Besides some of the most beautiful gardens in the state, the Mattheai Botanical Gardens at the University of Michigan also boasts of long and scenic nature trails and a picturesque conservatory. There?s also a hummingbird and butterfly garden as well as the Gaffield Children?s Garden, which is virtually a child?s paradise as it offers a giant net that kids can climb into and a litter of magical creatures that they can play with. The water-play zone is also a big hit for kids. The builder?s garden, on the other hand, is excellent for those who wish to discover if they have green thumbs or not. Lastly, the Matteai Botanical Gardens is also home to the Nichols Arboretum, which has an extensive collection of local and exotic trees that was started in 1907 by O.C. Simonds.