October Events

A WORLD OF COLOR AND FALL ACTIVITIES ALL OCTOBER

The Morton Arboretum Sites and Entertainment Offer Lively Experiences

LISLE, IL (July 28, 2010) – Feast your eyes on a kaleidoscope of the world’s fall color all in one place: the Arboretum’s 1,700 acres. Rich reds, golden oranges, sunny yellows, and vivid colors in between dress the trees from 40 countries around the world. Visitors can trek the 16 miles of trails into the heart of the changing canopy and experience the world of fall color all around. All ages.
Daily in October: 7 a.m. – sunset

FALL COLOR FESTIVAL……………………………………………………………………..

The “Scarecrow Trail” features artistically designed scarecrows from local Girl Scout troops. Inspired by nature, these clever creations will delight and entertain visitors who stroll around Meadow Lake during Fall Color Festival. Grab friends and family, enjoy the beauty of fall and vote for your favorite scarecrow! All ages. Meadow Lake.
Daily in October: 7 a.m. – sunset

Time to get up and hit the pavement! The Fall Color 5K Run and Walk offers a challenging course for runners of all skill levels. Walk or run through a hilly course lined with majestic trees that are turning color! Kids even have their own “track” in the “Kids Dash.” Free post-race refreshments are available. Register at www.mortonarb.org/fallcolor5krun or at the Visitor Center.
October 3: 5K Run and Walk: 8 a.m.
October 3: Kids’ Dash: 9 a.m.

MMM tasty! Stop by the Ginkgo Grill for “Festive Fall Fare” and grab some fall favorites like grilled corn, brats, and other tasty treats! Then for dessert, design your own mouth-watering taffy apple with nuts and candy toppings, at the Taffy Apple Bar. Visitor Center area. All ages.
Weekends in October and Columbus Day October 11: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Beautiful art created from gourds! “GourdWorks” creations allow visitors to see lovely gourds transformed into something else! Illinois Gourd Society artists designed the decorative and useful gourd creations, which are also available for purchase. All Ages. Arbor Court.
Weekends in October and Columbus Day October 11: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Play tricky games, fashion fun fall crafts and plant a tree seed to take home as your treat at the “Trick or Trees.” Costumes are encouraged. Free with Arboretum admission. Small pumpkins to paint will also be available for purchase. All ages. Children’s Garden.
Weekends in October: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. (weather permitting)

ADDITIONAL OCTOBER ACTIVITIES…………………………………………………..

Sculptures that seemingly erupt from the earth provide a striking contrast to fall color. “Steelroots: Tobin at The Morton Arboretum,” offers visitors 14 steel, fine art works that shed new light on the importance of trees in our environment as well as the metaphorical power of roots. The artist’s work allows all to see nature in a new way. All ages, Conifer Collection Area.
Now–January 31, 2011: 7 a.m. to sunset

It’s a haunting saga of good versus evil in October’s “Theatre-Hike.” In Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, see how the good doctor enhances his dark side, creating his alternative personality, Mr. Hyde. This show is recommended for children ages 13 and older. Each theatre-hike presents a different scene at a different location on the Arboretum grounds. Regular hikes are on Saturdays and low-impact hikes (suitable for strollers, walkers and wheelchairs) are on Sundays. Tickets are $13-$19 (discounts for Arboretum members).
Weekends in October and Columbus Day: 1 – 3:30 p.m.

A favorite book set to music! “Marcie, The Marvelous Tree” takes the book of the same name and sets it to music for a musical story telling of the endearing tale. All ages. Visitor Center.
October 11: 11 a.m. – noon.

Art in your garden! “The Artistry of Tree Forms” offers tips from local arborist Guy Sternberg on how to use artistic features of trees in your home landscape and how to plan for new trees. Then, tour Arboretum trees for more inspiration! Cost: $43 (discounts for Arboretum members). To register visit education at www.mortonarb.org or call 630-719-2468. All ages. Visitor Center.
October 30: 1 – 4 p.m.

