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About Us
The Arboretum, State Botanical Garden of Kentucky, is a 100-acre public garden located on the campus of the University of Kentucky in the heart of Lexington, Kentucky.
The Arboretum began in 1991 as a joint effort between the University of Kentucky and the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government. In March 2000, The Arboretum was named the Official State Botanical Garden for the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Our mission is to showcase Kentucky landscapes and serve as a resource center for environmental and horticultural education, research and conservation.
We welcome over 200,000 visitors annually and are part of the Kentucky Garden Trail. Our unique features include the Walk Across Kentucky, a diverse native plant collection and living museum; the Kentucky Children's Garden, designed to share the joy and wonder of nature; and our Horticultural Gardens, which boast year-round color.
Contact Us
The Arboretum, State Botanical Garden of Kentucky
500 Alumni Drive, Lexington, KY 40503
(859) 257-6955
arboretum@uky.edu
Hours of Operation
The Arboretum Grounds: Daily, from dawn to dusk
Dorotha Smith Oatts Visitor Center: Tuesday through Saturday, 9 am to 4 pm
The Kentucky Children's Garden: April 2 to Nov 1, Wednesday through Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm (Summer Hours: 9 am to 4 pm)
Admission
The Arboretum and the Dorotha Smith Oatts Visitor Center: Free
The Kentucky Children's Garden: $4 (children under 2 are free)
KCG Season Membership (allows up to five people to visit daily): $130
Kentucky Children's Garden
The Kentucky Children’s Garden is a two-acre garden designed to share the joy and wonder of nature and plants. It is best suited for children ages 2 to 6 and their families.
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Walk Across Kentucky
The Walk Across Kentucky is a diverse and unique Kentucky native plant collection and living museum that captures the spirit of the Commonwealth’s landscape.
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Horticultural Gardens
The Horticultural Gardens provide year-round color and change throughout each season. Here you will see a large and diverse collection of plants from around the globe.
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