Morton Arb! Oh my, one of my favorite places! No matter how many times you visit here, you are sure to find something new or different every single time. The seasons bring so many beautiful changes to this place, but the Arb is absolutely phenomenal at continuously expanding its attractions. From rotating art/sculptures, hosting gorgeous weddings, to their children's area, live music, dog days, pop up events, art shows and an awesome gift shop. Even the most anti-outdoors person would enjoy coming here. Parking is ample and the park is huge, spanning 1,700 acres! It took me many years realize how fortunate I was to grow up with this sensational outdoor museum within minutes from my home, after visiting many similar gardens, I can confirm the Arb is certainly a must see experience for nature lovers. There is some amazing history about this place as well. J. Sterling Morton created Arbor Day and he was the father of Joy Morton (founded Morton Salt). Joy made moneeyyyyy and decided he was going to buy land and basically collect trees from all over the world. In 1922, The Morton Arboretum was established with 175 acres and it's SO COOL this place still exists and has blown up to 1,700 acres. BTW there is still a cemetery on site honoring the Morton family. read more

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It's been a very long time since I've been to this place since I was little and it's still as beautiful as I remember when I was little girl When you drive up to the cashier in your car, you can pay one dollar with your WIC card if not general admission is $27 The service is very nice and very quick read more

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The Morton Arboretum is a must visit for everyone in the Chicago suburbs and visitors! There is so much to see and do. Tons of walking paths and trails and such a wonderful and expansive children's garden with water play, opportunities to explore nature and get hands on plus a fun hedge maze! We always have a great time visiting. If you live near enough, getting a family membership is worth it to go a few times a year including their holiday lights walk through which is AMAZING and a yearly tradition for my family. read more

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Fantastic place for bathing yourself in nature. Can walk in some nicely manicured trails/paths or take a walk on a wilder side in a forested area . Then , go get a coffee and a nosh and visit the gift shop. Something for everyone. read more

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I haven't been to the arboretum since I was a kid and used to go frequently with my grandparents. Bored one Saturday, I decided to take my outdoorsy 4 year old daughter. We mainly just explored the Children's Garden area. Thankfully, there are bathrooms nearby. They were clean. And there was a vendor selling snacks outside (and yummy sangria) so I bought some there and didn't bother with the indoor restaurant. I would recommend if you're going with Young ones, to bring a stroller!! Children 3 and under are free admission. Tickets are a couple dollars cheaper if purchased online. I paid $25 for adult admission. We would have liked to take the tram around, but I didn't realize it only runs a couple of times and sells out quickly. So if you're interested in the tram ride, buy tickets when you first get there. My daughter loved the rope bridge/tree house area. Definitely a place to add into your rotation of places to go, especially if you have kids that love being outside in nature. read more

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I have nothing but positive things to say about the Morton Arboretum. It offers a wonderful variety of scenic trails to explore, a fun children's area, a short maze, beautiful gardens, and impressive outdoor sculptures. There are also picnic and dining areas, along with clean, well-maintained restrooms. The Arboretum is such a peaceful place to relax, unwind, and even sit down with a good book. Whether you're looking to enjoy nature, get in a great walk, or simply take in the beautiful views, it's the perfect destination. It's a fantastic place to get your steps in while surrounded by stunning scenery. read more

The Morton Arboretum - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Lisle, Illinois

The Morton arboretum is a gem. While I prefer the botanical gardens, the arboretum is beautiful too. They have lots of events throughout the year. I have attended concerts and loteria nights. Volunteers are friendly. Parking lot can get crowded for events, so if you do come here, plan to get here at the gate opening time. read more

The Morton Arboretum - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Lisle, Illinois

This is the second time I've gone to the Morton Arboretum for their Illumination event, and it's been fantastic both times. Despite the fact it was cold outside, we enjoyed the various light installations, especially with the freshly fallen snow to set the mood. I didn't take as many pictures this time, I was too busy enjoying the lights - the lantern section this year was my favorite! They do a great job with making sure the path is cleared and there are places you can step off of it so you're out of the way if you want to take pictures or just want to be by an installation for a while. You can't get lost, they have signs and people posted to help make sure foot traffic keeps moving in one direction. I think the cost is fair, if you're a member it's a bit cheaper, but we are not. Giving it 4/5 stars for this last experience because there were supposed to be fire pits along the path but there were none this time, just one heated tent that was packed, so we didn't have another way to warm up a bit during the mile long walk. I do look forward to going again next year! read more

