The Morton Arboretum
About
1,700-Acre Outdoor Tree Museum
The Morton Arboretum is a 1,700-acre living tree museum founded 1922 by Joy Morton of the Morton Salt family. Over 220,000 plants from around the world grow across 16 miles of trails and 9 miles of paved roads.
What Kids Can Do
The Children's Garden is the marquee kid spot - four acres of secret gardens, tunnels, climbing rocks, water features, and a giant rope-web climber. The Maze Garden and Backyard Discovery Gardens add hands-on play. Frog Fountain and stream area encourage water play in summer. Special exhibits like Human+Nature giant troll sculptures rotate seasonally [marked: Children's Garden may have separate timed-entry tickets during peak summer weekends - check tickets.mortonarb.org].
What's Included
General admission covers all gardens, trails, Children's Garden, and seasonal exhibits. Tram tours operate weekends spring-fall. Education programs (camps, classes, school field trips) bookable separately. Members receive year-round access.
Experience
Plan 3-5 hours minimum. Mostly outdoor - bring weather-appropriate clothes, water, sun protection. Children's Garden has water features so bring change of clothes in summer. About 5 miles north of Naperville in Lisle. Free parking on-site. Strollers welcome.