With so many 2020 events canceled due to Covid, it warmed my heart like a cup of hot cocoa to learn that Autumn at the Arboretum would still be welcoming visitors this year. To celebrate their 15th anniversary creating elaborate pumpkin villages, The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden dubbed this year’s theme “The Art of the Pumpkin.” Here’s what to expect when you visit one of the most beloved Dallas fall traditions.
The Art of the Pumpkin Tickets
To help with safe social distancing, the Arboretum asks that guests sign up for 4-hour time slots when they purchase tickets on the website. This ensures that the garden never reaches its maximum capacity, which is better for your health AND your pictures! Reduced crowds help keep everyone safer from germs and keep other visitors out of your photo backgrounds. Time slots begin at 9:00 a.m. and stop at 1:00 p.m. since the Arboretum closes at 5:00 p.m. Tickets for adults are $17, plus $10 for parking. Members get free admission and free parking.
The 2020 Pumpkin Village
Some of the highlights of this year’s pumpkin village are a Cinderella carriage with two corn husk horses, multicolor pumpkin houses with a variety of gourds, and an aqua pumpkin river that snakes underneath a bridge. The whole exhibit utilizes over 90,000 pumpkins and it looks like a fall wonderland.
Autumn at the Arboretum
After you’ve marveled at The Art of the Pumpkin, enjoy over 150,000 fall flowers across the rest of the garden! There are waterfalls, reflecting pools, and woodlands along the edge of White Rock Lake. You can take in all the fall colors across a one-way one-mile trail that will bring you back to the front of the garden.
Covid Safety Measures
Once you arrive at the Arboretum, you’ll be presented with a paper wristband that indicates your time window. Then you can explore the whole garden and take as many pictures as you want until your time window is up. There are hand sanitizer stations throughout the garden, and signs frequently remind guests to wear masks when they are standing in line or walking near others. Within The Art of the Pumpkin exhibit, guests typically wear masks until it is their turn to take a picture since this area is the most crowded.
Tips for Visiting the Dallas Arboretum
- Bring your own pocket-sized hand sanitizer so you won’t have to wait until you can find a station if you need to get rid of some germs.
- Try to go on a weekday if you can, because crowds are the lowest.
- For the early weeks of the fall season, don’t bundle up too much or you’ll get hot while you’re walking around. It’s Texas, we’re still wearing sun dresses and shades in September!
- Wear shoes that won’t hurt your feet after a couple miles of walking.
- Make sure you don’t walk the wrong way on the trail through the garden. The idea is to keep traffic flowing in the same direction so people won’t pass each other when they aren’t wearing masks.
To purchase tickets for Autumn at the Arboretum in Dallas, TX, click here. If you’re looking for more fall fun in Dallas this year, check out this Dallas Fall Bucket List for 2020!
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