The Morton Arboretum
Located 30 minutes west of downtown, the Morton Arboretum will make you feel like you’re a world away. It’s a rural escape that feeds the mind and heart. Art installations on site are rotated seasonally, so you never know what you’ll find.
Several are dedicated to the natural sciences, including the living exhibit dedicated to tree growth. “Of the Earth” is the current installation here, showcasing the work of Polish American artist Olga Ziemska.
The artist’s work was created from reclaimed and pruned tree branches and other natural materials gathered from various locations throughout the Arboretum’s 1,700 acres. Open daily from 7 a.m. to sunset, it’s a relative bargain at a $16 per ticket price.
With a maze garden and more than 16 miles of hiking trails, this is the ideal Chicago summer attraction for outdoorsy sorts looking to decompress.
