Dallas Arboretum: A bloomin’ good time
Since 1984, the Dallas Arboretum has brought a wide world of horticulture to the citizens of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.
The 66-acre arboretum sits on the edge of White Rock Lake just north of downtown and contains a variety of beautiful and sometimes rare flowers, plants and trees, as well as water features and noteworthy architecture. One of the oldest trees in the park is almost 300 years old -- nearly 150 years before the City of Dallas itself was incorporated.
For a ride-by overview of the arboretum, there are free docent-led trams tours that take about 30 minutes and provide great information visitors might not get just exploring on their own. The tram returns visitors back to the spot where they were picked up, so they can explore spots of interest on foot.
Trams run all day, so catching one might only require a five-minute wait.
The Arboretum has more than 30 distinctive sections and points of interest, including:
The Woman’s Garden (Phases 1 and 2) — a multi-level lawn and garden area with statuary, cemented terraces and tiers and a long lawn space surrounded by stone fence and tall hedges. This area has played host to numerous weddings over the years.
Texas Pioneer Adventure and Texas Town— a fun place for kids and adults, miniature versions of pioneer buildings are scattered across this area with informative placards describing how early pioneer life interacted with the natural and native landscape.
Trail Gardens— volunteers and members of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Society tend this garden with new hybrid or imported plants to see how they thrive in the North Texas environment. It is a good spot to learn about new horticultural advances.
Toad Corners—a whimsical fountain featuring four large toad statues that shoot water out of their mouths and into the air. It is enclosed within a square hedge that can be accessed only through Crape Myrtle Alley.
With so many different features, a visitor can spend a half day or more exploring each corner of the arboretum.
All that exploring can work up quite an appetite. The arboretum features several restaurants designed for paid guests of the garden – no reservations required.
The DeGolyer Garden Café is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily, except during festivals when the café stays open until 4 p.m. The menu includes a soup of the day, a Chef’s Special and several hot entrees as well as a special Salad Trio and Tea Sandwich Plate, plus homemade desserts. The restaurant features a loggia with a great view overlooking White Rock Lake.
The Lula Mae Slaughter Terrace Restaurant is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — until 5 p.m. during festivals. Guests can order a salad, one of the seasonal soup offerings, and hot or cold sandwiches at the Terrace dining window. Food can be eaten on the Lula Mae Slaughter Terrace or picnic style in any of the many gardens.
Because of the gardens’ beauty, the Arboretum is a natural attraction for photographers and brides-to-be. On any given day, a visitor may spot at least one or two brides posing for their wedding pictures on the lawns of the park.
The arboretum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for ages 65 and up, and $7 for ages 3-12.
- by Jenn Emerson, Dallas Reporter for HelloMetro
(Click to leave a message)
Jenn EmersonA veteran of the advertising world, chances are you bought, drank or drove something because of Jenn’s ad copy. Not one to stagnate in one discipline, Jenn also keeps up her writing Jones for short stories, scripts and features. She really digs working for HelloMetro while exploring new places and meeting new people along the way.
