Choose Your Way to Spend a Summer’s Day

Choose Your Way to Spend a Summer’s Day Summer is fully ripe, with long days, warm sun, green woods, and time to enjoy the outdoors. There are many ways to make the most of those long summer days amid nature and beauty at The Morton Arboretum. Scroll these suggestions for an experience that fits your mood. Stroll or Hike through Gardens, Prairies, and Woodlands The Arboretum’s miles of paths and trails offer plenty of places to go and natural wonders to discover. Near the Visitor Center, easy paved paths wind around Meadow Lake, into the blooming beauty of The Grand Garden, or through the cool green of the Conifer Collection. Loops of longer trails are spread with wood chips for secure footing, giving you many opportunities to see wildlife up close and marvel at magnificent trees and blooming prairies. Plan your hike and then either start at the Visitor Center or drive to any of the more than 30 parking areas and two Visitor Stations along the Main Route road to link up with the walking trails. Not sure where to go? Stop by the Information Desk in the Visitor Center to consult the friendly and welcoming staff about the right route for you today. It’s all free with Arboretum admission. Play Nature-Themed Mini Golf Putt your way around the nature-themed Wonder Woods Mini Golf, a nine-hole course with a backdrop of trees and gardens. Wonder Woods is a classic game for the family to share, and it’s also full of nuggets of knowledge about nature and science, from giant mushrooms to larger-than-life bugs and acorns. After the game, enjoy refreshments at the nearby Gingko Restaurant and Café to keep the fun going. Take a breezy stroll along paved, accessible paths or take kids to explore the fabulous nearby Children’s Garden and Maze Garden. Wonder Woods Mini Golf will be open through Labor Day. It’s best to purchase tickets in advance, along with Arboretum admission. Romp and Explore in the Children’s Garden This four-acre playground is made for outdoor discovery and fun. Children will find endless ways to play, move, splash, and explore all day long. There’s water to wade into, huge structures to climb, and interesting things to build with (as well as plenty of spots for grownups to sit and relax). Full of towering trees and beautiful, child-friendly gardens, it’s a safe place designed to encourage children of all abilities to connect with nature, including the many insects, birds, chipmunks, and other wildlife that live there. It’s free with Arboretum admission. To make the most of long summer sunlight, come on a Thursday afternoon in August, when the Children’s Garden is open until 7:30 p.m. Relax and Savor a Meal or a Snack Whether you’re ready for a break after an invigorating hike or you’d just like to meet friends for a leisurely lunch someplace perfectly lovely, you’ll find it at the Gingko Restaurant and Café. In the fast-casual restaurant, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of Meadow Lake, with its water, trees, and blooms in season, or you can sit outdoors on the terrace. Choose among internationally inspired meals including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options, as well as craft beers and wines, baked goods, and coffee. On Saturdays and Sundays, there are special brunch selections. For a quick, grab-and-go lunch or snack, the Gingko Café counter offers a selection of sandwiches, snacks, ice cream, fresh packaged meals, and beverages. Enjoy them in the Visitor Center, outside in Arbor Court, at tables in The Grand Garden, or in one of the picnic areas out on the trails. Listen to the Forest Nature is a treat for all the senses. Hear it in a new way with the Forest Amplifier, an interactive wooden sculpture designed to help visitors experience the sounds of the forest. Sit inside, or place an ear at the narrow end as the giant megaphone focuses your attention on natural sounds such as birdsong, water, and rustling leaves. Constructed by the Arboretum’s expert carpenters, it’s a unique way to immerse yourself in the natural marvels of The Morton Arboretum. Find it on the Arboretum’s West Side near parking lot P-29, along Main Trail Loop 2 south of Lake Marmo.