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Theatre-Hikes® at The Morton ArboretumWeekends, July through October
Thornhill Shelter (Parking Lot 21)Experience theatre without walls on nature's stage. TICKETS ON SALE TO MEMBERS NOW! ON SALE TO THE PUBLIC MAY 21. See details
Walk along with the action from scene to scene outdoors among 1,700 acres of trees and beautiful landscapes. A new show debuts each month!
Performances on Saturdays and Sundays
The first Sunday performance of each month will be a low-impact hike (suitable for strollers, walkers, and wheelchairs)
All performances begin at the Thornhill Shelter (Parking Lot 21)Season and Individual Tickets on Sale to Members NOW
ONLINE
CALL 630-725-2066, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m
VISIT The Visitor Center, daily during regular hoursOn Sale to the Public May 21
Non-members: Admission to The Morton Arboretum is included with your ticket fee.Individual Tickets:
Adults: $12 Member ($19 Non-member)
Children (2-17): $8 Member ($13 Non-member)Season Tickets:
$5 processing fee, per order, on phone & internet orders
Adults: $40 Member ($60 Non-member)
Children (2-17): $25 ($45 Non-member)Not a member? Begin or renew a membership now.
The Hound of the Baskervilles (All performances at 1 p.m.)
Weekends in July, starting July 7
Based on the story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. A mysterious hound has just killed the Baskerville heir, and now the last remaining male Baskerville seeks out the assistance of the famed detective Sherlock Holmes and his loyal companion Watson. Follow the sleuths as they solve the mystery on the moors. Appropriate for ages 8 and up. For more information, visit: theatre-hikes.org/baskervilles.html
The Wind in the Willows (All performances at 1 p.m.)
Weekends in August
Based on the book by Kenneth Grahame. Follow Mr. Toad, Ratty, and Mole and their woodland friends on a musical adventure. The loveable characters from Grahame's classic tales will warm your heart and teach lessons about friendship. Strolling musicians will liven things up and get everyone singing classic childhood tunes. Appropriate for ages 4 and up. For more information, visit: theatre-hikes.org/willows.html
The Tempest (All performances at 1 p.m.) Weekends in September, starting September 8*
Based on the play by William Shakespeare. Prospero and his daughter are shipwrecked on an enchanted island when another ship crashes and the crew struggle ashore. Watch what happens when Prospero encounters the spirits Caliban and Ariel, and employs their magic for his own personal gain. The dramatic opening shipwreck scene will engage children, but parents should exert discretion if they have very sensitive children. For more information, visit: theatre-hikes.org/tempest.html
Werewolf's Curse; Or Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow (All performances at 3 p.m.)
Weekends in October plus Columbus Day*
A vegan couple find themselves in a pickle when Harry is bitten by a werewolf cub. Now he craves rare roast beef and gets very hairy at every full moon. Luckily, Dr. Frank Einstein and Madam Clara Voyant may have a cure! Meet a campy cast of characters in this spoof of the horror movies of the 1930s. Suitable for ages 8 and up, but may not be appropriate for children who are afraid of monsters. For more information, visit: theatre-hikes.org/werewolf.html*Fall weekends are popular days for visitation. Please allow up to 45 minutes to park and get to where the hike commences (Thornhill Shelter, Parking Lot 21).
Please wear comfortable shoes, dress for the weather, and bring a chair or blanket, water bottle, and insect repellent.
Theatre-Hikes at The Morton Arboretum are partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.
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Bike RentalsDaily April 27-Mid-October
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Visitor Center Parking LotNEW! Bike rentals for adults and children. Coast under a canopy of trees. Bike nine miles of paved roads that wind through our magnificent tree collections. See details
Bicycling is good for your health and good for the environment, too! Take advantage of this opportunity to explore our expansive grounds in a new and up close way. NEW! Bike rentals
Daily April 27-Mid-October
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
PLUS Thursdays, June 21-August 16, the rental trailer will remain open until 8 p.m. with the last rental at 6:30 p.m.
Visitor Center Parking LotJust stop by the Visitor Center Parking Lot to rent your bike, and let the adventure begin! First come, first served. (weather permitting)
Bike Rental Prices
$13 ($15 Non-Member) for 2-hour rental
$23 ($25 Non-Member) for full-day rental*Helmets and bike locks are included with rentals.
For more information see our Bicycle Rental Flyer
Free Guided Bike Tours
Fridays, May 4-September 28 (weather permitting)
10-11 a.m.
