Nichols Arboretum

Nichols Arboretum (123 acres, 49.7 hectares) is an arboretum operated by the University of Michigan located on the eastern edge of its Central Campus at 1610 Washington Heights in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Huron River forms the northern border of the arboretum. The arboretum is open daily from sunrise to sunset with no charge for admission. The arboretum is popularly known as "the Arb" by locals.

The arboretum was designed in 1906 by O. C. Simonds, and many of its plantings date to the 1920s and 1930s. It is particularly known for its Peony Collection, Heathdale Collection (species primarily from Appalachia), and the Dow Prairie. The University of Michigan conducts controlled burns each year in an attempt to maintain native species and habitat. During the Vietnam War era, The arboretum was frequented by hippies and other war protestors.

Students flock to the Arb for a variety of outdoor activities, such as jogging, picnicking, and disc sports. The Arb is a common spot for Ann Arbor's students to gather. During winter, students have been known to go sledding in the Arb using cafeteria trays from university dining halls. In recent summers, the Arb has been the site of dramatic performances of Shakespearean plays, including A Midsummer Night's Dream and Love's Labour's Lost; the June 2012 production was The Merry Wives of Windsor.

• The Peony Festival at Nichols Arboretum

• Close view of a peony at the festival