Let your love of the outdoors bloom during your upcoming Boston rent a car vacation by planning a trip to the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University. The oldest public arboretum in North America, the Arnold Arboretum features a unique blend of beloved public landscape and respected research facilities. The Arnold Arboretum is one of the world's leading centers in botany and horticulture, providing visitors with exciting educational experiences and riveting research firsts. Foster a greater understanding and appreciation for our planet during your upcoming road trip to Boston - plan to visit the Arnold Arboretum in your Boston rent a car.

About the early days of the arboretum

The Arnold Arboretum was established in 1872 by the trustees of the will of James Arnold. The trustees transferred a portion of Arnold's estate to the President of the Fellows of Harvard College with the promise that the income from the legacy would be used "for the establishment and support of an arboretum... which shall contain, as far as practicable, all the trees [and] shrubs... either indigenous or exotic, which can be raised in the open air." Today, the Arnold Arboretum occupies 265 acres of land and is on the Jamaica Plain section of Boston. The living collections at the Arboretum include more than 7,082 accessioned plants representing some 4,544 botanical and horticultural taxa. Boston rent a car travelers will find a special emphasis on the woody species of North America and eastern Asia.

More than your average garden

Fromm the time of its founding, the arboretum has maintained a complete record system, tracking the name and origin of every plant on the grounds. Boston rent a car travelers will also find a herbarium collection onsite that includes an excess of 5 million specimens. Library holdings at the arboretum are in an excess of 40,000 volumes, and the photographic collections rival any thanks to the scope and quality of the images. Couple all of this with the Arnold Arboretum's amazing garden layout and it's easy to see why so many tourists have come to cherish this beautiful Boston attraction.

Free fun that will fascination your family

The Arnold Arboretum is a great place to bring your family while vacationing to Boston. Not only will you have the opportunity to learn about local plants, but you'll also have the chance to spend quality time with your loved ones exploring the great outdoors. Classes and tours help inspire children to learn more about the environment, while interactive lectures and programs help adults better appreciate the different kinds of flora. And who could forget about the great festivals and events that are hosted on the arboretum grounds? Fun is always in season at the Arnold Arboretum, so why not pick a beautiful bouquet of smiles during your upcoming Boston rent a car vacation? Bring the whole family to the Arnold Arboretum and enjoy hours of fun.

Find your way to an outdoor oasis

Verc travelers may have a little trouble finding the Arnold Arboretum in their Boston rent a car; jot down the following directions to help keep you on track:

• From Route 93 south, exit onto Storrow Drive west. Follow Storrow Drive to the Kenmore Square/Fenway Route 1 south exit. Bear left. Follow the signs that mark Fenway/Route 1 south. When you see signs for Boylston Street, bear right and follow signs leading to the Boylston Street Outbound/Riverway Route 1. Continue along Boylston for less than half a mile. Boylston will become Brookline Avenue. Continue along Brookline until you can turn left onto the Riverway/Jamaicaway. Follow this in your Boston rent a car until you reach the rotary at Jamaica Pond. Follow signs marking South Dedham/Providence. Enter the next rotary and take the second exit onto Route 203 east. You should see the Arboretum's main entrance after about 50 yards.