Arbor Lodge Historical Park

Step back in time when you and your canine BFF visit the Arbor Lodge State Historical Park! Located on the beautiful Arbor Day Farm in the northwest corner of Nebraska City, this muttnificent estate was once the home of J. Sterling Morton, the founder of Arbor Day. Today, this 72-acre park welcomes the public to explore the site's hilly, wooded land and appreciate Morton's vision for a more tree-filled world.

The main feature of Arbor Lodge is the authentically furnished, neocolonial mansion. Starting as a four-room frame house in 1855, it expanded to 52 rooms through several remodelings. The mansion is open for tours and special events, and inside visitors will find numerous historic artifacts from the Morton family. Fido will have to wait outside with someone from your pawty if you decide to check out the mansion, though, as four-legged visitors are only allowed on the grounds.

Nevertheless, with hundreds of trees, flowers, and shrubs surrounding the mansion, the grounds are also a treat to explore. Follow the walking trails with your pup and discover an arboretum, log cabin, Italian terraced garden, carriage house, tree-themed playground, and whispering bench along the way. Arbor Lodge boasts over 260 species of trees and shrubs, as well as 10 recognized state champion trees. Though the park is puptastic at any time of the year, it's highly recommended to visit during springtime when the flowers are in full bloom. If you and Fido stop by in May, you'll get to see more than 200 varieties of lilacs from around the world!

Wherever you go in the park, be sure to always keep your furry pal on a leash and clean up after them. Have clean-up bags on hand, as well as water to share. After strolling around the grounds, rest your legs and munch on a snack at the picnic area near the playground.

For a woofderful day out with your pooch in Nebraska City, head over to the Arbor Lodge State Historical Park!