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We came to the arboretum to attend the Crane Chat for members and volunteers of the International Crane Foundation which was held in the Ginko Room. Since we arrived early we walked the beautiful grounds that were decorated for fall and saw the current exhibit called Vivid Creatures. After the talk we were treated to drinks and snacks while mingling with attendees and chatting with ICF staff. It was a really lovely evening. read more

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The weather has been so nice lately; cool, breezy and still sunny. So, it makes sense to enjoy the outdoors. I am appreciating the break from the hot, muggy Chi town temperatures. My goal is to walk three days a week exploring different venues and appreciating all that it offers; sights and sounds of nature, sweet aromas and beautiful landscapes. The Morton Arboretum has a plethora of things to do from driving, hiking, walking, jogging and exploring the picturesque grounds. Please keep in mind that if you choose to walk, you better be wearing shoes with a sturdy sole, have your fitness watch fully charged, water on deck for hydration and have done some stretching. There are inclines everywhere and you will certainly feel it. I had planned to jump on the tram but after exploring the grounds searching for each vivid creature, I was both tired and hungry. I decided I can do this on another visit. I have a question for you, what is one beautiful thing you saw outside today? read more

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Well we barely scratched the surface here, but we did get to explore the children's section of the arboretum with our friends who have a season pass. We took our Chik-fil-a to one of the tables and enjoyed our lunch on this very pleasant day in late May. My son loved poking his head into every nook and cranny. He wasn't dressed properly to wade in the pond with the other kids, so I rolled his pants up for him. He ended up falling in and getting soaked, which I think is probably a rite of passage. Everything here is clean and well organized. I had seen trolls here before in photos, but they were replaced by some other brightly adorned forest creatures. read more

This was our first visit to the Morton Arboretum and it was a fantastic experience. It was a hot summer day and that made it difficult to walk too far without getting overheated. I'd say we walked about a mile, then opted to go on their tram. The tram picks you up in the back of the welcome center. I had no idea how huge this place was until we rode the tram. (I didn't see the map in the welcome center until we finished the tram ride.) Our driver/guide was very knowledgeable about the history of the Arboretum and about the various types of trees planted throughout. You would never know this is right by the highway. They strategically place mounds of dirt to hide the highway and the sounds. I can't begin to recount the types of trees we saw. A few were familiar, but I admit I had never heard of most of them. All in all, this was fascinating. We want to go back, but think we're wait until the leaves are changing. It should be even more beautiful in Autumn. read more

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My best friend proposed to his girlfriend yesterday here! It was our first time here and quite literally it has amazing views and lots of greenery perfect for runs and bike riding! They also have a beautiful area where they conduct weddings and events with a water fall. The ticket is very affordable at $15 for Dupage residents and really is worth it! Definitely recommend this place to all to visit for the vibes. read more

The Morton Arboretum - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Lisle, Illinois

We are members of the Chicago Botanic Garden, and this benefit allows us to gain access to the "Morton Arboretum" at no cost due to the reciprocal garden network. Honestly, I've found it very worth it for our family because the kids truly enjoy going there whenever we get a chance. The younger ones can take advantage of the children's garden. They have tree slides, water fountains, suspended bridge, and other sensory experiences to keep the kids busy. It opens until 5pm daily so usually that is our first stop and then we move on to explore other parts of the arboretum. We really haven't gone through the "entire" place, according to the map. However, that really isn't our quest to conquer every spot of the Morton Arboretum. We simply just want to spend some quality time with kids and they also get to exercise, run around, and do their spontaneous things! The cafe sells caffeinated/non-caffeinated beverages, sandwiches, cookies, and beer. As they should be, items are pricier than what we want to pay on a regular basis. Nevertheless, bring your own food and drinks, find a spot to picnic, and enjoy what mother nature has to offer. Location wise, it takes more than 40 minutes one way to travel, but we don't mind if there is no other agenda for the rest of day. Parking is free and fetching a spot shouldn't be an issue. I see weddings and celebrations happen frequently during summer/early fall and part of the walkkng paths may be closed due to these private events. I would say to bring a stroller just in case the toddler gets tired from walking. read more

The Morton Arboretum - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Lisle, Illinois

