Know Before You Go: Information and helpful hints for your next visit
The Morton Arboretum Get tickets
Visit the Arboretum

Hours

The Morton Arboretum is open 365 days a year, from 7:00 a.m. to sunset daily (members-only hours 7:00-9:00 a.m. Last entry is one hour before sunset).

Content Detail

Hours of Operation

Many of the Arboretum’s gardens and buildings have their own hours, which vary seasonally and in response to inclement weather. Before you visit, please check your destination’s hours.

  • The Arboretum grounds are open daily, 365 days a year, from 7:00 a.m. to sunset (members-only hours 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. Last entry is one hour before sunset). Members may enter the Arboretum at any time during business hours on any day by showing their current physical or digital membership card at the gatehouse. Guests are encouraged to buy general admission tickets online before arriving at the Arboretum. Purchasing admission takes just a few minutes and can be done with a smartphone or computer. The Arboretum closes at sunset and all visitors must leave the grounds at that time.

  • The grounds are open and free to the public on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day (members-only hours 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. Last entry during winter months is 3:00 p.m., except for Christmas Eve, when the grounds close at 3:00 p.m.).

    All buildings and the Children’s Garden are closed on these dates. Portable restrooms are available throughout the grounds.

    Christmas Eve: Buildings and Children’s Garden open; last entry at 2:00 p.m. (grounds close at 3:00 p.m.). Ginkgo Café is open until 2:00 p.m.

    Christmas Day: Normal hours, free admission; buildings and Children’s Garden closed.

    New Year’s Eve: Normal hours; buildings and Children’s Garden open.

    New Year’s Day: Normal hours; buildings and Children’s Garden open. Gingko restaurant is closed during the day (but open at night for Illumination).

  • The Visitor Center is open daily, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The restrooms inside the Visitor Center are currently open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily and the West Pavilion restrooms are open until sunset. The Visitor Center is closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day; closed at 3:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

  • The Children’s Garden is open daily, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Members are admitted early on Friday, at 9:00 a.m.

    Severe weather or ice and snow removal may close the Children’s Garden temporarily. Please call ahead during snowy or rainy conditions to ensure access. No rainchecks or refunds are given for expected or unexpected weather-related closures in the Children’s Garden.

    The Children’s Garden is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and December 26. The Children’s Garden closes at 3:00 p.m. at Christmas Eve.

  • The Arboretum Store is open daily, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day; closed at 3:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

  • The garden is open daily, 9:30 a.m. to sunset. Please call ahead during snowy or rainy conditions to ensure access.

  • Contact the Plant Clinic or email plantclinic@mortonarb.org to get expert answers to your tree and plant questions.

  • The restaurant is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. Saturday and Sunday hours are 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.

  • An assortment of food and beverages is available for purchase at the Ginkgo Café, open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Open on Christmas Eve until 2:00 p.m.

  • The library is open from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Closed from Saturday, December 21, through Wednesday, January 1.

  • The Thornhill Education Center is open and available for events, programs, and activities by advanced reservation only.