Visit Dawes Arboretum: Turkey Trail, Winter Wonders Walk

Head to Licking County to enjoy acres of nature at Dawes Arboretum in Newark, Ohio.

Home to over 5300 different types of plants with more than 15,400 plants on grounds, you’ll find new things to explore every time you visit.

What you’ll find at Dawe’s

Located about 30 minutes east of Columbus, Dawes Arboretum features 2,000 acres with 12 miles of trails, an informative Auto Tour,  Japanese Garden, lakes, or take in breathtaking views from the Observation Tower, and more.

Visit the indoor and comfortable bird-watching sitting area, and children’s exploration area in the basement of the visitor center.

Take a drive through to explore the various gardens. There are parking areas throughout the Auto Tour so you can get out and explore. 

There are so many landscapes to choose from, with lakes, bridges, woods, beautiful flowers, Japanese garden, walking paths, Red Barn, and more. You’ll want to pack a picnic and stay for awhile.

Exhibits and Events at Dawes Arboretum

Fall Foliage at Dawes

Dawes Arboretum is a perfect choice to explore fall foliage – whether you plan to walk or drive (or a little of both). The paved trails (open to cars and walking) through the arboretum lead to a variety of ecosystems and gardens. 

Park at the beginning and spend a couple of hours walking, or drive from parking area to parking area and explore the nearby gardens. 

My top picks include the overlook over the valley, just past the visitor’s center, Dawes Lake and the Observation tower overlooking the hedge lettering, Garden Gateway (including the Japanese Garden), and Hikes through the Woodlands. 

Veterans Day: Free Admission for Veterans & Active Military

November 11, 2024

Admission will be free for all veterans and active military! Explore the beautiful grounds and admire the changing of the seasons. The Arboretum is open to members from 8am to 5pm and to non-members from 9am to 5pm.

*Please provide the Gatehouse with your military ID upon arrival. Details.

The Turkey Trail Challenge

Friday, November 29 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Bring your pedometer, register at the Visitor’s Center, and take in as much of The Dawes Arboretum as you can. It’s the perfect chance to walk off your Thanksgiving meal(s).

Guests who walk 10,000 steps will be eligible to receive a prize (while supplies last). Details. 

Winter Wonder Walks

December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21, 2024 from 6 – 9pm. Details here.

Take a stroll through a winter wonderland during The Dawes Arboretum’s Winter Wonders Walk! There is something for everyone in the family to enjoy, with illuminated trees, food trucks, live music and a special appearance from Santa Claus!

This is the only nature-friendly holiday light display in central Ohio where hundreds of LED lights are positioned in the ground to illuminate the trees rather than wrapping them with stranded lights.

• Sensory Sensitivity Night: Thursday, December 12
• Santa’s Reindeer: Saturday, December 21

Read more here. 

Pop-Up Exhibits at Dawes

Pop-up exhibits are included with Arboretum admission. Programs are most Saturdays and Sundays through October from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. See events calendar for upcoming events. Included with admission.

Preschool Storybook Science

Thursdays through April, 10 am – 11 am
45 minute sessions may include songs, games, crafts, creative movement, outdoor exploration and hands-on science discovery suitable for children ages 3-5 and their caregiver. Details here.

No event: November 28, December 26, 

StoryTrail™ 2024

This year’s trail features Noisy Bug Sing Along by John Himmelman. Open your ears to the amazing concert happening in the woods as you explore the wide world of noisy bugs! 

The trail opens on May 25, 2024. Licking County Library will be there with the bookmobile and fun activities. Be one of the first to visit with our Big Bug sculptures and see live bugs with the OSU BUGmobile! 

Plus, Arboretum admission will be free for children aged 15 and younger from 10am-12pm on June 10. Details. 

New Wetland Restoration Project

The Dawes Arboretum and the Stream + Wetlands Foundation are launching a new wetland restoration project at The Arboretum’s Rolling Hills Meadow property.

This joint effort to restore wetland habitat at The Dawes Arboretum begins in late September and will provide numerous important functions, such as filtration of run-off, nutrient cycling, wildlife and pollinator habitat and educational opportunities. The future addition of walking trails and enhanced viewsheds in the Rolling Hills Meadow will allow members and visitors access to this stunning focal point. 

The Wetland Restoration Project will also provide opportunities for local community members to get involved through volunteer events, where participants can contribute to the hands-on work of ecological restoration.

