There are currently no bike rental services available on-site. However, guests are invited to bring their own and enjoy 9 miles of paved roadways and rolling hills, along with dedicated bike lock locations. To find out more, see Biking at the Arboretum.

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.

Yes, the Arboretum does have a code of conduct. The Morton Arboretum is dedicated to fostering an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible environment that is welcoming for all guests, volunteers, and staff and free of discrimination or harrassment of any kind.

By visiting you agree to abide by our code of conduct to treat other people and Arboretum property—including trees, grounds, and facilities—with respect and care.

The Arboretum reserves any and all rights permitted by law to respond to behavior or conduct that is contrary to this code. The Arboretum also reserves the right to determine what constitutes unacceptable, abusive, harassing, and/or discriminatory conduct, including the use of derogatory language or offensive symbols. Violating this code may result in removal from the premises, revocation of membership, and/or prosecution under any and all applicable law.

Yes, group rates can be offered on orders of 15 or more people purchasing tickets in a single transaction.

Purchasing group admission allows access to a discounted rate and makes check-in at the gatehouse easier than with general admission. Group admission can also be planned, purchased, and reserved well in advance, allowing groups the opportunity to finalize their plans well ahead of time.

Learn more about purchasing group admission.

A limited number of partial education scholarships are now available for participants eligible for the Museums for All program or anyone who might otherwise not be able to attend a learning opportunity at the Arboretum. To request a scholarship, please contact the Arboretum Registrar’s Office at least three business days before the program begins.

In keeping with the Arboretum’s commitment to the health and satisfaction of its guests and employees, smoking and tobacco use (including smokeless cigarettes) is prohibited anywhere on Arboretum property.

In accordance with State of Illinois COVID-19 guidelines, face masks are optional in all Arboretum buildings.

Bicycles and bicycling are allowed on Arboretum roads only. Please ride in the same direction as car traffic, and as far to the right as possible. Riders should stay in single file to allow cars to pass. Bicycles are not permitted on the walking paths and trails.

Dogs may attend only on designated Dog Admission Days or Tails on the Trails events, as additional staff and volunteers are required. Dog tickets are $5, in addition to their human companions’ admission. Service dogs are welcome every day and must be identified to the gatehouse attendant when entering. Visitors who arrive with pets will be directed to exit. Please note that dogs are not allowed in buildings. Portable restrooms are available for human use.

The Morton Arboretum Plant Clinic can help answer your tree and plant health questions year-round. Please visit in-person, email plantclinic@mortonarb.org with your questions, or call 630-719-2424.

The Arboretum provides beautiful natural backdrops and luxurious spaces for memorable weddings. Please see Weddings and Receptions for information.

The Arboretum has a variety of indoor and outdoor venues for every occasion. Please complete an event inquiry form for more information about hosting your event at the Arboretum.

See the Acorn Express Tram Tours page for details. The tram schedule is variable and changes from day to day based on weather and driver availability. Tram tickets are not available for advance purchase and are only sold at the Visitor Center Information Desk for that day’s tour. Tickets cannot be purchased over the phone, online, or for another day.

For visitor safety, please leave scooters, rollerblades, skateboards, longboards, e-scooters, kites, drones, and other sports equipment at home. Seated personal mobility scooters (for physical assistance) are allowed on the Arboretum’s paved trails and roads.

Permits are required for professionally conducted formal photography and videography for private personal and commercial events and activities. Permit sales are subject to availability, and permits must be applied for at least three days in advance of photo shoots. Click here for more information about fees, schedules, and regulations. Guest use of drones is not allowed at the Arboretum.

Manual wheelchairs are available for loan. Strollers are currently unavailable. Personal strollers are welcome.

General admission tickets can be purchased in advance online or at the gatehouse upon arrival.

Plan ahead and save on admission by buying tickets online. The further in advance you purchase tickets online, the more you save. Prices will be $2 higher per ticket when you buy tickets in person at the gatehouse. Tickets can be purchased in minutes using a smartphone or computer.

Members may enter The Morton Arboretum at any time by showing their current physical or digital membership cards at the gatehouse.

Beyond their membership benefits, members may purchase discounted add-on admission tickets for $5 for up to two people who accompany them on a visit.

Residents of DuPage County receive 33% off general admission on Wednesdays.

To receive the discount, buy general admission tickets online and select the appropriate number of DuPage resident tickets to add to your cart. If you purchase tickets at the gatehouse when you arrive at the Arboretum, let the attendant know you are a DuPage County resident. DuPage County residents can save an additional $2 when purchasing general admission tickets online.

This discounted admission price on Wednesdays applies to adults, seniors, and children who live in DuPage County. Infant admission for children 3 years and younger is free. Proof of residency may be requested onsite.

General admission tickets can be purchased in advance online or at the gatehouse upon arrival.

Online advance purchase is recommended. The further in advance you purchase your tickets online, the more you save. Purchasing general admission tickets online in advance will also always be $2 less expensive than purchasing admission in person when you arrive. Purchasing online takes just a few minutes and can be done with a smartphone or computer.

Members may enter The Morton Arboretum at any time by showing their current physical or digital membership cards at the gatehouse.

Beyond their membership benefits, members may also purchase discounted add-on admission tickets for $5 for up to two people who accompany them on a visit.

Yes. General admission tickets are valid for a single day of admission. Visiting the Arboretum for multiple days will require multiple tickets. To book additional dates, please purchase them through individual transactions. Prices may differ between dates.

Arboretum members can enter the Arboretum any day during open hours by showing their membership card at the gatehouse.

Once admitted, everyone may stay and explore the Arboretum until it closes at sunset.

Through the Arboretum’s participation in the Museums for All program, Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cardholders may buy discounted general admission tickets in advance of their visits. Museum for All tickets may be purchased through the Arboretum’s website or by calling 630-725-2066.

Those with EBT cards may purchase up to eight passes per transaction online by selecting the Museums for All ticket type when purchasing. A credit or debit card is required for ticket purchases. The EBT card and general admission ticket must be shown on a phone or as printed documents at the gatehouse for entry. Tickets may sell out at peak times, so advance planning is recommended.

Members of the President’s Council and Thornhill Society may bring an unlimited number of companions on a visit to the Arboretum. Those who accompany a member should arrive in the same vehicle or in a vehicle directly behind the member.

Printed complimentary admission passes or coupons may be used at the Arboretum gatehouse for admission without prior online reservations. Passes and coupons are good only if they are not yet expired. Individuals in the same car who do not have their own passes must purchase general admission tickets online prior to arrival at the Arboretum. Members may enter anytime by showing their current physical or digital membership card. Please read the terms and conditions on your coupon or pass prior to arrival to ensure quick entry.

The Arboretum provides free general daytime admission for active duty military members and their families by presenting a valid military or military family ID at the gatehouse. Timed-entry passes are not required for admission. Free admission is not available for special ticketed events.

To learn how to request tickets through this program, please email Teresa Recchia at trecchia@mortonarb.org.

If you bought your general admission tickets online, show your general admission tickets to the gatehouse attendant, either on your phone or as printed documents. You do not have to hand your phone to the attendant.

Members may enter at any time by showing their current physical or digital membership cards at the gatehouse.

Thornhill Society or President’s Council members may enter by showing their membership cards.

For assistance, please email the ticket line at tickets@mortonarb.org and we will respond to you as soon as possible.

Those who accompany members with discounted $5 add-on admission tickets should arrive in the same vehicle or in a vehicle directly behind the member.

Discounted $5 add-on admission tickets (up to two per member) and additional full-priced guest admissions may be purchased by the member online prior to the visit or at the gatehouse. Advance purchase online is recommended for faster entry.

No. Members may enter The Morton Arboretum on any day during open hours by showing their current physical or digital membership card at the gatehouse.

In addition to those included on their membership-level benefits, members can purchase $5 add-on admission tickets for those accompanying them on a visit. Add-on admission can be purchased online or at the gatehouse upon arrival.

Members may enter The Morton Arboretum at any time during business hours by showing their current physical or digital membership card at the gatehouse.

Becoming a member of The Morton Arboretum offers many benefits in addition to supporting its nonprofit mission.

Members enter free every day, including during special member-only hours.

Different levels of membership admit different numbers of people. For example, a Morton 1-level membership admits only the member, while a Morton 4-level membership admits four individuals a day, including the member.

For additional friends and family who visit with them, members may purchase up to two $5 discounted add-on admission tickets per day beyond their admission benefit. The discounted $5 add-on admission tickets and additional full-priced general admission tickets, may be purchased online or at the gatehouse upon arriving. They must be purchased by the member.

Members also get special opportunities and discounts in The Arboretum Store, when buying event tickets, and when registering for classes. Join today.

Because The Morton Arboretum is a member of the American Horticultural Society’s Reciprocal Garden Network, Arboretum members enjoy free or discounted admission and other privileges at more than 360 botanical gardens and horticultural organizations across North America.

Beginning April 17, 2023 all active members have been enrolled in the digital Frequent Visitor Reward program (FVR), regardless of their membership card type. Digital FVR points are automatically recorded when an active membership card or member timed ticket is scanned at the gatehouse, even without a digital membership card.

Members wishing to use a physical, stamped FVR card may receive a card at the Member Services Desk and present it at the gatehouse to collect a stamp.

FVR points can only be earned or redeemed as part of an active membership.  One point is available per member household, per day. Points are non transferable between households and the Arboretum’s membership staff are unable to redeem points from another member’s FVR points.

Simply show your digital or physical membership card or timed-entry ticket—on weekends or federal holidays—when you arrive at the gatehouse to have your digital FVR point added. Physical FVR cards may continue to be stamped at the gatehouse upon entry. One point is available per membership household, per day.

Special events, programs, camps, field trips, or volunteer admissions are not eligible for a Frequent Visitor Reward stamp.

Digital Membership Card Holders: To find your FVR point total on your digital membership card, turn your card over using the ellipse (…) symbol in the corner and your points will appear at the top of the card back. Point totals are updated on the back of digital membership cards each morning to reflect visits from the previous day. If your card is not set to automatically update, “pull down” the screen to refresh and see your balance.

Physical FVR Stamp Cards: If you prefer, you may continue to collect FVR points on a paper card stamped at the gatehouse. In case you forget or misplace your paper card, an FVR point will be automatically recorded each time your membership card or timed-entry ticket  is scanned at the gatehouse.

Both digital and stamped points may be redeemed immediately at the Member Services Desk on the same visit they are earned, even if the updated balance is not yet reflected on the digital membership card.

Members may call the Membership Hotline at 630-719-2453, email membersmail@mortonarb.org, or stop by the Member Services Desk for an FVR point balance, convert a physical FVR stamp card to digital points, or request a digital membership card.

The maximum number of FVR points available is 120 points. Once points have been redeemed and your balance drops below 120 points, on your next visit you will automatically begin accruing points again.

For additional FVR information, call the Membership Hotline at 630-719-2453, email membersmail@mortonarb.org, or stop by the Member Services Desk.

Detailed information about the new digital membership card is available here.

The two-year membership option when you join or renew is the best value. Two-year members receive $10 savings, invitations to exclusive member Enrichment Events, free Acorn Express tram tour vouchers, and a  gift voucher that may be redeemed in The Arboretum Store.

Each membership level specifies how many people will be admitted on that membership card. For example, a Morton 1-level membership admits only the member, while a Morton 4-level membership admits up to four individuals, including the member, each day.

Members may purchase up to two $5 discounted add-on admission tickets per day beyond their admission benefit for friends and family who visit with them. Those who accompany members using $5 discounted add-on admission tickets should arrive in the same vehicle or in a vehicle directly behind the member.

Discounted $5 add-on admissions and additional full-priced general admissions may be purchased in advance online or at the gatehouse by the member.

The email address you’re logging in with may not match the email address we have on file for your membership record. Please email membersmail@mortonarb.org for assistance.

To renew your membership online, you will need both your membership number (found on your membership card) and the last name of the primary cardholder on your membership account. Sign in to the portal, click the “renew” button, and follow the prompts.

For a copy of your membership receipt or transaction record for tax purposes please email membersmail@mortonarb.org.

To purchase a gift membership online, select a membership level for your gift recipient. Then follow the prompts and complete your transaction. You may also purchase a gift membership on-site by visiting the Member Services Desk in the Arboretum’s Visitor Center, or by calling the Membership Hotline at 630-719-2453, which is available daily from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The Arboretum offers free admission to all active-duty servicemen and women as well as free admission to veterans on Veterans Day each year. The Morton 1 level membership provides a cost-conscious option for seniors, students, and others on a budget.

To see if your company is a corporate partner of the Arboretum, or if you qualify for a corporate membership discount, please check the Arboretum corporate partners list, or contact your company’s Human Resources office.  To offer employees the benefits of membership, consider a corporate partnership with the Arboretum.

Gatehouse staff are not able to look up member numbers. A membership card must be shown with your timed-entry pass. The Membership Hotline 630-719-2453 is available from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily to look up card numbers or to request replacement membership cards (calls will be returned within 48 hours). There is a $5 fee for cards to be reprinted.

The cost of membership to The Morton Arboretum is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. The value of benefits received is insubstantial and the cost of membership is fully deductible. Please consult your tax advisor.

Member contact information may be updated by emailing membersmail@mortonarb.org or by calling the Membership Hotline 630-719-2453 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily (calls will be returned within 48 hours). To expedite your request, please include your membership identification number (located on your membership card) as well as the information you would like to update. Please note that at this time, member record updates are not able to be completed through the online member portal.

Membership at The Morton Arboretum includes reciprocal admission to gardens that are part of the American Horticultural Society’s Reciprocal Garden Network. The Reciprocal Garden Network allows members of public gardens to visit other participating gardens free of charge.

Those who are members of participating public gardens and who have one name on their membership cards are eligible to be reimbursed for up to two general admission tickets each time they visit The Morton Arboretum (for one member and one other person). Those with two or more names on their membership cards for other public gardens will be reimbursed only for those named on the card. Reciprocal benefits do not extend to special event tickets.

To receive the benefit, purchase general admission tickets in advance online and then bring your receipt and membership card or other membership identification to the Visitor Services desk in the Visitor Center between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. for a refund. If you have questions, please email tickets@mortonarb.org or call 630-725-2066 between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Check to see if your garden membership is part of the program.

Please note that The Morton Arboretum does not honor reciprocal admission for members of gardens with 90 miles, other than the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Members of qualifying reciprocal gardens are eligible for up to two (2) free general daytime admission tickets each visit. Reciprocal benefits do not extend to special event tickets. Free passes or discounts for special category visitors such as reciprocal garden members require that timed-entry tickets be purchased online, and a request for refund be made at the Visitor Center between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

The reciprocal benefit applies to members of reciprocating gardens that are 90 miles or more from The Morton Arboretum. This is in accordance with the guidelines of the AHS reciprocity program. The exception is the Chicago Botanic Garden.

The Nonprofit Access Membership Program provides eligible local nonprofit organizations a cost-effective option for program participants to visit the Arboretum.

Learn more about program participation and eligibility.

A digital membership card is an electronic version of your Morton Arboretum membership card that can be easily downloaded and stored in your Apple or Android smartphone’s wallet. It provides access to all of the same member benefits in a digital format, including convenient gatehouse access, free entry passes, Acorn Express Tram vouchers, and member gift vouchers. In-person discounts in The Arboretum Store and the Gingko Restaurant and Café are also available by presenting your digital membership card.

Please note, $5 discount admission tickets for accompanying guest will not be delivered to your digital membership card. Ticket confirmations will continue to be sent by email.

Simple instructions for downloading a digital membership card will be emailed within three to five days when a current member renews or when a new member joins. More information will be shared with current members when they receive their renewal notice before their membership is set to expire.

The Morton Arboretum is committed to its mission of conservation and sustainability. Digital membership cards are an eco-friendly option. They help conserve trees by reducing the Arboretum’s use of paper and reduce the carbon footprint by eliminating printing and mailed delivery.

Not only are digital membership cards a greener option, they also deliver your member benefits sooner. Links to download your digital cards and vouchers are delivered to your email inbox within three to five days time instead of waiting two to three weeks for printing and mailing.

Digital cards also help keep your member benefits at your fingertips; no more hunting for lost cards, passes or vouchers!

Digital membership card download links and instructions will be emailed to the primary member’s email address within three to five days of the membership renewal or purchase. The primary member can forward the email to the second named member, who may use the same links to add the digital card and any vouchers to their smartphone wallet.

Yes, traditional, physical cards will still be available upon request. Members can select the physical card option by completing a physical card request form linked within the email containing the digital membership card download instructions, calling the Membership Hotline at 630-719-2453, or emailing membersmail@mortonarb.org. Traditional, physical cards will arrive by mail two to three weeks after purchase.

Please contact the Membership Hotline at 630-719-2453 or email membersmail@mortonarb.org.

Virtual Outreach Programs are available by grade level for Pre-K through 8th grade. Hour-long live programs aligned to Next Generation Science Standards are conducted on Zoom with an Education Program Guide for a nominal fee. Prerecorded virtual visit videos that explore different areas of the Arboretum are included in the free Virtual Learning Bundles.

The Arboretum offers a Youth Science Education Outreach Grant to schools serving 40% or more low-income families, according to the Illinois Report Card. Grant applications open in late May or early June and are first come, first served. For inquiries, please email mkuhl-horbin@mortonarb.org or call 630-725-2118.

Teachers and teachers-in-training from preschool through college can visit The Morton Arboretum with free admission on Teacher Tuesdays (any Tuesday between June 4 through September 24, 2024). Information about requesting tickets and answers to Frequently Asked Questions are available here. To ensure you are on the Arboretum’s educator email list, please send your contact information to the school programs specialist at mkuhl-horbin@mortonarb.org.

Discovery Bins, or Teacher Checkout Bins, are FREE loaned resources developed by the Arboretum for teachers to implement in their classroom instruction. Each bin contains materials, tools, lessons, and activities aligned to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Bins are organized by grade level and are aligned with the Arboretum’s field trip offerings. To check out a bin or for more information, visit Classroom Items for Loan.

A variety of programs are offered by grade level in both guided and self-guided formats. Full day (9:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.) and half day (9:30 a.m.–11:00 a.m. or 11:45 a.m.–1:15 p.m.) programs are available for all grade levels. Lab field trip programs can be added to half day guided field trips for grades 3 and up to make the experience a full day program. Guided options can be combined with self-guided options to create both facilitated and free exploration experiences. Full day field trips (guided or self-guided or a guided combination) are $14 per student, with a $30 registration fee. Half day guided field trips are $10 per student, with a $15 registration fee. Self-guided field trips (full or half day) are $8 per student, with a $15 registration fee.

To arrange a field trip, complete a request form on the grade level page of field trip offerings. Registration for fall field trips (September–early November) opens in early August, for spring (April–May) in early January, and for summer (June–August) in early May. Registration for field trips should be completed at least four weeks in advance of when you would like to visit. After the request form has been submitted, the registration office will contact you within two weeks regarding date availability and program selection. Payment for your field trip is required three weeks prior to your visit.

Three free adult chaperones or teachers per 20 students may attend your field trip. For example, for 21 students, you may bring six free adult teachers or chaperones. There is a fee for additional chaperones. Contact the registrar’s office for more information (630) 719-2468, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. or by emailing them at registrar-ed@mortonarb.org.

Due to the volume of students and visitors on any given day, it is recommended that you arrive at your scheduled arrival time so we can best accommodate your group.

We recommend that groups bring brown bag lunches for their field trip. Box lunch options are only available through the Arboretum’s exclusive caterer, Ginkgo Catering. Ordering boxed lunches through Ginkgo Catering is separate from field trip registration procedures and limited availability may apply.

We offer a number of educator courses. Browse our Learning for Teachers page.

Those are the results of prescribed burns (also called controlled burns), an essential practice for restoring and maintaining healthy natural areas at the Arboretum. Trained stewards use safe techniques to burn dead stalks and undergrowth. This practice is essential to the health of native plants and the birds and other wildlife that depend on them. Forests managed with controlled burns are not only healthier, but safer. Without periodic controlled burns, dry, dead undergrowth builds up and eventually can provide fuel for dangerous forest fires.

Small areas are burned at a time in a very controlled way. The stewards who conduct the burns are highly trained and use special safety equipment. A technician uses a special torch to burn away the undergrowth in a small area, while others help extinguish the fire as soon as it is safe and has done its work. The flames stay low and contained. Ideally, the fires go out by themselves, but technicians are always nearby to douse them if needed.

Burns are only conducted when the weather is appropriate, with no high winds to spread the fire or blow smoke off the site. Arboretum guests do not have access to areas with active burns. Every controlled burn at the Arboretum has the required permits.

The Environmental Protection Agency has found that smoke from prescribed burns has no significant effect on air quality.

Prescribed burns are done only when there is dead, dried plant material that is not wet from rain or snow. Most burns are undertaken in early spring, when dead stalks and leaves are still on the ground but spring rains have not yet started. Some are done in autumn, after trees’ leaves have fallen but before it snows. Burns are only done on days with little wind, when no rain or snow is forecast.

Fire is a normal part of the life cycle of natural ecosystems in many areas of the United States. Before non-Native settlers inhabited the Midwest, Indigenous Peoples used fire to burn prairies and woodlands. Non-Native settlers, however, did not use fire, which allowed invasive plants and other woody vegetation to grow thick in natural areas beginning in the late 1800s. In the last half-century, scientists who study ecology have come to understand how crucial fire is to maintaining prairie and oak-dominated woodland ecosystems. The Arboretum recognizes the importance of Indigenous ecological knowledge and seeks to better incorporate it into its work and understanding of this landscape.

The Arboretum has been conducting controlled burns on the prairie since the 1960s and throughout its other natural areas, including woodlands, since the 1980s.

Burns help control many weedy and invasive plants that compete with native plants. In spring, the black soil that is left after a burn absorbs sunlight and warms up quickly, so seeds can germinate and native plants can start growing. The ash from burned plants recycle nutrients back to the soil.

Within two to three weeks in spring, prairie plants will sprout and grow back taller, more vigorous, and often with more flowers. When a prescribed burn is done on the forest floor, wildflowers are usually more abundant the next spring. If you look closely, you may see evidence of fire, such as lightly charred fallen logs, but in general, burns make the woods and the prairie more green and beautiful.

The fire consumes only the dried-out top growth, which has already died. The roots and growing points of the plants are still alive, safe underground, ready to sprout once the ground is cleared by the fire. Since these native plants evolved with fire, they are well adapted to regular burning. Some plants’ seeds even need fire to sprout.

Oak trees, which dominate our woodlands, have thick, fire-resistant bark and tolerate fires as a normal part of their life cycle. Controlled burns in the woods do burn away many small tree seedlings, but this helps keep the woodlands open and filled with sunlight, which helps other saplings grow. Burning conserves the forest ecosystem overall.

Prescribed burning is a fundamental and widespread practice for managing natural areas. Burns are conducted in many state and national parks, forest preserves, national forests, and other natural areas.

The Arboretum offers classes through its Natural Areas Conservation Training (N-ACT) Program.