With the Cleveland Metroparks and Cuyahoga Valley National Park right in our backyard, Clevelanders are well aware of the splendor that awaits them. However, this one natural space near Cleveland is so much more than just a park—it’s an outdoor museum, and its exhibits are unbelievably gorgeous.
Welcome to the Holden Arboretum!
WHMeg/TripAdvisor This outdoor museum is perhaps the only Ohio museum where both you and your pups will feel right at home… and, they don’t even have to pay admission!
Here, you’ll discover 3,600 acres of unrivaled beauty that stretches as far as the eye can see.
Dustin B/TripAdvisor
Of that acreage, 200 acres encompass special gardens and collections.
management/TripAdvisor
This site is a tasteful combination of man-made gardens and native forests.
Erik Drost/Flickr
Once spring arrives, the 120,000 plants that thrive in the arboretum come back to life with mind-blowing color.
Dustin B/TripAdvisor
The plants and trees in this outdoor museum are used for educational purposes, which you can experience solo or via a guided group tour.
DailyPassion/TripAdvisor
This humbling site was established in 1931 by Albert Fairchild Holden as a memorial for his daughter, Elizabeth, who died at only 12 years of age.
Doug Chapman/Flickr
Before the site of Gildersleeve Mountain in Kirtland was chosen for the arboretum, many other local places were considered.
Noelene B/TripAdvisor Part of Lake View Cemetery and the family estate in Bratenahl were considered but ultimately passed up in favor of the beautiful Lake County site we know today.
Over 20 miles of trails crisscross the campus of the Holden Arboretum…
sunfish1313/TripAdvisor
…And not all of the walkways are quite what you’d expect.
Iheartpau/TripAdivsor
Murch Canopy Walk is elevated 65 feet above the forest floor, and it opens for the season on April 1, 2018.
Martysfo/TripAdvisor Tickets to experience this incredible walkway can be purchased here.
This arboretum is delightful in the most surprising of ways…
Jason Morrison/Flickr
…And each visit unveils a brand new discovery.
DailyPassion/TripAdvisor
Plan your trip today, and be sure to swing by the gift shop afterward!
sunfish1313/TripAdvisor The Holden Arboretum is located at 9550 Sperry Rd., Kirtland, OH 44094. It’s open daily from 9 am to 5 pm.
This dreamy destination is one of the loveliest hidden wonders in Northeast Ohio. The Holden Arboretum’s enchanting outdoor museum is unlike anything you’ve ever seen, and you must plan a trip this spring to experience the gardens at the height of their splendor!
WHMeg/TripAdvisor
This outdoor museum is perhaps the only Ohio museum where both you and your pups will feel right at home… and, they don’t even have to pay admission!
Dustin B/TripAdvisor
management/TripAdvisor
Erik Drost/Flickr
DailyPassion/TripAdvisor
Doug Chapman/Flickr
Noelene B/TripAdvisor
Part of Lake View Cemetery and the family estate in Bratenahl were considered but ultimately passed up in favor of the beautiful Lake County site we know today.
sunfish1313/TripAdvisor
Iheartpau/TripAdivsor
Martysfo/TripAdvisor
Tickets to experience this incredible walkway can be purchased here.
Jason Morrison/Flickr
The Holden Arboretum is located at 9550 Sperry Rd., Kirtland, OH 44094. It’s open daily from 9 am to 5 pm.
For more hidden wonders in the area, check out our article here.
We’re pretty lucky to be surrounded by so much lush greenery here in Cleveland, but natural beauty can be found all across the state! If you loved these photos, check out our Ohio Nature Lovers group on Facebook to see more and share your own with fellow Ohioans!
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