The Morton Arb

Choose between the Sensory or Discover Backpacks filled with science tools, guides, and fun props for families with children ages 2-6. One backpack suggested for up to five family members.

Daily, April-October
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Children's Garden

$4 per backpack ($5 per backpack for nonmembers)
Purchase tickets for backpacks at the Visitor Center Information Desk.

(Backpacks are available for rent on a first-come, first-served basis)

Vanishing Acts: Trees Under Threat Exhibit

7 a.m.-sunset
Conifer Collection 

An award-winning outdoor exhibit shows that trees that we know and love are endangered in the wild. By protecting them, we help ourselves and the entire planet.

Just a few examples of the trees you'll learn about at Vanishing Acts:

Wild Apple. Apple pie. An apple for the teacher. An apple a day keeps the doctor away. The apple's delicious sweetness anchors our American traditions. The world's last remaining wild apple trees are being cut down to make room for houses.

Fraser Fir. At Christmas time, many enjoy Fraser fir's soft, fragrant foliage and perfect shape. A non-native insect has killed up to 95 percent of wild Fraser firs growing in the Appalachians.

Pacific Yew. Many cancer survivors and their families can thank the Pacific yew tree for a cancer-fighting compound discovered in its bark. Wild Pacific yews are recovering from overharvesting after the discovery.

"To save trees, we can accomplish more together than we can individually," says Gerard Donnelly, President and CEO of The Morton Arboretum. "With 8,000 endangered tree species worldwide, it's a huge issue with a direct link to climate change and other factors affecting the health of plants, people, and the planet."

Vanishing Acts was developed by The Morton Arboretum and is exhibited on site and will also tour nationally.

The Vanishing Acts exhibit is located in the Conifer Collection, just a short stroll off the Conifer Walk.

Come make a day of it by walking the .25 mile exhibit loop and then experiencing the outstanding display of 4,100 kinds of trees from around the world.

This traveling exhibit is organized and circulated by The Morton Arboretum, in partnership with the Global Trees Campaign, and made possible by a grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Services.

     

Bicycling is good for your health and good for the environment, too! Take advantage of this opportunity to explore our expansive grounds in an up close way.

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.

Enjoy bicycling in an "auto-free zone" 
May 3 - September 8
Fridays: 5:30 p.m.– sunset
Saturdays & Sundays: 7:00 a.m.– 9:00 a.m.

Bike rentals are available for adults and children
Daily, Now-September 2
Weekends September 7-October 31
Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Visitor Center Parking Lot
(weather permitting)

Maximize your bicycling experience by reading our Bicycling Guidelines before you visit.

Enter a tree village that's filled with adventure and imagination. Play, make believe, and become part of the trees' ever-changing tale. This exhibition, aimed at children ages 2–10 years old, is comprised of six funfilled, educational tree houses. Normal gate fees apply to nonmembers.

Daily, NOW-November 2013

Experience the beauty of the Arboretum's 1,700 acres on a guided tram tour. This one-hour ride winds you through the Arboretum's woodlands, wetlands, and prairie while listening to a narrated tour.

Tram tours are a popular way to see the grounds. Tours can sell out in advance of departure times, especially on weekends.

Call 630-968-0074 for daily times. Tours operate weather permitting.

Tram tickets are available at the Information Desk in the Visitor Center for the day of your visit only. Tickets cannot be purchased over the phone, online, or for another day.

Daily, beginning April 15

One-Hour Tram:
$5 adult ($6 non-member)
$4 child ( $5 non-member)

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.

Daily, Now-September 2
Weekends September 7-October 31
Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Visitor Center Parking Lot 

Just stop by the Visitor Center Parking Lot to rent your bike, and let the adventure begin! Helmets and bike locks are included with rentals. First come, first served, weather permitting.
  

Bike Rental Prices

For details and pictures of rental options, view 2013 Bike Rentals.

