Enjoy Nature in Chicago’s Backyard at The Morton Arboretum

Wander With Wonder - Discovering Wow Moments Around the World or Across the Street
The Morton Arboretum near Chicago gives you a chance to explore nature. Read on for how to make the most of your visit to the beautiful arboretum just minutes from downtown Chicago.
Even though I grew up in a very urban setting on the South side of Chicago , nature has always held a special draw for me. I now pursue that connection with hiking and exploring botanical gardens and arboretums. In the summer of 2022, to complete my certification as a nature therapy guide, I participated in a three-day immersion at the Morton Arboretum. I have lived in the desert climate of Scottsdale , Arizona, for almost 20 years. Therefore, spending a few days in the thick, tall trees and flowing wildflowers of the forests and prairies of the arboretum was magical. This 1700-acre parcel of preserved land west of downtown Chicago provides the perfect respite from the clamor of the city for visitors and residents. Read on for how you can explore Morton Arboretum.
The Arboretum at a Glance
The Morton Arboretum represents the natural history of the Midwest with woodlands, prairies, and wetlands. You can find over 4,600 different kinds of plants throughout the park. Mulched, level paths lead you over 16 miles of hiking trails through open fields and dense stands of trees and along lakes and streams. Paved roads course through the land to bring you to one of the 33 parking lots to explore an area or find one of the unique artworks on exhibit.
A modern and spacious visitors’ center at the entrance contains a café, restrooms, a shop, and a dining room with a sweeping view of Meadow Lake. Near the entrance, the Children’s Garden offers a fun place for kids to interact with nature, and the Maze Garden brings a challenge to all ages. A paved path circles Meadow Lake to allow visitors with mobility limitations to immerse themselves in the natural environment.
Visitor Center at The Morton Arboretum. Photo by Judy Karnia
History of The Morton Arboretum
Joy Morton, who founded the Morton Salt Company in Chicago in 1885, lived up to the family motto: “Plant trees.” His father created Arbor Day, and his mother loved gardening. In 1909, Morton bought land in Lisle, 25 miles west of Chicago, and built an estate. He transformed the land into an outdoor museum of trees for enjoyment and research. The arboretum officially opened in 1922. Over the years, The Morton Arboretum has grown in size and reach. The natural environment includes more land and plants. The cultural environment offers more artwork and educational programs.



















Light Through the Trees: Photographs at The Morton Arboretum





A beloved and popular Illinois institution, The Morton Arboretum welcomes one million annual visitors to walk its trails and view the 4,200 tree species on the grounds. Peter Vagt has photographed the Arboretum for over twenty years. This collection showcases eighty-five of his favorite works, each one in full color. Vagts close attention to place and time reflects his profound connection to the Arboretum and its preeminence as a sanctuary for anyone searching for transcendence in nature. A celebration of The Morton Arboretum in its centenary year, Light Through the Trees is the perfect keepsake or gift for anyone who admires trees and believes in their restorative power.













Buy on Amazon










Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on: Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.









