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Tyler Arboretum
Featuring 17 miles of trails, Tyler Arboretum ranks as one of the region’s oldest and largest public gardens.
Tyler wraps visitors in its scenic environment from the minute they step onto the trail leading to the 80-foot tulip trees and the delicate wildflowers on the Native Woodland Walk.
Adventurers enjoy solving the puzzle of the seven-ringed Meadow Maze labyrinth, children learn about nature at Discovery Stations, and history-lovers can tour several sites that are on the National Register of Historic Places.
While walking the trails that wind past 180-year old championship trees, look for the 11.5-acre rhododendron collection and the butterfly gardens.
The Fragrant Garden was visited by Helen Keller and was originally designed as a “fragrant garden for the blind.”
Tyler Arboretum’s 650 forested acres are part of the property that English Quaker Thomas Minshall purchased from William Penn.
Tyler Arboretum ranks as one of the region’s oldest and largest public gardens.
The arboretum was begun by Jacob and Minshall Painter. The brothers indulged their passion for trees and shrubs by planting more than 1,000 varieties in a natural setting, 23 specimens of which date back centuries.
Between 1681 and 1944, eight generations of the Minshall/Painter/Tyler family lived here.
In 1944, Laura Tyler bequeathed the property to the public. John C. Wister, the first director, planned the circular trail linking the collections of lilacs, crab apples, cherries and magnolias.
Visitors can stroll Tyler’s 20 miles of trails on their own or join in the lectures, wildflower rambles, birding programs and other activities for families.
Wee ones can participate in the pint-sized Tiny Trackers nature programs. The path past the barn leads to the fragrant herb garden and the beds planted to lure birds and butterflies.
Tyler hosts horticultural-centric events throughout the year. Check out the Maple Sugaring and Pancake Breakfast in February, the Arbor Day Plant Sale in May and the Pumpkin Days Celebration in October.
The Visit Philly Overnight Package — booked more than 190,000 times since 2001 — comes with free hotel parking (worth up to $100 in Center City Philadelphia), overnight hotel accommodations and choose-your-own-adventure perks.