adkins arboretum

I work a school for special needs children and sometimes we take our students there for community outings. Sometimes the staff are helpful other times not as much.As far as the sights go it really depends on the time of year that you go.Much more to do in the spring and summer. If you go be sure to use bug spray as they can be bad at times. Relatively inexpensive outing.

We took 8 upper-elementary school aged kids here because we were studying the Underground Railroad and heard that they had an applicable audio-tour. Each of us got headphones with a digital player. There were many different trails to choose from. You choose the audio tour number you want then walk to the numbered markers to listen to the audio tour. The kids loved it! We were doing the Underground Railroad tour and I really loved how the audio really helped the kids visuallize what life may have been like for a runaway slave in that area. The audio had many first-hand accounts read by voice actors that really made the experience come alive. The kids didn't want to stop listening at the end of the tour and were listening to other tours just for the fun of it.This is a beautiful park with nicely kept trails. They have a very impressive list of programs throughout the year as well. I definitely want to take the whole family there again.

If you are looking for a manicured arboretum with groomed specimens of rare plants, you are in the wrong place. The arboretum is maintained as a natural place showcasing native plants of the Delmarva Peninsula. It focuses on educating the public on how to manage natural areas of the region especially on protecting the Chesapeake bay and other waterways that are endangered. They offer classes and programs for children including summer camp, guided dog walks, Shakespeare in the meadow, symposia and conferences. The nursery propagates native plants and raises funds at its spring and fall plant sales. Hiking trails are sometimes rough so be prepared for a good hike; use bug spray! Trail guides are available in the Visitor Center Shop where you will also find free tea and coffee, gifts for adults and kids of all ages, and a good selection of up-to-date books. Great staff, lovely place, especially for those interested in ecology, and the environment. An unusual gem.

My family (3 adults) and I took a drive from Delaware with our two dogs to check out this arboretum that to our surprise was dog friendly. This was probably the only good part of the day, as there is definitely lots of trails to explore with your dogs. But that's about it, there wasn't any nice areas displaying any sort of special trees or plants (like the Morris & Tyler arboretums in PA), most of it was overgrown or in a natural state. Normally this wouldn't bother us, we love nature and walking trails etc. but why advertise as an arboretum when it just looks like any old piece of land with forests and fields. State parks offer more nature to see, with less price for admission. Also, the maps and signs were confusing at times so we gave up looking for highlights in the area and ended up just wandering around. We did enjoy the cute, friendly goats, but overall it wasn't worth the price of admission, even with using a discount coupon.Please note, if you decide to go to this arboretum, please take some extra precautions and either pack with you, or use the bug spray provided (a box attached to a pole outside of the gift shop) before walking on the trails. Unfortunately none of us used any bug spray and all three of us and both dogs had several ticks on our bodies when we got back to the car, including in my hair and two managed to get under the leg of jeans. We didn't go off the trails or do anything abnormal. Tick season is definitely in full swing in this area!

The parking lot is the best part of this attraction. After paying $5 per we we told to make sure we visited the goats. The goats were there to eat the honeysuck which has overrun the area. If you want to spend 1/2 hour walking around a a few acres of catterpillar invested scub land then by all means stop in. My advise is if you want to contribute to this tourist trap is to through the money out the window as you drive by and continue to the park to walk the trails.

The arboretum is very unique. It has gravel trails and grassy trails that guide you through the arboretum. There are signs indicating which trail you are on, but without the printed map to accompany the signs, they can be confusing. The park is divided into approximately 1/3 trees with gravel trails, 1/3 tall grass and scrubs with grassy trail, and 1/3 trees in the woods with dirty trails. I highly recommend wearing hiking shoes or athletic shoes. Sandals are not recommended because your feet can get very dirty from the dirt and gravel.I went in early October and there was no bugs. During other time of the year, recommend preparing yourself with bug spray. Not to worry, if you forgot the bug spray, the arboretum is kindly to provide some. Once you exit the visitor center/gift shop where you pay for your admission, you will find bottles of bug spray available for you to use. The restaurant is also in the visitor center/gift shop. If you are traveling with your pets, pets are welcome and please pick up after your pet.The arboretum also has a fenced in area for goats. There was a family of goats when I was there, and my dog just loved them as they loved my dog. The second they noticed my dog was approaching, the goats came out of their little house and started slowly walking toward us. They were curious, and my little dog wanted to play with them. That was the highlight of our visit.

Start at the informative visitor center, ask questions, and get a map. Staff are very helpful and can steer you in the direction best for what you are hoping to see. Visit the website, too, as they have many interesting activities for families, groups, and individuals, including classes. Worth the small entry fee, and a great supplement to a visit to nearby Tuckahoe State Park (which is free).

This nature facility may just be the most well maintained that my wife and I have ever seen. The trail system is extensive, through many types of habitats, and is well-marked, mowed, and graded. There are many intersecting trails, so make sure you take along a visitor guide and map. The differing habitats (meadows, forests, wetlands, streams) produce a variety of birds and plants. It's a great place for a hike of any length, and easy for all ages to handle. Also check out the well-stocked visitor center store.

Adkins has a great program where you can combine a nature walk with a lunch. During lunch, a person usually speaks about the ingredients or nature. The walking trails are very doable...not too strenuous. You can spot lots of birds and can spend as much time as you would like there.

There are lovely walks through the woods here and a small stream with frogs and fish. Native plants are for sale in season. Note that there is a small charge to enter.

We are outdoor lovers so since we were staying at Tuckahoe State Park for a week a visit to the Arboretum was a "must do" on our list. If you love nature you will love to stroll around the paths that go through the woods and fields. Many trees are identified with labeling, amphibians scouring across the paths and jumping into steams. Plan on at least two to three hours.

Go have a family picnic or event. It has a pavilion for family get togethers; cook-out or just bring your basket of food and put a blanket down and relax.

The Adkins Arboretum is a 400 acre facility that is part of Tuckahoe State Park near Ridgely, Maryland. It has several trails that wind through hills and streams with a large collection of native plants. The trees there are simply magnificent! The Arboretum has a $5 entrance fee which inlcudes a very detailed audio tour. It is well worth the price as it provides an excellent explanation of what you are seeing.