The Dallas Arboretum has lots of discounts for locals and visitors looking for some outdoor fun in one of the “10 Best Botanical Gardens for Families” (VacationIdea.com, 2015).
“We have plenty to do and to see during the hot days of summer, so pack your picnics, wear your walking shoes, and come visit us in the main garden as well as the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden, where science and fun become one for all ages,” said Bill Graue, Dallas Arboretum board chairman.
Flower Houses in Pecan Grove
Summer at the Arboretum, features “Flower Houses: Fairy Tales with a Texas Twist.”
Continuing the year-long “Deep in the Hearts of Texans” theme, the flower village features four topiary houses up to 15-feet-tall currently enveloped in red, white and blue flowers before transitioning into summer foliage.
Each house highlights a Texas-inspired fairy tale vignette-a picante gingerbread man dances around a babbling brook; Goldilocks’ irascible cousin finds herself behind the Pine Curtain, and stubborn livestock starts a chain of events causing a kerfuffle across the prairie.*
Summer at the Arboretum also includes a replica of the Rio Grande, a western covered chuck wagon, two life-size topiary horses, two large topiary longhorn cattle, affectionately named “Lone Star” and “Blue Bonnet,” and a hay bale maze embellishments. All summer long there will be activities, events and music for garden guests to enjoy.
Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden
Those young and young-at-heart are invited to learn about science and nature in the eight-acre Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden. In addition to the daily activities including hands-on labs and tours of the various galleries, there are special events taking place all summer. Check online for daily activities.
Summer at the Dallas Arboretum Family Fun Fridays
June 5, 12, 19 & 26 and July 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Plan the family’s summertime adventures at the Arboretum on Fridays in June and July in the Pecan Grove. Join other families for kid-friendly activities that include face painting, a petting zoo and music for the little ones in the shady Pecan Grove-topped off with a cool spray of water in the Toad Fountains. All activities are included with paid garden admission.
WFAA Family First Day in the Rory Meyers Children’s Garden
Saturday, June 13, Activities 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Puppet shows, hands-on outdoor science experiments (in conjunction with Texas A&M University), collaborative tessellation assembly, and scenes from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (with the Dallas Junior Players) round out a family-centered day anchored by a special presentation with WFAA Meteorologist Greg Fields at the OmniGlobe.
For this day, admission to the RMCAG and main garden is $8 at the gate only with $8 parking available for advance purchase online. Hot dogs are just $2.
Special Summer Discounts for the Dallas Arboretum
Student Discounts: Monday-Friday, now through June 12, $5 admission after 3 p.m. with a valid student ID.
Wednesdays BOGO (Buy One Get One Free): Every Wednesday through July 29, buy one ticket, get one free, good at the ticket booth.
C.C. Young Senior Thursdays: Every Thursday, seniors 65 and older receive admission for $11 at the ticket booth plus a 20% Gift Store discount.
Bring a Friend Friday: 3rd Friday of the Month, now through July 31. Buy a regular paid admission and get one free with coupon found online.
YMCA Discount: $5 Admission with valid YMCA card, July 6-9 .
Scout Discount: Friday, July 31 for Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Brownies and Cubs wearing their scarves to receive free admission, plus 50% off for their families (up to 4 members). This discount is in honor of World Scout Day on August 1.
About the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens is located on the southeastern shore of White Rock Lake at 8525 Garland Road, Dallas, Texas 75218. The Dallas Arboretum is also the home of the internationally acclaimed Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden.
The Arboretum is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. General admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors 65 and older, $10 for children 3-12 and free for Arboretum members and children two and under.
There is an additional cost of $3 per person for entrance into the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden. On-site parking is $15; pre-purchased online parking is $8. The Dallas Morning News is the principal partner of the Dallas Arboretum. For more information, call 214.515.6500 or visit www.dallasarboretum.org.