These events will be announced through The Dawes Arboretum’s, Stream + Wetlands Foundation’s, and SER’s social media channels beginning in late summer, 2025. 

DAILY HOURS MARCH – OCTOBER

• Members’ Hours: 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
• Non-Members’ Hours: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm

DAILY HOURS NOVEMBER – FEBRUARY

• Members’ Hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
• Non-Members’ Hours: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Find additional information on programming and events at the website. 

CLOSED: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day, After 1p.m. Christmas Eve, After 1p.m. New Years’ Eve
ADMISSION IS FREE ON VETERANS’ DAY

The Dawes Arboretum Visitors Center is open daily from 10am to 4pm.

Admission for Dawes Arboretum

Buy tickets online! Non-members to pre-purchase admission at this time.

• Adult: $10.00
• Child (Ages 5-15): $5.00
• Children Under 5: Free

If you are unable to visit during the date you purchased your ticket for, please call The Arboretum to reschedule your visit within 30 days of purchase.

Discounts and Free admission for Dawes

Free admission passes are available for check out at Licking County Library, the Muskingum County Library, the Granville Public Library, Alexandria Public Library, Homer Public Library, Perry County District Library, Fairfield Library and Pataskala Library.

Please check your library for availability.

Free admission passes for foster care families will be available through Licking County JFS.

Those with a SNAP card will be offered discounted admission, daily.

Free admission days are offered throughout the year. Check the website or scroll down for events to see if any are coming up!

Columbus Member Advantage Program

If you’re a member of select Central Ohio attractions, you can save $3 on general admission to local attractions through the Columbus Member Advantage program.

No coupon is necessary. Simply show your valid participating membership card when you visit! Limited to 4 discounts per membership per day; can’t be combined with other discounts.  

Member Advantage partners include

• Columbus Museum of Art and Pizzuti Collection (see our article)
• Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (see our article)
• Dawes Arboretum (see our article)
• Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens (see our article)
• LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Columbus (see our article)
• National Veterans Memorial and Museum (see our article)
• Ohio History Center & Ohio Village (see our article)
• Wexner Center for the Arts (see our article)
• COSI (advanced tickets required)
• The Works: Ohio Center for History, Art and Technology (also qualifies for ASTC reciprocal admission) 

Membership at Dawes Arboretum

Membership for Dawes supports the programs, while it gives you discounts, Free catch-and-release fishing at Dawes Lake, Reciprocal benefits at more than 300 gardens in North America, and more. Plus member-only hour from 8 am – 9 am.

Dawes Arboretum
7770 Jacksontown Rd.
Newark, OH 43056
website | Facebook

About Dawes Arboretum: Founded in 1929 by Beman and Bertie Dawes, The Dawes Arboretum is a living museum celebrating the history and beauty of trees and nature. Located in Newark, Ohio (30 miles east of Columbus), The Dawes Arboretum offers paths, trails and boardwalks to explore along with historical and art exhibitions and educational programming.

The Dawes Arboretum is recognized by the National Registry of Historic Places

Past events at Dawes Arboretum

Winter Solstice Movement & Meditation

Thursday, December 21, 6 PM  –  7 PM

The words solstice comes from the Latin sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still.) Traditionally cultures celebrated the winter solstice as a time of rebirth and the sun’s victory over darkness. It is a time to return to the light.  

In this practice we will begin with gentle movement and intention setting followed by stillness and a guided meditation. This session, led by an instructor from Granville Yoga,  is beginner-friendly and no experience is necessary. Please dress comfortably (often the body cools down during meditation and you may want an extra layer!) and bring an eye bag or a scarf if you would like to cover your eyes during the meditation. 

Tickets are $18; register here.

Wonderful Winter Birding

Saturdays, through February 17, 2024

Drop in for some winter bird watching in the Bird Watching Garden. Borrow some binoculars and field guides to hone your identification skills and get some winter bird feeding tips! Come early to participate in Project Feederwatch, a citizen science initiative that helps monitor the distribution and abundance of winter bird populations.

Maple Syrup Days at Dawes Arboretum 

February 24 and 25, 2024 from 1-3 pm

Learn the history and process of maple sugaring as you meander down the paved trail toward The Arboretum’s Log Cabin. The 45 minute guided tours of the Maple Syrup Trail will begin every 15 minutes. 

