The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is one of the premier botanical gardens in the country. This 1200-acre non-profit part of the University of Minnesota is located near Chaska and features incredible gardens, collections, and immaculate trails. The expansive lot includes a huge hosta garden, beautiful annuals, a rose garden, Japanese garden, sculpture garden, Chinese garden, and vegetable gardens, with many areas easily accessible by wheelchair. Visitors can enjoy a casual stroll in the gardens, a more intense walk on wooded trails, or a 3-mile drive to see further off gardens, a maze, and diverse scenery. It offers a great way to enjoy a day outdoors, feeling like another country, and features a lovely cafe and gift shop. The Arboretum has friendly and helpful staff, rotating art collections, seasonal decor, and frequent events. It is also where the University's cold hardy apple and grape research is located. While some note the price of admission is steep, the experience is beautiful in any season and recommended for all ages. University of Minnesota students get in free.
So much to see and do there. I believe that if you go in the spring it would be beautiful. trying to time the perfect fall day is difficult, but in the summer it is a paradise of flowers, plants shrubs and waterfalls. Walking paths or 3 mile drive make it easy to experience everything.
September 2026
This is one of my favorite locations in Carver County. Always something beautiful to see.
September 2026
Went for the blown glass pumpkins, was very cool. The 3 mile drive was also very nice.