Creepy but cool trees grow in a cemetery! Take a better look at the plant life that grows in the garden of the dead with “Cemetery Botany!” Participants will go on a photographic tour of cemetery botanical lore from around the United States. Cost: $21 (discounts for Arboretum members). To register visit education at www.mortonarb.org or call 630-719-2468. Children ages 11 and up welcome with an adult registrant. Visitor Center.
October 31: 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.

Celebrate “Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole” at the Arboretum! Learn all about owls through the Ga’Hoole book series, activities, crafts and demonstrations. Official Legends of the Guardians books and plush owls will be available for purchase.All ages. The Arboretum Store.
October 2: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

See the Arb after dark! “Moonlit Garden Hike” takes families on an enchanting stroll through the Children’s Garden after sunset. Tune into their night senses to explore the plants and animals that dwell after dark. Fun nighttime games will also take place. Children’ must be accompanied by an adult. Cost: $17 per child (discounts for Arboretum members). To register visit education at www.mortonarb.org or call 630-719-2468.  All ages. Visitor Center.
October 9, 22 – 23: 6 – 7 p.m.

Need help introducing children to the natural world? “The Curious Naturalist” teaches adults to use age-appropriate activities, explorations and conversations to spark kids’ excitement and appreciation for nature. Dress for outdoor weather, and bring a lunch and water. Cost: $89 (discounts for Arboretum members). To register visit education at www.mortonarb.org or call 630-719-2468. All ages. Thornhill Education Center.
October 23: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Get the latest on “Eco-Friendly Gardening!” This workshop series teaches how to make gradual changes and manage a garden’s design. Each date covers new topics: “Stylish Shrub Borders with Native Plants,” and “Supporting Wildlife in Your Garden.” Cost: $60 (discounts for Arboretum members). All ages. Administration Building.
October 16 and November 6: 1 – 5 p.m.

Hike, play fun activities, roast yummy marshmallows and take a tram ride through the woods after dark in “Family Twilight Adventure!” Come see what the animals are up to after people go home. Children must be accompanied by an adult registrant. Cost: $23 per person (discounts for Arboretum members). To register visit education at www.mortonarb.org or call 630-719-2468.  All ages. Visitor Center.
October 1 and 8: 6 – 8 p.m.

Who are the feathered friends this time of year? “Fall Bird Walk” takes visitors into the woods to look for fall birds, learn about fall migrants and year round resident birds from an Arboretum expert. Binoculars and a field guide will be useful. No prior experience needed. Cost: $15 (discounts for Arboretum members). Children ages 11 and up welcome with an adult registrant. Thornhill Education Center.
October 2 and 16: 8 – 10:30 a.m.

Some people think spiders are spooky, but we think they’re spectacular! “Splendid Spiders” teaches how spiders help our gardens and where they go for the winter! Some spiders will even be on hand to see. This activity is self-guided. All ages. Children’s Garden.
Weekdays in October: 1 – 4 p.m. (weather permitting)

One-of-a-kind exquisite handbags and accessories! “Leaf Leather Trunk Show” offers hand-tooled leaf designs in new colors and shapes shown only at this event. All ages. The Arboretum Store.
October 2 – 3: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Fall into a good book with “Arbor Readings!” Families gather under the changing trees for a nature-themed story-time. October’s theme is “Fall Color.” All ages. Children’s Garden.
Fridays in October: 11 – 11:20 a.m.

Take a journey into rarely seen artwork and rare books showcasing the beauty and depth of the plant world. “Flora! Illuminated” goes on a non-traditional exploration of plant images from the Suzette Morton Davidson Special Collections of the Sterling Morton Library. Special selections of song lyrics, poetry and prose will accompany these brilliant images to create a memorable experience for visitors. All ages, Sterling Morton Library.
Now– January 2011: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday–Friday; 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Saturday

Unless otherwise specified, all Arboretum events and destinations including the Children’s Garden are free with Arboretum admission. The 2010 rates are:

$11/adult, ($7 on Wednesday), ages 18-64
$10/senior, ($6 on Wednesday), ages 65 and over
$8/child ($5 on Wednesday), ages 2-17
Under age 2 is free
Parking is free

 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. Central Time until sunset. 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 Press Room at www.mortonarb.org, or call to learn more.

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