The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is the University of Minnesota’s public garden, at 3675 Arboretum Drive in Chaska, about forty minutes west of downtown Minneapolis. It is open 363 days a year, closing only on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day and early on Christmas Eve, and its sections for gardens, trails, art, buildings and wildlife give it something to offer in every season. Its winter hours, from November 1 to 18 2026 and again from January 4 2027, are 9am to 4pm for buildings and 8am to 5pm for grounds. From November 19, 2026 to January 3, 2027 the Arboretum hosts Northern Lights, an evening light event running from 4:30pm to 9:30pm nightly from November 20, except November 26, December 24 and December 25. The Red Barn and Berens Cabin are closed from November to April, the AppleHouse is open from mid-August to mid-December, and the Dog Commons is closed for construction, so check what is open. It suits garden lovers, photographers, families and anyone who wants a quiet escape from the city. For a visitor in November, the Northern Lights event makes it a rare chance to see a Minnesota garden after dark.
Planning your visit
Admission details are on the Arboretum’s Tickets page, and the hours differ by area, so check the day you travel. Outside the Northern Lights event, buildings open from 9am to 3pm, grounds from 8am to 3pm and the Rootstock shop from 10am to 3pm. The drive from Minneapolis takes about forty minutes without traffic, and public transport is limited, so a car is the practical choice. Dress warmly for any winter visit, because most of the experience is outdoors, and wear sturdy shoes for trails that may be icy.
Seasons
Spring brings blossom and bulbs, summer brings flower beds, autumn brings colour and apples, and winter brings a quieter landscape and the light show. Because the grounds are large, choose a section rather than trying to cover all of it, and ask at the visitor building about current highlights. The Arboretum is a good option for visitors who have already seen the city sights and want something different, and it works as a half-day or full-day trip.
Because this is a working research and teaching garden, plantings change from year to year, and what you see on a given day may differ from photographs.
Making the most of it
If you plan to see Northern Lights, arrive near the opening of the evening session, wear layers, and check ticketing, as evening events can sell out or run on dated tickets. Pair the visit with a stop in nearby Excelsior or Chanhassen, and, for music fans, a visit to Paisley Park, which is also in Chanhassen. For daytime visitors, a slow loop of the grounds with a camera is rewarding, and the Arboretum’s year-round hours mean you rarely arrive to a closed gate.
Because hours and open areas change through the year, it is worth checking the website on the morning of your visit, particularly in late autumn when seasonal closures overlap with the start of the winter programme. Accessibility information is on the Arboretum’s website, and visitors with limited mobility should check which areas and paths suit them before setting out.
What to expect
The experience
A university garden and arboretum west of the cities, with seasonal displays and, in winter 2026-27, an evening light event.
Best time
Spring to autumn for the gardens, or an evening in late November to early January for Northern Lights.
How long
Two to four hours.
Tips
Check area-by-area hours, dress warmly and confirm ticketing for the evening event.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Garden lovers, photographers and visitors who want a day beyond the city.
- Families
- Plenty of space to roam, with seasonal events, though winter visits need warm clothes.
- Couples
- A quiet, scenic escape, and the winter light event is a romantic evening out.
- Pair with
- Paisley Park in nearby Chanhassen.
- Time needed
- Two to four hours.
Good questions
When is the Arboretum open?+
363 days a year. It closes only on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, and early on Christmas Eve.
What is Northern Lights?+
An evening light event running from November 19, 2026 to January 3, 2027, nightly from 4:30pm to 9:30pm from November 20, with a few closed dates.
Where is it?+
At 3675 Arboretum Drive in Chaska, west of Minneapolis.
Is everything open in November?+
No. The Red Barn and Berens Cabin close from November to April, and the Dog Commons is closed for construction.
Can I get there without a car?+
Public transport is limited, so a car or rideshare is the practical choice.
