Saturday & Sunday, February 4 & 5
Chocolate Expo
10 a.m-4 p.m.
Visitor Center
Mmmm chocolate! The third annual Chocolate Expo kicks off February's "Celebrating Chocolate" activities.

Event is FREE with Arboretum admission.

Sample and purchase unique sweets and chocolate-themed gifts made locally. 

Enjoy quick, fun presentations (follow link to see list), including how to make the perfect chocolate martini, and why it's not just "hot" chocolate that needs to be "tempered"!

Pssst...here's a hint: Don't worry about the calories...work them off with a scenic hike on 16 miles of trails!

Meet the Sweets-Makers:

Katherine Anne Confections (Chicago), an organic-focused, corn-syrup-free chocolatier offering beautiful truffles!

Baladoche (Chicago), amazing Belgian waffle makers.

Puffs of Doom (Chicago), famous for their cream puffs sold at festivals and on friendly food trucks.

Mayana Chocolate (Chicago), multi-award winning chocolatier producing delectable works of art!

Defloured Bakery (Chicago), a gluten free bakery offering chocolate whoopie pies with chocolate buttercream frosting, brownies, chocolate ginger cookies, caramel chocolate oat bars, chocolate Nutella cookies and chocolate crinkle cookies.

Traviata Chocolate & Gelato Cafe (Lisle), a cozy local cafe featuring sweet bakery samples.

Theo Chocolate (find them at Whole Foods), the first organic, fair trade, "bean-to-bar" chocolate factory in the US.

KOKKU Gourmet, a European-style chocolatier presented locally at several fine chocolate stores. Chocolate sauces, single origin chocolate, hot chocolate, and "Choco Freeze".

Olive Tap (Downers Grove), maker of fine oils...try their chocolate balsamic vinegar.

Grownup Kidstuff (Evanston), a purveyor of delectable chocolate sauces.

Le Chocolat du Bouchard (Naperville), offering a beautiful display of truffles, pastries, and much more more.

Ginkgo Restaurant (Lisle), our very own restaurant will offer samples of items to be served at the Chocolate & Beer Pairing event later this month.

Let Them Eat Chocolate (Chicago), truffles and more.

Rare Bird Preserves (Chicago), offering scrumptious chocolate fruit spreads.

Dove Chocolate Discoveries, home chocolate parties. "Turn your passion for chocolate into a party!"

Cathy's Sweet Creations Bakeshop (Plainfield), offering a variety of beautifully decorated cupcakes.

Sweet Street Candies & Goodies (Lombard), presenting unique Valentine's Day candies.

Learn more about "Celebrating Chocolate" events.

This winter put on your mittens and warm wool socks and cross-country ski or snowshoe across our 1,700 acre winter wonderland. Bring your own skis and snowshoes or rent ours!

Kids' and adults' cross-country skis and snowshoes are available for rent 9 a.m.-3 p.m., at the Visitor Center Area, on a first-come, first-served basis. Only when there is four or more inches of snow on the ground. 

Snowshoe Rental
$8 ($10 Non-member) per pair for two hour rental
$12 ($14 non-member) per pair for all day rental 

Rental fee doesn't include Arboretum admission fee.

Cross-country Ski Rental
(Includes skis, boots & poles)
$13 ($15 for Non-member) per pair for two hour rental
$18 ($20 Non-member) per pair for all day rental

Rental fee doesn't include Arboretum admission fee.

*Quantities limited.  

There are wonderful skiing destinations across the Arboretum grounds:

• Discover new territory on the Arboretum's East Side. Explore 4 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails. This trail loops from the Conifer Collection out to Parking Lot 8 and back to the Elm Family Collection. A map of the cross-country ski trail will be available at the rental kiosk and in the Visitor Center.
• Blaze your own path across our 1,700 acres or trek along the Arboretum's 16 miles of hiking trails.

