Allerton Park, one of our favorite places to experience nature as a family, should be tops on your list.
There are so many things to love about Allerton Park & Retreat Center in Monticello that it’s hard to pick just eight. Monticello is just a short drive from Champaign-Urbana in Central Illinois (just over 30 minutes from the heart of C-U) and if you’ve never been, you’ll want to make the drive the next time you’re met with a beautiful day and want something to do. Here’s why:
- FREE. There is no admission fee to Allerton Park so your visit is free! (They do appreciate donations, if that’s something you wish to do.) Anywhere we can visit with our families that’s FREE is tops in our list.
- Imaginative. Their gardens transport you to a place where your imagination can run wild with your kids and feel like you’re living in a storybook. Our kids’ favorite spot at Allerton is the Triangle Parterre Garden, where it feels like a scene straight out of the book, “The Secret Garden.”
Art. Perhaps your kids are still at that young and rambunctious age where the thought of walking them through a quiet indoor museum while you attempt to enjoy some beautiful art sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. At Allerton, you’ll find art at every turn (Robert Allerton had a love for all things art and music) and your kids will be able to run around and burn off all that energy at the same time. Win win!- Nature. We know how important it is for children and adults to spend unstructured time in nature and we’re fortunate to have so many places in and surrounding Champaign-Urbana to do exactly that. At Allerton, you’ll hear plenty of birds, be able to climb and jump and play and take in the breathtaking scenery of the formal gardens and paths that make up the grounds.
- Be Active. We can’t think of many places more beautiful than Allerton where you can hike to get in your steps for the day and burn off that energy. Allerton Park is open year round (except for a few holidays), so you can head there even in the middle of winter if you just need somewhere to get outside and move.
Picnic. Allerton Park was made for picnics! If the idea of eating outside on a blanket is on your family’s bucket list, Allerton is your spot. And if you don’t want to pack sandwiches from home, or if you just want to grab a coffee or cool off with some ice cream, the Greenhouse Cafe has you covered for food (check website for hours).- Stunning. There’s a reason that Allerton Park is so popular for weddings and other picture-heavy occasions. If it’s been awhile since something took your breath away, there’s a good chance that something at Allerton will. Your kids may see it as a fun place to visit but they may not appreciate its beauty in the same way you and your partner may. It’s simply gorgeous and photos can’t fully do it justice. You have to go see it for yourself.
- Concerts. Allerton provides a great backdrop to outdoor concerts in the warmer weather months and has a variety of special events throughout the year. Some may have a cost attached to them, but others will be free. (If there are ones coming up on our event calendar, they’ll be listed below.)
Saturday, June 17, 2023
Third Saturday Garden Tours | Tickets Required
Allerton Park and Retreat Center, Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Third Saturday Garden Tours give you a chance to experience the beauty of Allerton’s Formal Gardens. Learn the history behind their creation and about the history of the Allerton estate, which was created between 1899 and 1946 by Robert Allerton and John Gregg. Garden tours start at 10 a.m. and…read more…
Friday, July 7, 2023
Reds, Whites, and the Blues: Summer Concert Series
Allerton Park and Retreat Center, Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Some of the best in blues will be on hand for Allerton Park's Reds, Whites, & the Blues concert, scheduled for 6-9 p.m. Friday, July 7, 2023, on the Gatehouse Lawn. The event is part of Allerton Park’s Concert Series presented by the Ayers Family, with monthly concerts through September 29. Admission is…read more…
Saturday, July 15, 2023
Third Saturday Garden Tours | Tickets Required
Allerton Park and Retreat Center, Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Third Saturday Garden Tours give you a chance to experience the beauty of Allerton’s Formal Gardens. Learn the history behind their creation and about the history of the Allerton estate, which was created between 1899 and 1946 by Robert Allerton and John Gregg. Garden tours start at 10 a.m. and…read more…
Saturday, August 5, 2023
Reggae: Summer Concert Series
Allerton Park and Retreat Center, Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Head out to the Gatehouse Lawn at Allerton Park from 6-9 p.m. on Saturday, August 5, 2023 for Reggae, an outdoor concert. The event is part of the Allerton Park Concert Series presented by The Ayers Family, with monthly concerts through September 29, 2023. Admission is free, but a donation of…read more…
Saturday, August 19, 2023
Third Saturday Garden Tours | Tickets Required
Allerton Park and Retreat Center, Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Third Saturday Garden Tours give you a chance to experience the beauty of Allerton’s Formal Gardens. Learn the history behind their creation and about the history of the Allerton estate, which was created between 1899 and 1946 by Robert Allerton and John Gregg. Garden tours start at 10 a.m. and…read more…
Friday, September 8, 2023
Irish Fest: Summer Concert Series
Allerton Park and Retreat Center, Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Allerton Park's always-popular Irish Fest returns to the Gatehouse Lawn from 6-9 p.m. Friday, September 8, 2023. The event is part of Allerton Park’s Concert Series presented by the Ayers Family, with monthly concerts through September 29. Admission is free, but a donation of $5/person or $10/family is suggested and can be made…read more…
Saturday, September 16, 2023
Third Saturday Garden Tours | Tickets Required
Allerton Park and Retreat Center, Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Third Saturday Garden Tours give you a chance to experience the beauty of Allerton’s Formal Gardens. Learn the history behind their creation and about the history of the Allerton estate, which was created between 1899 and 1946 by Robert Allerton and John Gregg. Garden tours start at 10 a.m. and…read more…
Friday, September 29, 2023
Summer's End: Summer Concert Series
Allerton Park and Retreat Center, Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Help send off the season with Allerton's Summer’s End Concert on the Gatehouse Lawn at 6 p.m. on Friday, September 29, 2023. The event is part of Allerton Park’s Concert Series presented by the Ayers Family, with monthly concerts through September 29. Admission is free, but a donation of $5/person or $10/family is…read more…
Saturday, October 21, 2023
Third Saturday Garden Tours | Tickets Required
Allerton Park and Retreat Center, Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Third Saturday Garden Tours give you a chance to experience the beauty of Allerton’s Formal Gardens. Learn the history behind their creation and about the history of the Allerton estate, which was created between 1899 and 1946 by Robert Allerton and John Gregg. Garden tours start at 10 a.m. and…read more…
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