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
“Big Bugs” Art Exhibit
The ten all-natural, gigantic insect sculptures available for guests to marvel. For the first time, The Dawes Arboretum will be home to David Rogers’ “Big Bugs” traveling art exhibit.
![Big Bugs exhibit at Dawes](https://i0.wp.com/www.columbusonthecheap.com/lotc-cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/big-bugs-dawes.jpg?resize=610%2C407&ssl=1)
Big Bugs exhibit at Dawes
The massive insect sculptures—measuring as big as 25 feet long, 20 feet wide, 10 feet tall and up to 1200 pounds—are created using cedars, locust, walnut, willow and other all-natural forest materials. A part of the collection are 10 different insects including a praying mantis, spider and web, dragonfly, grasshopper, and ladybug.
Since its debut in 1994, the Big Bugs have traveled across the country with nearly 100 exhibitions at over two-dozen states, including visits to prestigious gardens such as the New York Botanical Gardens and Disney’s EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.columbusonthecheap.com/lotc-cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Big-Bugs-Dawes-Praying-mantis-2-William-Cullina.JPG.jpg?resize=610%2C458&ssl=1)
Big Bugs exhibit at Dawes, credit: William Cullina
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.
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.
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!
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.
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 for 2023 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
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Past 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.
Fall Fun Wagon Tour
Saturdays in October | 11am and 1pm
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
Build Your Own Ex-STRAW-Dinary Scarecrow!
Saturday, October 8 | 9am – 12pm
You’re invited to create your own Ex-STRAW-Dinary Scarecrow! Bring the whole family for this free hands-on activity and create a scarecrow to display this fall at The Arboretum.
Each scarecrow will be featured on the Parkwoods Trail and guests will be able to vote for their favorite! The Dawes Arboretum will provide the straw (while supplies last) and participants are encouraged to bring supplies to help the scarecrows come to life. Details.
Trick or Trees
October 26 | 5:30 – 7pm
Come dressed in costume and walk the Parkwoods Trail to experience fall color, get a sweet treat and enjoy the spooky season. Those 15 and younger will receive free admission for the event! Details.
The Turkey Trail Challenge
Friday, November 25 | 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 2,500, 5,000 or 10,000 steps will be eligible to receive a prize (while supplies last). Details.
Winter Wonder Walks
November 30, December 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 and 16, 2023 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!
Make sure to mark your calendars for the last night as Santa’s reindeer arrive to take him home to prepare for this holiday season.
Head to Dawes for one of the nights of lights and experience the magic of The Arboretum in winter.
Admission is free to members and $10/adults, $5/children ages 5-15 and free/children under 5 years of age. Registration is required. Both members and non-members must pre-purchase a ticket or reserve a time online.
Tickets will not be sold at the gate. Please arrive during your designated arrival time. The walk is approximately one mile.
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.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.columbusonthecheap.com/lotc-cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Log-Cabin-2.jpg?resize=610%2C404&ssl=1)
Photo: Dawes Arboretum
Pop-Up Exhibits at Dawes
Pop-up exhibits are included with Arboretum admission. Programs are most Saturdays and Sundays through May 18 from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. See events calendar for upcoming events. Included with admission
Preschool Storybook Science
Thursdays through May 2, 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.
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.