Morris Arboretum
is a wonderful place to visit for those who love trees, plants, beautiful landscapes and interesting sculpture. The grounds are laid out as a series of separate areas, with nice views across the grounds. Examples of areas within the grounds include the rose garden (a beautiful, sophisticated planting that is a riot of color in June) and a railroad garden (a miniature train line that runs through a planting that mimic a landscape). Throughout the garden one finds a wide array of pleasing sculptures (see attached photo of the Greenman sculputure that was carved out of a tree trunk). There is also a visitor's center and cafe on site.
One can easily spend the entire day at the arboretum, but enjoy parts of it in just an hour or two if that is all the time one had or wanted to spend. The arboretum is located on the very northern edge of Philadelphia, which is about 20 miles north of downtown Philadelphia. It is easiest to get there by car. A taxi ride from downtown runs about $50 with tip. One can get there via regional rail (either Chesnut Hill station, end of the line), then public bus to a nearby college, then about a 10 minute walk from there. A compromise is to take a taxi there and the bus/train back.
If you live near Morris Arboretum they offer wonderful classes - some are single session others are series.
