Autumn at the Arboretum in Dallas by Sophia Hobbs

Autumn at the Arboretum in Dallas - Guest Post

Sophia Hobbs works with Dalworth Rug Cleaning, a Dallas based textile cleaning company. The business was founded in 1976 and has evolved through the years to provide comprehensive cleaning services such as Oriental rug cleaning, preservation, repairs, wrapping, and storage.

Last week I had the pleasure of taking the kids to the Dallas Arboretum which has undergone a seasonal change, diving into a fall medley of warm orange and red colors. If you have not been to the Dallas Arboretum, or have only gone in the spring when everything is in bloom, consider going now. Not only is there a fairytale like expanse in the form of a pumpkin village, but the world renowned glass sculptor, Chihuly, is being featured as well. His incredible hand-blown pieces accent, and are accented by, the flora which make for an immersive experience.

A Fall Fiesta

The Arboretum transforms itself every year from late September to late November. This year the autumn showcase ends on November 21^st so there is still plenty of time to get out and enjoy the venue. Pumpkin Village is fittingly themed to Cinderella and other classic stories tied in with pumpkins, and Cinderella’s pumpkin carriage is even on display. Besides the main attractions that happen every day, the Dallas Arboretum has weekday and weekend events like live music on weekends, kids’ activities on Mondays and Tuesdays, and more. For more information check out the Autumn at the Arboretum site here. 

Chihuly

Dale Chihuly innovative glass work is shown all over the world in art galleries and prolific sites. For a limited time, his beautiful artwork has been displayed within the Dallas Arboretum and if you haven’t seen it yet it is definitely worth the trip. The designers have done a fantastic job pairing the elaborate glass sculptures with the natural plants and grounds of the arboretum. Blue wisps rise out of serene pools, yellow spires shoot up from long grass, simple yet elegant balls rest among low lying flowers, glass plants nestle amongst the natural foliage, and more abstract pieces stand out on their own accord. My personal favorite was the towering bright yellow spire, or the giant blue ball that looks somewhat like a sea urchin. The Chihuly exhibit ends on November 5^th, so be sure to get out there and see it for yourself while you still can.

Admission fees for the Dallas Arboretum are generally fifteen dollars for adults, and nine dollars for kids, but a special is running right now and you get five dollars off of your ticket prices from 1-5PM until November 5^th (when Chihuly ends). My favorite thing to do at the Dallas Arboretum is to pack a fun picnic lunch and go with the whole family to enjoy a day outside. There are plenty of concerts held there and eateries to try if you do not want to pack your own lunch. 

* Thank you to Sophia Hobbs for writing this guest post for McKinney Mommas blog. *