Morris ArBOOretum & Gardens
October is ArBOOretum month at the Morris!
19th Annual Scarecrow Walk
This Halloween, we're taking a trip through the 70s—any 70s! In honor of America's 250th anniversary, see scarecrows inspired by the 1770s, the 1970s, the 2070s, or any decade ending in "70" throughout history and beyond.
Scarecrows will be on display October 1 – November 1. Visitors will vote for their favorite scarecrow on-site October 1 – 18 to determine the winners. The top three scarecrows win a cash prize: $300, $200, and $100.
Scarecrow frames generously provided by Tague Lumber.
Morris Pumpkin Cottage
As part of ArBOOretum Month, we invite kids of all ages to enjoy the Morris Pumpkin Cottage, a 100-square-foot exhibition covered in hundreds of pumpkins of various shapes and sizes. The Cottage, a throwback to when the area around the Morris used to be known as “Pumpkintown,” is tucked at the end of the Pumpkin Promenade, a small trail lined with pumpkins, gourds, scarecrows, and more.
ArBOOretum Events
Member Night: Autumn After Hours
Thursday, October 1 • 5 pm
Registration is required
Celebrate the fall with an after-hours evening in the Garden, just for members! This event is for Morris members only.
Fall First Friday for Kids and Families
Friday, October 2 • 11 am
Free with general admission
We'll be reading I'm Trying to Love Spiders by Bethany Barton and you can make your own spider friend to take home.
Experience the Unexpected
Saturday, October 3 & Sunday, October 4 • 10 am – 12 pm
Free with general admission
Join us this weekend as we celebrate October by making magical wands and potions from natural materials to take home with you.
October Storytime
Wednesday, October 21 • 10:30 am
Free with general admission
Join us for a spooky storytime. Wear a costume and make your own scarecrow craft, just in time for Halloween!
Spooky Season Nature Crafts: All About Carnivorous Plants
Thursday, October 29 • 11 am
Free with general admission
Learn all about carnivorous plants this Halloween season, and make your own plant monster to take with you while you trick or treat. Costumes encouraged!
ArBOOretum Courses
Building Fairy Houses (Ages 5+)
Saturday, October 3 • 10:30 am
Members: $35 • Non-members: $40
Registration is required
Let your imagination run wild as we create whimsical fairy houses together using a combination of found natural materials, clay, and other special bits and bobs in this magical, hands-on experience for all ages.
The Abundant Life of Dead and Dying Trees
Wednesday, October 7 • 10:30 am
Stoneleigh Gardens
Members: $30 • Non-members: $35
Registration is required
Join us as we learn how dead and dying trees still teem with life, from tiny termites to fantastic flying squirrels and everything in between!
Under the New Moon Gentle Yoga: October
Friday, October 9 • 10 am
Members: $30 • Non-members: $35
Registration is required
Join Meghan Dwyer for a gentle, all-levels yoga class in tune with the new moon and the changing astrological season.
Raptor Jawns: A Birds of Prey Close Encounter (All Ages)
Friday, October 9 • 1 pm
Members: $30 • Non-members: $35
Registration is required
School is closed today—what to do? How about an intimate encounter with a raptor? Meeting a bird of prey can be a transformative experience—inspiring awe, curiosity, and respect for the power and beauty of the natural world.
West Laurel Hill Cemetery: Fall Foliage Tour of Beautiful Trees and Vistas
Thursday, October 15 • 10:30 am
West Laurel Hill Cemetery
Members: $30 • Non-members: $35
Registration is required
Tour West Laurel Hill Cemetery in its autumn splendor with Arboretum Manager Aaron Greenberg who will show us some of the remarkable plants in the collection. From the dazzling reds of the sugar maple allée to the yellows and oranges of sweet gum and hickory, fall is a beautiful time to explore the tree collection!
Botanical Mixology: Sunset Horticulture Happy Hour
Sunday, October 25 • 5 pm
Members: $60 • Non-members: $65
Registration is required
Learn how to mix bewitching beverages infused with botanicals, herbs, and autumn-inspired ingredients with the beautiful backdrop of Morris Arboretum & Gardens at sunset.
Going Batty!
Wednesday, October 28 • 6 pm
Members: $25 • Non-members: $30 • Bat Box Add-On: $55
Registration is required
Join us in celebrating Bat Week with a special evening educational program about the important role bats play in Pennsylvania and what you can do to support bats in your yard and neighborhood.
Fall Migration Birding
Looking to go birding during fall migration? Check out one of our many birding experiences in our Fall 2026 Course Catalog!