Review - Texas - Dallas - Dallas Arboretum - Bugtopia and the Pumpkin Patch

2021 marks the 16th anniversary of Autumn at the Arboretum (or what our family likes to call the Pumpkin Patch). This year, the pumpkin village has moved from the wide open field on the right to a more cozy tree-covered area on the left behind the Jonsson Color Garden. And there is Bugtopia (giant bug sculptures) running at the same time which kids will love. You will see the bugs integrated with the pumpkin village.



Pre-registration and pre-purchase of tickets is still required - you can do this at the gate via a QR code. When you purchase tickets on the website, you will select the time slot you desire to enter (sold in increments of 15 minute slots) and it's a great way to see which times are busier than others. Also be sure to add parking to your order and if you desire to visit the Children's Gardens, add those tickets too. Members must also pre-register (and add parking and Childrens' Garden as well). Link to info is at bottom of post.

Pumpkin Village:


Bugtopia:

The Arboretum has over 90,000 pumpkins/squash/gourds throughout the entire park. You can even purchase one to take home with you (while supplies last). Kids will find a fun little maze to run through. Lots of spots for pictures. It does get busy on weekends so try to come early or late in the day.


Details:
Dallas Arboretum website for tickets, hours, directions, etc.
Bugtopia and pumpkins are on display until October 31st 2021.


Overall Family Review:

• 16 year old - Enjoyed posing with the bugs
• 12 year old - Enjoyed posing with the bugs
• 7 year old - Enjoyed posing with the bugs
• 1 yeaar old - Was fine taking pictures with pumpkins

Review - Texas - Dallas - Dallas Arboretum - Dallas Blooms

Next weekend is the last weekend for the Dallas Blooms event at the Dallas Arboretum. Dallas Blooms is the spectacular annual Spring event whereby thousands of tulips and other flowers bloom in amazing displays. This year they have the theme "America the Beautiful" with some nice photo-op vertical planters and a giant American flag.



Pre-registration and pre-purchase of tickets is required - this event does sell out. When you purchase tickets on the website, you will select the time slot you desire to enter (sold in increments of 15 minute slots). Also be sure to add parking to your order and if you desire to visit the Children's Gardens, add those too. Members must also pre-register (and add parking and Childrens' Garden as well).

America the Beautiful photo-ops:



It looked like a lot of the Covid precautionary tape and directional signs had been removed. Water fountains were still unavailable so be sure to bring your own bottled water (and snacks!). A lot of people enjoy picnics in the gardens. There were also several outdoor weddings set up in several of the garden areas and you could see bridal photo sessions going on throughout. The busiest area is actually the Woman's Garden (with the infinity pools and the picture-frames).

If you arrive at the gate without tickets, you may still be able to purchase last-minute tickets if they didn't sell out:

The Children's Garden is open and all the activities were running. Be sure to check the daily guide ahead of time to see what hands-on activities will be taking place when and where (usually in the discovery center or outside of it).



Overall Family Review:

• 16 year old - Was fine taking pictures in the gardens
• 11 year old - Enjoyed the Children's Garden activities
• 6 year old - Enjoyed the Children's Garden activities

Review - Texas - Dallas - Dallas Arboretum - Holiday at the Arboretum

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...well, not quite yet. The Dallas Arboretum has just started to put up their annual Holidays at the Arboretum displays. The Christmas Market will open November 27th.

The Dallas Aboretum limits the amount of guests that can enter every day so you need to pre-order your tickets online: Dallas Arboretum.org. Be sure to add parking ($10). Members must order their passes/parking ahead of time as well. Look for the "Holiday at the Arboretum" ticket option.

The Children's Garden is now open again and tickets can be purchased in conjunction with your garden ticket order. All children over 5 years old must wear a mask to enter this area.

If you still want to purchase a pumpkin or gourd, there are still plenty available in many different sizes, shapes and colors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due to the Covid policies and the new walking trail around the entire park, the 12 Days of Christmas animated displays have been spread out a bit more this year. You can pick up a printed guide at the Customer Service window just inside the entrance.

When I visited on Sunday, they were just starting construction of the Christmas Market buildings in the wide open field. I plan to return when they are completed. They plan to have Santa available to visit with children during the night events and on weekends for limited hours.

Review - Texas - Dallas - Dallas Arboretum - The Art of the Pumpkin

The annual pumpkin display opened up at the Dallas Arboretum. This year the theme is "The Art of the Pumpkin" and they have a pumpkin patch area where you can actually purchase pumpkins.

The Dallas Aboretum limits the amount of guests that can enter every day so you need to pre-order your tickets online: Dallas Arboretum.org. Be sure to add parking ($10). Members must order their passes/parking ahead of time as well. Look for the "Art of the Pumpkin" ticket option.

Masks are required throughout your visit. By 10am on Sunday, it felt crowded despite the limited guest allowance. Get ready to wait a little bit in lines to take pictures in front of the pumpkin-decorated houses or inside the Cinderella Coach.

The sidewalk heading to the pumpkin displays was lined with pumpkins.

 

 

Some of the pumpkin displays:

 

 

 

Here is the hay maze:

More pumpkin displays. Be sure to bring your own water bottles since the water fountains are not available right now. Since the ground is pokey with wooden mulch bits, you might want to use a towel or blanket for young ones.

 

 

Review - Texas - Dallas - Dallas Arboretum Reopening - Memorial Day Weekend

This Saturday I was able to visit the soft reopening of the Dallas Arboretum for members (it officially opens June 1st for the public) and I was pleasantly surprised at how well-organized and well-planned the entire visit went from start to finish which I will share here.

First, you will need to go to the Dallas Arboretum.org website to purchase your ticket by selecting which day/time you want to attend. They are limiting the number of guests entering at each time. Once you pick a time, you will get up to 4 hours to visit the gardens which is more than enough time. Print your tickets and bring them to the entrance.

There were no specific instructions on parking and no parking lot attendants, so we just found an empty spot in the large/main lot. This parking is closest to the entrance.

Per current Dallas requirements, anyone two and older in your party will be required to wear a mask to enter.

At the entrance, they will check your tickets to be sure you have arrived at your time or later. They will not allow early entry. Then you will be given a wristband to wear for the duration of your visit. Keep in mind, most of the side gardens and the Children's Garden are currently closed. You will be given a map which shows you the one-way trail around the park. It is a mile-long trail but there are plenty of benches and shady spots.

None of the water bottle refill stations are available. Bring your own water. None of the food services are open either. Many visitors (including me) brought our own snacks/food. Only two restrooms are open (with an attendant to limit the number of entrants) - just past the entrance to the right and the other is near the white house before you loop back around the trail.

  

As soon as you enter the park, you will see a violinist statue (with music piped in) and a volunteer. From here, you will head right and start your journey. Along the way, there are several musical instrument or musician statues (with music piped in) for photo-ops. The summer flowers are blooming as well. The path is wide enough for safely passing. The trail is marked well with arrows and signs so you can follow and for the most part is well-accessible.

  
     

Also, the gift shop is currently closed. I assume all events and celebrations (like weddings) are also cancelled until further notice.

As summer approaches, it will get hotter and without water refilling available it is advisable to bring extra bottles. Some parts of the trail are shady but a lot of it is in full sun. It was rather enjoyable not enduring large crowds (especially in the Women's Garden).

 &nbp;  &nbp;  &nbp;