Morton Arboretum Lisle

The Visitor Center is your gateway to the Arboretum. Visitor Services staff are happy to answer any questions you have about your visit. Tickets for tram tours and many special events can be purchased here. More detailed calendars, brochures, and informational handouts are also available. For specific questions, please call Visitor Services at 630-968-0074.

The Arboretum Grounds

Our grounds are kept beautiful and healthy for research, enjoyment, and learning.
For the safety of our plant collections and our visitors, please leave pets, alcohol, glass containers, and grills at home. Pets aren't allowed in vehicles or on the grounds.

The Arboretum has acquired trees and other plants from around the world for study, display, research, and propagation. Unlike indoor museums, our collections are out in the open. It is important that our members and visitors respect our living specimens.

Although we want our visitors to enjoy and appreciate our collections and natural areas, please be aware that we have rules and etiquette that will make your visit safer and more enjoyable.

The Morton Arboretum is a smoke-free environment. No smoking is allowed indoors or outdoors within the Arboretum.

Amenities
 

Amenities Restrooms can be found in the Visitor Center (East and West Pavilions), Children's Garden, Thornhill Education Center (limited hours), Administration & Research Center (limited hours), Big Rock Visitor Station (portable facility), Prairie Visitor Station (portable facility), and the Thornhill Shelter. The restrooms in the Visitor Center include family stations. All restrooms are wheelchair accessible.

 

Water fountains are available in the Visitor Center (East and West Pavilions), Thornhill Education Center (limited hours), Administration & Research Center (limited hours), and the Thornhill Shelter. Make sure you have an adequate water supply before starting your hike.

Accessibility

All buildings and paved garden paths and trails are accessible to strollers and wheelchairs.

Paved garden paths are found in the Ground Cover Garden, Fragrance Garden, Woody Herb Garden, Four Seasons Garden, and Children's Garden.

Paved trails are Meadow Lake Trail, Conifer Walk, and Joy Path. Paved trails can also be found at the Big Rock Visitor Station and the Prairie Visitor Station.

A limited number of wheelchairs and strollers are available at the Visitor Center. (Strollers are $3)

Acorn Express, our open-air tram, is an accessible vehicle.

 

Arboretum Admission Fees

$11 Adults (18–64)
$10 Seniors (65+)
$8 Youth (2–17)
Children under 2 are free
Admission includes FREE parking!
Members always enter for free
Free admission on Arbor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas

Wednesdays are discount admission!
$7 Adults (18–64)
$6 Seniors (65+)
$5 Youth (2–17)

The Arboretum is open 365 days a year! The grounds open at 7 a.m. year-round and close at 7 p.m. or sunset, whichever is earlier. (Please note Children's Garden hours below.) Bicycling evenings may close one side of the grounds to cars for car-free bicycling from 6-8 p.m.

Visitor Center 8 a.m.-5 p.m. November-February 8 a.m.-6 p.m. March-October Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve at 3 p.m., and Christmas Day The West Pavilion of the Visitor Center opens at 7 a.m. each day for restroom access and is open whenever the grounds are open. Extended hours on Thursday evenings until 6:30 p.m., May-September	Children's Garden 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. November-February 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. March-October Severe weather may close the Children's Garden temporarily. Extended hours on Thursday evenings until 6:30 p.m., May-September Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve at 3 p.m., and Christmas Day
The Arboretum Store 10 a.m.–5 p.m. November-May 9 a.m.-6 p.m. May-October Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve at 3 p.m., and Christmas Day Extended hours on Thursday evenings until 6:30 p.m., May-September	Maze Garden 9:30 a.m.–7 p.m. or sunset, whichever is earlier
Ginkgo Restaurant 11 a.m.–2 p.m Daily 8 a.m.–2 p.m. Sunday Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day	Ginkgo Café Opens daily at 8 a.m. and closes when the Visitor Center closes. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve at 3 p.m., and Christmas Day
Plant Clinic 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon-Sat., April-Oct. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Mon.-Fri, Nov.-March Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day	Sterling Morton Library 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Tuesday–Friday 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Saturday Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day
Founder's Room   (Located at Thornhill Education Center) 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Monday–Friday