The Barnes Arboretum – The Merion campus of the acclaimed art collection continues the extensive arboretum and horticultural programs established more than 75 years ago by Laura Barnes, wife of Dr. Albert C. Barnes. Open to the public on weekends, the arboretum features more than 2,500 varieties of trees and woody plants—many of them rare—along with other fragrant plants and flowers.
Visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic and listen to the new 42-stop arboretum audio tour. The Barnes Foundation Benjamin Franklin Parkway location also preserves this horticultural legacy with four acres of landscaped lawns, trees, a public park, a fountain, contemplative walkways and ample seating. The Garden Restaurant’s outdoor courtyard invites patrons to dine alfresco, while internal gardens throughout the building encourage visitors to imagine they are strolling directly into the landscapes they’re admiring on the walls. Arboretum, 300 N. Latch’s Lane, Merion, (215) 278-7200; museum, 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, (215) 278-7200, barnesfoundation.org