Updated: August 13, 2026
Need a break from the chaos of city life? This dreamy little escape is just a short drive from Columbus.
If your ideal weekend includes pretending you’ve stumbled through a wardrobe into your very own Narnia, we’ve got news. You don’t need a portal to another dimension, you just need directions to The Dawes Arboretum.
This isn’t your average tree museum. It’s 2,000 acres of leafy magic, open meadows, winding paths, and more tree varieties than you could shake a biodegradable stick at. Whether you’re into peaceful forest vibes or you’re just here for the photo ops, this place delivers.
The Arboretum got its start in 1929 thanks to nature-loving duo Beman and Bertie Dawes.
The Daweses originally bought the land in the late 1910s as a low-key getaway spot from their East Broad Street home. A few tree plantings later, okay, more like 50,000, and their hobby snowballed into the sprawling arboretum we know today.
These days, the Arboretum is home to nearly 14,000 trees and shrubs spanning more than 5,000 varieties, and that’s just the beginning.
There are nine different zones to explore, plus a visitor center to help you get your bearings (and maybe pick up a cute plant-themed sticker or two). Not sure where to start? Try the auto tour route for a low-effort, high-reward view of the grounds. Park, hop out, explore, repeat.
And yes, your Instagram feed will thank you, especially if you swing by the Japanese Garden. Honestly, you’d be hard-pressed to take a bad photo anywhere in this place.
Climb the observation tower and you’ll see the Arboretum’s party trick: giant hedge letters spelling out “Dawes Arboretum” across the lawn, best read from above. The 2.75-mile Lake Trail takes you out to the tower and back.
Yes, it’s picnic-perfect, but the fun doesn’t stop at sandwiches under a tree.
They’ve got a whole lineup of quirky, wholesome programming throughout the year. Think weekend pop-up exhibits and hangouts in the garden with the horticulture crew. The historic Daweswood House runs tours too. You can check the full calendar here, but fair warning, it’ll make your basic weekend plans feel wildly inadequate.
Heads up before you go: admission is $10 for adults, $5 for kids 5 to 15, and free for under 5. Free day passes float around 15 local library systems if you plan ahead, and the Red Barn Reserve and Dutch Fork Wetlands sections are free year-round. The grounds are open daily, 9am to 7pm April through October and 9am to 5pm November through March.
So unless you’re actively against charming forests, tree nerds doing amazing work, and serene day trips, go ahead and plan your visit. The Dawes Arboretum is located at 7770 Jacksontown Rd. in Newark. You can get all the details you need at dawesarb.org.
