Arboretum in the News

The 66-acre Dallas Arboretum is one of the world’s premier gardens, and certainly one of the most colorful. Local residents have deemed this urban oasis to be the crowning jewel of Dallas. As one of the city’s top attractions, the Arboretum garners repeat visits from members, local visitors and out-of-town guests. Many praise the Garden for its beautiful vistas, colorful display gardens, and groves of pecan trees, magnolias, crape myrtles, cherry trees and azaleas.

Awards

2020 Texas Society of Architects Design Award: Charlotte and Donald Test Pavilion at A Tasteful Place

2019 Texas American Society of Landscape Architects Honor Award: A Tasteful Place at the Dallas Arboretum, by SWA Dallas

Press Coverage

2023

MSN – 10 Best Places to See Cherry Blossoms in the World

MSN – Best Family Vacations in Texas

The Word’s Top Spring Sights – Travel Market Report

2022

MSN Canada – Every State’s Top Travel Destination for 2022

USA Today 10Best – 10 Places to Take Kids in the Dallas Area

U.S. News & World Report – 21 Top Things to Do in Texas

Brides.com – Best Wedding Venues in Dallas of 2022

Greener Ideal – 10 Stunning Botanical Gardens in the US

Travel & Leisure – Most Beautiful Springtime Destination in the US

House Beautiful – The Best Pumpkin Patches in the U.S. to Visit This Year

The Travel – 10 Botanical Gardens That Are Best Visited in Fall

PAPERCITY –50 Only-in-Dallas Things to Do This

USA Today 10Best – 10 best pumpkin patches of 2022, according to our readers

USA Today 10Best – 10 Best Things to Do in December in Dallas

2018

The Urban Land Institute North Texas Impact Awards: Public Places Award, October 2018

Topping Out Awards winner, October 2018

Urban Living Impact: The Public Place Award, November 2018

“25 of the Best Fall Festivals to Celebrate the Season,” Country Living Magazine

2018 Texas Pumpkin Patches, The Day Tripper

“10 American Fall Festivals Every Traveler Should Experience,” Budget Traveler

BEST CORPORATE HOLIDAY PARTY VENUES IN DALLAS, PartySlate, July 2018

“One of the 10 Best Spring Flower Festivals,” ChepAir.com, April 2018

2018 People’s Choice Award “Best Place for a Family Outing,” ParkCitiesPeople.com, April 2018

Fourth of “25 Beautiful Garden Wedding Venues,” MarthaStewartWeddings.com, April 2018

Second among “America’s Most Beautiful Gardens,” CBS, March 2018

Named “Favorite Ceremony Site” by the American Association of Wedding Planners, February 2018

Gil’s Elegant Catering Named “Best Caterer” by American Association of Wedding Planners, February 2018

Number 1 on “When Flowers Aren’t Enough: 13 Fun Festivals at Botanic Gardens,” Fodor’s Travel, February 2018

2017

“The Most Beautiful Place in Dallas,” Dallas Morning News, November 2017

8 of the Best Fall Festivals in Texas – Trips to Discover, October 2017

Best Party Venue for Nature Lovers – Dallas Child, September 2017

2017 Certificate of Excellence, Trip Advisor, June 2017

Best Family Outing, 2017 People Newspapers People’s Choice Award, March 2017

The 11 Best Vacations Spots in Texas for Families, Culture Trip, March 2017

One of the South’s Best Botanical Gardens” – Southern Living Magazine, March 2017

USA Today’s 10Best – Top Botanical Garden, March 2017

Best Outdoor Space – People Newspapers Reader’s Choice, March 2017

Best Public Space – Dallas Voice Reader’s Choice, February 2017

2016

“Best Imitation of “Eden” – DallasObserver.com’s Best of Dallas 2016

“Texas’s Best Christmas Event” – Southern Living Magazine, December 2016 (print only)

“100 Things to Do for Christmas in Dallas” – D Magazine, November 2016

DFW Bucket List: 50 Big Things Happening in the Metroplex – Vacations Made Easy, November 2016

“Top 10 U.S. Pumpkin Patches” – The Travel Channel, September 2016

“The 6 Best Places in Dallas for a (Public) First Kiss” – DMagazine, September 2016

Two stars from the Michelin Green Guide September 2016

“A Pumpkin Festival to Celebrate Fall” – Living the Country Life, September 2016

Top Pumpkin Picking Experiences Across the Country – Trip Advisor “Vacation Rentals Blog,” September 2016

