Arnold Arboretum
Arboretum · Massachusetts
Harvard's 281-acre living museum in Jamaica Plain holds one of North America's great tree collections (maples, hickories, ginkgos, and conifer-framed hillsides), usually at its best from mid-October to early November.
Don’t miss
Peak: October 22–October 26
Color builds from October 8 · mostly bare by November 14
Sampled at Arnold Arboretum’s own coordinates and elevation (35 m) rather than a regional average.
This window comes from 4 weather points across Massachusetts, nudged 3 days later to match 1 published peak date from smokymountains.com and almanac.com. Massachusetts is running 3 days earlier than its own average this year. How the forecast works
When to go to Arnold Arboretum
Good color holds through about November 2, giving you roughly 25 days from the first turn to past peak. Against Massachusetts overall, that is 5 days later.
This one is within Boston itself, which makes it an easy half day.
Arnold Arboretum on the map
Drag the date slider to see when color reaches this corner of Massachusetts, or tap a pin for that stop’s own peak window.
More things to do in Massachusetts
Leaves & views
- Boston Public GardenGarden · Peak Oct 24
- Mount Auburn CemeteryGarden cemetery · Peak Oct 23
- Middlesex Fells ReservationState park · Peak Oct 23
- Walden Pond State ReservationState park · Peak Oct 21
- Mount Greylock State ReservationState park · Peak Oct 7
- Mohawk Trail (Hairpin Turn)Scenic drive · Peak Oct 9
- Bash Bish Falls State ParkState park · Peak Oct 14
Plan from a city
Frequently asked
- When does Arnold Arboretum peak in 2026?
- Peak color is predicted for October 22–October 26 (best estimate October 24). Color starts around October 8 and is mostly bare by November 14.
- How do I get to Arnold Arboretum?
- The closest city is Boston, about 6 mi away (it's right in town). It's part of Massachusetts's fall lineup.
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