Minnesota Landscape Arboretum: A Beautiful Day Trip you need to take

If you’re looking for a quiet place to enjoy nature, with beautifully curated gardens and to truly discover one of the best things about Minnesota, plan a day trip to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum for one of the most beautiful destinations in the state.

Just a short drive from the Twin Cities, this 1,200+ acre space blends curated gardens, wooded trails, sculptures, and seasonal experiences, giving you reasons to visit year-round. 

Whether you’re planning a day trip, a peaceful solo walk, or adding a stop to your Minnesota road trip itinerary, The Arb is a must! 

What You’ll Find at Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

We were blown away by everything there is to discover at Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, including a conservatory, a horticulture library, a farm, and trails. It’s truly so big, and we discussed membership because it would be such a great place to visit frequently. 

Explore 30 themed Gardens

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum isn’t just one garden- there are 30 themed gardens offering different experiences. Some of the themes include:

• Japanese Garden– tranquil and meditative, and one of the most photographed spots
• Rose Garden– peak bloom is incredible during summer
• Annual & Perennial Gardens– constantly changing color and texture
• Kitchen Garden– a garden for the senses with kitchen herbs
• Waterfall Garden– if you love waterfalls, you’ll love this

Another nearby beautiful garden worth a day trip is the Normandale Japanese Garden in Bloomington, MN.

Walking and Driving options

Driving through Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

Since it was our first visit, we started with the three-mile scenic drive. We wanted to drive through to cover as much ground as we could. 

This is the perfect way to see everything, with plenty of pull-off spots to get out and explore the different gardens and collections. 

Don’t skip this scenic drive!!

Walking through Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

You also have the option to park and walk the three miles. The choice is yours!

We saw plenty of people there specifically to exercise, as there are paths throughout The Arb’s grounds.  What a fantastic use of a membership. 

Oswald Visitor Center

There is a nice, casual cafe, outdoor terrace, and garden store and gift shop. You’ll also find rotating art displays.

Our recommendation: 

Drive through to see everything, then park your car and tour the gardens near the Oswald Visitor Center. There are several parking lots behind the Oswald Visitor Center, so grab a spot if you can, but we found the gardens easy to access from the main parking lot. 

Art & Sculptures 

It is our opinion that the Arboretum could also be considered an art museum, given the many sculptures and installations throughout the property. 

They also add in-season exhibits, giving visitors a reason to return often.

Some of our Favorite Things at the Arboretum

We said OMGosh about a hundred times and took hundreds of pictures, not entirely sure we could capture the beauty. Here are some of the things that caught our eyes during our early fall visit.

Why You’ll Want to Visit in Every Season

As different plants and species bloom during different seasons, there is always a reason to go back and see “what’s in bloom”.

• Spring: for tulips, blossoms, and everything coming to life. This is a great season to feel rejuvenation with tulips and other blossoms
• Summer: for peak blooms, ideal for wandering and picnicking to extend your experience at The Arb
• Fall: one of the best fall color drives to take in Minnesota
• Winter: obviously nothing in bloom, but snow-covered trails will make for a peaceful visit. Consider a seasonal holiday lights event for a uniquely festive way to celebrate the season

Dine, Drink & Take a Break at the Minnesota Arboretum

Our motto is dine, drink, and discover; you can do all of that at The Arb!

There’s a café on site to stop for a quick bite or a coffee. We even found some vegan options during our lunchtime visit, though we didn’t eat here.

Next time, we’d like to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy with the scenic views, allowing for a “slow travel” outing. 

There are so many nooks and crannies in these gardens, with benches and gazebos for a peaceful moment along the way. My first thought was “I should have brought a book” to just sit and relax along the way.

Know Before You Visit the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

• Location of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum: 3675 Arboretum Dr, Chaska, MN 55318
• Hours: vary by season– make sure to check before you go!
• Admission: Check out tickets and membership costs
• Best time to visit: Anytime! So much to offer every season.

Love Japanese gardens? The Arb isn’t your only option in the Twin Cities. The Normandale Japanese Garden in Bloomington is another peaceful place to enjoy traditional Japanese landscape.

Dining Duster Tips for Visiting the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

• As always, our tip is to get there early or later and visit on a weekday if possible for fewer crowds
• Wear comfortable walking shoes- this place is enormous
• Don’t skip the scenic drive loop- especially in fall
• Bring a camera as it’s one of the most photogenic spots in Minnesota

Here are a couple of vegan options nearby we recommend

What’s a day trip without some good food? Here are some of our favorite nearby vegan options.

• Thanh Luong Vegetarian in Minnetonka has fabulous vegetarian and vegan Vietnamese food
• Here are our recommendations for the best vegan brunch options in the Twin Cities

Are You Ready to Visit the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum?

This is the ideal place to make repeat visits, as there’s so much to offer, not to mention the varied blooms you’ll see in different months. If you’re looking for a tranquil, relaxing visit, The Arb will reset your frame of mind and reconnect you to nature and beauty. 

More Beautiful Gardens to Explore in Minnesota

If you think wandering through a beautiful garden is your idea of a good time, there are plenty of other beautiful places to add to your Minnesota travel list. Check out our guides to the Como Park Conservatory in St. Paul and the Normandale Japanese Garden in Bloomington.