“We’re driving 2 hours to go to a garden, A GARDEN?!”….so maybe the kiddos weren’t exactly on board initially. But once we arrived at the nation’s longest canopy walk, 1,400 feet long, soaring up to 40 feet above the ground, complete with a large cargo net in a grove of spruce trees, a glass floor viewing platform, awesome tree-house, & epic views I legit had a tough time getting them back in the car to go home! Our adventure at Dow Gardens was nothing short of extraordinary!
Location…..
Dow Gardens, 1809 Eastman Ave. Midland, MI 48640
Whiting Forest of Dow Gardens (literally across the street, &there is a ADA/stroller accessible walkway but if you have little legs & just want to hit up the canopy walk, café & playground this is the address you want to use) 2203 Eastman Ave. Midland, MI 48640
Brief History about the Forest….
The first piece of Whiting Forest property was acquired in 1905 by Herbert H. Dow, the founder of the Dow Chemical Company, and his wife Grace. In 1949, the property passed to H.H. Dow’s granddaughter Helen Dow Whiting, and her husband Macauley. The Whitings took great care to create a beautiful home for their six children. Now owned by the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation, it opened to the public in 2004, with a grand re-opening in October 2018.
Award Winning Children’s Garden….
Canopy Walk…..
Tree House….
Whiting Forrest Café….
Stop off in the café for coffee/tea and a light snack! https://www.dowgardens.org/whitingforest#&gid=1640419433&pid=1
Playground….
Admission….
Annual Pass $20.00
Adult daily $10.00
Kids (6-17) $2.00
College Students $2.00 (with valid ID)
Kids (5 & under) FREE
Website….
Hours…..
Dow Gardens and Whiting Forest of Dow Gardens are open all year with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. The grounds of the Gardens will also be closed for an annual maintenance day on the fourth Tuesday of September. Weather-related closures may occur.
Nov. 1 – April 14 9:00am – 4:00pm
April 15 – Labor Day 9:00am – 8pm
Sept. 3 – Oct. 31 9:00am – 6:30pm
UPCOMING EVENTS….
Totally worth the drive!
Looking to make a weekend of it? Then stop off at Frankenmuth, Bronner’s World’s Largest Christmas Store, Stay at the Splash Park next-door, & some outlet shopping!
And a HUGE shout-out & thank you to Kathy Williams-Moran and her Dad (father of 10 & Grandfather to 35 who enjoys taking his grandchildren on amazing road trips!) for introducing us to Dow Garden & sharing some of their awesome pics!
Mom on the go in Holy Toledo 