10 Tips Every Visitor Should Know Before They Go

Visitors exploring the new Patrick Dougherty scultpure 'A Waltz in the Woods'.

Guest blogger, Kristen Bower recently set out on a solo visit of the Arboretum. After a leisurely outing, Kristen shared some great insight and tips for making the most of a day in the garden:

If you’d like to learn more about the Arboretum from an expert, you can take one of the weekend tours or you can explore on your own. You can walk briskly to get the heart rate going; you can spend extra time looking at, photographing, or sketching plants, trees, or insects; or you can sit on a bench and meditate or read.

Before you set out on your own, here are a few tips:

• Wear good walking shoes. Your feet will thank you for it.
• Wear a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
• Bring your membership card (or sign up! You get into the Arboretum free all year long, and receive discounts in the Shop, café, on classes, and local retailers – trust me, I use mine often!).
• Bring your camera, sketchbook, journal, a book to read, and/or binoculars, depending on your preference. You might even want to bring a magnifying glass to get a closer look at flowers, bark, mosses, insects, etc.
• Bring some water or a bottle to fill up at the water fountains. You also might want to bring a small snack, such as a granola bar.
• Pack bug spray, just in case, you are out in nature after all!
• Download one or more of the various self-guided tour maps from the Morris Arboretum website.
• Bring a backpack, if needed. I tend to have enough things with me that a backpack is helpful.
• Pick up a map of the Arboretum at the Visitor Center before you get started.
• Have fun and explore!”