Popular Cross-Country Ski & Snowshoe Spots: 

• The Conifer Collection (good for kids and families)
• Thornhill Education Center Lawn
• Main Trail Loop 4 on the East Side
• Spruce Plot near Parking Lot 12
• Daffodil Glade at Parking Lot 22
• Groomed trails on the East Side (only for skiing)

Please only wear snowshoes and cross-country skis on snow-covered trails and areas. No skis or snowshoes allowed on the roads. Benches are available in various locations. Restrooms and warming stations are located at the Visitor Center, Thornhill Education Center, and Thornhill Shelter (P-21).

For more information, read our Winter Recreation Information, visit the Information Desk at the Visitor Center, or call 630-968-0074.

Here are 8 ways to beat cabin fever at The Morton Arboretum.

Whether you have just an hour or a whole day, make memories in our 1,700 acre wonderland!

Go on a Gnome Hunt 

Kids will love hunting for these magical friends in our award-winning, four-acre Children's Garden.
Every day
9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. (weather permitting)

Cross-Country Ski or Snowshoe  

NEW! Four miles of groomed ski trails! Step into your snowshoes or cross-country skis. Clomp through conifers and ski into serenity among towering trees. Rentals available.
Every day
7 a.m.-sunset

Rentals: only when there's 4 inches of snow or more. 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Look for Skunk Cabbage! 

What's the first plant to bloom every year? You guessed it! Skunk Cabbage is up now and blooming! Ed the Color Scout says, "It has the ability to generate heat, and can melt its way up through frozen ground." Look for patches in two places: near the inlet bridge to Lake Marmo, and south of the Lake Marmo dam on the west side of Willowway Creek, near the bald cypress trees. There's plenty of other winter wonders along our 11 scenic walking trails covering 16 miles.
Every day
7 a.m.-sunset

Photograph Nature 

Winter is full of beauty just waiting to be photographed. From majestic conifers to amazing wildlife, capture it all here! Want more? Take a photography class!
Every day
7 a.m.-sunset

Go for a Run 

Run 9 miles of well-tended, paved roads meandering through spectacular scenery.
Every day
7 a.m.-sunset

Be Creative! Take a Class

Winter invites creativity. Our nature-based education programs encourage you to express yourself. Garden planning, pop-up book creations, and night hikes with fireside stories await. Register today for wonderful winter programs for tree huggers of all ages.

Begin an Outdoor Adventure 

Beat cabin fever at Arbor Reading Adventures, Snowmen at Night, and Cool Kids Winter Play.
Dates and times vary

Try Tapping Syrup from Maple Trees

Tap a maple tree and taste a yummy sample of the finished product. For people of all ages.
Saturdays, February 25, March 3 & 10
10 a.m.-noon
$18 ($25 non-member)

Our Celebrating Chocolate Festival has something for everyone. Scroll down to find kids activities and classes.

Chocolate Expo

Saturday & Sunday, February 4 & 5
10 a.m-4 p.m.
Visitor Center
Our festival kicks off with a scrumptious event! Sample and purchase unique sweets and chocolate-themed gifts made by more than 15 Chicago-area chocolatiers. Free with Arboretum admission.

Tastings & Classes

Saturday, February 11
Truffle Making Workshop
11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. & 2 p.m.
Thornhill Education Center
$23 members ($28 non-member)
Discover the secrets to making these delicious treats during this hands-on workshop led by an expert chocolatier.

Sunday, February 12
Chocolate "Sushi"
11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. & 2 p.m.
Thornhill Education Center
$32 ($37 non-member)
Roll up your sleeves and get ready to make chocolate "sushi" during this hands-on workshop.

Saturday, February 18
The Botany of Chocolate
1–3 p.m.
Visitor Center
$22 ($29 non-member)
Explore the history, culture, and science of chocolate.

Sunday, February 19
Chocolate & Wine Pairing Class
3-5 p.m.
Ginkgo Restaurant
$20 Members ($25 non-members)
Explore the mystical union of wine and chocolate.

Saturday, February 25
Chicago's Sweet Candy History
9:30-11 a.m.
Ginkgo Restaurant
$23 members (non-members $28)
Enjoy a chocolate-themed brunch as historian and author Leslie Goddard shares the sweet history behind tasty treats like Dove chocolates.

Sunday, February 26
Chocolate and Beer Pairings
3-5 p.m.
Ginkgo Restaurant
$30 ($35 non-member)
A lively two-hour session of chocolate and beer tastings featuring Leinenkugal beers, including the award-winning "Big Eddy."

