Welcome Spring with Your Family

Celebrate spring with your child by visiting a local garden or arboretum.

The Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania is just a short drive to Philadelphia. The arboretum features 92 acres of lush gardens, decorative sculptures, and trees native to China, Japan, Korea, North America, Europe and the Mediterranean. It offers self-guided tours, guided tours, and special events and exhibits geared toward families.

Perhaps the most popular exhibit is the new interactive Tree Adventure exhibit, which features a 450-foot long walkway that towers 50 feet above the ground. This structure, aptly named "Out on a Limb," gives visitors a bird’s-eye view of the trees and plants below.

The Tree Adventure exhibit examines the relationship between plants and people. The central theme is that people depend on trees, and trees depend on people.  

While exploring the arboretum, your family will not only enjoy the visually stunning gardens, but will also learn about the important role trees and plants play in our environment.

Longwood Gardens is located about 30 minutes southwest of Philadelphia, and it boasts over 1,000 acres of meadows, woodlands and gardens.

Visit Longwood Gardens by March 27 and you'll have the opportunity to experience a stunning showcase of orchids on display in over 20 rooms inside the Conservatory. In addition to the orchid exhibit, there are over 11,00o varieties of plants for your family to view and learn about.

Discovery stations, gardener demonstrations and plant walks will educate your child about nature, ecology and the history of Longwood Gardens. The new Indoor Children's Garden offers yet another opportunity for children to interact with and learn about plants.

Another special feature geared toward young visitors is the Bee-aMazed Children's Garden located in Longwood’s outdoor Idea Garden. This honeybee-inspired garden includes the Honeycomb Maze and Buzz Trail, where children learn about the life of a honeybee.

Also part of the Idea Garden is the Flower Fountain, which allows children to learn about the five basic parts of a flower while getting their hands wet in the fountain's jets.

If you're looking for a special way to celebrate spring with your family, take a day trip to the Morris Arboretum or Longwood Gardens, and learn about the beauty and importance of nature.