Top Ten Things to Do This Week – Ft. Worth Star Telegram, September 2016

Best Party Venue for Nature Lovers – DallasChild Readers’ Selection, September 2016

#1 of 19 Trips to Put on Your Fall Bucket List – Orbitz.com, September 2016

20 Most-Loved and Talked about Botanical Gardens in the World – HolidayLettings (a TripAdvisor company), August 2016

Best Lake Highlands Local Attraction, Best East Dallas Date Spot – Advocate Magazine, August 2016

15 Breathtaking Botanical Gardens to Visit This Season – Architectural Digest, July 2016

Spectrum Award for Excellence in Customer Service awarded to DeGolyer Garden Cafe – City Beat Spectum Award, July 2016

Place to Visit in the 14 Most Memorable Cities from The Bachelor – Expedia.com, July 2016

Number One Most Romantic Thing to Do in Dallas – USA Today 10 Best

TripAdvisor 2016 Certificate of Excellence

Five Perfect Places for a Picnic in DFW – GuideLive

13 Festivals in Dallas To Get Excited For In 2016 – The Culture Trip, 2016

The Best Spots to Enjoy the Vivid Colors of Spring – Ecophiles, 2016

The Best Botanical Gardens and The Best Floral Festivals – USA Today’s 10 Best, 2016

Top 10 Places to Visit in Dallas – iNewsJournal, 2016

Best Short Drives from DFW to See Bluebonnets/Spring Flowers – Ft. Worth Star Telegram, 2016

Top Botanical Gardens in the US Worth Traveling For – FlipKey by TripAdvisor, 2016

10 Best Makeout Spots to Steal a Kiss: The Grotto – CultureMap, 2016

Honor Award for Public Design – Constructed: the Red Maple Rill – The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) – 2016

2015

The 10 Most Beautiful Gardens You’ll Ever See In Texas – Only In Your State, 2015

Best Place to Get Outdoors – DallasChild, 2015

Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden named a Thea Award recipient for Outstanding Achievement as a Science/Discovery Garden – 2015

The South’s Best Holiday Experiences – Southern Living, 2015

America’s Best Pumpkin Festivals – Fodor’s Travel, 2015

10 Best Outdoor Activities in Dallas: Green Spaces and Urban Parks Unite – USA Today 10 Best, 2015

10 Best Spots to Spend an Early Evening in Dallas – USA Today 10 Best. 2015

15 Reasons We Love Fall – Ft. Worth Star-Telegram, 2015

Best Fall Outing: Autumn at the Arboretum – Dallas Observer, 2015

18 of the Best Fall Festivals to Celebrate the Season – MSN Travel, 2015

13 Beautiful Botanic Gardens Around the South – StyleBlueprint, 2015

18 of the Best Fall Festivals – Country Living, 2015

10 Best Romantic Things to Do in Dallas – USA Today 10 Best, 2015

The Best Ways To Do Dallas Outdoors – Forbes Travel Guide, 2015

2015 Certificate of Excellence – TripAdvisor, 2015

Fun Things to Do in Dallas – TheCoolestStuffInTexas.com, 2015

The Nation’s Best Places to Play – Parents Magazine, 2015

Best Things to Do with Children in the “Big D” – USA Today 10 Best, 2015

Texo Distinguished Building Award – Specialty Construction – Dallas Arboretum Parking Garage – Texo Association, 2015

America’s Best Spring Flower Festivals – Fodor’s Travel, 2015

13 Stunning Garden Allees – Architectural Digest, 2015

One of the Best Dallas Wedding Venues – CultureMap, 2015

One of the Top 10 Best Botanical Gardens in the United States – ealuxe.com, 2015

10 Best Botanical Gardens for Families – VacationIdea.com, 2015

One Perfect Day: Dallas – Qantas Airlines, 2015

10 Fun Things to Do: Dallas – Southern Bride, 2015

22 Attractions in the South for Sizzling Social Events – ConventionSouth, 2015

2015 Grace Note Award winner – New Philharmonic Orchestra of Irving

2014

10 Botanical Gardens with Wow-Factor Transformations – Fodor’s Travel, 2014

Best for Families – Dallas Child Magazine, December 2014

10 Holiday Events in Dallas – Fort Worth – R We There Yet Mom?

Best Pumpkin Patch in Dallas-Fort Worth – DFWChild, 2014

Blueprint Award for Community Catalyst – Dallas Regional Chamber, 2014

The Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden named to the 2014 Traveler 50: World’s Smartest Cities– National Geographic Traveler, 2014

