Royal Botanical Gardens - Arboretum — Attraction in Hamilton

This Arboretum is even more beautiful than I had expected. I have been to many arboretums, and generally, they are a large property with lots of trees. This Arboretum has more than that. It is located on Lake Ontario with the Cootes Paradise Marsh. I love the view of water, and this arboretum offers that with an amazing view of Lake Ontario. I purchased my ticket at the Royal Botanical Garden, which gave me access to the Royal Botanical Garden, which gave me access to the Laking Garden, Rock Garden, Hendrick Garden and this Arboretum. All 4 gardens/parks are dogfriendly. My 2 little dogs and I explored all 4 in one day includes taking a lunch break in between. After entering the Arboretum, I walked into an open area with a nicely paved walking path which is wheelchair friendly. The walking path took me through various trees on both sides of the path. At the end of the path, I went to the right, onto the grass, and started heading downhill with beautiful trees planted everywhere but plenty of grassy area if you want to sit down and relax, let the kids play, or even have a little snack. This point and beyond is not wheelchair friendly. At the bottom of the hill, there is a trailhead to the trails along Lake Ontario. My little ones and I hiked the Marsh Trail, which is along the water with beautiful view of Lake Ontario and the marsh. At the end of the Marsh Trail, there is a trail on the left and one on the right. The left trail is a short walk to a platform providing a view of Lake Ontario. I went in May, and the trees blocked most of the view. The right trail is a long hike. Before turning to take any of the trail, in front of you is a lot of trees. There is where you'll get to see a lot of chipmunks. So cute. Some people had peanuts; not sure if they brought them for themselves or knew about the chipmunks. They were feeding the chipmunks the peanuts, and it is so cute to watch the little chipmunks running around getting peanuts. After taking the trail to the left, I back tracked on the Marsh Trail, and headed back to the exit. The entire trail was easy walking, but it is lengthy. There are markers along the way, but you can still get confused, not knowing where you are in relations to everything. It is best to take the Arboretum map with you, and I use the MapMyDogWalk (or any MAPMYxxxx) app to track my hike. The app is great because if I were to get lost, which I occasionally do, I can use the app to following my trail to take me back to where I wanted to be. I always remember to turn on my app before exiting my car and turning it off when I get back to my car. I will definitely return to this Arboretum again next time I am in the area. I love that it is...

This is a place with a large variety of trees. It's not really worth going in the summer, but it's beautiful in the Spring and Fall. If you get the right day the Cherry and Magnolia blossoms are beautiful. I noticed many people looking at the Cherry trees and the lone smaller Magnolia visible from the parking lot, but make sure you also visit the grove of Magnolia trees in the South West corner of the Arboretum. You can also catch the Crab Apple and Lilac blossoms later in the spring. The pathways next to the marsh are also beautiful although not really suitable for a stroller, and definitely not for wheelchairs. If you want to visit this place it's worth getting an RBG membership - even if you only end up using it for one year, as you will want to visit multiple times in order to see the blooms that appear at different times throughout the Spring. We also found ourselves deciding to go back a few days or a week later as the blooms were just not yet at their peak. It's expensive to pay for each visit and we've definitely made enough visits to the Arboretum and other parks to make the membership...

The Arboretum Trails at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, Ontario, offer a serene and picturesque escape into nature. These trails wind through a stunning array of trees, shrubs, and seasonal flowers, showcasing the diverse beauty of Canadian flora. The paths are well-maintained and vary in difficulty, catering to both casual walkers and more avid hikers. Throughout the year, the trails transform with the seasons, offering vibrant displays of autumn foliage, blooming spring wildflowers, and lush summer greenery. Wildlife is abundant, with opportunities to spot birds, small mammals, and even turtles by the pond. The tranquility of the Arboretum makes it a perfect spot for nature photography, quiet reflection, or a peaceful stroll. While the trails can be busy on weekends, they are extensive enough to provide a sense of seclusion. Overall, the Arboretum Trails are a hidden gem within the Royal Botanical Gardens, offering a rich, immersive experience in nature. Walk along the pinetum trail to see one side of the trails. Hickory trail is a quick and easy one to the...