The Morton Arboretum

I visited Illumination at the Morton Arboretum this past weekend and honestly walked away pretty disappointed. For $40 a person, I expected something far more immersive and spectacular. At best, this should’ve been a $20 experience and that’s me being generous. Getting in and out was super easy, which I appreciated, but once you’re actually on the mile-long walking path, the excitement drops off fast. You’d think along such a long trail there would be extravagant displays, synchronized lights, or at least some sections that really “wow” you. Instead, there were long stretches of nothing but darkness, broken up by the occasional small, messy-looking illumination that didn’t feel worth stopping for. The “ornament ball” area was especially disappointing, it was literally just blinding white lights, not festive or magical at all. It felt like they phoned in some of the biggest spots that should have been showstoppers. If you’re deciding between holiday light displays, I highly recommend choosing the Botanic Gardens Christmas lights instead. They put on a far more impressive, detailed, and immersive experience that actually feels worth the money. Morton Arboretum’s Illumination wasn’t terrible… it just wasn’t worth anywhere near $40 per person. Save your cash and go somewhere that delivers.

We were driving through the area and saw the big snail and had to stop! We were not disappointed. This trip we only had time to do the walking path around the visitor center and up to the snail, even that was gorgeous. We went in mid-November so the colors were all gone, but there were the light display up. We plan to comeback and enjoy the light display at night!

I've been a member AMD have going here for yrs. I love all the events that they provide throughout the yr. I enjoy walking though the Arboretum it's so peaceful and enjoy finding the Artwork from different artists through out the years. Everyone who works there are so friendly and helpful. I recommend going if you enjoy nature. They have a cute area for kids and a hedge maze. I enjoy bringing family and friends from it of town here when they come to visit.

This a gorgeous place to visit! So much land to cover. Lots of beautiful flowers and trees. Path ways are clear. Lots of places for picnics. It's fun to search for the structures throughout your journey! My cons about this place are the reason why I gave 3 stars. The tram train was not running...I feel a discount should have been given because that was the 1 thing I was looking forward to doing there. Secondly, we met friends there and our friends didn't enter the park until after 5pm...the park closes at sunset which was 7:10pm the day we went. So they paid 25.00 each person for about an hour and a half of being able to visit. Just thinking it would be ideal to offer a half price rate on entry for the last 2 hours they are open. You can barely drive through the property in an hour and a half. The east side has the beautiful sunset by the water and that is really pretty. I'd go back only if I had the whole day to spend there because 25.00 a person for a couple hours is a bit steep.

This was our first experience with the park. The wait time to enter the park on a really nice weather was around 20 minutes. Then it took another 10 minutes to find a parking space. The park is huge and offers a lot of attractions for kids. Tens of miles of trails for walkers or bike riders. A huge pavillion with a place to sit down and get a refreshement. A nice kids garden and a large maze for everyone. I liked everything about it. The price of admission for non-members is significant. It is better to become an annual member.

Loved it there, a lot of fun for kids. Loved the labyrinth and there was also a Spanish legacy day and music played everywhere. Huge territory, loved that they have it organised, so you can drive to different locations and enjoy beautiful views on fields with trees and bushes.

I went to Friday's Illumibrew as the designated driver. The lights and music were amazing and beautiful! The weather was so perfect! I'm very glad we went early.... As we were leaving, it became VERY crowded. It was hard to make out way out and the lines for the beer were INSANELY LONG!! I must express a concern I have though. Those who were drinking were given a card with numbers that were to be crossed off as they sampled each beer. The friend I was with who was drinking got several beers without having a number crossed off. I'm guessing there were a lot of people that were very drunk! I was also concerned at the lack of designated drivers that I saw. I hope there were no accidents that night. It really is a beautiful setting!

A glorious fall day, we hiked a couple miles to a stand of gorgeous maple trees. There is a map and trail signs to help you find your way. The visitor center is large and accommodating with a small take out restaurant and lots of outdoor seating. There are also fanciful scattered statues of animals.

We always have a great visit at the arboretum... from trips through the maze and kid's area to wandering the expansive grounds, and eating lunch and hosting parties, this is a great spot. Illumination is also wonderful - though a smidge pricey. We've hosted events and visited countless times over the years and have never had a bad time. The staff is really friendly as are the volunteers (and I know they have a lot of volunteers who visitors see throughout the grounds). Good options in the cafe are nice and extensive from hot items to cold sandwiches - and even wine options. Their fall fest is fun with plenty of spots for snacks and also glass pumpkin viewing on some special days. Overall, a lovely spot and open EVERY day of the year if you're looking for something to do!

