Free Admission every first Tuesday at OP Arboretum & Botanical Gardens

The 300-acre Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens is a year-round educational, recreational and cultural attraction for the Kansas City area. 

Admission to the arboretum is FREE the first Tuesday of every month. During those free admission days, there is a free kids’ craft activity from 9 a.m. to noon. 

An annual membership is a great way to save money if you plan to visit several times through the year.

When you visit you can experience and explore 13 gardens with more than 1,700 kinds of plants; trails and paths; acres of prairie land with native grasses and wildflowers; birds, dragonflies, deer, snakes and other wildlife; art sculptors tucked in among trees and flowers; as well as educational activities and fun events.

The best way to find out about discounts to the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens and similar attractions is to sign up for email updates from Kansas City on the Cheap and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. When we find new deals, we make sure our readers know about them.

Outdoor enthusiasts can find more great places to visit in Kansas City at our post Essential Gardens to Visit in Kansas City.

Overland Park Arboretum Hours

The Arboretum is open nearly every day of the year with extended hours for special events. Hours are currently daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Summer hours are from April 1 through August 31. During these months the Arboretum will be open with these extended hours (in addition to the daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.):

• Tuesdays and Thursdays: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Overland Park Arboretum Admission

Admission for 2026 is:

• $7 for visitors 18 and older
• $3 for ages 6 to 17
• FREE for visitors 5 and under and Friends of the Arboretum members

Free Admission Days in 2026

Admission to the Arboretum will be FREE all day on the following Tuesdays in 2022:

• October 6
• November 3
• December 1

Friends of the Arboretum Membership

The Arboretum is open year-round so if you plan to go several times throughout the year a Friends of the Arboretum membership is a good investment. Besides FREE admission during normal operating hours, you’ll receive discounts to special events and classes, reciprocal membership to more than 200 participating botanical gardens, an invitation to the members-only annual social event and eNewsletter updates.

Overland Park Arboretum Events and Activities

While some programs and events are included with admission, others have a participation fee. Advanced registration and RSVPs are encouraged and sometimes required. Find all the events here. 

Overland Park Arboretum Location and Parking

The Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens is located at 8909 W 179th St, Bucyrus, KS.

Parking is FREE.

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