FOR RECIPROCAL PASS USERS: If you come here, expect hostility, challenges. I'd recommend going to Denada or Lyman. Even minus the attitude they're much prettier spaces and totally free. If you want something worth the money, go to the Botanic Gardens. The details: If the Arboretum carries so much contempt for reciprocal pass users then why bother participating in the program? Everytime I visit, which I will never do again, I dread going to the check-in booth, because I know I'm going to get attitude when they see my pass says Botanic Gardens. The first time I visited last year the lady refused to let my daughter in with my wife and I until I went in to the T's&C's to prove that my plan did allow it, and then she still acted like she was doing me a favor. Minus the consistent dirty looks and some attitude, I didn't run into issues the rest of the year until today, when again some cranky old man told me I had to pay for her despite the terms of the pass allowing it. I'm not doing this with y'all. It's not my job to educate your employees. If you hate the reciprocal program this much then don't participate. I live local and I won't be back, won't be donating, and won't be recommending. read more

The Morton Arboretum is a great place to visit year-round. It is very family friendly with trails accessible via stroller. Some of our favorite trails are on the east side, but we have so much more the explore! They have a variety of events that are included with admission as well as events that require an additional purchase. There is a small café that sells drinks and small bites. I have tried a few different lattes and they were good. They also have a restaurant and their food always smells delicious, but I have yet to try anything from there. The restaurant itself has a beautiful view of their lake. I definitely recommend a membership if you live nearby and plan to visit multiple times a year. Another great benefit of the membership is the reciprocity to other gardens throughout the country. A great value! read more

I've been going yearly since my 3 year old was born. It's really nice that he is still free- makes paying the adult price to take a young kid seem more reasonable. I personally wouldn't pay for two adults to go unless you are an outdoorsy family and know you'll spend several hours there. On that note- we do go as a family every year for the lights because we actually prefer the simplicity of it (perfect for toddlers when it's freezing cold and you want somewhere quicker than a freezing zoo trip- maybe 30m with a stop for spiked hot cocoa but without stopping for smores) Keep in mind that a regular stroller isn't the best for the wood-chip path around the water. This was my first summer going for free on a Tuesday with an educator pass, and it reminded me that my kid can just enjoy being outdoors without any big fancy playground. We got there around 5pm; parking was a breeze and the children's play garden was conveniently open later (until 7:30). We spent about 1.5 hours there- could have easily lasted another 30 minutes to an hour. My son loved walking the paved paths to find the rainbow animal sculptures, crossing the pond by rocks, and going through the treetops by way of rope sway bridges. So many beautiful details throughout the gardens!! read more

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I last visited the Morton Arboretum when I was a teen and have wanted to make a return trip for some time. I recently attended a tour of the Arboretum via a small (10 people) van tour from another Chicago metro area community about 45 minutes from the location. Of course, it is very different; there is a sit-down restaurant with very good food, The menu is on their webpage. There is also a carry-out location very near the restaurant. There is also a gift/book shop near the entrance. The choices made by the buyer are truly one of a kind and in the best of taste. There are ample visitor facilities and places to sit down. I do not think that there were any special events taking place and if they do there appears to be ample parking which includes chargers for electric cars. Some of the facilities associated with the Arboretum are not close to the visitors' center but closer to the entrance/exit. The walking paths are do-able for hardy folks as well as those who are not. Lots of kids and parents were present, all having a great time. The tram is highly recommended as it gives a one of a kind look at the Arboretum, its past and its future and our driver/guide was terrific. The cost is $10 for non-members, and well worth it. As I am an infrequent visitor I would not be a good candidate for a membership; if I lived closer to the site and were a frequent visitor the cost-savings for an Arboretum membership would be a nice savings I think. Lastly there was a bit of confusion about the admission pricing for our group; our trip organizers may have been quoted one price, and we were charged another upon arrival at the entrance to the Arboretum. We were paying per attendee not as a group, so perhaps that is where the confusion began. Perhaps pre-payment is preferred here. Group sales for the Arboretum would be able to clarify this I am sure. read more

I can't believe my earlier review because I love love love this place now! I have been a member for over a decade and call it my happy place. Whether the weather is good or bad, I come here to enjoy nature. Sometimes in the winter my husband and I will just drive around the grounds and see what birds we can spot from the car. There are so many trails that we're still discovering new ones to explore. Being a member really cuts down on the overall price if you're able to visit as frequently as we do. read more

The Morton Arboretum - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Lisle, Illinois

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The views are incredible. I had no idea how large this place is until I was given a map when we were inside. This is the perfect place to have a picnic or go on a walk. We walked a bit and then drove around. They currently have their vivid creatures exhibition open, so I highly recommend you check it out! The cost of the ticket is definitely worth it. The only thing I didn't like was the terrible service at the little cafe inside the visitor center. That negative experience didn't impact my visit, though. We still enjoyed our time! read more

