Waco With Kids: Carleen Bright Arboretum

By Kelsey Kennedy | January 9, 2025

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If you’re looking for things to do in Waco with kids, the Carleen Bright Arboretum is one of the best! It’s located in Woodway, TX, about 15 minutes from Waco. It features over 16 acres of outdoor space, with a dedicated kids area and splash pad, a nature trail, a rose garden, meditation garden, gorgeous fountains, and a gorgeous white chapel and visitor center. It is absolutely stunning, and the best part? The entire thing is FREE.

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The Crown Jewel of Woodway

The Carleen Bright Arboretum is appropriately called the “crown jewel of Woodway.” Public green spaces and parks are very important in city planning, and Woodway (neighboring town to Waco) is very proud of this arboretum.

As they should be! It’s an absolutely phenomenal gift to be able to give to the community. It provides a beautiful outdoor space that’s fun to visit year-round.

Things To Do At Carleen Bright Arboretum

fruit garden at Carleen Bright Arboretum

This little arboretum is only 16 acres, so the only thing I’d say about that is to keep expectations in check. It’s not as grandiose as something like the Dallas Arboretum or the Wildflower Center in Austin, TX. You’ll be able to explore the entire thing in about 15 minutes, if you’re walking quickly.

However, if you’re visiting with kids and just meandering around, there are a few little gardens and play spaces that could provide a few hours of entertainment.

The dedicated kids play area and splash pad is fun year-round! There’s a swing set, some yard games, and chairs for parents to relax while kids play nearby. If you’re visiting in the summer months the splash pad will be open.

There’s also a “pizza garden” which is a little herb garden with chives, rosemary, and other “pizza’ herbs. So cute!

The Gardens at Carleen Bright are made for enjoying year-round. They have an award-winning cactus garden, a rose garden, and a fruit garden.

The Monarch Butterfly Garden is my personal favorite! It has plants that monarchs love, so you'll see these gorgeous butterflies floating around while you enjoy the outdoors. There are also a couple of butterfly sculptures that kids love!

monarch garden at Carleen Bright Arboretum

The Meditation Garden isn’t a kid-friendly spot exactly, but I do love this quiet little corner of the arboretum on days when I’m there without my kids. It’s tucked away so that you feel a bit secluded, and there are benches where you can relax, meditate, and listen to the windchimes.

meditation garden at Carleen Bright Arboretum

And then of course the Gazebo and Walking Trails provide places for kids and adults to walk, run, and explore.

Weddings and events are pretty common here, especially on the weekend evenings. If you’re stopping by with kids to play on a weekday morning, you should be good to avoid any crowded events.

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A Note About Parking At Carleen Bright Arboretum

When you put “Carleen Bright Arboretum” into your maps app, it will pull up the front entry address which is 9001 Bosque Blvd, and there’s actually no parking available at the front entrance.

Instead, you’ll have to park at The Pavilion at Carleen Bright Arboretum. Use the address 1 Pavilion Way, Woodway, TX 76712 to find the free parking lot at Carleen Bright.

About me: I’m Kelsey, a bestselling travel book author and the creator of 3 Texas travel websites. As a native Texan, I spend my own time and money exploring this state to help millions of readers find the best food, things to do, places to stay in Austin and beyond. Check out my other sites: TheSanAntonioThings.com and TheAustinThings.com!