Activity Overview
Located in Lisle, Illinois some 25 miles from Chicago City the Morton Arboretum is a grand 1,700 acre space which is home to more than 220,000 living plants. It is possible to explore the Arboretum on foot or by bike while they also offer educational programmes for all ages. The Arboretum is a non-profit organisation which uses the proceeds it earns from admissions to conduct research on how to better care for their plants and trees and also to keep the grounds themselves in excellent order.
Things to Do
- The Morton Arboretum is home to a Children's Garden which is open all year round. Here kids are free to play and explore in an outdoor space divided into three sections, The Central Plaza, The Backyard Discovery Woods and the Adventure Woods.
- The Children's Garden also runs kid's programs that change on a monthly basis. Upcoming programs include gnome hunts, the Halloween themed "Trick or Trees" and "Go Crow Go" where the kids will learn about scarecrows and make a mini one of their own to take home.
- If your kids are a bit older and like outdoor activity then you could consider renting bicycles or going on a hike through the grounds. The Arboretum maintains 9 miles of paved roads and 16 miles of trails year round to be used by visitors.
Morton Arboretum Insider Tips
- Admission costs for all ages are reduced on Wednesdays.
- The Fall is a beautiful time to visit the Arboretum as the leaves of the trees change colors. Spring is also lovely as the plants and trees slowly come back to life while in summer it is a great place to enjoy the sunshine. Consider visiting in winter too as you can rent snow skis and walk through a winter wonderland.