*This review is for Illumination Lights specifically as I have not been here during other times of the year*. I attended the lights show this year and it was my first time at the morton arboretum. Although the lights were pretty & nice, and can tell what hard work employees/workers put into it, it just wasn't an optimal experience for me. It was very crowded and it's a decent walk just to get to the entrance. Once you're there, you have to follow the guided path. It was almost so crowded you felt like being pushed along rather than being able to leisurely walk and enjoy. There are a few spots for picture taking along the way but we found more luck taking group photo at the very end of the walk. The lines for confession were fairly long. I personally prefer light displays where I can walk around wherever and not have to follow a path. I think the venue did a great job having guided parking & the venue was well maintained. I say if you've never been here so give it a try. It all just depends on what you prefer!

The Morton Arboretum is a Great Way to Spend an Afternoon Exploring Nature! Lived in Illinois for over 45 years and this was our first time visit to the Morton Arboretum. I had to convince the Hubby to take the 1 hour drive but, upon arrival it was well worth spending a beautiful Sunday afternoon at the Arboretum! We visited on a one day that Dogs are allowed into the Arboretum and WOW, there were tons of Dogs with their parents! There were Exhibitors selling Dog treats, toys, accessories, Rescue Organizations and Educational Tents for Guests to visit. TOP 5 Things to Do To Prepare For Your Visit: #5. Wear layers of clothing and comfortable shoes. #4. If Hiking, recommend bug spray. #3. There are several Bathrooms located by the Visitor Center and some are scattered on the West side. We prefer indoor plumbing, highly recommend using the Bathrooms by the Visitor Center. #2. Bring plenty of water and snacks. #1. Purchase Tickets Online before you arrive. After entering the Arboretum and having your tickets scanned, attendants will direct you to a parking lot. If this is your first visit, I highly recommend spending the extra $ for a narrated Tram Tour. Tickets can be purchased inside the Visitor Center. Larry was our Guide for the next hour and he was super informative about the history of the Arboretum, the different trees and the Morton (SALT) Family. There are actually 2 sides to the Arboretum: East (primary) and West (Hiking). After our Tram tour we refueled with a snack purchased from the outdoor food venue. We then walked around the different Gardens surrounding the Visitor Center. This is wear comfy shoes and water come into play. You can keep walking and walking until you are now on the west side of the Arboretum. We decided to drive and visit the West side by car. Much faster. If you like hiking and exploring nature, I recommend at least 3 -4+ hours at the Arboretum!

We're members of Morton and visit several times a year. It's beautiful in all seasons but fall is probably the best. The place is enormous and it seems no matter how long we're there, we missed so much and leave happily fatigued. The main visitors center is on the east side and is close to the entrance so first time visitors should really stop there and take some short strolls nearby - check out the beautiful conifer loop and the grand garden. The restaurant is open on weekends and the food is surprisingly good. We love getting a salad and their excellent house made chips and then sitting inside next to the floor to ceiling windows overlooking the meadow lake. We really enjoy the west side which tends to be less crowded. The far end has a large parking lot with flush toilets and a water filling station (no water at that stop in the winter). Lake Marmo is beautiful although usually the most crowded area of the west side. We also love parking by the gateway to tree science Ont he east side and walking among the maples. This is a far less sunny hike and takes us straight to the woodland ltrail. The gift shop has a variety of items from kitchen goods to clothing to home decor and it changes seasonally. Highly recommend going!

We are members of the Arboretum and absolutely recommend it! The grounds are open 365 days a year, and it is a very expansive space to go for a leisurely stroll or a more intense run. We also really love all the special events they host, like Illuminations, the wine tasting, Easter brunch, and Valentines Day dinner. Would definitely check it out, even if on the pricy end, because everything goes towards preserving this beautiful natural landmark!

I love this place. Winter season is an especially nice time to come! Visited with my whole side of the family for illumination yesterday evening. From wheelchair bound grandma to 2 year old toddlers we all had a great time even with it being 15 degrees out. Standouts included the boozy hot chocolate and the toddlers annihilated a huge rice crispy treat. We will be back!

