Enchanted Railroad returns to Morton Arboretum

The Morton Arboretum is usually about spending time outdoors, but that will change a little this month when the Enchanted Railroad returns to the Lisle museum with a theme of celebrating trees from around the world.

Opening Jan. 13, the 16th annual indoor event will feature a larger-than-life platform with two levels perfect for the smallest visitors to enjoy and more than 10 toy trains, including miniature replicas of Metra and Amtrak trains.

Highlights of the 2018 Enchanted Railroad include:

• Pint-size versions of the arboretum's many tree collections. Kids can look for mini Japanese flowering cherry trees - its larger counterparts reside in the arboretum's collections from Asia - or the renowned collection of oak trees found on the east side.

• Miniatures highlighting many of the arboretum's events. As visitors make their way around the display, they can spot a Chinese pagoda and European-style cottage, which call to mind the arboretum's cultural festivals in the summer and early fall. Look for other small figurines like the sled dogs of the Husky Heroes event to be held Jan. 27 and 28.

• Interactive elements perfect for kids. Push a button to sound a train horn, make a fountain spray and move Thomas the Tank Engine along the tracks.

"Families return to the arboretum every year to experience the Enchanted Railroad, and it's a wonderful opportunity for our visitors to learn more about many different types of trees on our 1,700-acre grounds," said Mary D'Amico, special events coordinator. "It's a chance to get out of the house and do something fun and interactive on a wintry day."

The Enchanted Railroad is assembled and run in partnership with the LGB Model Railroad Club of Chicago.

The railroad is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends through Feb. 19, and is free with the price of admission. Visitors can pick up timed tickets at the Visitor Center Information Desk.

Admission to the arboretum at 4100 Route 53 is $14 for adults, $12 for seniors 65 and older, $9 for children ages 2-17 and free for children younger than 2. On Wednesdays, admission is $9 for adults, $8 for seniors and $6 for children. Parking is free with admission.