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The Arboretum is at the corner of East Park Avenue and Bigler Road in State College, PA. Visitors arriving by automobile from distant locations should exit the I-99/Route 322/Mount Nittany Expressway at Park Avenue and proceed southwest to Bigler Road.
Jul 26, 2024 · Search the Garden Collections with the New Arboretum Explorer Tool! July 26, 2024 | This mobile-friendly tool replaces our former Plant Finder map and aims to provide the most updated plant collections data to the public and better support the visitor experience.
These interactive maps can be viewed on a computer or tablet with an internet connection. Plant Finder — search and explore the living plant collections in the H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens. Blooming Bulbs — view a visual database of Arboretum flowers and locate them on a map.
Visitors to The Arboretum at Penn State now can explore the H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens with the Arboretum’s new, interactive Plant Finder. The map-based program allows users to find the locations of more than 1,100 species of plants in the Arboretum’s living collections.
- Kathleen Reeder
- (814) 865-4700
- Origins of The Arboretum at Penn State
- Visiting The Arboretum at Penn State
- What’s New at The Arboretum at Penn State
- What Hasn’T Changed at The Arboretum at Penn State
- Final Thoughts
- Nearby Attractions
In 2007, alumnus Charles H. “Skip” Smith stepped forward to kickstart the initial construction of the Arboretum with a gift of $10 million dollars, and the H.O. Smith Botanic Gardensare named in honor of his father (also a Penn State alumnus). Since then, the Arboretum at Penn State has matured and grown substantially and in 2021, new pollinator an...
If you’ve never visited the Arboretum at Penn State before, this article will be a great introduction for you. And if you have visited the Arboretum before, I’ll show you what’s new! You can pick up a free map of the Arboretum at the Overlook Pavilion (pictured below).
New Parking Rules
Let’s get the bad new out of the way first – there is no more free parking at the Arboretum at Penn State! Quoting Penn State’s official news release on the matter: “Visitor parking is available in the Lewis Katz Building lot, just across Bigler Road from the old Arboretum lot. To park in the Katz lot, Arboretum visitors who do not hold a Penn State parking permit that is valid in an Orange lot must pay a fee of $1/hour. Payment may be made via the pay station in the Katz Building lot via cre...
New Pollinator and Bird Gardens
On a much happier note, new pollinator and bird gardens have recently opened, designed to attract pollinating insects as well as resident and migratory birds. In addition to thousands of of new plantings, the Wild Bee Hotel at the Penn State Arboretum has created quite a buzz! There are also new habitats for humansas well. A large pond/wetland areawas added in the Pollinator Garden area, sure to be a hit with the kids.
If you’ve visited the Arboretum at Penn State before, many of your old favorites features are still present (like the sundial, pictured below).
The Arboretum at Penn State was recognized as one of three “Great Places in Pennsylvania for 2020” by the state chapter of the American Planning Association. For those of us that live in Happy Valley, we’ve known this all along, but it’s nice that the Arboretum at Penn State is also highly thought of by “outsiders” as well. It’s a fantastic place t...
The Penn State All-Sports Museum at Beaver Stadiumhonors the history, heritage, and accomplishments of Penn State athletes and Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. The museum features archival images and memorabilia from 34 sportsplayed at the varsity level at Penn State. Centre Furnace Mansion is significant for both its industrial heritage and a...
The map shows the location of individual plants and areas. Zoom in to view details. Click on a marker to view further information.
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Use the SEARCH tab to look up plants by name, family, or garden location. Use the MAP tab to zoom in on gardens, beds, or individual plants. The RED CIRCLE on the map represents your current location in the gardens.