I love The Morton Arboretum! My wife and I became members this years since moving into the area and so happy that we did. The arboretum is literally right off the expressway so it's always easy to get there and entering can sometimes take awhile if it's busy but usually parking is very accessible. The grounds are spread out and most people seem to walk around the visitors center & lake but once you get further out on the trails is when it feels more secluded. There are plenty of hikes/trails to choose from and you can park at different trail heads instead of the main parking lot so it's easy to get back to your car after a long day. I love that every time I visit I find another area to explore that I hadn't found before. Morton Arboretum is a must when in the Chicagoland area!

Easy parking for the eats or west side, with plenty of ADA parking near the areas with sidewalks and areas easies to use wheel chairs or other mobility aids. There is so much to see on both sides, including large art installations. Something to do all year around and plenty of events. The cost of a membership pays for itself pretty quick and includes parking and can be used at the Chicago botanical gardens for a good variety of sights. The cost of Illuminations is more than the quality of the lights. It was a lot of walking, music that was not synced with the lights and was mostly underwhelming, especially for the cost.

While visiting friends we decided that just having dinner wasn't enough, so we made the trip to the arboretum for the Christmas light show. It was beautiful, and easy walk, and a really fun time. Plus the staff and volunteers were friendly and helpful. This may have to be a new holiday tradition!

Thank you so much for this amazing park! It's absolutely huge and incredibly beautiful. We've visited three times already, and each time we can't manage to explore it all. The atmosphere is so cozy and stylish, everything is always neat, well-maintained, and thoughtfully designed. It's especially nice that there are no crowds, and although you don't see the staff around, their hard work is evident everywhere - everything is stylish, beautiful, and perfectly cared for!

The Morton Arboretum Saw the awesome pictures online and had to come by. We were disappointed to know most of the sculptures/art were removed. Sad. Was really interested in seeing the huge wooden woman with the open chest. We did enjoy the current sculptures/art that was available in 2024. Very crowded place. Not enough parking. They have an overflow parking but the area is just too tight. We are from Michigan so we have something similar to this place called "Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park". Both places provide beautiful sculptures/art. Both are unique in their own way. Highly Recommended

This review is based off of the illumination tree lights experience. I am bummed to be rating this a generous 3. This year seemed off for them. The walk through is backwards compared to all other years. There seemed to a lot less lights/exhibits as well. Throughout the whole experience people were constantly speaking to how it felt 'dumbed down' and 'cheap' compared to past years. The positives from this - the trail itself is a nice walk through, there are plenty of lights and several concession stands for hot chocolate. Some of the exhibits have music and somewhat sync with the lights. The music throughout was very mellow and calm, it gave off a chill and relaxing Christmas light experience. Be sure to bundle up! The whole experience is outdoors.

Came for a girls night out and wanted to check out the lights. I've never been to the arboretum before and was so excited to see the lights! I paid $35.50 for an adult and $23.25 for a child ticket. If you're new to the lights, like me, it's a long walk through of lights with two stops for hot chocolate and treats along the way. Some of the lights had interactive options for kids so they can press a button and see the lights change which was pretty cool. It was FREEZING but we really enjoyed the concession stop for some warmth. Concessions were a little pricy but I was expecting that. Hot chocolate cup was $7 (yikes) but a HUGE brownie was $5 so I guess that balanced everything out lol they did have some alcohol options (see the pic) and the peppermint schnapps was 10/10! I LOVED that they had the option to buy a smore kit and u could roast your marshmallow outside in the fire pit they have. Prices at the gift shop were expensive, I expected that. But my teenager didn't think they needed a jacket and since we left the house in a rush I didn't notice she didn't bring one and had to buy one there - $170! Please don't make the same mistake I did lol Not the arboretums fault at all but maybe get some cuter coats that don't cost that much lol Parking was a breeze but it's a long walk - wear comfy shoes! Overall we LOVED the lights and had a great experience! Just took one star off because I was expecting a little more with the lights (maybe a cool light show or something cool to watch on the water) but we still had a great time!

Very beautiful to see! Check different nights for best prices!! Dress warm wear gym shoes you walk about 1 1/2 miles!! Usually crowded!! Lots of great volunteers Great for families!!

