Flying Colors in Bloom

Tyler Arboretum

If you haven't already experienced the magical Tyler Arboretum (and even if you have), put this on your list of must-see places this summer. It's a wonderful time of year to experience this National Historic Register property that passed through eight family generations (beginning with its purchase from William Penn in 1681) before becoming a public garden in 1944. You won't have to travel far... The arboretum is located in Media, just outside of Philadelphia.

650 acres of spectacular plant collections, nine tree houses, historic buildings, heritage and champion trees and 17 miles of hiking trails through woodlands, wetlands and meadows await you here. In case that's not enough to tickle your fancy, the arboretum is celebrating their 70th anniversary this year with a variety of special events the whole family can enjoy!

Summer highlights:

Butterfly House Exhibit - Beautifully colored caterpillars and delicate, fluttering butterflies show off their vivid hues among the colorful plant specimens that they depend upon in this live specimen exhibit starting June 28, 2014. Learn about, photograph and get a close-up look at local butterflies in all stages of development. The exhibit features a 1,400 square foot Butterfly House filled with native specimens including monarchs, viceroys, sulphurs, mourning cloaks, hairstreaks, red-spotted purples, great spangled fritillaries, painted ladies and swallowtails. Extensive plantings that feed both butterflies and caterpillars are also on display. This special exhibit is free with the price of regular admission and will be open through the months of July and August, rain or shine.

Nightfall Exhibition – Enjoy a free acrobatic exhibition on the arboretum’s Native Woodland Walk on Tuesday, July 15 from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Guests will take a mild hike on illuminated paths through the woods while encountering a panorama of mythical woodland creatures performed by the acrobatic actors of the Almanac Company. Multiple “habitats” throughout this spectacle await discovery, each one different and more fantastic than the last. This is a rain or shine event.

Tree House Festival - Celebrate trees and the wildlife that call them home during a spectacular, free show featuring a variety of birds including hawks and falcons on Sunday, July 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. While you’re there, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Woodmobile, or try your hand at climbing with ropes and a harness under the supervision of professional tree care professionals. Gourmet pizza will be available for purchase at this rain or shine event.

Wine and Bluegrass Chiller – Cool off with a sampling of wines and a selection of seasonal hors d’oeuvres while enjoying the live bluegrass music of Ridley Creek on Thursday, July 31 from 6 - 8 p.m. Tours will be offered to those interested in taking a sipping stroll (rain or shine).

Butterfly Festival - Visit Tyler’s Butterfly House to see live butterflies in all stages of their life cycle at this free, rain or shine event on Saturday, August 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Get up close with plants that attract our fluttering friends, watch monarch tagging demonstrations and learn all about garden insects at Greener Partners’ Farm Explorer — a living, hands-on farm on wheels. Gourmet pizza will be available for purchase.

INSIDER TIPS

Hours: The arboretum is open 362 days a year, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays/Sundays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Admission: Adults (16 to 64) - $11; Seniors (65+) - $9; Youths (3-15) - $7; Children under 3 and Tyler members – Free.

Getting there: Although public transportation is unavailable, the arboretum is easily accessible from several major highways, and is about a 30-minute ride from Philadelphia.

Discounts: Find information on a variety of available admission discounts after the jump.

Nightfall Exhibition: Wear footwear suitable for uneven terrain. Strollers and flash photography are not permitted. In order to maintain dark-adapted vision, flashlights will only be allowed with red filters (filters will be available at no charge).

Tyler Arboretum
515 Painter Road, Media, PA 19063

 

 

Contact Us