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 waiting 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
ScotAlberta
Sherwood Park, Canada665 contributions
May 2023
Beautiful location along the Huron River with trails, parkland, a river and peonies! I was there early but could see that this can be spectacular when the flowers are blooming. Great location. Parking can be difficult on nice days.
Written May 14, 2023
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.
erica e
Chicago, IL43 contributions
May 2022
Enjoyed walking through but wasn't sure where trails led or how far I needed to go to reach certain points. Very scenic and relaxing.
Written May 17, 2022
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.
Tansy2015
Michigan336 contributions
May 2021
There is free parking on the streets in the Washington Heights area. The entrance is very close, the trails are wide and well maintained. This spot is hilly with lots of runners, joggers and foot traffic. You have many options to diverge off the stone paths, which meander in the woods and not as popular with foot traffic, so nice a quiet. Great spot for lots of landscape and flower photography, as well as grads and brides to be.
Written May 12, 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.
JBH
409 contributions
Aug 2020
There was so much to do here and such diverse options. There are manicured gardens, wild places, river walks, wooded trails, gravel paths, and open grassy places. And that's just what we discovered when we rambled around for a couple of hours. We had a picnic, too.
I'm not sure how to deal with parking. The directions I found were difficult to decipher and we finally gave up and parked in one of the spots reserved for the arboretum without a pass. The visitor center was closed due to COVID and there was no option for getting a pass.im sure we would have gotten a ticket had someone noticed, so I don't recommend this method of parking.
Since the visitor's center is closed there were no restrooms available. I was really needing one and trying to figure out what to do when, miraculously, a port-o-john was delivered right in front of where I was sitting. That is some kind of service for you. :)
I'm not sure how to deal with parking. The directions I found were difficult to decipher and we finally gave up and parked in one of the spots reserved for the arboretum without a pass. The visitor center was closed due to COVID and there was no option for getting a pass.im sure we would have gotten a ticket had someone noticed, so I don't recommend this method of parking.
Since the visitor's center is closed there were no restrooms available. I was really needing one and trying to figure out what to do when, miraculously, a port-o-john was delivered right in front of where I was sitting. That is some kind of service for you. :)
Written September 17, 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.
Morella
Farmington Hills, MI1,017 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
What a nice place to walk! Trails are categorized as easy, medium and difficult. Since the Visitors Center is closed I’d recommend downloading a trail map in their website: very useful considering the informational signs at the trails are few.
We used the Washington Heights entrance, which is perfect to see the Peonies Garden right away (not currently in bloom). Several of the “easy trails” start right there, which was important for my mother.
The Laurel Ridge Trail is beautiful, easy and gives you plenty of opportunity to see the
Peonies Garden from a higher ground.
We ended up walking all the way to the Huron River, which took us through sections of some difficulty (#2 to #7 in the trail map). The difficulty stemmed from several steps downhill. But it was worthy: you can sit and watch tons of people kayaking. The way back up the same trail takes some stamina...
And there are wooden trails completely covered that looked amazing.
Highly recommend this place for people of all ages.
Three words of advise:
First, there is no parking in the Washington entrance with the exception of a few metered spots. But if you go during weekends or at night you can park in lot M-28 nearby.
Second: bring water or even snacks because there is nothing particularly now that the Visitors Center is closed. There are plenty of benches to sit and shaded areas to have a picnic
Third: my GPS took me to the Geddes entrance even though I entered the Washington Heights address. If that happens: simply go back on Geddes and make a right on the first street you find. Then turn right on Washington Heights.
We used the Washington Heights entrance, which is perfect to see the Peonies Garden right away (not currently in bloom). Several of the “easy trails” start right there, which was important for my mother.
The Laurel Ridge Trail is beautiful, easy and gives you plenty of opportunity to see the
Peonies Garden from a higher ground.
We ended up walking all the way to the Huron River, which took us through sections of some difficulty (#2 to #7 in the trail map). The difficulty stemmed from several steps downhill. But it was worthy: you can sit and watch tons of people kayaking. The way back up the same trail takes some stamina...
And there are wooden trails completely covered that looked amazing.
Highly recommend this place for people of all ages.
Three words of advise:
First, there is no parking in the Washington entrance with the exception of a few metered spots. But if you go during weekends or at night you can park in lot M-28 nearby.
Second: bring water or even snacks because there is nothing particularly now that the Visitors Center is closed. There are plenty of benches to sit and shaded areas to have a picnic
Third: my GPS took me to the Geddes entrance even though I entered the Washington Heights address. If that happens: simply go back on Geddes and make a right on the first street you find. Then turn right on Washington Heights.
Written August 16, 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.
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
Sept 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.
ACTK8331
Muncie, IN14 contributions
Jul 2019
We visited in July 2019 and it was unlike anywhere we’ve ever visited expecting a variety of gardens and plants. They have done an outstanding job! I don’t want to give away details, I wish everyone the delightful experience we had in discovery and fun we had finding the unique. Go and enjoy! We will be return!
Written December 24, 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.
lovessunandbeach
Byron Center, MI570 contributions
Jul 2019 • Friends
Amazing getaway. I would recommend any family at Mott’s or UofM hospital to use this to unwind. Or anyone. It is great and a wonderful place to explore, hike, or even put your toes in the water!!!
Written July 13, 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:
- (0.46 km) Bell Tower Hotel
- (0.75 km) Ann Arbor Bed & Breakfast Inn
- (0.95 km) Residence Inn by Marriott Ann Arbor Downtown
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- (0.64 km) Graduate Ann Arbor
- Restaurants near Nichols Arboretum:
- (0.03 km) Panera Bread
- (0.03 km) Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea
- (0.03 km) Subway
- (0.04 km) QDOBA Mexican Eats
- (0.04 km) Villa Pizza