Every Fridays, bring your own bike or rent one of ours and enjoy a FREE guided bike tours. Tours will highlight Arboretum plant collections. Ages 10 and up Free Guided Bike Tours May Meet in Parking Lot 1 near bike rental trailer."Auto-free" Zone
Bring your own bicycle and ride through the Arboretum's East Side
May 4-September 9
Fridays: 5:30 p.m.-sunset
Saturday & Sundays: 7-9 a.m.
Enjoy bicycling in an "auto-free" zone. (Weather permitting)Look for bike racks at the Visitor Center, Big Rock and Prairie Visitor Stations, Administration & Research Center, Thornhill Education Center, and near the Gatehouses at the main entrance. Lock your bike at any of these racks, and see more of nature's beauty by enjoying a walk on our trails, or into our gardens.
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Summer Science CampRegister now!
Half-day and full-day camps offered mid June-mid AugustEnroll your children in Summer Science Camps and uncover eight fun-filled weeks of exploration. Choose from more than 100 week-long camps for K-8th graders! See details
Introduce your children to nature's wonders through Summer Science Camps. Every day is an adventure at Summer Science Camp. Discover bizarre bugs, wriggling frogs, and fairy worlds at these half-day and full-day week long programs for K-8th graders. Choose from more than 100 camps that run mid June-mid August. Discover more and register!
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Memorial Day WeekendSaturday, May 26 to Monday, May 28
Whether you're looking for some get-your-sillies-out fun or time alone to contemplate nature's beauty, you can find it all here in our 1,700 acres. See details
School's almost out, and summer's upon us! Time to visit The Morton Aboretum to kick off the warm-weather season.
Take a Soul-Stirring Hike
Bring your camera...or just enjoy the views from our 16 miles of hiking trails taking you around lakes, across prairies, and through restored woodlands. Early morning and late afternoon are the best time to find wildlife.
Daily
7 a.m.-sunsetExplore our Award-Winning Children's Garden
Catch tadpoles in Wonder Pond. Learn about trees through creative play at your own pace. Structured activities include Family Explorer Backpack, Goodies From Gardens (Saturday & Sunday) and Gardens Galore (Monday).
Daily
9:30 a.m.-5 p.mCoast Under a Canopy of Trees
Bike nine miles of paved roads winding through our magnificent tree collections. Bring your own bike or rent one of ours (fees apply; rentals available 10 a.m.-4 p.m.).
Daily
7 a.m.-sunsetDiscover Vanishing Acts: Trees Under Threat
Learn about the gifts that the world's endangered trees give us—and how you can join the Arboretum in saving them.
Daily
7 a.m.-sunset
The Conifer CollectionEnjoy Breakfast in the Ginkgo
Enjoy a delicious breakfast in the scenic Ginkgo Restaurant! Then take a walk around serene Meadow Lake to enjoy the morning pond wildlife. On Saturday, explore the Jens Jensen: Landscapes for People exhibit at the beautiful Sterling Morton Library (open Saturday only 10-4 p.m.).
Saturday & Sunday
9-11 a.m. -
Summer EntertainmentDaily
7 a.m. to sunsetWhy wait for the weekend to drive 200 miles away...when all the fun is so close to home? From music to theatre to a new exhibition and more, you'll find lots to do at The Morton Arboretum every day of the week, 7 a.m. to sunset. See details
Footloose with the family on a summer night. Chilling out with friends and a glass of wine. Enjoying an outdoor play on a summer's day. It's all here at The Morton Arboretum all summer long.
Wednesdays, Woods & Wine
Enjoy a glass of Wente wine, cheese, and live music in an intimate outdoor setting on the Ginkgo Veranda.
Wednesdays June 6–August 15 (except July 4)
Visitor Center Area
5:30–8 p.m.
$10 ($15 non-member)
Must be 21 years or olderThursday Family Nights
NEW! Live music and extended hours in the Childrens Garden and Tree House Tales Exhibition highlight this free evening of family-friendly activities. Food service available.
Thursdays June 21–August 16
5–8 p.m.
Visitor Center Area
Free for members.
Non-members enjoy $5 Arboretum admission after 4:30 p.mTree House Tales
Opens June 15, 2012! Every tree has a story just waiting to be told! Come explore a magical village of 6 whimsical tree house structures. Learn about the vital roles trees play in our lives in a way that engages the imagination.
