If your kids haven’t climbed the Holden Arboretum‘s Kalberer Emergent Tower yet, put it on the list. The steel tower rises 120 feet — about 12 stories — above the forest floor, and on a clear day the view stretches all the way to Lake Erie.
The climb is 202 steps with rest platforms every 30 steps or so. It’s manageable for most kids, and the stopping points give everyone a reason to look around on the way up rather than just at the top.
Related Article: Worth-the-Drive: Blacklick Woods Metro Park’s Canopy Walk
The Murch Canopy Walk
The tower is usually done alongside the Murch Canopy Walk, a 500-foot elevated walkway that puts you 65 feet above the forest floor. Together, the two attractions take most visitors about an hour and a half to two hours. Both are included with general admission.
Hours and admission
The Kalberer Emergent Tower and Murch Canopy Walk are open April through October, Tuesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Last entry is at 4:45 p.m. In November, both structures are open Saturdays and Sundays only, weather permitting, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with last entry at 3:45 p.m.
General admission to Holden Arboretum is $21 for adults and $15 for children ages 3 to 12. Members get in free. The tower and canopy walk are included with admission — no separate ticket needed.
The tower closes during severe weather, including thunderstorms and high winds. Check Holden’s website or social pages before you go if conditions are questionable.
Getting there
The tower is about a half mile from the Corning Visitor Center. Holden’s address is 9550 Sperry Road in Kirtland, Ohio. If you’re coming from the highway, use Exit 193 (Route 306) rather than Exit 195 — Holden recommends it to avoid steep hills.
Tickets are available at holdenfg.org. On busy days, capacity is limited and tickets can sell out, so booking ahead is worth it.