We went for an event on a cold day, so I can't wait to return on a warm day. This is such a beautiful place. We went on a guided tour and our guide was so pleasant. I loved his passion for his work. They don't charge for parking, which was a nice surprise! We parked and had to use the porta potty...it's the cleanest I've ever experienced. The gift shop was way overpriced!

Visited for their Tails on the Trails (dog friendly) day and loved it. If you're not a member, it's required to obtain timed-entry admission online (can arrive within an hour after your designated time) - the adult pass was $17 and it was an extra $5 for my pup. I didn't do much research before going, and was surprised by how massive the park is - I think if I spent the entire day walking around, I still might not see everything. I would definitely pack a lunch or snacks next time, as there are plenty of picnic areas. Thank goodness I brought water because counterintuitively, many of the trails were in full sun (we were there from 11 am to 1 pm). But I really enjoyed the "Of the Earth" exhibit they had, with sculptures scattered throughout the park. And the facilities were great - they have everything you need. I would love to return when the trees are changing colors later in the season and also to check out the light show during the holidays.

Remarkable area to visit for a walk along paths, to see amazing sculpture, enjoy a meal on your visit and maybe find a treasure in the gift shop. Well preserved beauty in a garden and natural setting.

This is located very close to me. I believe it's $17 for an adult if you're a non member. Since these are timed entries, you have to select a time to arrive. Parking is included with admission. There is an abundance of parking spots in the main visitor center. However, some areas have limited parking when you move away from the visitor center. They had a lot of intriguing, picturesque exhibitions over the years like trolls, insects, etc. I recommend coming on a weekday to avoid the crowds on the weekend, nobody likes having people photo bomb their pictures. They have food and drinks at Gingko restaurant and cafe. The food is actually very decent with a large dining room. You can also find a maze garden and children's garden

I wasn't sure what I was getting into but it was worth it! Multiple paths to walk on! Definitely suggest to use a map especially when looking for the statues. If you're an avid walker and want to walk the 16 miles go for it! If not, you may drive around the loop to check out the art (you will have to get out and walk a little). There are signs all around if you do choose to do some walking. I believe someone told me the art does change every 3 months (season).

I absolutely LOVE the Morton Arboretum! My favorite time to go is definitely during Illumination! The trees and lights are absolutely stunning and mesmerizing. There are plenty of paths and there are play areas for kids as well. They also have a nice gift shop and a dining area. If you haven't been to the Morton Arboretum yet, you should definitely go! Super fun and enjoyable for everyone of all ages.

BRIGHT LIGHTS--DIMMED DOWN EXPERIENCE. This is a review and rating of the Illumibeer and Illumination Event 2024. The event this year was a major disappointment And fell short of Earlier years. First, unlike previous years, the event was limited to one night rather than two. This resulted in unacceptably long lines for beer samples and an uncomfortably crowded pathway through many areas of the Illumination displays. Secondly, the map of the vendors' locations with their selection of brews was not available ahead of time, and it could only be seen online using one's phone. This was inconvenient and difficult to manage outside in the dark especially with senior eye sight. Porta Potties also should have had a light source for nighttime use. Seeing where to aim would help keep them cleaner. Lastly, the Illumination light displays seemed to decrease in number and complexity compared to the earlier years of this event. This year the music and displays were ho-hum, pared down, and simplified. I do want to give a shout-out to the numerous volunteers who helped the event operations run smoothly from arrival through departure. Their service was greatly appreciated and helpful. My husband and I have been members of the arboretum for many years and visit frequently for daytime hiking during the year. I give the Arboretum 5 stars for hiking and daytime visits and encourage others to visit and become members. But, for the Illumibeer and Illumination our rating is a disappointing 2 stars. I suggest others who have visited Illumination during a prior year, consider spending their money on something different this year.

The environment's design is fluid and organized. It's a nice spot to read a good book, go for a walk, or have a picnic.

We bought our tickets online thinking it was going to be sunny out however day of it was rainy. BEST OUTCOME EVER. We visited the maze as well as the children's garden and the rainy day made it beyond fun. The rain made all the plants and trees smell so fresh. Plenty of beautiful scenery and activities for both adults and children! We are excited to come back when it's rainy!

The Arboretum is a good place to go during the Summer when the weather is good. It has dog admission the third Sunday of every month. I love walking my three dogs on the high quality trails in this park! Membership is only $75/year.