Daily
7 a.m. to sunset
Free with admissionTheatre-Hikes® at The Morton Arboretum
Experience theatre without walls on nature's stage. Walk along with the action among trees and beautiful landscapes. This summer's line-up includes The Hound of the Baskervilles, The Wind in the Willows, The Tempest, and Werewolf's Curse. Season tickets available.
Saturdays and Sundays
Adults: $12 Member ($19 Non-member)
Children (2-17): $8 Member ($13 Non-member)Family Twilight Adventures
Hike around enchanting tree houses and embark on a twilight tram ride. Themes change monthly.
Select dates in June, July, and August
6–8 p.m.
Children's Garden -
Pioneering Prairie Spirit in Landscape DesignWednesday, June 20
6:30–8:30 p.m.
Sterling Morton LibraryNationally recognized historians and authors introduce you to the pioneers of the native-landscape movement. See details
It's the 50th anniversary of the Arboretum's Schulenberg Prairie, one of the first restored tall-grass prairies in the nation! Learn more about this important native landscape type at this new symposium.
In the late 19th and early 20th century, landscape design in the Chicago region went through a major transformation. For the first time, people began to value native plants and natural landscapes. Who were the pioneering people behind this movement?
Jensen. Simonds. Olmstead.
Learn about them through the lens of three prominent landscape historians: Christopher Vernon, Bob Grese, and Robin Karson.
Explore research presented in their new books, Graceland Cemetery: A Design History and The Native Landscape,
Plus, view and discuss the short film by Daniel Morrison, Designing in the Prairie Spirit.
This event is partially underwritten by the Library of American Landscape History and forms a part of the Sesquicentennial Celebration of the Founding of Graceland Cemetery.
Both books will be available for purchase and signing at the presentation.
Wednesday, June 20
6:30–8:30 p.m.
Sterling Morton Library
Program #H493$21 Member ($25 Non-Member)
Non-members: One-day admission fee to the Arboretum included in event fee.REGISTER NOW!
CALL630-719-2468, Monday-Friday; 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
VISIT The Visitor Center, daily during regular hours
Not a member? Begin or renew a membership now.
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Fall Color 5K Run & WalkSunday, September 30
5K Run & Walk: 8 a.m.
Kids Dash 9 a.m. (ages 2-10)Race in our ninth annual Fall Color 5K Run & Walk, September 30! Registration opens June 1. See details
Join us, Sunday, September 30, as we celebrate Fall at the Arboretum with the ninth annual Fall Color 5K Run & Walk. Challenging USATF-certified course follows the East Side Main Route through rolling terrain.Registration opens June 1.
5K Run & Walk: 8 a.m.
Member $25 (Non-Member $30)
Race Day: $35Kids Dash 9 a.m. (ages 2-10)
Member $10 (Non-Member $12)
Race Day: $15Not a Member? Join or renew NOW.
Event Highlights include:
- ChronoTrack B-Tag timing system
- Kids Dash (separate cost)
- Awards
- Recovery food
- FREE admission to explore our 1,700-acres, including the award-winning Children's Garden.
We gratefully acknowledge our 5 K Run & Walk sponsors:
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Tree House Tales ExhibitionDaily, June 15-November 2013
Every tree has a story that's waiting to be told! See details
Enter a tree village that's filled with adventure and imagination. Play, make believe, and become part of the trees' ever-changing tale. This two-year exhibition, aimed at children ages 2–10 years old, is comprised of six funfilled, educational tree houses. Plus, additional houses in 2013!
Daily, June 15-November 2013
EventsFather's Day Weekend BBQ
Saturday, June 16 & Sunday, June 17
11:30 a.m.–3 p.m.Visitor Center Area
Enjoy music, baby back ribs, pig roast, beer, and more. Plus, explore Tree House Tales exhibition during opening weekend! Entertainment is free.Family Twilight Adventures
Dates vary
Join us for a playful adventure after hours at the Arboretum!
$16 member ($19 non-member)Tree House Tales Guides
June 15-August 29
Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays
Noon-3 p.m.
Volunteers will be on hand to share more details and elaborate on each tree's story. -
Tree House Tales GuidesWednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, June 15-August 29
Noon-3 p.m.Volunteers will be on hand to share more details and elaborate on each tree's story. See details
These exhibition experts will answer Tree House questions and engage families with and other hands-on activities such as a fun quiz that will help you answer the question: What Tree Are You?
Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, June 15-August 29
Noon-3 p.m.
Drop in program, free with general admission.
Check out these special events at The Morton Arboretum