Enjoy Winter's Wonder at the Morton Arboretum
Magical Train Exhibit, Fabulous Tree DisplayLISLE, IL (November 19, 2008) – Enjoy winter’s beauty from the warmth of the indoors.
The holiday season is fast approaching and The Morton Arboretum offers fun family activities that will warm the heart and provide pleasurable memories to offset the temperature drop.
The Holiday Railroad display gets a magical makeover this year, transporting guests into a wintery kingdom of frosted trees, glistening snow, and sparkling snowflakes. This intricate, multi-level, G-Gauge indoor railroad twists and turns through the crystalline landscape of the Snow Queen’s pristine forest.
“It’s really going to be like stepping into a postcard,” says landscape architect Jerry Milewski of American Gardens, the display’s designer.
The Snow Queen brings winter’s first beauty as she changes water to ice. The life-size queen herself overlooks guests and the trains, ushering them around her magical land. The wonder of this visual treat is complemented by the technical sophistication of the of the train layout, which includes nine separate trains operating via a system of remote- controlled interlocked signals, allowing them to cross tracks without collisions, and two trolleys that reverse direction automatically. Special attractions include Santa’s handcar, and the “snowball mine”, featuring a retro-fitted coal dock and coal cars, all made possible by the engineering prowess of the LGB Model Railroad Club of Chicago.
The exhibit runs from November 28-January 4 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (closed Christmas Eve, Christmas, and New Year's) and is located in the Visitor Center Events Room. Guests can get free time tickets at the Visitor Center to see the exhibit.
Top off your holiday fun with a delightful indoor holiday tree display featuring seven trees decorated by local professional interior designers, artists and floral arrangers. Look for fun surprises tucked in amongst the branches, from hidden topiaries to animated objects. The centerpiece of the exhibit, a 14-foot tree by M&M, The Special Events Company, entitled “Magical Enchanted Forest,” aims to bring the beauty of the forest into the tree using natural elements. Visitors can view the trees from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. in the Visitor Center, November 28, 2008 – January 4, 2009.
Discover how people of yore spent their cold winter days. Take a ride on the Evergreen Express and learn about the many feet (both human and animal) that, over the course of time, have roamed the land that currently makes up the 1,700-acre Arboretum. From the Ice Age to the time of the Native American tribes and settlement days, up to the present, the Arboretum has always been a very busy place in winter! Learn about the habits, rituals and festivals that were the precursors of many contemporary holiday celebrations and traditions. Storytellers will captivate passengers with heartwarming tales as the trolley goes on a tour around the grounds, sip on a cozy cup of cocoa and enjoy some tasty sweet treats.
The Evergreen Express runs on November 30, December 7, 14, 21-22, 26, 28-31, and January 2 at noon, 12:45, 1:30, 2:15, and 3 p.m. There will be an additional 11:15 a.m. trolley ride on December 7, 14, and 21. Advance ordered tickets are $24 for adults who are non-members and $13 for members, child non-member tickets are $18 and $13 for members. These prices include the cost of Arboretum admission. Purchase advance tickets by visiting the “Events and Activities” tab at www.mortonarb.org or by calling 630- 725-2066. Adult tickets purchased the day of the tour are $19 for non-members and $16 for members and child tickets are $16 for non-members and $13 for members. Non- members who purchase tickets on the day of the event will also have to pay the admission fee.
The Morton Arboretum is an internationally recognized 1,700-acre outdoor museum with collections of 4,117 kinds of trees, shrubs, and other plants from around the world. The Arboretum's beautiful natural landscapes, gardens, research and education programs, and year-round family activities support its mission – the planting and conservation of trees and other plants for a greener, healthier, and more beautiful world. Conveniently located at I-88 and Rte. 53 in Lisle, Illinois, the Arboretum is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central Time or sunset, whichever is earlier. The Children's Garden is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., March through October, and 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., November through February. Visit www.mortonarb.org, click About, and then Press Room, or call to learn more.
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