Beautiful escape from the suburban hustle. This gem of ecological conservation has an amazing value membership that brightens my life. The community is lucky to have a place like this that hosts such great programs and has well taken care of facilities. I always make sure to take out of town visitors here when they visit in order to show off the beautiful gardens. Something here for all types of nature lovers! Price for entry without membership does get expensive though so consider the upgrade if you visit more than a couple times.

Just an amazing place and you need to drive to go to the different areas. There are 5 intriguing sculptures done by a Polish artist and they are amazing. You can get your steps in for the day as you will need a day to see a lot. I loved the labyrinth and we saw a sycamore caterpillar there! The gift shop is lovely and well designed.

Illumination! We had to re-schedule our trip here for this exhibit when a relative was unable to travel, and we had the cold snap, but that worked out because we went on a cheaper day, and my party received a partial refund. The parking was fine, there were a lot of people out on Wednesday evening. We had to stop and eat first, and the food (slightly overpriced) was fine, as well as the drinks. (my party enjoyed the spiked hot chocolate! Hey ya gotta stay warm..) the flatbread and pumpkin soup was good. I got tea to drink on the trail, didn't care much for it, but it was hot. The place was nicely organized, and there were signs to tell us where to go to keep up with Illuminations. The light exhibit and layout of the grounds was great. There were live fires burning (with attendants of course) and concession shops scattered throughout to warm up and hydrate/nosh. I did not look for or ask about restrooms on the route. The use of music was great too, sometimes the lights and music were choreographed. I was not really happy with the 'extra' funds from the 4th ticket. (there were 3 of us). We only had the option of releasing the ticket for someone else, or considering it a 'donation'! Why cant they give us a gift shop or cafeteria credit? We checked out the gift shop, and one of our party liked the knit hat with the light on top. I'd still like to go back in the summer/fall. It'd be a blast to compare this to Chicago Botanic Garden!

Last winter we went to The Illumination event at The Morton Arboretum with my husband's family and had so much fun we went again last night. I love all of the beautiful lights and the festive music. It's SO pretty. We live in Denver and only make it our a couple of times every year but one if these trips I'd love to visit the arboretum in the summer. It was pretty cold last night and my toddler fell asleep in the car on the way over (NOOOO!) and woke up cranky. My husband and I made it about half way through and had to leave early since he crankiness only got worse as he got colder but we enjoyed the parts we saw. We left the rest of his family sipping spiked hot chocolate and roasting marshmallows around the fire pits, which looked super awesome.

If you are headed to Chicago and need a detour...this is it. The Morton Arboretum is outside of Chicago...like an hour to hour and a half outside of Chicago...but man its so worth it. I was fortunate enough to catch the Daniel Popper exhibit that is leaving in the Spring of 2023. The sculptors against the background of the beautiful trees was breathtaking. A week later and I probably would have been able to catch the beautiful fall foliage but while I was there it was still relatively green. The space is beautiful, calming but there is a good amount of walking, though you can drive to your favorite spots for those who may have mobility challenges. When you visit the arboretum, bring a lunch and block your whole day..its huge but there's a beautiful lake and so many amazing walking paths. Just take a break from the city and visit this space and exhale.

Great way to spend a beautiful fall day! Wonderful large open wide space and the only downside is it's such a wide open large space. Wish I could have covered more ground in the three hours my family spent here. It's so much beauty with so many vast areas to explore. I can't wait to come back. Totally makes sense that people get memberships here. Now let me give you the review from my 11 and 9 year old daughters...."it's boring. Can we watch the iPad instead?!?" Great place to return without said children. Most people I think would find it moderately entertaining at least.

I wish we had come during the summer but still lots to see when we visited around Thanksgiving. After walking around on foot for half an hour or so, we soon gave in to how chilly it was outside and decided it was time to chill inside. Most of their facilities (besides the main building area with the gift shop and bistro) were closed off/unavailable. There's a quick grab and go service for snacks/pastries, coffee and hot chocolate or if you would rather take a moment to sit and enjoy the view while grabbing a bite from their bistro. If you have time, I would recommend the latter. The gift shop was nice and for whatever reason I was in dire need of socks and found a cute pair of kids socks that seemed to do the trick. I also remember needing to go to the ladies room and the staff that greeted me at directed to me towards outside towards the other building. After we ate, I realized there was a restroom much closer next to the cafe. Before we left, I convinced the group to drive around the estate. There are plenty of art installations (some were permanent and others were seasonal placed for Illumination event) throughout the place. Not really sure if it was worth the price we paid for the time of year and day we had visited but regardless, we made the most of it.

