The Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens is a 93-acre public garden and nature preserve in North Stamford, Connecticut, with 13 gardens and miles of walking trails. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport and parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
This guide was updated in July 2026, which marks 60 years since the Arboretum first opened to the public in 1966. One rule worth flagging: bicycles, dirt bikes, and other recreational vehicles are strictly prohibited everywhere on the property, including the trails, so this isn’t a spot for cycling despite its extensive path network.
Quick facts
| Opening hours | Grounds: dawn to dusk, daily. Silver Educational Center: 9am–4pm, daily |
| Ticket prices | Free; select special events require a ticket |
| Address | 151 Brookdale Road, Stamford, CT 06903 |
| Nearest transport/parking | No public transit; free on-site parking |
| Typical time needed | 1.5–3 hours |
The Bartlett Arboretum opening hours
The Bartlett’s grounds are open every day, dawn to dusk. The Silver Educational Center, which houses restrooms and event space, is open daily from 9am to 4pm, and the Office/Homestead Building is open 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.
Special events can cause an early closing of garden areas and buildings; check the Arboretum’s events calendar before visiting if timing matters. Buildings close on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
The Arboretum began in 1913, when dendrologist Francis A. Bartlett acquired 30 acres of North Stamford woodland as a residence, training school, and research laboratory for his tree-care company. The State of Connecticut purchased the property in 1965, and it passed to the City of Stamford in the early 2000s, with day-to-day operations run by the nonprofit Bartlett Arboretum Association ever since.
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The Bartlett Arboretum ticket prices
There is no admission fee to visit the Bartlett Arboretum, though select special events require a separate ticket.
Self-guided group visits, such as school trips, are also free, though the education department asks to be notified in advance so staff know when a group is on site.
Opening hours and admission details were checked on the official Bartlett Arboretum visitor page and last updated in July 2026.
How to get to the Bartlett Arboretum
The Bartlett Arboretum is in North Stamford, reached most directly from the Merritt Parkway (Route 15). Heading north, take exit 35 for High Ridge Road, turn left (north) onto Route 137, and follow signs for the Arboretum, watching for the entrance sign on Brookdale Road.
There’s no public transit service directly to the Arboretum, so a car is the most practical way to visit.
Parking at the Bartlett Arboretum
Free parking is available in the Arboretum’s main lot. Accessible parking is available in the same lot, across from the Silver Education Center and next to the Sensory Garden.
How long to spend at the Bartlett Arboretum
Most visitors spend one and a half to three hours at the Bartlett, walking a selection of its 13 gardens and some of its woodland trails.
Visitors covering more of the trail network, which runs for several miles through woodlands, wetlands, and meadows, or joining a guided program, should allow a half day.
Accessibility at the Bartlett Arboretum
Accessible parking is available in the Arboretum’s main lot, and restrooms in the Silver Educational Building are open to the public daily.
The Bartlett doesn’t publish a detailed accessibility guide for its wider trails and gardens; contact the Arboretum in advance for specific accessibility questions about a visit.
Inside the Bartlett Arboretum: what to see
The 13 gardens include the Sensory Garden, designed around fragrant plants, soothing sounds, and interesting textures, alongside dedicated conifer, wetland, and native plant collections.
Champion trees, among the largest of their species in the state, grow alongside other Notable trees, many descended from seed collected from around the world by founder Francis A. Bartlett.
The Arboretum also runs a full calendar of adult and youth programmes, including yoga classes, a summer camp known as Camp Bart, and the UConn Extension Master Gardener Program.
The Red Maple Wetland Boardwalk carries visitors on an elevated walkway through a wetland habitat.
Woodland trails wind for several miles through forest, meadow, and wetland habitats, passing colonial-era stone walls along the way.
Potter’s Field, the City of Stamford’s historic cemetery, is located within the Arboretum’s grounds.
Practical visitor tips
| Topic | Tip |
|---|---|
| Timing | Visit on a weekday morning for the quietest walk through the gardens. |
| Crowds | Special events like the Summer Concert Series and Honey Harvest Festival draw the largest crowds. |
| Layout | Start at the Silver Educational Center for a trail map before choosing a garden or trail. |
| Entry process | No ticket is needed for a general visit; groups should contact the education department in advance. |
| On-site logistics | Leave bikes at home, since cycling isn’t allowed anywhere on the property. |
Frequently asked questions about the Bartlett Arboretum
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Bartlett Arboretum free to visit? | Yes, general admission is free every day; some special events charge for tickets. |
| Do you need to book a visit in advance? | No, except groups should notify the education department they’re coming. |
| Is the Bartlett Arboretum open on Mondays? | Yes, the grounds are open every day of the year, dawn to dusk. |
| Are dogs allowed at the Bartlett Arboretum? | Yes, on a leash, with poop bags available at the trailhead hut in the main lot. |
| Can you ride a bike at the Bartlett Arboretum? | No, bicycles and other recreational vehicles are prohibited throughout the property. |
Things to do near the Bartlett Arboretum
The Stamford Museum & Nature Center, with a farm and planetarium, is a short drive away.
Mianus River Park, with wooded trails along the river, is about 10 minutes away.
Cove Island Park, a waterfront park on Long Island Sound, is about 15 minutes away.
Downtown Stamford, with restaurants and shops, is about 15 minutes away.
The Greenwich Audubon Center, with additional hiking trails and a hawk-watch site, is about 20 minutes away.
What to visit tomorrow
The New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx, New York City, is about 1 hour away.
Wave Hill in the Bronx, a public garden with river views, is about 1 hour away.
The White Memorial Conservation Center in Litchfield, a large nature preserve with trails, is about 1 hour away.
Untermyer Park and Gardens in Yonkers, known for its elaborate formal gardens, is about 45 minutes away.
Garden in the Woods in Framingham, Massachusetts, a native plant botanic garden, is about 1 hour 45 minutes away.
