Morris Arboretum

We came here to see the train show and it was awesome. Not as big as the Bronx but it's outside so it was much cooler. Plus it's not indoors so literally much cooler :P my son loved it and it was just something nice to do while we waited to get into our airbnb rental for vacation. I wish we had walked around more but we had my handicap mom with us who was already complaining :P

The grounds are absolutely stunning.

I came here for a wedding in the fall and it was absolutely gorgeous. I would love to walk around during the day, I simply didn't have time this trip.

The only thing that was a tad annoying was that the restrooms were so far from where the ceremony was being held. I didn't have much time to explore the area so I'm not sure if there's other locations on the grounds or if it's just in the main building. But it was quite the trek from where we were.

If I lived in the area, I'm sure I would come back often to explore.

The parking was easy! Which is always a plus.

Went here this 1st week in February. It was very pleasant to walk the grounds. They had a lot of different species of trees. Imagine a small Longwood Gardens. The fernery room was small but so cool. Spent a bit more than an hour walking the grounds. Really enjoyed it.

One of Philly's gems! Great spot to get away from the noise of the city for an hour or two.

This place never ceases to amaze me. The staff are so wonderful and the grounds are just so so amazing.

Every time I go - I see something new and the grounds change with the season. They are so meticulously maintained. I've learned so much about trees and plants being there.

Beyond that, there is the fern house, fairy gardens, sculptures, swan pond, tree top climbing area, and honestly I haven't even seen everything yet.

I've bought an annual membership which just makes sense. I have used it now about 5 times this past year and have well made my moneys-worth . You can easily pop in on a weekend or weekday if you're off and not feel bad about staying a short time. I highly recommend buying an annual membership. Plus you get free guest passes!

There is also a train area (which does only function at certain times of the year - so check to make sure its running -usually in the warmer months). It is fabulous and exciting for the young kiddos! and even us adults.

And I've eaten at the cafe which if you're a member you get a minor discount. The menu isn't super robust. Last time I ate there I had a chicken sandwich which was actually pretty decent.

It was really nice here. We came around Halloween on an unseasonably warm day when there was a scarecrow competition going on. The grounds here are beautiful, but very spread out so be prepared and wear comfy sneakers if you plan on trekking a ton.

With that said, it's wheelchair accessible in some areas, but not all. Like Longwood, the map was helpful in color-coding paths that are fully ADA accessible vs. those that are gravel or hilly vs. fully inaccessible, but a LOT of this is steeper inclines.

The Rose Garden was closed when we were there but we absolutely loved the interactive tree house and the swan pond.

I was a little disappointed the attendant at the front gate didn't tell us about the discounted admission for wheelchair users when we inquired about handicap parking and trails, but we also didn't think to ask.

Overall, it's not as impressive as Longwood IMHO, but if you're into trees, this is your jam.

What a stunning, peaceful park and gardens. Visited on a beautiful Saturday afternoon on Sept and it wasn't crowded and we didn't have any trouble finding a parking spot.

We enjoyed the walk, the greenery, and the special features, like the Swan Lake, The Ferber greenhouse, and the sculptures. Other visitors ranged from elderly couples, couple on dates, and families with young kids. There was a space for kids to build home for fairies, which I'm sure little ones would enjoy.

My husband and I stopped here while on a road trip passing through Philadelphia. Originally we did not plan on coming, but had to change our plans last minute after realizing that the museums we wanted to go to were closed the day we would be passing through. I think it was a happy accident!

When we first got there, we were a little surprised that admission was $20 per person. However, after going through everything, we definitely feel that the price was worth it! The gardens are absolutely beautiful, span a large distance, and there are lots of fun little things to discover along the way. We loved how they had different swings on display that you could go on... it felt like you were flying! Our favorite things were the swan pond, model trains, and sculpture gardens. It felt like there were hidden surprises everywhere!

I did slip and fall on one of the trails, so make sure to be careful. The lady at the front desk was helpful and prepared with a fist aid kit. Also make sure to put in sunscreen before going in and to bring plenty of water with you!

Overall, we definitely recommend, especially if you are local and have never been! If you were spending an extended time in Philadelphia, I definitely feel that it is worth the drive out if you are really into gardens. :)

Buyer beware! Once you purchase tickets to the night time train display they will not allow you to exchange your tickets for another night. 6 adult tickets and 3 children tickets were nonnegotiable. The event was for my grandson and he got sick. In addition there were 5 adults and 5 children that could still make it. We spent over $300 in tickets but it didn't matter. We were offered day tickets for free but with working parents that was not possible. Then they decided to offer us tickets at member prices for the night event. Like I said, we already spent $300 and felt this was no compromise. So make sure your children don't get sick within 48 hours prior to the event. That's their rule.

This official arboretum of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and an extension of the University, began as the summer residence of John and Lydia Morris, the children of I. P. Morris, a wealthy Quaker who made his riches in the iron business. It was originally called Compton, a mansion built on the promontory of the 92 areas above Wissahiken Creek.

The soil was poor when they arrived, but over the years, they improved it until it supported the beautiful landscaping and exemplar botanicals found today. Sadly, the mansion was torn down about 100 years ago upon the death of Lydia, and it was bequeathed to the University in 1932. It is now an integral part of its sustainability efforts for the 21st Century.

There are 12,000 labeled specimens in the preserve, as well as a Fernery (currently closed due to Covid), Rose Garden, and Horticultural Center within the expanded 167 acres. The walkabout for healthy outdoor folks is about 2 hours, although it can take considerably longer with a slow pace and lots of bench sitting to enjoy the surroundings. The Visitor's Center is closed temporarily, but restrooms are well maintained beneath the building.

There are courses available throughout the year for all ages and skill levels. It is also a great place for a wedding or other occasion.

Wear decent walking shoes as there are several miles of trails and significant elevation change from the top near the parking lot, down to the creek and back again. Water for a hot summer day and a hat are also recommended.