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I've been visiting the Morton Arboretum on average once per year for the last few years. It's just a nice, expansive space to enjoy some quiet nature and walk through the woods. I've biked the whole main trail before, and today I also drove the trail. They have a tram ride tour that I have yet to go on, and this year the trams start running at the end of April. Their children's garden is always a huge hit with kids, and packed! In the summer, lots of kids enjoy the stream and get wet. You can basically spend your whole visit here with your little ones. I also highly recommend eating lunch at their Gingko cafe- it has an excellent view of the pond and some great food selection. read more

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My suggestion definitely wear a good pair of walking shoes. When visiting you're able to drive through the grounds for viewing. But to see any of the gardens or the current art pieces up close you do need to go on foot. My husband & myself really enjoyed ourselves on our visit. We saw the Vivid Creatures, I love the size & how colorful they are! Very beautiful! There's also mini golf, the Sterling Morton Library, events & family programs. read more

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Stately and majestic arboretum that offers great exploration, clusters of trees, huge art pieces, and trails and adventure ares to explore. read more

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Came here with my wife to see the band, Semple. It was a hot day, but luckily in the evening, all the trees block the sun. The band was good, and people were behaved. I've been here a couple times now. Between the sculptures, trees, and events, you should visit here. On a busy night, just a warning, it can be chaotic trying to leave the parking lot! read more

I still love visiting but READ THE FINE PRINT. We waited until later in the day (early evening) to try to avoid the crowds and crushing heat. The arboretum was open until 8:45. However, the Children's Garden closes at 5 ~ every day. There were 3 weddings and a child's birthday party ( on the east side) so believe me when I tell you EVERYTHING was closed. Not being members, it cost our family just over $100 to walk the maze. Not my favorite visit. Now I know, there is never any way to avoid the crowds in the Children's Garden ~ maybe on a holiday when it is not closed. read more

Like nature ? Like walk ? this is the place new exhibition vivid creatures General admission $26 adults free parking save some bucks on line cafeteria available have fun read more

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*This review is for Illumination Lights specifically as I have not been here during other times of the year*. I attended the lights show this year and it was my first time at the morton arboretum. Although the lights were pretty & nice, and can tell what hard work employees/workers put into it, it just wasn't an optimal experience for me. It was very crowded and it's a decent walk just to get to the entrance. Once you're there, you have to follow the guided path. It was almost so crowded you felt like being pushed along rather than being able to leisurely walk and enjoy. There are a few spots for picture taking along the way but we found more luck taking group photo at the very end of the walk. The lines for confession were fairly long. I personally prefer light displays where I can walk around wherever and not have to follow a path. I think the venue did a great job having guided parking & the venue was well maintained. I say if you've never been here so give it a try. It all just depends on what you prefer! read more

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It was a nice day outing. There was lots of walking and fun things for kids to do. The vivid sculptures were beautiful. The snail is up a steep hill. The trail is gravel and wood chips. read more

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This is actually my first time here since I'm a 10 min drive to the Chicago Botanic Gardens so that's my go to. I should have done my research on this place to maximize time. It has expansive grounds, is beautiful & great for hiking with less crowds compared to the very busy and smaller Botanic Gardens. You will need half a day here at least and be strategic about what you want to see. read more

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Such a gem in the suburbs. I love this place in any season. They have fun rotating art installations and the children's garden is great also. They have fun events that you can attend as well. The holiday light show is also beautiful although a bit expensive. The price of admission is also high but for a good cause. If you have SNAP/EBT benefits you can get in for $1 I believe. There's plenty of beautiful wildlife and a great spot to birdwatch. I like to come here to hike, relax, have a picnic, or just spend a beautiful day. A perfect place to spend quality alone or with family. read more

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We're members of Morton and visit several times a year. It's beautiful in all seasons but fall is probably the best. The place is enormous and it seems no matter how long we're there, we missed so much and leave happily fatigued. The main visitors center is on the east side and is close to the entrance so first time visitors should really stop there and take some short strolls nearby - check out the beautiful conifer loop and the grand garden. The restaurant is open on weekends and the food is surprisingly good. We love getting a salad and their excellent house made chips and then sitting inside next to the floor to ceiling windows overlooking the meadow lake. We really enjoy the west side which tends to be less crowded. The far end has a large parking lot with flush toilets and a water filling station (no water at that stop in the winter). Lake Marmo is beautiful although usually the most crowded area of the west side. We also love parking by the gateway to tree science Ont he east side and walking among the maples. This is a far less sunny hike and takes us straight to the woodland ltrail. The gift shop has a variety of items from kitchen goods to clothing to home decor and it changes seasonally. Highly recommend going! read more

