What Can I See and Do at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Right Now?

Updated

The Arboretum's homepage points visitors to four things worth checking before a trip: the Garden Highlights page (plants currently blooming or of special interest), the Today at the Arboretum event listing, a set of dated seasonal events, and fall-specific happenings including an after-hours full-moon hike. Because the homepage content is seasonal and dated, treat it as a snapshot and confirm times and ticket availability on the site before you go.

Start with what's in bloom

The homepage's Garden Highlights section is designed to show "plants that are currently blooming or of special interest on the grounds," with a link to see what's in bloom. This is the most direct answer to "what can I see right now" — it changes with the season rather than listing fixed attractions.

Check the day-of events

Today at the Arboretum links to today's events. This is the place to look for same-day programming rather than planning around a single annual event.

Seasonal events listed on the homepage

Event Dates shown What it is
Dakota Sacred Hoop Walk May 1–Nov. 1, 2026 Listed as a seasonal event
Scarecrows, Pumpkins & Harvest Fun Sept. 18–Nov. 1, 2026 Harvest-season event
AppleHouse Aug. 20–Dec. 20, 2026 Shopping
Northern Lights Nov. 20–Jan. 3 After-dark experience; homepage notes tickets are available
Full Hunter's Moon Hike Oct. 26, 6:30–9:30 p.m. After-hours family hike under the full moon

Dates above are as printed on the homepage; confirm current scheduling before relying on them.

Fall visits specifically

The homepage highlights Fall at the Arboretum, describing "beautiful vistas and exciting events," with a link to Fall Happenings around the grounds. If you're going in autumn, that section plus Garden Highlights gives you both scenery and programming.

Practical notes before you go

  • Tickets: The site states advance tickets are strongly recommended to guarantee daily admission, with a "Plan Your Visit and Get Tickets" entry point. The homepage does not state prices, so check the ticket page for current cost and any login requirements.
  • Construction: The Arboretum and main entrance remain open despite construction along Highway 5; the site offers "helpful resources" for navigating it. Allow extra time for the approach.
  • Events: The homepage also links to a "Plan Your Event" page for private bookings, separate from general admission.

A reasonable plan

  1. Open the Garden Highlights link to see what's blooming.
  2. Check Today at the Arboretum for same-day events.
  3. If visiting in fall, review Fall Happenings and decide whether the Full Hunter's Moon Hike or Northern Lights fits your dates.
  4. Buy tickets in advance, and check the Highway 5 construction resources for your route.

The main caveat: everything above reflects the homepage at the time it was captured, and the site's own dated listings (including 2026 events) should be verified on arb.umn.edu before you commit to a visit.