This summer, as we all continue to favor outdoor activities and practice social distancing, you may be feeling a little burned out from the usual list of attractions. But if you look a little deeper, you’ll find that hidden treasures await in all corners of the tristate.
Mt. Airy Arboretum is one such treasure.
Mt. Airy Arboretum is a magnificent collection of trees, foliage and flowers, tucked inside the eponymous Cincinnati Park. While Mt. Airy Forest is known for its hiking and treehouse, the Arboretum is perhaps its greatest attribute.
The Arboretum serves students, gardeners and homeowners as a testing and observation area for plant growth, habit and hardiness of plants in the Cincinnati area. Initially conceived in 1930, many individuals and organizations have contributed to its development and preservation.
Mt. Airy Arboretum is lush and lovely, perfect enjoying a picnic and lazy summer afternoon.Â
Kids will love wandering through the Arboretum and reading about the various trees and foliage. There are a variety of gardens within the Arboretum, featuring lilacs, magnolias and perennials. In addition, the Arboretum educational building looks like something out of a Wes Anderson film, with its classic lettering and mid-century features. (This building is currently closed, however.)
As a whole, Mt. Airy Forest is Cincinnati’s largest park — coming in at almost 1,500 acres. It was established in 1911 out of several unproductive farms, and was the first municipal reforestation project in America. The Arboretum features the “best of the best” in terms of foliage and plant life. It reminds us just how glorious and beautiful Cincinnati truly is. This hidden gem is worth exploring this summer with your kids.