All February
Chocolate Exhibit
9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Visitor Center
This mini exhibit highlights the growing, harvesting, and production process of chocolate and its relationship to trees. Free with Arboretum admission.

All February
Chocolate-themed products
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
The Arboretum Store
Purchase chocolate-themed gifts and sweets.

Events for Kids

Sunday, February 19
Kids Chocolate "Pizza" Party
11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. & 2 p.m.
$10 ( $15 non-member)
Children will learn how to make a chocolate pizza and other chocolaty treats.

Monday, February 20 (President's Day - no school!)
Kids Chocolate Crepe Workshop
11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. & 2 p.m.
Visitor Center
$20 ($30 non-member) 
Discover how to make chocolate crepes and sample chocolates in this cooking class for kids.

February 1, 3, 4, & 5
Cool Kids Winter Play
Children's Garden
11 a.m. & 1 p.m.
FREE with Arboretum admission

February 1 & 3
Arbor Reading Adventures
11 –11:45 a.m.
$4 member children, ($5 non-member children)
Adult must accompany child (no cost)

February 4
Children's Book Signing and Storytelling
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Visitor Center
Sit down for storytime! We'll read The Chocolate Story: A Sweet Little Fable, by Rick Moser. Learn delicious lessons about making good choices.
FREE with Arboretum admission.

Ticketed events on sale NOW

ONLINE
Call 630-725-2066, Monday-Friday; 10a.m.-3 p.m.
In person at The Visitor Center, daily during regular hours 

Not a Member? Join or renew today.

Calling all chocolatier vendors! Please contact Anne Stratton at 630-725-2067 to learn more about Celebrating Chocolate opportunities at the Arboretum.

Get your Chocolate invitation and application.

Join us for our 2011-2012 Chamber Concert season. Chamber Concerts begin at 2:15 p.m. at the Thornhill Education Center.

Tickets on sale NOW

Ticket Prices
Individual Ticket; $23 ($28 Non-member)

$5 processing fee, per order, on phone & internet orders

Order Tickets NOW
ONLINE
Call 630-725-2066, Monday-Friday; 10a.m.-3 p.m.
In person at The Visitor Center, daily during regular hours

Not a member? Begin or renew a membership now.

Metropolis Quartet  (SOLD OUT)
February 5
Experience a sparkling mix of wonderful compositions, memorable melodies and fun conversation between the musicians and audience members. 

Trevor Stephenson
March 4
Artistic director of the Madison Bach Musicians, Trevor performs music by Bach, Handel, and Scarlatti. He also plays on an eighteenth century double-manual German style harpsichord; similar to one created by Mietke in 1719. 

Featured Wine of the Arboretum

Chamber Concerts In-Kind Sponsor

Arbor Day 10K Run
Sunday, April 22, 2012
8 a.m.
$28 ($33 non-member)
$38 Race-Day

Not a Member? Consider our 10K Runners Special NEW Member Offer (includes member registration price + 1-year Morton I membership) all for $72!

How to Register

Online NOW (closes at 6 p.m. on April 19)
In-Person at the The Visitor Center, daily during regular hours (applications must be received by noon on April 18)
MAIL (Application must be postmarked by April 13)
  The Morton Arboretum•4100 Illinois Route 53•Lisle, IL 60532
FAX Application to 630-719-7956 (applications must be faxed by noon on April 18)

Experience the sights, sounds, and smells of a springtime morning amidst the beauty of naturally occurring landscapes. Challenging USATF-certified course follows the east side main route through rolling terrain. 

Event highlights include:

• ChronoTrack B-Tag timing system
• Recovery food and a $5 pancake breakfast at the Ginkgo Restaurant following the race
• FREE admission to explore our 1,700-acres, including the award-winning Children's Garden.
• Awards for top overall male and female winner/plus top three male and female winners in each age division.

Race results will be posted by 2 p.m. on race day. 

Proceeds from this run help support the Arboretum's mission to plant and protect trees.

Thank you to our Arbor Day 10K Race Sponsors