For 6 weeks each Spring, the gardens at the Dallas Arboretum are transformed into a beautiful palette of colors for Dallas Blooms, featuring over 500,000 tulips! In addition, the Arboretum also host special cooking classes, live music, children’s activities and since Easter falls on April 17th this year, there will be special events and Easter Bunny sightings leading up to the Big Day!
The 2022 theme for Dallas Blooms is Birds of Paradise, with amazing topiaries, plus some fun activities such as guest speakers, and special events like birds from the Dallas Zoo! Check the Arboretum’s Calendar for more information!
Know Before You Go
Dallas Blooms runs from February 19th – April 10th, 2022
Discount parking is available online. To purchase and for other discounts, click HERE.
Each Wednesday during Dallas Blooms is BOGO Wednesday, and you can get a FREE ticket with a regular ticket purchase!
The gardens are full of color during Dallas Blooms! It’s the perfect way to welcome in Spring!
Picnic Lunch
While we had eaten at the little cafe, my daughter reminded me how much she loved us bringing a picnic out during Dallas Blooms and sitting in the big, open field to eat. I explained that it was much easier when they were younger and had a wagon or a stroller to carry the food!
You can bring in food and ice chest to the gardens. Since there is so much walking, we always choose a brown bag lunch and drink, which we can throw away after eating and not need to carry around with us!
There is a lot of open space for kids to run and play, but toys such as footballs, frisbees, etc are not allowed.
One of my favorite places at the Dallas Arboretum doesn’t get as much attention as it deserves! A Tasteful Place offers garden fresh foods, but also a daily tasting with a central theme. On our most recent visit, they had a black bean dip, black bean soup and a delicious brownie made from black beans and spinach! They even offer children’s cooking classes!
I’m so unartistic, and it’s amazing to me to watch as professional artist recreate the scenes in the garden. Bring crayons, markers or even watercolors for your children, even as young as toddlers, and encourage them to sit down and create something, too!
The bright and varied colors of the gardens during Dallas Blooms can be a coordinating nightmare when trying to get good pictures of your children. Jeanine Starkenberg, Dallas family photographer with Jean Bean Photography, has some terrific tips. “For bold colored flowers I would suggest wearing pastels or neutrals. Wear layers like a smock or apron dress with a sweater or cute knitted hat, things you can remove for a different look in different locations. Boys look cute with a tie or jacket or blazer.”. She also suggest when photographing children that you get down to their level, get closer and be silly for more natural smiles.
Sculptures abound throughout the grounds. The Arboretum is made up of large open areas, and small little gardens tucked away for quiet contemplation. The Poetry Garden is one of my favorites!
The park is also filled with some amazing water features, both seemingly natural, and man-made.
Don’t forget to stop and smell the roses, and all the fragrant flowers of the gardens! I love visiting with my little boy, because he always reminds me to not just appreciate the flowers visually but to take in the fragrance of each one! Throughout the gardens, the scent of the flowers is amazing, but it’s nice to take the time to smell each one’s own distinct fragrance!
Mommy and Me Mondays and Tiny Tot Tuesdays
Enjoy the gardens on Mondays and Tuesdays for special activities with the youngest visitors! Face painting and a Petting Zoo made for a perfect morning with just me and my little boy!
Weather permitting, we love to end a visit to the Dallas Arboretum at Toad Corners. Four giant toads spray water for cooling off from the Texas heat! Bring a towel and relax under the trees of Crape Myrtle Allee while the children dry off.
My Mommy Tips:
- The Arboretum does not allow changing clothes in the restrooms, because of their high traffic (be prepared to stand in a line). Bring your children in their swimsuit under their clothes.
- Bring extra battery(ies) for your camera. I took 662 pictures during our visit, and was glad I grabbed my spare as I was walking out the door!
More to do at the Dallas Arboretum
Cool Concert Thursdays sell out quickly, so make your plans early!
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Adjoining the Dallas Arboretum is the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden, which I like to describe as a wonderful, outdoor museum!
Things to do near Dallas Arboretum
The Dallas Arboretum is on the shores of White Rock Lake. Enjoy the spring weather with a walk or bike ride around the lake on the White Rock Lake Trail. Click HERE to read more about it.
The White Rock Lake Weekly list upcoming events, such as yoga in the park, many which may coincide with your visit.
It’s a thrill to see sailboats out on White Rock Lake while visiting the Arboretum! If the sight inspires you, the Corinthian Sailing Club and White Rock Boat Club offer youth programs and sailing classes. Click HERE for more information.
While pups aren’t allowed at the Dallas Arboretum, the White Rock Dog Park is one of the best dog parks in North Texas. Click HERE to read more about it.
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
8525 Garland Rd., Dallas
Click HERE to visit their website.
Keep Having Fun in the Texas Sun!
Michelle
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