Description
The John F. Kennedy Arboretum is a spectacular botanical haven that stands out as one of the best things to do with kids in Wexford. This expansive tree sanctuary and park activity category spans a massive 252 hectares on the rolling slopes of Slieve Coillte. It provides a breath of fresh air and an engaging educational day out for families looking to explore nature, spot local waterfowl, and run wild in pristine open spaces.
Visiting this grand presidential tribute is highly affordable for families looking for an inexpensive day trip out. Prices start from just €3.00 for children, while standard adult admission costs €5.00, and a complete family ticket option is available for only €13.00. These entry rates make the vast estate an incredibly budget-friendly landscape compared to expensive urban theme parks.
If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids to enjoy beautiful woodlands and outdoor adventures, this massive arboretum delivers the perfect setting. Children can run along scenic signposted trails, navigate a small hedge maze, and marvel at an array of plants from all temperate regions of the globe. It offers a relaxed, welcoming environment where kids can learn about global forestry while blowing off steam on a dedicated playground.
Features
- Paid
- Host birthday parties: No
Features
Key Features
- Presidential Tree Collection: Over 4,500 distinct types of trees and shrubs arranged in neat botanical sequences across the vast estate.
- Interactive Visitor Centre: A dedicated indoor exhibition pavilion featuring historical displays on John F. Kennedy and his ancestral roots.
- Scenic Waterfowl Lake: A picturesque, sheltered body of water teeming with ducks, swans, and fish.
- Children’s Play Maze: A small garden hedge maze designed specifically for younger children to explore and safely navigate.
- Global Forest Plots: Around 200 dedicated forestry plots grouped cleanly by their native home continents.
Top 5 Highlights
- The Wildlife Lake: A beautiful, calm lake that acts as a protected sanctuary for migrating waterfowl. Kids love walking along the banks to watch the fish swim and the ducks splash because it brings them face-to-face with local park nature. It is an ideal, peaceful spot for an educational day out.
- The Slieve Coillte Summit: A high viewpoint accessible via a winding summit road that offers stunning panoramic vistas over six surrounding counties. Children enjoy spotting distant fields and winding rivers from 271 metres above sea level because it makes them feel like they are standing on top of the world. It provides a spectacular background for family photos.
- The Treehouse Playground: A modern public play park packed with robust swings, climbing frames, and wooden tree structures. Parents love this zone because it gives children a dedicated space to run around and burn off excess energy safely. It serves as a fantastic rewarding stop after a long walk through the woods.
- The Ericaceous Garden: A vibrant, specialised garden filled with 500 varieties of colourful rhododendrons, azaleas, and wild heathers. Kids are drawn to the brilliant explosions of pink, purple, and red flowers during the spring blooming season. It offers a lovely sensory path to walk through.
- The Miniature Railway: A charming small-gauge passenger track that takes families on a scenic route through the lower lawns during summer afternoons. Toddlers and young children love the excitement of riding on a real scaled-down train carriage. It adds a lovely touch of classic holiday fun to your park visit.
Beyond the Main Attraction: The arboretum is located in a historically rich corner of Southwest Wexford, making it easy to pair with other nearby excursions. You can drive just ten minutes down the road to visit the Kennedy Homestead, the actual ancestral birthplace of JFK's great-grandfather. The spectacular ruins of Dunbrody Abbey and the Dunbrody Famine Ship Experience in New Ross are both reached within fifteen minutes. Families can also travel south to explore the rugged coastlines and dramatic towers of the famous Hook Peninsula.
48.29 miles
