Nichols Arboretum
Nichols Arboretum
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
65 reviews
Excellent
50
Very good
11
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
1
FiveFindOuters
New Jersey50 contributions
Jul 2020
Jewel of a natural location, pleasant undulating topology, tucked between river and hospital/campus -so looked forward to visiting! However, as an arboretum, very underwhelming. Eroded paths, overgrown benches, faded signage, lack of informational signage, absence of educational material on specimens. The 'caretakers garden' was highlight of what could be possible with foresight plus funding. Strange absence of midlife trees - there are many recent native plantings - but the entire site misses evidence of a coherent educational, scientific, or outreach mission and purpose. Have never before departed an arboretum that feels "more tired than inspired".
Written July 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kirstin D.
Port Huron, MI482 contributions
Sep 2019
Very quiet and secluded. It is really besutiful and wild, though right in the city. It isnt all groomed and gardeny, but quite rugged. Almost like a set of hiking hills right on the edge of campus. Magical!
Written February 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Urszula C
Washington DC, DC248 contributions
Sep 2018 • Solo
When you need a breath of fresh air and nature, this is your place to go. A variety of different landscapes, from wooded trails over creeks to a peony garden and a huge meadow will satisfy the nature lover in each of us. After 5 PM on a weeknight there are still enough running students to make you feel comfortable wandering around on your own. I liked the information provided particularly regarding conservation efforts. Beautiful place to spend an hour or two, I'm sure it's also lovely for romantic walks.
Written September 20, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traci H
Brooklyn, MI406 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
Despite not having public parking, The Arb is an amazing escape from the activity and action of The University, the city and hospital campus. Once inside you would never guess so much was happening around it. It’s quiet with sections of woods, prairie with grass, gravel, and wood chipped pathways. We saw quite a few people on this Friday afternoon compared to hiking Bird Hill as well as a few holes that abut the perimeter.
By the way, in June the peonies are amazing.
By the way, in June the peonies are amazing.
Written June 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ArBob
Ann Arbor, MI15 contributions
Oct 2017 • Business
This is an amazing place, considering it's surrounded by city. It starts up on Geddes, then descends steeply (by the standards of the midwest) down to the Huron River, with several alternative walking/running routes. There's also a more level walk along the river, if you don't do hills, a fairly large peony garden, and everything from meadows to wetlands. I've been going here since I was 3y old, and have never tired of it. I would rank it below many other arboretums in its function as a "tree museum" (as Joni Mitchell might call it), and well above those arboretums in terms of its natural beauty.
Written November 12, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HowardH
Peterborough, Canada7 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
We were visiting Ann Arbor for a couple days and sought our this park, as we have done many similar walks/hikes in the past. Nature of course is beautiful, but beyond that, this was a very poor experience. They have no dedicated parking (described as brutal in other reviews). There is a little bit of on street metered parking, however a sign says a permit is also required from the Arboretum to use the metered parking, and it is enforced 7x24. The Visitor Centre was closed at 10:30 am on a Wednesday morning, with no hours posted, and no indication of when it would open, just two "closed" signs. There is paid parking at a hospital parking garage nearby, however it is very crowded and slow to get in and out, and it may well be full, as we had to park on the top level, and it was almost full. All other nearby lots seem to be reserved or private.
There are many trails that meander through the park, which are in excellent condition, crisscrossing one another, but there are no signs as to where you are or directing you to the exit, or naming the trails. So even with a map it is very easy to get lost, as we did. Very few plants or trees are named or identified, therefore you will learn next to nothing about trees on your walk. Certainly not worth going out of your way for. We spent half the time we allotted for this visit trying to find and access parking. Access to the park/trails is free, and in this case you get exactly what you pay for.
There are many trails that meander through the park, which are in excellent condition, crisscrossing one another, but there are no signs as to where you are or directing you to the exit, or naming the trails. So even with a map it is very easy to get lost, as we did. Very few plants or trees are named or identified, therefore you will learn next to nothing about trees on your walk. Certainly not worth going out of your way for. We spent half the time we allotted for this visit trying to find and access parking. Access to the park/trails is free, and in this case you get exactly what you pay for.
Written May 25, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christy Z
Sugar Land, TX44 contributions
Oct 2021
Fall foliage at it's BEST! Being from Houston, Texas we don't see this! We walked around to the water and it was BEAUTIFUL! I felt I was in some type of dream! If you have never been this is a MUST to go see. Just make sure you wear appropriate tennis shoes or hiking boots. The ground is muddy! :) Makes it even more FUN!
Written November 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bouffie
North Manchester, IN95 contributions
Jun 2019 • Family
On a three day visit to Ann Arbor we were surprised and very happy to find this terrific refuge from the crowds. This is a very natural and unspoiled area with lots of trails, unfortunately no water fountains that we could find) and several benches scattered throughout for taking breaks. This is a large nature reserve so be sure to take note on the maps where you are starting from and choose a route based on the time you have. Literally you could walk for a couple of hours - but lack of water (we were there on a very hot day) caused us to shorten our hike. Relatively easy walking but lots of hills and most pathways are dirt or pea gravel.
Written July 1, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ellen F
Baltimore73 contributions
May 2019 • Family
Great spot for a lovely walk in nature, just a few minutes from campus. Somewhat hilly, so just remember, if you go downhill, you'll eventually have to climb back up.
Written June 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rumplestiltskinned
Ann Arbor, MI716 contributions
Mar 2019 • Solo
Folks picnic and play here, and many bring their dogs and let them off leash in the eastern prairie portion of the Arboretum. Known as The Arb, it contains 123 acres, which is large for a city the size of Ann Arbor. (For comparison purposes New York City's Central Park is 843 acres, almost 7 times as large.) Don't skip the fabulous Peony Garden at the top of the hill, near the Medical Campus.
Written April 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carol M
5 contributions
Can I bring a dog on a leash?
jdenson5612
Ann Arbor, MI39 contributions
Absolutely
Peggy J
Williamston, MI28 contributions
Peak season? When to plan a visit.
Bon871
Albuquerque, NM69 contributions
Since we are out-of-towners I am not sure I am the best person to answer this question. Since it looks like you are close by you should be able to judge what might be in season and blooming. Our visit was in the Fall so the setting was dominated with Fall colors.
If you are completely flexible, I would go during the week as I suspect that the gardens are very popular with AA families. Of course check the website or call them to make sure it is open during the time you would like to visit. The staff probably could tell you what things are in bloom.
If you have not been to the peony garden in the Arb, that is a must. Check the website for the anticipated peak of the blooms this year (probably late May early June timeframe depending upon how Spring is progressing). Enjoy this wonderful setting.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Nichols Arboretum
- Hotels near Nichols Arboretum:
- (0.29 mi) Bell Tower Hotel
- (0.47 mi) Ann Arbor Bed & Breakfast Inn
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- Restaurants near Nichols Arboretum:
- (0.02 mi) Panera Bread
- (0.02 mi) Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea
- (0.02 mi) Subway
- (0.02 mi) QDOBA Mexican Eats
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