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Parking and Directions

Whether you have an hour or all day to explore, The Morton Arboretum is a special destination any day of the year.

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Located just 25 miles west of Chicago and easily accessible by public transportation, the Arboretum invites you to enjoy all of its natural beauty year-round. Free parking and electric charging stations are available for guests who drive in for a visit. No matter where you come from, the Arboretum offers an oasis of natural beauty and tranquility just minutes from one of the country’s greatest cities.

Parking

Parking is free at the Arboretum. Visitors will find 33 parking lots along the roads winding through the Arboretum, all indicated on the maps. Parking Lot 1 (P1) and Parking Lot 21 (P21) are used the most.

Adjacent to the Visitor Center, P1 is closest to the Plant Clinic, Ginkgo Restaurant, The Arboretum Store, and Children’s Garden. P1 is a permeable paver parking lot designed to prevent flooding and protect local waterways, with six free electric vehicle charging stations. There is no limit on charging times. Stations are marked with a green and white “EV” on the pavement. P1 also has preferred parking for low emission vehicles.

P21 is located at the Thornhill Education Center, where the majority of education courses take place. This lot is close to the Thornhill Education Center, Founder’s Room, Fragrance Garden, and Thornhill Shelter. P21 also features four free electric vehicle charging stations.

Rideshare users (Uber, Lyft, etc.) may be dropped off and picked up in the Visitor Center drop-off circle drive. When requesting a rideshare pick-up, instruct the driver to inform the gatehouse attendant that they are picking up a guest and to meet at the Visitor Center drop-off circle drive. They will be asked to show the pick-up request to the attendant and will be directed to the location. If you are attending an event at Thornhill Education Center, drivers may be directed to pick up in the Thornhill entrance drive area on the West Side.

Please visit the Accessibility page for information on how to navigate the Arboretum with special needs.

Please see the interactive map to locate your parking preference on our grounds.

Directions

By car

Located just 25 miles west of Chicago, The Morton Arboretum—4100 Illinois Route 53 in Lisle, IL 60532—is just west of Interstate 355 and north of I-88 on Illinois Route 53 (sometimes known as Lincoln Avenue or Lincoln Highway). 

Westbound I-88: Exit north onto Route 53. Proceed north ½ mile to the entrance on the right. 

Eastbound I-88: Follow signs onto southbound I-355 and exit immediately to westbound Ogden Avenue (Route 34). Continue west on Ogden Avenue to Route 53 north. Proceed north one mile to the entrance.

I-355: Follow signs and exit onto westbound I-88. Exit north onto Route 53; Proceed north ½ mile to the entrance.

By rideshare

Rideshare users (Uber, Lyft, etc.) may be dropped off and picked up in the Visitor Center drop-off circle drive. When requesting a rideshare pick-up, instruct the driver to inform the gatehouse attendant that they are picking up a guest and to meet at the Visitor Center drop-off circle drive. They will be asked to show the pick-up request to the attendant and will be directed to the location. If you are attending an event at Thornhill Education Center, drivers may be directed to pick you up in the Thornhill entrance drive area on the West Side.

By train

The Arboretum is two miles from the Metra train station in Lisle (Burlington Northern Santa Fe, BNSF line). Arranging a ride service to and from the station is recommended. 

By bike

The Arboretum is reachable by bike, depending on where you are riding from (and you may take your bike on the Metra train). The areas surrounding the grounds are well known for their excellent bike trails and the Arboretum itself is popular with bicyclists, who enjoy the challenge of the hills and the convenience of the paved and well-maintained roads. For your safety, bike racks are available in the following locations. Please do not attach, lock, or lean bikes on trees, other plants, or structures.

  • At the Visitor Center
  • At the Thornhill Education Center
  • At the Prairie and Big Rock Visitor Stations

For some helpful tips on making the most of your biking experience to and at the Arboretum, please read these tips before you set out. Bicyclists traveling to the Arboretum should be careful when navigating Route 53 and chart out routes that have minimal traffic. To plan your trip, see this helpful guide

Rideshare

Rideshare users (Uber, Lyft, etc.) may be dropped off and picked up in the Visitor Center drop-off circle drive. When requesting a rideshare pick-up, instruct the driver to inform the gatehouse attendant that they are picking up a guest and to meet at the Visitor Center drop-off circle drive. They will be asked to show the pick-up request to the attendant and will be directed to the location. If you are attending an event at Thornhill Education Center, drivers may be directed to pick you up in the Thornhill entrance drive area on the West Side.

Lodging

Nearby hotels in Lisle are conveniently located for visiting the Arboretum, where you can enjoy the collections, walks, exhibitions, classes, and special events at your leisure, year-round. Just a short ride from O’Hare international airport puts you in these spectacular, peaceful surroundings. Want to plan a special meeting, wedding, or celebration here? The Arboretum is also the perfect venue for many kinds of special occasions. 

DoubleTree by Hilton Lisle/Naperville

3003 Corporate West Drive, Lisle, IL 60532
Phone: 630-505-0900
Located off Interstate 88, 3 miles from The Morton Arboretum.

Hyatt Regency Lisle

1400 Corporetum Drive, Lisle, IL 60532
Phone: 630-852-1234
Located off Interstate 88, 1.4 miles from The Morton Arboretum.

Sheraton Lisle

3000 Warrenville Road, Lisle, IL 60532
Phone: 630-505-1000
Located off Interstate 88, 3 miles from The Morton Arboretum.