Iconic Boston Institution
281-Acre Preserve
Oldest Arboretum in North America
Experience the Fragrant Delight of Lilacs in the Heart of Boston
Established in 1872, the Arnold Arboretum in the heart of Boston is the oldest of its kind in North America. The 281-acre preserve stewards one of the world’s most comprehensive and well documented collections of trees and plants, with particular focus on the floras of eastern North America and eastern Asia. This jewel in the Emerald Necklace (Boston’s park system) was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.
Since 1908, the lilac has held a special place on the Arboretum’s spring calendar. With 407 lilac plants representing 173 varieties, the Arboretum holds one of the premier lilac collections in North America.
Join Unicorn Tours for a beautiful day in one of the nation’s most cherished green spaces. This docent-led walking tour will take 90-minutes and provides an overview of the history of the arboretum and the current collection of trees and plants, leaving ample time for a deep dive into the blooming lilacs in all their glory. Don’t forget to bring comfortable walking shoes!
A box lunch with goodies from neighborhood restaurants awaits you on the motorcoach as we take the 3-minute ride to another gem in the Emerald Necklace, Jamaica Pond. You are welcome to enjoy your lunch on the motorcoach or step out and enjoy the views and a quick turn around the pond before we head back to the Chelmsford and Haverill drop locations.
Why Choose This Tour?
Experience one of America’s most cherished green spaces
Enjoy a beautiful spring day among the bursting colors and fragrances of 173 varieties of Lilacs
Learn something new in your own backyard and make new friends
Click the Tabs for More Information
Trip Details
Price
$150 per person
Departure time
9:45AM
Meeting point
- 9:00AM: Chelmsford – Burger King – 77 Drum Hill Road – back parking lot along far right
- 9:15AM: North Andover Mall – 350 Winthrop Ave. No. Andover – RT 114 – opposite end of lot away from Market Basket
- 9:30AM: Haverhill – Papa Gino’s, 782 River Street, Haverhill
Availability
Friday, May 10, 2024
Group size
Limited to 45 people
Accessibility
Please review venue’s accessibility information
Duration
9:45AM – 3PM (from pick up to drop off)
Included
- Guided tour of Arnold Arboretum, a 281-acre preserve in the heart of Boston
- Self-guided tour of the historic Jamaica Pond
- Box lunch filled with goodies from local restaurant
- Luxury motorcoach round-trip transportation
- One raffle ticket to win $250 OFF on future Unicorn Tours Package
Lunch/dinner
Box lunch from local restaurant
Frequently Asked Questions
We currently have 3 convenient Merrimack Valley locations which include:
Haverhill: Papa Gino’s – 782 River St, Haverhill MA 01832 – shares parking lot with Dunkin Donuts – at intersection of River St and RT 495 – 1/2 block past Walgreen’s on the right
North Andover: North Andover Mall, 350 Winthrop Ave(Rt 114), North Andover – Near the Payless Shoe end of parking lot
Chelmsford: Drum Hill –Burger King, 77 Drum Hill Road (back parking lot to the far right away from Drive-Thru)
Note: Overnight parking allowed at this location only. (Open 24hrs)
Parking is at your own risk at the Haverhill and North Andover locations if it’s overnight, day time parking is allowed!
For day trips, we require full payment at the time of booking. If the trip is canceled, a full refund will be issued. Payment arrangements are not available for day trips.
Our refund policy for day trips varies by trip. Up to 30 days from departure, a full refund is available, but please check the specific trip flyer for any variations. Within 29 days of departure, trips become non-refundable, with details outlined on the trip flyer. We recommend reviewing the flyer when booking for specific terms.
Unicorn Tours gladly accepts most major credit cards for convenient payment. You can process payment directly by clicking on the Book Now button on the sidebar of this tour page.
Additionally, we welcome payments by check. If opting for check payment, kindly mail it to our address at:
Unicorn Tours
60 Highland Ave. E
Braintree, MS 02184-1600
Unicorn Tours provides trip cancellation insurance for day trips, offering protection against cancellation penalties. The premium is due at the time of booking and varies with the trip cost, stated on individual trip flyers. This insurance safeguards against unexpected medical or other emergencies. With trip cancellation insurance, a full refund is available from 29 days up to the day of departure. Reimbursements extend to those sharing accommodations with the insured, provided they also purchase the trip cancellation insurance.
Purchasing trip cancellation insurance is a wise choice to safeguard your vacation investment. It ensures a full refund of your trip costs if you need to cancel for any reason from 29 days up to the day of departure.
The cost of trip cancellation insurance with Unicorn Tours is 10% of the total trip cost.
If your roommate has insurance, we recommend purchasing it as well for full protection. In the event your roommate cancels, with insurance, you can choose to cancel and receive a full refund or continue on the tour at the double rate. Without insurance, you won’t be entitled to a full refund, and your status changes from a double to a single rate. For any questions about the motor coach trip cancellation insurance policy, feel free to call our office at 978-256-6559.
For tours that include airfare, Unicorn Tours provides alternative insurance through various companies, each with varying coverage. To learn the specifics of coverage, please contact our office to request a brochure. Feel free to call us at 978-256-6559 for more details.
To guarantee departures for day trips, Unicorn Tours requires a minimum of 30 passengers. Our transportation is provided by a 55-passenger luxury motor coach for a comfortable travel experience.
Yes, tour guides will be provided for all Unicorn Tours. Our tours are fully escorted by professional tour directors to ensure a guided and enjoyable experience.
Unicorn Tours accommodates passengers with special needs. Requests for special dietary or handicap needs should be made at the time of booking. It’s important to note that late notifications within 48 hours may limit our ability to honor your request. While our employees and transportation vendors cannot physically assist or lift disabled passengers, we recommend that those requiring special assistance travel with a companion capable of providing the needed help. Additionally, wheelchairs, scooters, and walkers can be stored in the baggage compartment on the bus.
Unfortunately, alcoholic beverages are not allowed on the bus. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation to ensure a safe and enjoyable travel experience for all passengers.
