Morton Arboretum

Founded in 1922 by salt magnate Joy Morton, this “tree haven” has blossomed from its original 175 acres into a sprawling 1,700-acre sanctuary of woodlands, wetlands and gardens. It serves as both a public escape and a premier educational hub, where backyard gardeners and professionals alike can attend specialized classes or explore a world-class library housing 27,000 volumes, including rare pre-20th-century nursery catalogs.

One of the arboretum's standout features is the Gateway to Tree Science, a permanent interactive installation that translates decades of research into real-time demonstrations for homeowners and future scientists. For those looking to learn from home or on the move, the arboretum also hosts several engaging digital exhibits throughout the year.

The grounds are particularly breathtaking at the dawn of spring when the cherry blossoms in the east-side Korea Collection reach full bloom. Because these trees can be finicky about the weather, it is a good idea to call ahead to catch them at their peak. However, even if you miss the cherry blossoms, the arboretum’s impressive collections of magnolias and crabapples provide a stunning backup, flowering from mid-April through mid-May.