The State Arboretum of Virginia

"Fun with the Family"

Also called the Orland E. White Arboretum, the State Arboretum of Virginia consists of 170 acres of trees and meadows that are part of the 700-acre Blandy Experimental Farm, a University of Virginia research facility. The arboretum offers families a traquil place to unwind and affords children a chance to experience nature up close. At Lake Georgette there are more than one hundred painted turtles for kids to see and at least that many bluebird boxes among the trees. Every spring a pair of barn swallows returns to nest in the Information Pavilion, adjacent to the parking area. Using binoculars, kids can view the swallows and their young. Walking and driving trails are available, and there’s a 5-mile bridle trail for horses (bring your own horse). Family concerts are held throughout the summer at the Margaret Byrd Stimpson Amphitheater, and the gift shop has a very good selection of nature and gardening books written for children. A 3-mile loop road takes visitors to the arboretum’s more remote areas.