Giant Cypress
$15 ($17 Non-Member) for 3-hour rental
$23 ($25 Non-Member) for full-day rental

Children’s Mountain Bikes
$15 ($17 Non-Member) for 3-hour rental
$23 ($25 Non-Member) for full-day rental

Performance Fleet
$18 ($20 Non-Member) for 3-hour rental
$26 ($28 Non-Member) for full-day rental

Sun Tandems
$30 ($34 Non-Member) for 3-hour rental
$46 ($50 Non-Member) for full-day rental

Recumbent Trike
$18 ($20 Non-Member) for 3-hour rental
$26 ($28 Non-Member) for full-day rental

Burley Bee Trailer 
$10 ($12 Non-member) with bike rental

Trail-A-Bike  
$10 ($12 Non-member) with bike rental

Wee Hoo Trailer 
$10 ($12 Non-member) with bike rental

Radio Flyer Wagons
$10
  

Bicycling Guidelines

For more information on bicycling at the Arboretum including bike rack locations, auto-free evening hours and more, go to  Bicycling Guidelines. 

 

Stare in amazement at 10 larger-than-life insect sculptures. The sculptures are built using natural materials including trees, dried branches, roots, and green saplings. Kids can pick up their free Official Bug Detective Guide and uncover the truth about bugs as they explore the exhibit. 

David Rogers' Big Bugs
Free with Arboretum admission
May 10-September 8
7:00 a.m. -sunset

Get directions to The Morton Arboretum>

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Join us for these BUG-TASTIC
events for the whole family!

Meet Ladybug Girl
June 22
10:00 a.m. – noon
The Arboretum Store
Meet and take photos with Ladybug Girl, get a sweet "ladybug" treat, color, craft, and have fun!
Free with Arboretum admission

Ladybug Picnic
June 30 SOLD OUT
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Parking Lot 20
Celebrate ladybugs with a picnic. Discover why they are beneficial to plants, make fun crafts, and join in a live ladybug release. #Y2016
Member: $18 per person (nonmember: $25) 

Edible Insects
July 14 Register Online> & July 21 Register Online>
2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Sycamore Room
Insect cuisine is enjoyed in many parts of the world – do you dare try it? Join us as we learn about the food chain, sample tasty insects, and make insect crafts. Note: Bug tasting is optional. #Y308
Member: $10 per person (nonmember: $17)

Spider City
July 20 & 21
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Children's Garden
Join Brian Moskalik PhD, assistant professor of zoology at the University of St. Francis, to view local spiders, praying mantids, and exotic tarantulas. 
Free with Arboretum admission

Meet the Monarchs
August 6 Register Online> & August 14 Register Online>
9:30 –11:00 a.m.
Children's Garden
Kids ages 3-5, with an adult, can join us as we act out the lifecycle from crawling caterpillars to fluttering beauties. We'll also play games and make a marvelous monarch craft. #Y305
Member: $18 per child (nonmember: $25) 

Monarch Madness
August 24
11:00 a.m. -4:00 p.m.
Children's Garden
Explore the wonderful world of monarch butterflies. Take a closer look at tiny butterfly eggs, view how scientists tag butterflies for research, and take home milkweed seeds to start your own butterfly feeding ground.
Free with Arboretum admission

Celebrate bugs in the Children's Garden daily from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
with these drop-in programs. (Unless otherwise noted.)
Sponsored by Navistar

June
Lovely Ladybugs: Test your skills in a bug board game and make a ladybug mask.
Ants in your Plants: Learn about ants and make an a-maze-ing ant craft.

July
Splendid Spiders: Discover where spiders live and how they help gardens.
Grand Grasshoppers: Explore these little creatures and learn why they're so noisy.

August
From Water to Wings: Learn about dragonflies and make a winged craft.
Butterflies and Blossoms: Find out facts about butterflies and create a disguise.

September
Busy Bees: Buzz around like a busy little honey bee and make a bee mask. 
Weekends, 11:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Mantis Mania: Find out some of the unique habits these insects have and make a camouflaged creation
Weekdays, 1:00- 4:00 p.m.