We come here usually once a year. I would come here more but $16 per person is pretty steep. If you are a family or plan to come a few times, the membership option is most likely the cheapest way to go. The children's garden is great. My 1.5 year old loves it! I also like the large art sculptures scattered throughout the arboretum.

My mom and I decided to go here a few weekends ago, we've never been before but was always curious when we saw it off the highway of 88. When we went it was a requirement that you pre-order your tickets online, as you cannot buy them when you arrive. The park is large and beautiful, with many interactive things to do, while still looking at and appreciating nature. For example, there's a maze garden that is fun to try to work your way through for both children and adults. Now this is A LOT of land to cover. Originally my mother and I planned to walk around to see all the statues, but we soon found out that wasn't going to happen. It was incredibly hot the day we went. Luckily for us, they have a path that cars can drive around to view the whole Park. This was our first time going so we did have some trouble finding where the road started for the cars to drive around, but once we found it we were good to go. Our main objective was to see all the statues they had on display for that day. I think they had 6, but we were only able to find 5. Overall, we had a lovely afternoon. I'm sure they host events all year round. I would highly encourage anyone who has been considering to visit The Morton Arboretum to give it a try. I'm sure you'll be pleased!

Totally not sure why this event only has 2.5 stars. I had the BEST time... it was freezing but they can't control weather. The attendants were all super kind and helpful. They had warming stations throughout. The fire pits... Omgoodness. So good. And the lights were so "enchanting". My totally handsome husband took me for date night and just... so much fun. I was really sad when it was over. I wanted MORE.

I promise, your day will get better after a long hike. The miles of trails are excellent. Hopping off the trails is even better. So much to explore. Nature and woodland creatures. I have seen deer, cranes, and so many birds. The store is the perfect place for gifts. I do my holiday shopping there. And the restaurant used to be amazing but it's more like a snack bar post COVID. It's convenient. I would say anyone if any fitness level would enjoy it. They do have roads that you can drive through for enjoyment or even for someone who needs wheelchair access. The kids area is spectacular. The kids could play for a long time while you enjoy a coffee or a rest. They have so many events that are great, but these days, I just hike. If you go in the spring do not miss the daffodil garden. The east side is my favorite but the west side is more open and vast. Both sides have a lot to offer.

The Morton Arboretum is one of my favorite places outside of the city. You need a car to get there, so I don't get to go often, but when I do get out there, I am never disappointed! Most recently, I went with the hopes of enjoying some fall foliage and I was not let down! The scenery is stunning! Weekends sell out quickly, so I recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment. The Arboretum is huge with miles of scenic walking trails (including accessible routes!) and you are able to drive through the whole property and park intermittently to get out and walk around. The Visitor's Center feels very clean and modern. I love browsing the gift shop and grabbing a scone at the cafe before wandering among the trees. There are plenty of bathrooms sprinkled throughout the property, which are always sparkling clean. When you need to escape the city and get some fresh air and exercise, give the Morton Arboretum a visit! You're in for a treat.

We have visited the Morton Arboretum many times and have always had a wonderful time. The Arboretum is a great place to visit for all ages and seasons. The family membership is the best bang for your buck value-wise if you plan on repeat visits. Trails are stroller accessible and the staff are knowledgeable and helpful. The Arboretum is a beautiful place to explore nature and learn about trees. There are so many things to see and do, from the Children's Garden, to the installations, and hiking trails. The Japanese bonsai garden is spectacular. There is a restaurant and beverages on site (at least during summer months), but they also allow outside food for a nice picnic. We have not been but the Winter Lights are on our list for next Winter. We highly recommend it to anyone who loves trees and nature.

Great place for an immersive experience in nature. Love that you can drive around and stop at different areas, and makes the whole experience more accessible. The areas or "collections" are themed. They also provide some seating to just relax and enjoy the view. The visitor center is right next to the children's park and the garden. Even if it looks like the parking lot is full, the space is so big that you can easily find a quiet place to relax. Certain months may have more flowers and trees blooming so you could also plan accordingly. Highly recommend!!

