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Tips for Visiting Adkins Arboretum

Visitors talk with Administrative Assistant Cathy Eiden (right) at the front desk.

A trip to Adkins Arboretum offers something special during every season of the year. Admission is $3 for adults, $1 for students 6-18, and free for children 5 and under and Adkins Arboretum members.

Visitor’s Center
This should always be your first stop at the Arboretum. Staff can assist you in planning your visit, including orientation to the site, special programs and exhibits offered, What’s in Bloom?, What's on the Wing?, as well as general information. Ask the staff to show the orientation video, or borrow an audio tour to take on your walk.

The Visitor’s Center houses displays, a gift shop, bookstore, library, art gallery, and seasonal plant sales area and is open from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily (except major holidays).

Please call the Visitor's Center at 410-634-2847 if you have any questions about visiting.

Handicap Accessibility
The Arboretum’s facilities are handicapped accessible. When planning to visit or attend a program, please call ahead for assistance.

Self-Guided and Guided Walks
The highlight of the Arboretum visit is a walk along its four miles of paths through a variety of habitats, dry open upland meadows, maturing hardwood forest, and lush wooded bottomland. The Arboretum walks are well marked so that you can explore them on your own. Please view or print the map of Arboretum paths.

April through November, enjoy a one-hour guided walk through the Arboretum meadows and woods led by an Arboretum docent naturalist on Saturdays at 11 a.m.

What’s in Bloom?
Highlights of what’s in bloom each season are featured on printed guides available in the Visitor's Center.

Group Tours
Guided tours for groups are arranged by appointment and can be tailored to a group’s interests and age levels. The Arboretum also offers an expanded community outreach series of educational programs that can be presented by request to civic organizations, garden clubs, retirement communities, community centers, and libraries throughout the region. Contact Erica Weick, Coordinator of Volunteer Programs, at 410-634-2847, ext. 27 or at to schedule.

Programs and Events
A variety of educational programs for adults and children and special events for people of all ages are held at the Arboretum throughout the year to promote the appreciation and conservation of the native plants of the Delmarva Peninsula. These include programs on plant identification, gardening with native plants, land conservation, ecology and nature-related arts and crafts.

Art Exhibitions
The Arboretum hosts an ongoing exhibition series of artwork on natural themes by regional artists, as well as an annual art competition for artists held in February of each year and an outdoor sculpture show during the summers. The art exhibitions are displayed in the Visitor’s Center program room.

Reminders
• Enjoy the plants without disturbing them.
• Respect the quiet and solitude others seek.
• Bike the Arboretum paths and give those on foot the right of way.
• Leash your dogs at all times on the grounds.
• Smoke only under the Visitor’s Center pergola.
• Picnic at nearby Tuckahoe State Park.
• Visit the frequently asked questions page for more information.