throughout the year.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc:  The Jenkins Arboretum offers a 1.2 mile walkway through a natural botanical garden setting of plants, trees, shrubs, and flowers. There is an Education Center open during peak times. The venue offers workshops, educational displays and arts and craft shows. There is a gift shop onsite.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc:  Explore the majestic beauty of Chanticleer Garden, the hidden gem in Wayne, PA. This walking garden will delight children and families with its many paths, reflection pool, numerous plants, flowers and trees, vegetable garden, walking bridge with a cute little treehouse, Koi pond and greenhouse. There are many benches throughout to sit down and relax.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc:  The Scott Arboretum is a blend of horticultural and botanical gems that feature the diversity of the Delaware Valley. Featured collections include magnolia, cherry, conifer and more. On the grounds of Swarthmore College, children will experience a view of the beauty that higher education can offer. Staff led tours are available and there are special events throughout the year such as seasonal celebrations.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc:  Morris Arboretum offers family fun for all ages with exhibits such as Out on a Limb, Bird's Nest, Tree Adventure, log cabin and more. A garden railway exhibit is open seasonally and sometimes features Thomas the Train.

The Arboretum offers over 12,000 plants, birds year round, rose garden, fountains and more. Kids will enjoy the fun play and educational opportunity of Arboretum Adventure. Special events take place throughout the year.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc:  The oldest surviving botanical garden in North America, the 45 acres of Bartram's Garden encompasses parkland, wetlands, plants, flowers, trees, meadow and historic buildings.

Family programs include Little Explorers, Homeschooler Days and Family Artists' Workshops. There are also musical performances and arts programs throughout the year. Check out Free Saturday Boating and Kayaking and other programs on the Schuylkill River.

Shofuso is a 17th-century style Japanese house and nationally-ranked garden in Philadelphia’s West Fairmount Park that reflects the history of Japanese culture in Philadelphia, from the 1876 Centennial Exposition to the installation of its contemporary paintings in 2007.

Juan L.:  This beautiful wildflower preserve contains over 700 native plant species and 2.5 miles of trails winding through breathtaking meadows and trees. Your little one will love walking down by the lovely streams and ponds. Bowman's Hill has a variety of unique attractions for kids: the bird observatory offers a scavenger hunt, play "leaf bingo" in Penn's woods, and check out Green's Labyrinth -- which may become your child's favorite place in the entire world.

Sue Krawitz Tandoc:  Grounds for Sculpture is where art meets nature. Over 270 sculptures are placed throughout 42 acres of gorgeous trees and lavish flowers. Special events such as concerts, dance performances and poetry readings are offered as well as hands-on art workshops for children and families.