The Dallas Arboretum Presents Fairy Tale Castles

Let your imagination take you away to a magical land as you and your children explore the Fairy Tale Castles at the Dallas Arboretum. These mystical castles are based on classic children’s fairy tales such as Rapunzel and Jack and the Beanstalk. The castles were designed by 7 local architects and built by local construction groups.   The event is sponsored by Lambert’s and Moore Tree Care.

She Is Dallas info: The Fairy Tale Castles exhibit will be on display from March 5 – December 31, 2011.   It is free with garden admission.   The Dallas Arboretum is located at 8525 Garland Road in Dallas.   They are open from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm daily (closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Years Day).   Admission is $12.00 for adults, $10.00 for seniors, $8.00 for children (3-12), and free for children under 3.   Onsite self parking is $7.00.   For more information, please call them at 214-515-6500 or visit their website.   The Dallas Arboretum is also on Facebook.

The Dallas Arboretum produces incredible exhibits that are enchanting for children and adults alike. Keep reading   for a look at one of their previous exhibits, Storybook Playhouses. I love the Dallas Arboretum. My kids love the Dallas Arboretum. Through December 31 the Dallas Arboretum is featuring a collection of Storybook Playhouses.   They are nestled along flower bordered trails, under leafy shade trees and in breath-takingly beautiful surroundings. My boys took the trail map we were given at the entrance SERIOUSLY.   We explored all 15 of the amazing houses.   Here is what we saw: Each playhouse is inspired by a children’s book.   At each stop there is a large book display that tells the story behind the house.   Many of the houses were from stories that we had read, but there were a few surprises – books that I didn’t knnow! Starting at the top, left to right:

1. Temerok
2. The Little Prince
3. The Owl and the Pussycat
4. City Green
5. Eragon
6. Treasure Island
7. One fish, Two fish, Red fish, Blue fish
8. Alice in Wonderland
9. James and the Giant Peach
10. Peter Pan
11. Thumbelina
12. Hope for the Flowers
13. The Lorax
14. The Bamboo Cutter’s Daughter – was closed this day so we didn’t see it so here is a pretty sunflower.
15. Hansel and Gretel
16. Another house that I have pictures of but can’t identify.

There was a clear favorite among my boys.   It was the City Green House: They ran for a 1/2 hour through the two houses, the connecting garden and through the swinging gate. Pure kid bliss. There is no doubt that we will be back to visit this again.   We didn’t even make it to our favorite area, The Texas Village because we were having so much fun on the other side of the Arboretum.