Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden | Family Adventure

The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is a 66-acre outdoor escape on the shores of White Rock Lake, and it’s one of the most relaxed, quietly educational family outings in North Texas. Beautifully landscaped display gardens, winding paths, and big lake views make it lovely for the grown-ups, while an entire 8-acre children’s garden makes sure the kids never get bored. It’s an easy pick for a morning before the Texas heat sets in, and it transforms with the seasons, so no two visits feel the same.

Things to Do at the Arboretum

The centerpiece for families is the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden, 8 acres of hands-on, STEM-focused discovery spread across 17 indoor and outdoor galleries. Kids can climb the treetop Texas Skywalk into the tree canopy, splash and experiment at the water-play features, follow a wetland boardwalk, and work through galleries that teach photosynthesis, pollination, the solar system, erosion, energy, and life cycles through things they can touch and try. Staff run facilitated discovery activities throughout the day, so there’s always something happening.

Beyond the children’s garden, families can wander themed display gardens, cool off near the fountains, and picnic with a view of the lake. The Arboretum is also famous for its seasonal festivals: Dallas Blooms paints the grounds with hundreds of thousands of spring flowers, Autumn at the Arboretum brings the beloved pumpkin village, and Holiday at the Arboretum dresses the gardens for Christmas. Those events are the single best reason to time a return visit.

Best for Which Ages

The garden genuinely spans the age range. Toddlers and preschoolers love the dedicated toddler zone, the water features, and simply having wide, safe paths to toddle along. Elementary-age kids get the most out of the interactive science galleries, where the abstract stuff they hear about in school becomes something they can operate with their hands. Tweens and adults can appreciate the display gardens, the design, and the lake setting at a slower pace. Because so much is spread out and outdoors, it suits mixed-age groups better than a single-focus attraction.

Tickets, Parking, and Timing

• Tickets: as of 2026, general admission runs about $15 for adults (13–64), $12 for seniors, and $10 for children ages 3–12, with kids 2 and under free. Admission to the children’s adventure garden is now included in general admission (it used to be a $3 add-on), which is a nice win for families. Buying timed tickets online in advance is smart, especially during the seasonal festivals. Confirm current pricing on the official site (dallasarboretum.org) before you go.
• Parking is available on-site for a fee, and pre-purchasing it online usually saves money over paying at the gate.
• Hours are generally 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
• Plan on two to three hours for the children’s garden alone, or a half day if you want to wander the full grounds too. Mornings are cooler, calmer, and easiest on little ones.

Accessibility and What to Bring

Most of the grounds are stroller-friendly, but note that the children’s adventure garden allows only strollers and wheelchairs on its narrow paths, not wagons or other wheeled carriers, so plan accordingly. Because the experience is largely outdoors, bring hats, sunscreen, and water, and lean toward a morning visit in summer. A packed picnic makes for an easy, low-cost lunch on the lawns.

Make It a White Rock Lake Day

The Arboretum sits right on White Rock Lake, so it pairs naturally with other outdoor stops. Combine it with a walk or bike ride at White Rock Lake Park, the nature trails of the Trinity River Audubon Center, or a downtown green space like Klyde Warren Park.

Planning a nature-filled family day? Browse our full directory of family-friendly attractions across DFW to plan your visit.