This is my favorite place ever. We come at least once a month. They have recently updated their food menu and it's all so delicious. I love all the fun events they have! The timed entrance ticket is easy to use and makes it feel like it's not too crowded. Events: Lights-this event is super crowded but beautiful. I really loved when it was drive through. I love love loveeee that they serve alcoholic drinks during it. Japanese festival-super fun and unique experience Art fair-lots of fun to grab a drink and shop Glass Pumpkin- I might regret sharing because this is my favorite event ever.

Spent a Saturday with my family at this beautiful place. I was happy that my sister came out to enjoy the day with me. We walked the park and view the beautiful trees, plants and Art exhibit of Daniel Popper. Be ready to walk a lot but it's so well worth it if you love nature, the scent of the flowers growing here is so soothing and the sculptures around the park are amazing. I highly recommend a visit. You can also, visit the gift shop and get something to snack if your hungry. Price for the park is very affordable too.

Fun! Coyote spotted! I like to climb on sculpture and go in pond with frogies. Yay!!!!!!

I loved the Arboretum in the summer. It is such a scenic and safe place to hike. They have so many awesome summer events and activities, and it's just a cool place to relax. This was the first time I went to Illumination. I loved it! It was crowded, which is to be expected around this time of the year, but the process to enter was very organized, which I definitely appreciate. The walkthrough was just as expected, illuminated with beautiful bright lights, many set to music, and some were interactive. There were a couple of concession areas where you could buy drinks and small food items. I found this especially necessary to warm up with a hot drink. The photo opportunities are plentiful, but make sure you take some time to put the camera away and take in the moment. The ticket price was only $35, which to me is amazing. I know that if you are a member of the Arboretum, all of the special events are discounted, so it definitely is a great value. Parking can be a little bit of a nightmare depending on when you go, but the parking attendants are out directing people to make it as painless as possible. It was a really great experience!

Illumination event Very impressive! Walk thru the decorated park which takes about 2 hours. Incredible what they are able to do.

This place is beautiful with all its greenery, flowers, and ponds. They even have a children area, but be sure to get there before 5pm if you want your children to enjoy this area. I took my 4 year old and she absolutely loved it. Definitely heading back again. However, be prepared to spend at least $17 for adults and $15 for children under 2years. It's worth the cost if you plan to spend most of the day.

Spent an afternoon off work here at the Arboretum. What a pleasant day! We enjoyed checking out the current sculptures and admiring the different trees. Gorgeous grounds. It was a nice "escape" from the daily hustle.

They need a better way to get into the parking lot. It taking too long they should have someone directing traffic

My girlfriend purchased a membership for me in Dec 2021 as a Christmas gift. What a cool gift! I had been to TMA before but found the cost of admission, $16/person to be prohibitive. Now a member, I can bring a friend for free. Another draw back is the "timed entry". Traditionally going visit nature has always been a spontaneous decision, made on a lovely day, but with covid restrictions in place potential guests have to go on line a secure an "entry time". Frequently the available times are several hours out, thus killing the spontaneity of the moment. However, once inside the park, it's lovely. Other than a few children running wild and unsupervised. Urg!

This place is an absolute jewel! You can easily spend a whole day here and not see everything. Take the guided tram tour, walk through the children's garden and make time to do the maze. Discover each larger than life, beautiful, thought provoking Human+Nature sculptures, then have lunch outside taking in views of the pond, trees and birds nearby. Don't forget to make time to hike through your favorite garden sections before leaving!

For the cost of the ticket, I have to say we were a little underwhelmed this year. That being said, it really is a nice little night for the family. Staff were super nice and efficient with navigating the crowd. There is a very clear trail with three or four concession stops along the way. Highly recommend the hot cocoa! They do serve alcohol, too. Each area was themed that you walked through. Our favorite was the "treemagination" where you watch the trees literally come to life. They go through all the seasons and the lights even make the trees look like they're really breathing. We also enjoyed the symphony in the woods with the classical music. We wished there was more Christmas and holiday music overall, we were missing that holiday vibe. Be prepared for lots of walking and wear comfortable shoes. The parking is a short hike from the entrance. We went three days before Christmas and it was pretty packed. It would have been nice to go on a less crowded night. Masks were only required in the visitor center and concession tents.