Experience fall in all its beauty this October at the Holden Arboretum and Cleveland Botanical Garden. Along with soaking up fall colors from new heights on the arboretum’s Murch Canopy Walk and Kalberer Emergent Tower, visitors can enjoy a mystery adventure during a Halloween Whodunnit from Saturday, Oct. 3 – Sunday, Oct. 18 and explore the grounds on a Leaf Trail through October. The botanical garden will usher in fall fun with gorgeous outdoor fall plants and container arrangments, Children’s Strolling Storytime, and a new Holden Halloween House Party activity pack program.
Read on for Details:
Halloween Whodunnit
From Saturday, Oct. 3- Sunday, Oct. 18, visitors are invited to participate in a not-so-spooky scavenger hunt on the grounds during a Halloween Whodunnit, becoming detectives hot on the trail of a thief in their midst. Each child will receive a Halloween Whodunnit comic booklet upon entry to the Arboretum. Families may use this graphic comic and the included story to follow the Halloween Whodunnit Trail, helping Kid Detectives solve the mystery of the missing bluebird nest while visiting eight decorated vignettes on the grounds highlighting a different spooky plant or animal from bats to snakes and spiders. Free with admission.
Leaf Trail
As Northeast Ohio’s trees begin to change color, now is the perfect time to sharpen your leaf and tree identification skills. Pick up a brochure at the arboretum and follow the Leaf Trail, an immersive autumn leaf identification activity. Learn how to identify the trees around you by collecting leaves and organizing them by their characteristics, as well as identifying 28 deciduous trees, including tulip trees, dawn redwoods and golden weeping willows, marked with numbered tags on the grounds. Free with admission.
Murch Canopy Walk and Kalberer Emergent Tower
Experience fall color from a new perspective at the arboretum. The Murch Canopy Walk is a 500-foot-long elevated walkway that is built 65 feet above the forest floor. The Emergent Tower is 120 feet or approximately 12 stories tall and provides a breathtaking view of the surrounding area all the way to Lake Erie. Visiting the structures are now included with membership and general admission.
Virtual Holden Halloween House Parties
Holden Halloween House Parties is a variety of five youth and family programs that offer your children an exciting new approach to tricks and treats.
Celebrate the month of October and the fascinating roles that plants play amid all things magical, mysterious and fantastical! Join an online costume theme party on Zoom that comes with a kit full of tricky activities and fun treats. A take-home pack includes an optional onsite scavenger hunt at the Cleveland Botanical Garden. Themes include Alien Invaders, Pumpkins and Patches, Zombie Plants, and Magical Plants. Fridays, Oct. 2- 30, 5 – 6 p.m. and Saturdays, Oct. 3-31 , 3 – 4 p.m. or 5– 6 p.m.. Recommended ages: three to six years old or seven to 10 years old depending on session. Cost per session: $20 per member child, $35 per nonmember child. Registration required.
Indoor and Outdoor Fall Horticultural Displays
Fall horticultural displays will be showcased throughout the indoor and outdoor gardens at the botanical garden. Perfect for a festive photo op or simply an opportunity to experience fall flora in all its splendor, enjoy seasonal plant displays that will include mums, cabbage, kale, pansies, cornstalks, pumpkins and more.
Children’s Strolling Storytime
Join us for a socially distanced, small group program where participants will stroll through much of the garden’s campus making stops along the way to progress through a full story. Each walk lasts approximately 40 minutes and is stroller accessible. After most stories, participants will each be stationed at their own table to complete a craft or activity aligned with the theme of the story. Each week features a different theme. Tuesdays, Sept. 22nd, Oct. 6th and 13th. Session I: 11:15 AM -12:30 PM, Session II: 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM. $5 per member participant, $20 per nonmember participant (includes admission). Registration required.
GENERAL ADMISSION
Advanced timed ticket purchase is required to visit the Holden Arboretum and Cleveland Botanical Garden. Adults are $15 and children three to 12 years old are $10. Visit holdenarb.org or cbgarden.org to purchase your tickets. Arboretum hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Botanical garden hours are Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Wednesdays 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Sundays noon-5 p.m.
The Hershey Children’s Garden closes at dusk on Wednesdays.
About Holden Forests & Gardens
Holden Forests & Gardens is made up of two of Northeast Ohio’s most important environmental and cultural institutions — the Holden Arboretum and Cleveland Botanical Garden — whose mission is to connect people with the wonder, beauty, and value of trees and plants, to inspire action for healthy communities. The 14th largest public garden in the country, Holden Forests & Gardens has over 17,000 member households and an annual attendance of over 350,000 for whom we strive to provide inspirational and educational visitor experiences. For more information, visit holdenarb.org. and cbgarden.org.
