The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University is the privately-operated arboretum facility of Boston's most famous university, originally founded in 1872 and designed by legendary landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted as part of the city's Emerald Necklace park loop. The arboretum, which spans 281 acres throughout the Boston neighborhoods of Roslindale and Jamaica Plain, is open to the public for free 365 days a year during daylight hours, with seasonal hours offered for its indoor facilities. Gorgeous flora collections include extensive maple, lilac, crabapple, and bonsai collections, showcased alongside spacious flowering meadows and plantings of coniferous plants from around the world. A visitor center offers additional information and exhibits on the facility's plantings, with public workshops and lectures offered periodically. Free weekend tours are offered seasonally, led by experienced arboretum docents.
The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, 125 Arborway, Boston, MA 02130, Phone: 617-524-1718