These tours are included with Arboretum admission. Details here.

Spring Cherry Blossoms

Dawes Arboretum, located just 35 minutes from Columbus in Newark, Ohio. You’ll find plenty of flowering cherry trees in the Japanese Garden this Spring. The Zen garden features bridges, a meditation house, pond, stones, hills, and more, creating a serene backdrop.

Park at the Japanese Garden to start, and then drive around the south end of the Auto Tour to see additional individual trees.

Spring Stargazing

April 16-20 (date will be determined based on clearest night) 8:30 – 10pm
Explore the night sky at The Arboretum with a local astronomer and learn to identify popular spring constellations. Some telescopes and binoculars will be provided, but please feel free to bring your own.

Tickets are $12. Members can log into account to receive member discount. Details here.

Arbor Day Festival and Spring Plant Sale

Saturday, April 27, 2024 10am – 2pm. 

Celebrate Arbor Day and all things trees with hands-on activities, Spring Plant sale, plant experts, and more! . There will be food trucks on site for you and your family to purchase food! More information is to come.

Admission to The Dawes Arboretum is free on April 27 courtesy of presenting sponsor, Park National Bank. See details here. 

Little Buckeyes Imagination Station

Fridays, June 21 – August 9, 2024 at 10 am. Let the creative educators of the Dawes Arboretum bring your family closer to the wonders of the natural world. Stop by the Education Center to get everything you need for self-guided exploration.

Little Buckeyes Imagination Station activities, geared toward children ages 3-8, will give curious youngsters an opportunity to get moving as they observe and create in nature!

See full schedule here.

Camp Dawes 2024

The Dawes Arboretum is hosting six nature-filled summer camps this year for LOTS of ages! Camp Dawes will take place throughout June and July and focus on everything from survival skills and fairy houses, to water and wildlife. 

Find out all of the details on the website. 

Japanese Garden Festival

Saturday, June 22, 2024 from 10 am to 2 pm

Celebrate one of The Dawes Arboretum’s most beloved gardens during the Japanese Garden Festival!

Food trucks will consist of Ono Turo Turo & Poppy’s Roadside Diner, Velvet Ice Cream Cart and Woodland Pub. There will be activities for all ages including Dragon Ikka Calligraphy, Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko Drumming, Granville Yoga’s Qigong, Ikebana floral arrangement and display, origami, wishing tree and more!

Festival entry is included with general admission to Dawes. Select activities may have a separate fee. Details on website.

Magnificent Monarchs

Saturdays in September, from 11 am – noon. Learn more about one of the most well-known butterflies in Ohio– Monarchs! There will be monarch crafts and activities, as well as a live butterfly tag-and-release demonstration. Included with Arboretum admission. 

Fall Fun Wagon Tour

Saturdays in September and October 
Take a tour of The Dawes Arboretum’s collections with an Arboretum expert. Enjoy the end of summer and the start of fall in an open air wagon while learning about the collections and Arboretum history as the leaves change color.

Tours are $5 per person for 5 and up, and can be purchased at the Visitor’s Center

Fall Plant Sale

Saturday October 5, 2024, 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
 
The Dawes Arboretum is hosting its annual fall plant sale on Saturday, October 5th on the Visitors Center Deck. The sale will feature a great selection of plants well suited to fall planting. Arboretum experts will be available to assist with plant care and selection questions.
 
Members will receive 15% off their purchase. If you are interested in becoming a member, please visit our website.
Member Preview from 8 AM – 9 AM; Public Event from 9 AM – 11 AM. Details. 

Dawes Fall Fest

Saturday October 19, 2024, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
 
Embrace the vibrant colors of The Arboretum as the season transforms into fall at our upcoming Dawes Fall Fest on Saturday, October 19 from 12 – 4pm! Enjoy food trucks, Woodland Pub, family-friendly activities on the lawn, pumpkins, wagon rides and more! 

Stay up-to-date via social media channels or website at dawesarb.org

Not-So-Spooky Halloween Trail

Thursday October 24, 2024, 6:00 PM  –  8:00 PM
 
Bats, owls, snakes, and spiders get a reputation for being “spooky”, but they are also important to our ecosystems in Ohio. Bring the whole family to learn more about these animals and meet some animal ambassadors from Ohio Nature Education! Afterwards, hang out at the Log Cabin for a bonfire and Halloween snacks.

Tickets $8; under 5 free