Explore the Art of the Pumpkin at Autumn at the Arboretum
Fall fun for the entire family.
Fall is easily my favorite season. I count down the days to when I can wear cozy sweaters and have a valid excuse to watch classic Halloween movies all day. But the absolute best part of the season is the view, and there's no better sight than at Autumn at the Arboretum. Here's how my recent visit to the gardens went.
This beloved Dallas tradition perfectly captures the essence of the season and offers visitors plenty of opportunities to capture beautiful photos of the family. With more than 90,000 pumpkins, the garden celebrates the "Art of the Pumpkin" with a magnificent display featuring four beautifully designed pumpkin houses that my 5-year-old was absolutely enraptured by… until he found the hay bale maze!
We were fascinated by all the variations of pumpkins, squash and gourds. Varying in color, shape and size, some curled around the others and some looked like they had witch's warts. If you find a unique pumpkin, you can always purchase some to take home at the Gift Shop or at the cart across from the Pumpkin Village.
The garden is also still in full bloom so we strolled through the park to see the thoughtfully curated floral beds and greenery. Perfectly accented by vibrant pumpkins, the garden features breathtaking colors of fall including 150,000 autumn flowers. Thankfully, my son found fun around every corner, especially at the Fogelson Fountain and the Water Walls since it was a warmer fall day. The Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden is now back open as of Sept. 22.
When the kiddos got hungry, there were plenty of dining options, including Restaurant De Golyer, Café on the Green, the Lula Mae Slaughter Dining Terrace and more. We stopped at the Grilled Cheese kiosk and found a beautiful spot in the picnic area to enjoy our lunch.
Check out the daily programming and events to make the most out of your experience. This year's festival programming includes live music on the weekends, Owl-O-Ween on Oct. 24, a Family Fun Halloween blowout weekend (Oct. 31 and Nov. 1) and more.
Be sure to purchase your tickets in advance and arrive at least 30 minutes early to find parking and get in line. With the new precautions, we waited in line briefly but were able to get in just a few minutes after our scheduled time.
Overall, our experience was amazing! It wasn't too crowded and the garden took extra safety precautions to ensure everyone was able to enjoy themselves without worry. If you want to get out for a fall family adventure, Autumn at the Arboretum should be your go-to!
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