Nature in Four Seasons
The arboretum is lovely to visit throughout the year and provides different experiences depending on the weather. The Visitor Center is open all year to provide a break from the heat, cold, or rain if needed.
If you live in the northern part of the country, spring promises new growth with blooming trees and flowers. The Daffodil Glade on the west side of the arboretum provides a burst of color. The Redbud trees and Virginia Blue Bells around Lake Marmo are a short walk from the glade and a big draw.
In late summer, Schulenberg Prairie Trail leads visitors through various wildflowers. After walking in the sun over the open lands of the prairie, you can enter one of the shady areas of woods nearby.
Wildflowers at The Morton Arboretum. Photo by Judy Karnia
Autumn ushers in the changing leaves throughout the park. The Sugar Maples at Parking Lot 14 provide an excellent photographic opportunity for red and yellow leaves against a bright blue sky.
During the winter, paved trails, such as Joy Path and Meadowlake Trail, are cleared of snow to enable those worried about slipping to enjoy fresh air. Most of the trails, however, are left natural. The Conifer Walk near the entrance leads you into a beautiful winter landscape after the snow has collected on the branches. The Spruce Plot at Parking Lots 12 and 13 offers quiet and a sense of solitude.
Spruce grove at The Morton Arboretum. Photo by Judy Karnia
Experiences at The Morton Arboretum
Visitors can take further advantage of the natural setting of the arboretum to dive deeper into learning and growing. Wellness experiences such as yoga, tai chi, and nature therapy can deepen your connection with nature. Classes such as drawing, painting, and photography use the natural world to bring out your creativity. Other workshops teach bonsai styling and gardening tips for your home. You can also learn from experts how to identify plants and birds or how to conserve natural areas.
The nature of The Morton Arboretum is also a fitting accompaniment for enjoying art and music. Many events are held throughout the year, from concerts and festivals to the holiday lights show in December. Large-scale sculptural exhibitions placed strategically throughout the park harmonize with the natural beauty around them.
“Oculus” by Olga Ziemska, a wood and steel sculpture with reflective “eyes” that is part of the Of The Earth exhibit. Photo by Judy Karnia
What is Nature Therapy?
Nature therapy is based on a Japanese practice called Shinrin Yoku, or Forest Bathing . Tomohide Akiyama, the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, coined this term in 1982 to improve his countrymen’s mental and physical health. Spending time bathing in the sensations of the forest has been shown to lower blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol levels, as well as boost the immune system and overall mood. While everyone can do this anytime in any natural environment, a nature therapy guide helps participants heighten their experience.
To become a guide, I completed a course by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy at the end of 2021. In the summer of 2022, after a three-day immersion at The Morton Arboretum, I received my certification. I developed a deep bond with the other students during those days and felt embraced by the natural elements in the arboretum. Walking along a forest path barefoot, feeling the soft mulch beneath my feet, sitting next to a pond listening to frogs singing, and laying on my back watching the branches of the tall trees sway while feeling the sun and the breeze on my skin were among the highlights of my many moving experiences.
Canopy of trees. Photo by Judy Karnia
The Nature Therapy Experience
Each guide leads their sessions differently based on location and time available, but ANFT-certified guides follow a basic structure. This helps participants slow down and reconnect with nature before easing them back into the world, possibly with a new perspective.
Nature therapy can be offered in all types of natural settings, from forests to deserts to the waterfront. We start by leading a meditation that helps participants become aware of their senses while feeling more connected with nature.
The guide then presents invitations that suggest mindfully using your senses to focus on a particular aspect of the surroundings. We encourage moving slowly or staying in one place. This allows you to see, hear, smell, and touch all the little things we often miss. A gathering circle after each invitation allows participants to share what they noticed about their thoughts and feelings.
At the end, a tea service and final gathering circle allow everyone to ease back into their daily life. Just about every participant in my sessions has shared that they felt a stronger connection to nature through this practice. Some enjoyed slowing down for a couple of hours and listening to the birds, while others had new thoughts or feelings about a challenge they were facing.
Tea service at the end of a nature therapy session. Photo by Judy Karnia
Articles Related to Visiting Chicago’s Morton Arboretum

9 of the Best Gardens in North America to See this Summer
Virtual Garden Visits: Explore Gorgeous Gardens from Home
Chicago Travel Guide: Top 10 Things to Do in Chicago
Wander Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania
Anderson Japanese Gardens Offers a Tranquil Respite in Illinois
Step Back in Time at Nashville’s Cheekwood Estate

Visiting The Morton Arboretum
Whether engaging in a nature therapy session or exploring on your own, The Morton Arboretum offers a diverse space to enjoy nature’s various types and aspects. The arboretum’s woods, prairie lands, and gardens provide a welcome respite from the busy life of Chicago.
When you want to enjoy nature, we welcome you to explore Wander With Wonder for more beautiful gardens and botanical gardens , along with some of our favorite hiking spots .
.
Enjoy Nature in Chicago’s Backyard at The Morton Arboretum
The post Enjoy Nature in Chicago’s Backyard at The Morton Arboretum appeared first on Wander With Wonder .