Silver Award for Video of the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden – The Garden Writers Association of America, 2014

Named one of “America’s Best Pumpkin Festivals” – Fodor’s Travel, 2014

Reader’s Choice for Best Park for Nature Lovers – Dallas Observer, 2014

Texas Excellence in Landscaping Grand Platinum Award – Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden, 2014

10 Best Attractions & Activities in Dallas, TX – USA Today, 2014

Best Caterer – Two Sisters Catering – D Magazine, 2014

2014 Certificate of Excellence – TripAdvisor

50 States Series: Top Family Attractions Worth Traveling For – FlipKey by TripAdvisor, 2014

Community Impact Award and Green Award Finalist for the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden – Dallas Business Journal, 2014

2010 – 2013

America’s Best Botanical Gardens – ProFlowers, 2013

Best for Families 2013, Best Spot for Open Space and Fresh Air – Dallas Child Magazine, 2013

Best Botanical Gardens in the US – Travel Channel, 2013

The Nine Best Outdoor Venues in North Texas – Dallas Observer, 2013

10 Great Flower Shows and Garden Events – USA Today, 2013

Best of Wedding Venues – The Knot, 2013

First Place in Historic Preservation – Adaptive Reuse at the 2011 American Society of Interior Designers Awards – The DeGolyer House.

The Best Place to Propose – Preston Hollow People, 2010

10 Fall Festivals the Kids Will Love – Grandparents.com, 2010

Reader’s Pick – Best Outing With the Kids – Dallas Observer, 2010

5 Best Photo Opportunities in Dallas – AOL Travel News, September 2010

Top 14 Most Beautiful Parks in the World – Chief’s World, June 2010

181 Places to See & Things to Do Before You’re 5 Feet Tall – Dallas Child, June 2010

Ten Best Walks in Texas – Fort Worth Star Telegram, June 2010

Your Best Photo Ops: Top Places to Take Photographs – Southern Living Magazine, May 2010

Top 50 Places to Propose – Engagement Ring blog, April 2010

One of the Top 14 Places in the World to See Spring Flowers – MSN.com, April 2010

Best Place to Entertain The Family – 2010 Neighbors Choice Awards

Best Date Spot – 2010 Neighbors Choice Awards

2009 and earlier

Best Family Outing – Neighbors Go, 2009

Best Botanical Gardens Across the USA – Nature Hills blog, July 2009

Top 10 Public Gardens in 2008 – Southern Living Magazine, 2008

Favorite Fair Weather Family Hangout – Dallas Child, 2008

Dallas Arboretum Trial Gardens – ‘Best Garden Design Source’ – Dallas Observer, 2005

Dallas Arboretum Fern Dell – ‘Best Place for a Walk in August’ – Dallas Observer, 2004

One of the Top 10 Things to Do in the Country in Spring – MSN.com

Best Outdoor Concert Venue – D Magazine

Best Outing with the Kids – Dallas Observer

A Top Outdoor Dallas Venue – Pegasusnews.com

10 Things to Do & 10 Places to Go for Healthy Living in Dallas – Healthytips.org

Landscaping Ideas from the Dallas Arboretum – Better Homes and Gardens

See What People Have to Say

I’ve been to many, many botanical gardens in the world, and I think yours is one of the most beautiful and colorful that I’ve seen. It’s extraordinary. The enjoyment that it engenders in so many people is quite amazing.
– Martha Stewart

“ Spend an hour or two here to escape the noise and traffic of the city, walk nature trails, admire sculpture, and recline in soft, manicured grass. -Fodor’s Travel”

“ I’ve been all over the world, and the Dallas Arboretum is one of the most extraordinary experiences in my life. I cannot wait to come back! -Ali McGraw, actress”

“ Perhaps we in Dallas toss around the phrase ‘world class’ too liberally. But in the case of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, it happens to be appropriate. -Bob Miller, Dallas Morning News”

“ I have been all over the nation, and the Dallas Arboretum is, by far, the most beautiful garden I have ever seen. -Charles Osgood, CBS Radio Network”

“ The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens are so beautiful! We’d spend all day here if we could! -nct127, K-Pop Band on the Billboard 200 chart”

“ I cannot tell you how wonderful the entire experience was for our team and our clients! I can’t thank you and your team enough for support us in creating such a memorable moment for our clients during these times. -Christian Dior Couture”