Arbor Day 2025 is set for Friday, April 25, and there’s no better place to celebrate than where it all began! Nebraska City’s Arbor Day Farm offers visitors and enthusiasts many ways to appreciate trees.
“Really and truly, we’re celebrating all across the property,” says Rachel Hrabik, marketing manager of the Arbor Day Farm. With multiple attractions, there is something for everyone to celebrate. For instance, Hrabik highlights the Arbor Lodge Mansion. The mansion has more than 52 rooms to experience, with more than 50 acres of nature to explore outside.
“We encourage all guests to come and enjoy free entry to the historic site and explore the grounds—to get out and enjoy nature, immerse themselves in trees,” Hrabik says.
For those seeking a more thrilling experience, Hrabik points to the Tree Adventure. Fit for people of all ages, guests can explore eleven different treehouses, connected by suspension bridges and the WonderNet, which Hrabik describes as a massive trampoline.
“If you want to feel like you’re in the forest and treetops, that’s the place to go,” she says. “Kids and adults are having the time of their lives!”
For those wanting to extend the celebration, Hrabik recommends the Lied Lodge hotel as the perfect overnight retreat, weekend getaway, or more. The hotel offers a pool and hot tub, a full-service spa, and Timbers, an onsite restaurant.
In all their celebration, Hrabik says the heart of it all is to encourage people to reflect and engage with nature.
And with miles and miles of trees to explore, it is not hard to do.
“People lose themselves in that space and don’t even realize they’re in Nebraska City anymore.”
As easy as it is to get lost in nature, Hrabik hopes guests will take a piece of it home—whether by planting trees or embracing green spaces in their own communities.
Hrabik encourages those interested in learning more about Arbor Day, the Arbor Day Farm, and its many celebrations to visit www.arbordayfarm.org.
One of this year’s Arbor Day highlights will be Bloom Fest, which will offer tours showcasing Nebraska’s largest collection of lilacs including more than 250 varieties.
“Two members of the International Lilac Society have volunteered their time not only to clean up our lilacs but to go through and identify each variety," Hrabik says. These experts will be offering free tours throughout Arbor Day weekend in addition to educational sessions and workshops.
Hrabik recommends readers keep an eye on arbordayfarm.org for further updates on Bloom Fest and other festivities in the days leading up to April 25.
“Our mission is to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees.”