# Boone County Arboretum Autumn Nature & Tree Discovery for Families

> Place to go for families in the Cincinnati area (OH / KY / IN). Times are Eastern Time.

- When: Open on its own schedule
- Dates: Starts Tue, Nov 24
- Where: Boone County Arboretum at Central Park, 9190 Camp Ernst Rd, Union, KY 41091
- Ages: All ages (2.2-mile paved walking trail with tree identification tags and children's playground)
- Price: Free public arboretum admission and free parking; Leashed family pets welcome
- Organizer: Boone County Parks & Friends of Boone County Arboretum
- Official page: https://bcarboretum.org/
- Last checked: Thu, Nov 5

Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Nov 11, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about
Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-11-10), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/cincinnati/activities/boone-county-arboretum-autumn-nature-and-tree-discovery-for-families--listing-5952a83bb4455c0db22ab3c0

## About

Located within Central Park in Union, Kentucky, the Boone County Arboretum spans 121 beautifully manicured acres and holds the distinction of being the first arboretum in the nation designed within an active public recreation park. Home to more than 3,600 labeled trees and woody shrubs, the arboretum serves as a living museum where families can discover botanical species from around the world. Over Thanksgiving week, visitors can stroll along the 2.2-mile paved walking trail that winds through themed plant collections, perennial gardens, and native wetland boardwalks. Educational labels invite kids to compare leaf shapes, bark textures, and colorful autumn seed pods. Adjacent park grounds feature expansive children's playgrounds and open ballfields.

Family Experience & Accessibility:
• Stroller Accessibility: The entire 2.2-mile main walking loop is paved with smooth asphalt, completely free of stairs, and wide enough for side-by-side family pushchairs and wagons.
• Nursing & Rest Spots: Clean, heated public restrooms with baby changing counters are conveniently located at the Central Park visitor plaza and arboretum trailheads.
• Age Suitability: All ages. The paved path makes walking effortless for toddlers, while older kids enjoy identifying botanical species and racing along the playground equipment.
• Sensory Tips: Peaceful suburban greenway atmosphere with birdsong, rustling autumn foliage, and aromatic pine groves. Bench seating is provided at regular intervals along the trail.

## Similar picks in Cincinnati

- [Boone County Arboretum Winter Conifer Trail & Family Tree Hunt](https://grassyknees.com/cincinnati/activities/boone-county-arboretum-winter-conifer-trail-and-family-tree-hunt--listing-571de11b7a96b34340f1eb86) — Open on its own schedule · Boone County Arboretum, Union · All ages · Free · checked Nov 5. Dedicated as the nation's first arboretum within an active recreation park, the Boone County Arboretum in Union, Kentucky, showcases more than 3,600 tagged woody plants…
- [Boone County Arboretum](https://grassyknees.com/cincinnati/activities/boone-county-arboretum--listing-3ffa756a0d3676b08f520f04) — Open daily from 7:30am to dusk, year-round. · Boone County Arboretum, Union · Free · checked Oct 14. A 121-acre arboretum just outside Union, KY, also known as Central Park, set within an active recreation park: more than 5,500 trees and shrubs arranged by plant family, 12…
- [Voice of America MetroPark Autumn Lake Walk & Playground for Families](https://grassyknees.com/cincinnati/activities/voice-of-america-metropark-autumn-lake-walk-and-playground-for-familie--listing-d93a0de0f0d0154690aa3431) — Open on its own schedule · Voice of America MetroPark, West Chester · All ages · Free · checked Nov 5. Spanning 435 scenic acres in West Chester, Ohio, Voice of America MetroPark occupies the historic grounds of the former Cold War-era VOA Bethany Relay Station. The park features…
- [Cincinnati Nature Center Winter Forest Hiking & Maple Sugaring Days](https://grassyknees.com/cincinnati/activities/cincinnati-nature-center-winter-forest-hiking-and-maple-sugaring-days--listing-3f342480338dd2100f8fbcbd) — Jan 10 – Feb 28 · 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Cincinnati Nature Center (Rowe Woods), Milford · All ages · From $10 · checked Nov 5. Spanning more than 1,000 pristine acres of deciduous forest, ravines, and scenic streams in Milford, the Cincinnati Nature Center's Rowe Woods is a winter wonderland for…
- [Highfield Discovery Garden Autumn Explorations & Family Garden Adventures](https://grassyknees.com/cincinnati/activities/highfield-discovery-garden-autumn-explorations-and-family-garden-adven--listing-1751e47874202fdf329be16d) — Open on its own schedule · Highfield Discovery Garden (Glenwood Gardens), Woodlawn · Ages 0–12 · From $6 · checked Nov 5. Tucked inside Glenwood Gardens in Woodlawn, Highfield Discovery Garden is a magical 12-acre wonderland designed specifically to ignite curiosity and imaginative outdoor play in…
- [Highfield Discovery Garden Winter Discovery & Nature Greenhouse](https://grassyknees.com/cincinnati/activities/highfield-discovery-garden-winter-discovery-and-nature-greenhouse--listing-bf10a8bae41379fafc305085) — Open on its own schedule · Glenwood Gardens (Highfield Discovery Garden) · Ages 0–12 · From $6 · checked Nov 5. Located within Glenwood Gardens in Woodlawn, Highfield Discovery Garden is a whimsical 12-acre children's wonderland operated by Great Parks of Hamilton County. Even in the heart…

## More for families

- [Things to do with kids in Union, KY](https://grassyknees.com/cincinnati/towns/union-ky) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/cincinnati/towns/union-ky.md)
- [Things to do with kids in Boone County, KY](https://grassyknees.com/cincinnati/counties/boone-county-ky) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/cincinnati/counties/boone-county-ky.md)
- [Things to do with kids in Cincinnati — November 2026](https://grassyknees.com/cincinnati/events/2026-11) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/cincinnati/events/2026-11.md)
- [This weekend in Cincinnati](https://grassyknees.com/cincinnati/this-weekend) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/cincinnati/this-weekend.md)
- [Things to do with kids in Cincinnati](https://grassyknees.com/cincinnati) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/cincinnati.md)