Explore! For the past 80 years, that is exactly what Tyler Arboretum has invited its guests to do! With 650 acres of protected woodlands with more than 17 miles of hiking trails spread throughout, Tyler Arboretum is the perfect place to spend the day with nature. Tyler excels at providing opportunities for all ages and abilities to explore. You don’t have to be an avid outdoorsman to visit, Tyler is a place for all nature-explorers. From bird watchers to photographers, to families of all ages - young and young-at-heart, Tyler is a welcoming place for everyone.
Originally part of a land grant from William Penn, Tyler Arboretum dates back to 1681 when Thomas Minshall purchased the land. For eight generations, the land was farmed and passed down through generations of Minshalls. It was when the Painter Brothers acquired the land in the mid-1800s that Tyler’s roots began. The brothers planted many species of plants and trees, many of which can still be found at Tyler today, including the preserve’s famous giant sequoia - thought to be the largest sequoia in the Eastern United States! The majority of the buildings on the property date back to the family as well and are not listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1944, when the widow of the last family member to inherit the estate died, the property was left as a trust in the memory of her late husband, John J. Tyler.
Today, 80 years later, Tyler Arboretum has evolved to be a sanctuary outside of the busy city and suburbs. Nestled within the 650 acres of the property are 100 acres of cultivated grounds that are within a deer exclusion fence. This section features five tree houses, a large edible garden, a paved loop, the Pollinator Preserve, the Meadow Maze, the Fragrant Garden, the Pond, and so much more! Young families with kids will find Tyler to be a great place for their young explorers. They can visit the Crooked Goblin Shack, get lost in the Meadow Maze, visit the vegetable garden to see what is growing, look for turtles in the pond, and find a picnic table to enjoy lunch with family and friends. New parents enjoy their stroller-friendly paved loops throughout the property with their little ones. There is truly so much to see with your children at Tyler Arboretum!
Hiking enthusiasts will love exploring the 17 miles of hiking trails located outside of the deer exclusion fence. There are six differently colored blazed trails to follow. Hikers can mix and match the trails as some overlap. New hikers will want to start with the blue trail, as it's a shorter trail with many beautiful stops along the stream and is relatively flat in comparison to the other trails. If hiking seems a bit daunting, try the Native Woodland Walk, which will get you in the woods without the vigor of hiking.
While walking the property, explorers will find many species of trees and plants with a long history of roots. In addition to the Giant Sequoia that towers over the property at over 100 feet high and 12 feet in girth, which is a sight to behold, Tyler is also known for its state champion Oriental Spruce, which was also planted by the Painter Brothers, as well as its stunning Ginkgo trees. The Gingko trees are a must-see in the fall. If gardens are more your speed, make sure to visit the Wister Rhododendron Garden, which has an impressive collection of rhododendrons and azaleas that date back to the 1950s.
Wildlife is also plentiful at Tyler, with a chorus of bird songs awaiting you as you enter. Throughout the entrance gardens, guests will come across butterflies and other pollinators, as well as in the Fragrant Garden and the Pollinator Preserve. Other fun injections such as caterpillars reside in the Preserve as well. When venturing to the pond, keep an eye out for Tyler’s turtles and ducks. It is also common to see groundhogs, rabbits, chipmunks, or even a fox or two throughout the 650 acres. Bird watchers will be happy to know that spotting of bald eagles, owls, and pileated woodpeckers has been reported.
Tyler Arboretum offers a variety of memberships for guests. There is so much to see and do at Tyler that it is impossible to get it all done in a day. The arboretum is open 360 days a year offering ample opportunity to explore the grounds in every season. Guests also have great perks in their membership such as program and merchandise discounts, free guest passes, and member-only plant sales. Some memberships even have reciprocal memberships with other area gardens.
Tyler is so much more than an arboretum, it’s a nature destination waiting to be explored over and over again! No two trips are ever alike. Grab your hiking boots to conquer a trail, bring your children to learn and explore, or grab a book to read while you sit and relax - there is truly something for everyone at Tyler Arboretum.
For more information, visit Tyler Arboretum’s website at www.tylerarboretum.org or contact them at 610-566-9134. Tyler is open daily from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Summer Events Happening at Tyler Arboretum!
Nature at Night Series
- June - Fireflies
- July - Animals in Our Backyard
- August - Bats
Special Events
- June 25th - Member-only Ride, Roll, and Stroll
- July 13th - The Xerces Society Presentation on Monarchs
- Learn about the beautiful monarch butterfly, then stay for a tour of the Pollinator Preserve.
- July 26th - Summer Sky Fireside Festival
- Have a summer evening outside with family and friends while enjoying food trucks, beer vendors, educational stations, and more!
- July 30th - Member-only Ride, Roll, and Stroll
Visit Tyler's website for weekly program information, including Bluebird Nesting Box strolls and morning hikes.
Tyler Arboretum makes a great place to host an event. With five rental spaces including the historic barn, there are plenty of ways to celebrate at Tyler.
- Weddings
- Bridal and Baby Showers
- Memorial Services
- Birthday and Anniversary Celebrations
- Corporate Team Building Events and Meetings
- Group Outings and more!
Elementary School Field Trips
- For students in grades Kindergarten through 5th grade, field trips are led by Tyler's experienced naturalist guides and engage students in the living classroom with hands-on projects, nature observations, free explorations, and take-home projects which are tied directly into the lesson. Each season has a different focus for field trips, so it is always a good time to explore the property with students.