Connecticut College ArboretumAbout Connecticut College Arboretum
The Connecticut College Arboretum is the living-plant collection and managed landscape on the Connecticut College campus in New London, Connecticut. It functions as an outdoor classroom and research resource for the college and a public green space.
The arboretum was developed by the college to support botanical teaching, horticulture and landscape stewardship and has grown incrementally through campus planning and planting projects. Collections and trails have been added over decades to serve education and community use.
Located on the Connecticut College campus in New London, the arboretum is immediately accessible from campus roads and parking and sits within the coastal Connecticut landscape near the Thames River.
- Public access: Open to the public year-round for walking, study and passive recreation with no general admission fee.
- Education and research: Managed as a living collection supporting college teaching, research and conservation of regional and exotic plants.
What to See#
- Arboretum grounds: Contains a mix of formal collections, experimental plantings and naturalistic areas across the Connecticut College campus, with marked paths and trails used for teaching and public recreation.
Nearby Attractions to Connecticut College Arboretum
Best Time to Visit Connecticut College Arboretum
Spring and autumn highlight seasonal displays; summer is good for programs and full foliage.
Weather & Climate near Connecticut College Arboretum
Connecticut College Arboretum's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -7°C to 27°C. Abundant rainfall (1245 mm/year), wettest in November, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -7° - 3° | -8° | 108 mm | - | - | 5.1 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -6° - 4° | -7° | 92 mm | - | - | 5.1 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -2° - 8° | -1° | 112 mm | - | - | 5.2 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 3° - 14° | 5° | 109 mm | - | - | 4.9 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 8° - 19° | 14° | 99 mm | - | - | 4.3 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 13° - 24° | 19° | 95 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 17° - 27° | 22° | 88 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 17° - 27° | 22° | 105 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 12° - 23° | 18° | 103 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 6° - 17° | 12° | 103 mm | - | - | 4.3 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 2° - 12° | 4° | 119 mm | - | - | 4.7 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -4° - 6° | -3° | 112 mm | - | - | 4.9 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Connecticut College Arboretum
The Arboretum lies on the Connecticut College campus in New London. It is reachable by car and municipal transit; parking and foot access are available from Mohegan Avenue and campus entrances.
Tips for Visiting Connecticut College Arboretum
- Start at the arboretum's visitor map or information kiosk to pick trails by theme-ornamental collections, native plantings or experimental beds.
- Visit in late spring for peak flowering of many specimen trees planted across the campus.
- The arboretum's paths can be muddy after rain-wear footwear suited to informal trails.