Morris Arboretum & Gardens of the University of Pennsylvania
About
Morris Arboretum & Gardens, the official arboretum of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, occupies 92 acres of a Victorian estate in Philadelphia's Chestnut Hill neighborhood. Originally developed by siblings John and Lydia Morris between 1887 and 1932, the arboretum combines the aesthetic sensibility of a great Victorian garden with a rigorous commitment to botanical science and conservation. The collection contains approximately 13,000 labeled plants representing more than 2,500 different kinds of trees, shrubs, and woody vines from around the temperate world. Historic garden features include a rose garden, fernery, Japanese garden, log cabin, hidden Mercury loggia, and an elaborate system of ponds and streams that double as a wetland ecology study area. The Garden Railway — a large-scale model train set running through landscapes made from natural materials — is a perennial favorite for younger visitors. As a University of Pennsylvania institution, Morris Arboretum maintains active research programs in urban forestry, plant conservation, and arboricultural science. Students from Penn's graduate program in applied plant science use the arboretum as a living laboratory, and public educational programming extends these themes to general audiences. As an APGA Reciprocal Admissions Program member, individual members of participating public gardens receive free general admission. The arboretum is located about 30 minutes by commuter rail from central Philadelphia.
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Hours of Operation
April–October: weekdays 10 a.m.–5 p.m., weekends 9 a.m.–5 p.m. November–March: daily 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day.
Hours change seasonally — verify before visiting.
Admission
Paid admissionGeneral admission required. APGA individual members receive free admission with membership card.
✓ Membership available
APGA Reciprocal Admissions Program
The American Public Gardens Association's Reciprocal Admissions Program allows members of participating public gardens to visit other member gardens for free or at a discount. Hundreds of botanical gardens, arboreta, and conservatories across North America participate.
Learn more →3 other places in our directory accept this membership:
