Visit the Arboretum

Discounted Admission

Providing opportunities for all to affordably visit.

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The Morton Arboretum is committed to providing opportunities for visitors to affordably access 1,700 acres of trees and nature.

The Arboretum offers free admission on select holidays, including Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Discount and Affordability Programs

 

DuPage County Resident Discount

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

To receive this discount, buy general admission tickets online and select the appropriate amount of DuPage resident tickets to add to your cart. If you purchase tickets on arrival, let the gatehouse attendant know you are a DuPage County resident before purchasing admission. Proof of registration may be requested onsite.

The Wednesday discounted admission price applies to adults, seniors, and children who live in DuPage County. Admission for children 3 years and younger is free.

Members of the Arboretum can enter any day without purchasing general admission tickets. Members also enjoy special access to the Arboretum between 7:00 and 9:00 a.m. and receive discounts on special events tickets and registration costs for education classes. Become a member today.

Military Personnel and Blue Star Museums Discounts

Active Duty

The Arboretum provides free admission for active-duty military members and their families. Eligible guests need to present a valid military or military family ID at the gatehouse.

Veteran’s Day

Veterans and those who accompany them to The Morton Arboretum in the same vehicle do not need to purchase general admission tickets and will be admitted free of charge on Veteran’s Day. A day spent at the Arboretum is a great way to celebrate being together, find moments of peace in nature, and share a sense of the beauty of our country.

Museums for All

The Morton Arboretum partners with the Museums for All program to offer an affordable admission option.

The Museums for All program allows Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cardholders to obtain discount admission at participating institutions including The Morton Arboretum.

Online

Museums for All guests may purchase discounted $1 general admission tickets online by using the Arboretum’s website. First choose the date of your visit, then the number of tickets under Museums for All. A credit or debit card is required for online ticket purchases.

By Phone

Guests may also call 630-725-2066 in advance to request this ticket type. Advance notice is encouraged. Phone hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. seven days a week.

Guests will show both their EBT card and their Arboretum admission tickets at the gatehouse for entry. Since peak days may sell out, advance planning is recommended.

Scholarships for Learning Opportunities

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 course or program at the Arboretum. To request a scholarship, please email the Arboretum Registrar’s Office at least three business days before the program begins.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Museums for All Program

  • Museums for All is a cooperative initiative between the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) to encourage increased and regular museum attendance by low-income and underserved families.

  • Through the Arboretum’s participation in the Museums for All program, Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cardholders may obtain $1 discounted general admission tickets (up to eight tickets) in advance of their visits.

    • Online: Guests may purchase their tickets online by visiting the Arboretum website. First choose the date and time of your visit, then the number of tickets labeled “Museums for All.” A credit or debit card is required for ticket purchases.
    • Email: Guests may email tickets@mortonarb.org with their desired date, time, and the number of tickets, as well as a phone number so a staff member can reach out to finalize the order. Advance notice is encouraged. Emails are returned between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. seven days a week.
    • Phone: Guests may also call 630-725-2066 in advance to request this ticket type. Advance notice is encouraged. Phone hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. seven days a week.

    Guests will show their EBT card and general admission tickets at the gatehouse for entry. It is important to note that peak times may sell out, advance planning is recommended.

  • Admission through Museums for All includes access to the Arboretum’s 1,700 acres, including the award-winning four-acre Children’s Garden, with engaging and interactive spaces and activities designed to foster a love of trees and the outdoors. Guests can also enjoy hiking, biking, or driving through the Arboretum’s beautiful landscapes and natural areas and attending select special events and festivals throughout the year.

    Ticketed events, tram tours, snowshoe and ski rentals, and purchases at The Arboretum Store or Ginkgo Restaurant are not included in the Museums for All admission program.

  • The Museums for All admission program is available every day during current hours of operation. The Museums for All program does not apply to ticketed special events.

    Call the ticket line at 630-968-0074 for additional details. A complete list of building hours and holiday closures is available on the Arboretum’s website. All hours are weather permitting, and admission is not refundable.

  • The Morton Arboretum feels strongly that everyone should have access to nature, and we are always looking for ways to engage everyone to be a champion of trees. Partnering with Museums for All allows us to reach a wider audience to inspire even more people to love trees and build support for a greener, healthier, more beautiful world, where people and trees thrive together.

Museums on Us

The Morton Arboretum partners with Bank of America’s Museums on Us program.

At this time, Bank of America cardholders may obtain free General Admission on the first full weekend of the month by purchasing tickets online, then bringing your receipt to the Visitor Services desk in the Visitor Center during open hours on the day of your visit for a refund. Offer not good for ticketed special events. If you have questions, please email tickets@mortonarb.org or call 630-725-2066 between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Nonprofit Access Membership Program

The Morton Arboretum’s Nonprofit Access Membership Program provides local nonprofit organizations serving vulnerable populations a cost-effective option for program participants to visit the Arboretum.

Eligible organizations are encouraged to apply online by completing the Nonprofit Access Membership Program inquiry form.

Eligible organizations will:

  • Be registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
  • Seek to provide enrichment activities for those they serve through non-facilitated, self-guided access to the Arboretum’s grounds
  • Provide direct service to people in DuPage, Will, Cook, and Kane counties
  • Agree to meet the program’s entry requirements
  • Serve vulnerable populations that experience obstacles to nature and its many benefits

Organizations that do not meet the eligibility requirements are encouraged to contact the registrar’s office to schedule group admissions, field trips, and other activities at a low group rate.

Reciprocal Admission Programs

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.