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Beautiful arboretum with an amazing play area for kids that's big and fun enough for adults. A cafe with yummy options. Sculptures that are huge and cool. Always having different programs going on. Definitely with a visit. read more

While the walking trail is well designed, the actual "light displays" lacked brilliance from years past. Just a couple displays wowed us. Somewhat disappointed. read more

The Morton Arboretum - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Lisle, Illinois

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I've always seen Morton Arboretum off the expressway, but this is the first time I've ever stopped in. I was expecting it to be similar to the Chicago Botanic Garden but with trees, but it definitely gives a different vibe. Still relaxing, gorgeous landscapes, but definitely a lot bigger of a true hiking workout! There are over 16 miles of trails, both paved and woodchipped. The paths were very clean, so even though it's trees it's a step up from just walking the open forest preserve. This summer's exhibit of the Vivid Creatures art was great. I liked that when you get to the top of the mountain to the Snail they even set up a 'selfie' station with full directions and if you prompt it right you can get a great picture (if you make that hike up that mountain you have to take a picture for proof). There is also a maze which is great, but watch out for the little kids that are having a blast running away from their parents in it (no worries they can't get that lost in it). I was having a rough day and walking these long trails cleared my head. You can save a couple of bucks if you buy your tickets ahead online. Be prepared to walk far, bring a waterbottle, and dress in layers, and remember to stretch before you head back home in your car. Overall great experience! read more

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I went with my husband and some friends to the The Morton Arboretum. If you buy your tickets online before you arrive you can breeze by the entrance gate and get in quickly. Because we have a membership with the Chicago Botanic Gardens, we were able to get in for free. The Morton Arboretum is very widely spread out and features many trails and areas to explore. You will need a car if you want to experience all of the parts of the park. If you like trees and nature, this is the place for you. There are lots of varieties of trees along with other plants and and flowers to look at. The Morton Arboretum also has many other attractions like sculptures, a maze, a children's garden, and food available throughout the park. On the day that we were visiting there was a beer festival going on. While the park is well maintained, I cannot say the same for the bathrooms which did not meet my standards of cleanliness. Even so, The Morton Arboretum is a worthwhile place to visit. I highly recommend The Morton Arboretum. read more

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We always have a great visit at the arboretum... from trips through the maze and kid's area to wandering the expansive grounds, and eating lunch and hosting parties, this is a great spot. Illumination is also wonderful - though a smidge pricey. We've hosted events and visited countless times over the years and have never had a bad time. The staff is really friendly as are the volunteers (and I know they have a lot of volunteers who visitors see throughout the grounds). Good options in the cafe are nice and extensive from hot items to cold sandwiches - and even wine options. Their fall fest is fun with plenty of spots for snacks and also glass pumpkin viewing on some special days. Overall, a lovely spot and open EVERY day of the year if you're looking for something to do! read more

We are members of the Arboretum and absolutely recommend it! The grounds are open 365 days a year, and it is a very expansive space to go for a leisurely stroll or a more intense run. We also really love all the special events they host, like Illuminations, the wine tasting, Easter brunch, and Valentines Day dinner. Would definitely check it out, even if on the pricy end, because everything goes towards preserving this beautiful natural landmark! read more

The Morton Arboretum - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Lisle, Illinois

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This review is based off of the illumination tree lights experience. I am bummed to be rating this a generous 3. This year seemed off for them. The walk through is backwards compared to all other years. There seemed to a lot less lights/exhibits as well. Throughout the whole experience people were constantly speaking to how it felt 'dumbed down' and 'cheap' compared to past years. The positives from this - the trail itself is a nice walk through, there are plenty of lights and several concession stands for hot chocolate. Some of the exhibits have music and somewhat sync with the lights. The music throughout was very mellow and calm, it gave off a chill and relaxing Christmas light experience. Be sure to bundle up! The whole experience is outdoors. read more

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I love this place. Winter season is an especially nice time to come! Visited with my whole side of the family for illumination yesterday evening. From wheelchair bound grandma to 2 year old toddlers we all had a great time even with it being 15 degrees out. Standouts included the boozy hot chocolate and the toddlers annihilated a huge rice crispy treat. We will be back! read more

The Morton Arboretum - Illumination warming tent along the pace; Nov 2024. - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Lisle, Illinois

It's very peaceful and beautiful. I like that events happen throughout the year. Different trail lengths and difficulties so you choose. There is a kids area,gift shop and cafe. read more