Explore the Arboretum at your own pace and gain a richer understanding of this special landscape. Choose from one of many self-guided tours to print in advance or view on your mobile device. Guided tours are also available from mid-April through November.
Download a black and white map of the Arboretum.
Seasonal Plant Highlights
Flowers, fruits, and foliage—there’s always something interesting to see in the landscape. Take an online tour of current highlights using Arboretum Explorer, and open the link on your smartphone to locate plants while you visit.
Winter Tour
There is a tendency to hibernate during the winter months, but it is a perfect time to explore the Arnold Arboretum. Download a tour brochure [pdf] to explore the Arboretum and witness treasures often missed during the spring and summer months. This is an abbreviated version of this tour; ask in our Visitor Center for the full brochure of this tour with information on all thirty highlights. This self-guided tour was made possible through the generosity of Peter and Leslie Ciampi.
Lilacs
Download a tour brochure [pdf] to stroll through the lilacs and enjoy the amazing diversity of the Arboretum’s lilac collection. The tour begins near the intersection of Bussey Hill Road, Forest Hills Road, and Meadow Road.
Maples
Download a self-guided tour [pdf] to explore one of the most significant maple collections in the world.
Fruits of Autumn
While fall foliage is breathtaking, fall is also a time for fascinating fruits. Explore fall fruits on this tour [pdf]. Start on Meadow Road near the Hunnewell Visitor Center, or near South Street Gate.
Leventritt Shrub and Vine Garden Highlights
Delve into tours of the fascinating shrubs [pdf], vines [pdf], and dwarf conifers [pdf] of the Leventritt Garden.
Centenarians
Download a tour brochure [pdf] and discover trees that are over 100 years old. The tour begins on Meadow Road near the Hunnewell Visitor Center.
Conifers
Conifer Path is one of the Arboretum’s treasures, with interesting cone-bearing plants from around the world. Read about the conifer collection online, or download a tour brochure [pdf] to explore the plants along this rustic footpath in the heart of the landscape.
Bark for all Seasons
Download a tour brochure [pdf] to focus on beautiful bark. The tour begins at the Centre Street gate and ends at the Hunnewell Visitor Center (or, walk it in the reverse).
Azalea Border Highlights
Explore an ornamental border featuring masses of shrubs in the heath family (Ericaceae) on this tour [pdf]. Begin near the Hunnewell Building or opposite the linden collection.