The Dawes Arboretum Reviews

Really cool. Nearly 2000 acres and 17,000 plants and trees.

My wife and I just visited for the first time and it did not disappoint. The whole grounds were quite beautiful and well maintained. Our only problem that day was that some places were difficult to find even with the map we were given. Maybe some small markers throughout the place would help. Overall it was a fantastic day, I'd highly recommend.

Free and open to the public, this venue has the most impressive and varied types of trees that I have ever seen. The expansive property is broken into sections - forest, swamp, conifers, Japanese garden, holly....it goes on and on. You can see all of them on an auto tour that has small parking spaces that allow you to hop out and explore up close. The main building has a small childrens area where they can learn about nature as well as a small gift shop and public restrooms. Lots of hiking trails. Tourism aside, Dawes also is a source of scientific research on trees. There is a historical component with the mansion of Mr. Dawes, the owner of the property, along with his log cabin cottage where maple syrup is made in the early Spring. Very neat place, worth a visit.

I can never get enough of this place. It's so peaceful and serene.

Well taken care of and a huge selection of plants that I did not know would grow in ohio

So many good memories at this Beautiful and Huge arboretum. The Hedge Letters were always my favorite. I was sad to find out they started charging for admission.

Very nice place to spend the day. Great walking trails and lots of educational value.

A beautiful place to spend an afternoon. Lovely walks and views.

This park is my happy place! I try to take my dog every week and we love the east woods across the road when it s too cold for bugs. Find something new every time. Absolutely beautiful, and well kept.

Beautiful grounds to explore with children. My daughter and I really enjoyed the observation tower and the lake. Very peaceful as well to sit by the lake and unwind from the work week.

Will definitely be back in a few weeks to enjoy the changing of the leaves.

This place was beautiful in the fall I highly recommend going

Real beautiful and refreshing out here. Cant wait to see it in the summer when all the colors come in.

Beautiful! I have been here for a jog, to take pictures and with my son's class from school. Always a great experience.

Love this place great for walks they have events thru the summer

Great place to see all kinds of plants. Has a japenese garden that is excellent. Take the house tour. Costs 2 dollars but worth it.

Love having Dawes practically in our backyard. We heard they'll be charging for admission next year. That's a shame, but understandable. Hopefully there will be a discount for families.

We visited on a rainy day and still enjoyed ourselves! Great place to take a camera and just walk and enjoy. If you are not interested in a lot of walking, roads connect points of interest well, but a small amount of walking is needed to get to certain special areas. Any amount of time can be spent, whether you just want to drive through or walk the many trails offered.

Very large to say the least. Great place to go when the weather is nice and you want to spend time outdoors

Awesome place to spend a day. Be sure to check out the fish pond.

Tour buses come here. People from countries all over the world come here. Yet many locals don't even know it's here or haven't been to this treasure in decades. Simply awesome!

Beautiful place, just wish they had more to see in the areas of the park that are desolate and just prairies

Just....go! A beautiful treasure nestled in the countryside of Licking County.

Although I went in March and trees and plants haven't bloomed yet, it was a peaceful experience. It is really well maintained and every single plant labeled. Maybe the Arboretum map needs some improvement (like orientation points) and I am not convinced with the car tour. I understand it is useful for elderly people and impaired though. I hope the most still will make the healthy choice to walk. This is probably one of the best Arboretum I've been too.

Great place to go for a stroll with little ones, or a place to get some alone time.

*updated review stars from 5 to a 1 due to a fee to enter I've not been back and will not pay!

When I went to Dawes Arboretum 2 years ago, I seen so many flowers and other plants. For people who say Dawes is not a great arboretum to go to, they're messed up in the head.

I love taking my family here. It is beautiful no matter what season.

If you need to get away but can't go far, this is the best place to relax.

We had a very enjoyable walk through the light display at Dawes

Very clean and we'll kept grounds. The girl working was very friendly and hospitable.

First time walking around the Japanese Gardens within Dawes. It's very pretty. Didn't know there was a small pond and adorable bridges. Too bad we couldn't cross the bridges.

Beautiful place. The scenes are fabulous. We took our pregnancy pictures here.

Great place for a picnic and to reconnect with nature.

Beautiful place but there are many beautiful places that don't charge 10 dollar s to get in...come on people get it together

Great service department. Easy in and out. The techs explain every step and the pricing.

Well, this is just the tower of Dawes Arboretum. Good view point though. Maybe one of the highlights of the place since you can view the fairly ambitious undertaking of spelling out the name of the arboretum with bushes extending at least half a mile.

Something for everyone. Individual or family. Beautiful fall foliage and currently a scarecrow contest on display. Oh and enchanting wind sculptures on display. Nice!

What a wonderful placed to go when you need some peace.

It is a lovely place to enjoy, learn about trees and relax
Appearance was better in the past years than it is now.

I enjoyed our visit...especially the learning center with turtles and bird feeders. In addition to a lot of trees the arboretum has some nice gardens and many trails. You may see a deer or two.

Beautiful place to walk and can take my dogs along.

Very scenic views. Perfect for taking pictures and casual strolls

The best place to walk or just listen to the birds. This amazing place is a jewel in central Ohio
And then they started charging to get in Dawes Arboretum was set up on the foundation of Charles Dawes in the millions he made in the petroleum industry and many other things. This was a place for all people know it s only for a few a big shame on you Dawes Arboretum administration. Make it free again.

Love this place! The park itself is wonderful and the staff is really friendly.

What a great experience! Loved and will be returning.

Such a great place to see nature, take pictures, have a picnic, and to take kids! Its worth it and mostly free. Drive through or walk! A great place to jog and see nature!

WE'VE got to get OURSELVES back to the GARDEN, so get your self THERE!!! JONI,. Is that YOU?

Fun day out, disappointed that parts were closed to car traffic, but it was due to construction.

Not only is this place pretty magical but it's the only Arboretum that I go to and think that I'm hiking. I love that it's free and it has events. It is an awesome place to go on a family bike ride. It's a wonderful place to have a picnic. Over the last decade that you've added some other huge areas which are also really nice, hiking trails and an event center.

If youve never been here you are missing out! Great place to spend a few hours on great trails.pets welcome!

Very nice place, well maintained. Lots of flowering trees, squirrels, rabbits.

A great place to explore nature, learn about plants and conservation. Check their website for upcoming events. You will find something you've never seen before.

Great place for walks, picnics, or driving tours. Dog friendly

Beautiful in the springtime my favorite is the Japanese Garden with the pond full of turtles and lots of big fish. The guest center has souvenirs and the staff is friendly.

Really nothing to see here other than the trees. The Japanese garden is nowhere compared to the one in Gambier, Ohio. The pond in the Japanese garden looks dirty too. Will not return ever.

For someone who hates the outdoors, I loved the place. I went there for a date (11/8/15) and it was beautiful.

They are charging money this year. $10 per head for adults. Hopefully they make it better with this increased revenue. It cost our group over $100. It rained after a little while after arriving, so we could not see much. I think it is a priced a litle high. $20 for a couple makes it almost too much to attend. Be nice if they could have a buy one get one free.

1800 acres of trees and gardens. I enjoyed the serenity of the Japanese garden and will return again to spend more time. I like looking at trees and their leaves and the trees are all labeled so you can recognize the various species. I can't wait to return in the early spring before the leaves come out and look at the area where the glacier stopped.

I've been to Dawes many times in my lifetime. My spouse and I became engaged on the Dawes Lake island in June 1995. The Arboretum is one of our favorite places.

Love the Dawes a variety of educational things to do.