Allerton Park and Retreat Center

Allerton Park and Retreat Center www.allerton.illinois.edu Overnight accommodations are also available. Allerton is open 8am to sunset. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. to 5 p.m.

“This place has a little magic for every person who visits.” –review of Allerton Park and Retreat Center

Built as a private residence by artist and philanthropist Robert Allerton in 1900, Allerton Park and Retreat Center offers a unique opportunity to experience art, nature, and history away from the distractions of everyday life. The estate contains 1,500 acres of woodland and prairie areas, a Mansion and Reflecting Pond, formal sculpture gardens, hiking trails, a 10-acre Meadow, a Café, and several lodging facilities. Allerton, which is affiliated with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, is available to host a wide range of events including weddings, meetings, conferences, retreats, and special events. If it is not rented for a private event, the Mansion’s first floor is available for self-guided tours. Quarterly public tour dates can be found on our website. The McCraw Family Visitor Center is open from 9 a.m. daily. The Gift Shop in the Visitor Center is open 9 a.m. Wednesdays through Sundays.

What a season! We wrapped up the 2026 Concert Series last night, and we are so grateful to all our fabulous patrons and ...
09/13/2026

What a season! We wrapped up the 2026 Concert Series last night, and we are so grateful to all our fabulous patrons and the generous sponsors who make it all possible!

Please join us in thanking Cim-Tek Filtration, The Joe Zalabak Team at Keller Williams Realty TREC of IL, LLC, First State Bank and Trust, Illinois Public Media, Kirby Medical Center,Kelly’s Accounting Service, Inc., and the Herbold Family.

A morning spent among the flowers this past Saturday! 🌸Participants at our Floriography Bouquet Workshop learned the art...
09/12/2026

A morning spent among the flowers this past Saturday! 🌸

Participants at our Floriography Bouquet Workshop learned the art of floral design while exploring the Victorian language of flowers and the special meanings behind each bloom. Students went home with a beautiful custom bouquet to enjoy.

Thank you to florist Ava Porter for sharing her creativity!

NOW HIRING! We are seeking a Customer Service Specialist to help ensure an exceptional guest experience for visitors! Th...
09/12/2026

NOW HIRING!

We are seeking a Customer Service Specialist to help ensure an exceptional guest experience for visitors! This position be responsible for delivering high-quality guest experience through housekeeping, front desk operations, and event support.

This position is scheduled from 7 a.m. - 3 p.m., with a flexible schedule based on operational needs. Weekend availability is required.

Learn more about this position or apply here:
https://allerton.illinois.edu/employment-opportunities/

FOOD + DRINK options at Summer's End presented by Cim-Tek Filtration TONIGHT (9/11):🍧Ice Daddy's 🥖Jimmy John’s🌯La Paloma...
09/11/2026

FOOD + DRINK options at Summer's End presented by Cim-Tek Filtration TONIGHT (9/11):

🍧Ice Daddy's
🥖Jimmy John’s
🌯La Paloma
🍜Lucky Eddy’s Wok-n-Roll
☕Moon Bean Coffee

A bar will be available. Attendees may also bring their own food, but no outside alcohol is permitted.

Learn more about the Concert: https://allerton.illinois.edu/event/summers-end/

The Way Down Wanderers return to Allerton along with eclectic improvisational band Lunar Ticks! Join us for Summer's End...
09/11/2026

The Way Down Wanderers return to Allerton along with eclectic improvisational band Lunar Ticks! Join us for Summer's End presented by Cim-Tek Filtration tomorrow, Friday, September 11 from 6-9 p.m.!

The Wanderers performed in 2021 (pictured below) as well as 2018, when they opened for Marty Stuart in the Mansion during Prairie Sky Music Festival! Were you there?

We can't wait for another spectacular show with them tomorrow night!

Learn more: https://allerton.illinois.edu/event/summers-end/

SUMMER'S END VENDOR FAIR!Check out these fun and unique vendors who will be at our Summer's End Concert! Enjoy shopping ...
09/10/2026

SUMMER'S END VENDOR FAIR!

Check out these fun and unique vendors who will be at our Summer's End Concert! Enjoy shopping and connecting with them during the concert TOMORROW Friday, September 11 from 6-9 p.m.:

- 221 Bee: local honey and handmade goods (reusable beeswax food wraps, beeswax candles, wickless candles, bath & body products)

- Anna’s Beaded Bouquets: beaded flower bouquets and succulents; magnets

- Birch Blaze Glass: stained glass suncatchers

- Craig’s Crochet: stuffies, plush bag charms, sweaters, and bags

- Gulloglasswork: fused glass items, plates, bowls, nightlights, switch plate covers, various framed and mounted glass art

- Heart Candy: mobile charm bar – personalized necklaces, bracelets, keychains, and more

- Jen's Creationss: baked sweet treats

- Mindful Loops & Dyes: tie dye and crochet creations (clothing, keychains, scrunchies, tapestries, pouches, etc.); enamel pins

- Rustic Wildflower: handcrafted, hand-painted pinecone flowers, bouquets, wreaths, and decor

- Salt Prairie Photography: prints of nature, wildlife and other notable events; greeting cards

- VonTucker Designs: original paintings and hand crafted sculptural tables

Learn more about the Summer's End Concert here: https://allerton.illinois.edu/event/summers-end/

Looking for landscaping ideas? Grab inspiration at Arboretum Hosta Garden Tour on Saturday, September 12 from 10-11 a.m....
09/10/2026

Looking for landscaping ideas? Grab inspiration at Arboretum Hosta Garden Tour on Saturday, September 12 from 10-11 a.m. at the Illinois Arboretum!

This tour will include an introduction to a huge variety of Hosta, and will also include some native plant species, over 50 varieties of companion plants, and some idea of how the design of the garden has evolved over the years.

Registration closes Friday, September 12 at 8 p.m.

Learn more and register for this tour at: https://allerton.illinois.edu/event/arboretum-hosta-garden-tour/

CLOSING SOON! We have several classes with registration closing soon. Don't miss out on the fun, register today!- Stretc...
09/10/2026

CLOSING SOON!

We have several classes with registration closing soon. Don't miss out on the fun, register today!

- Stretch 'n Sip: https://allerton.illinois.edu/event/stretch-n-sip/2026-09-13/
- Mansion Tour: https://allerton.illinois.edu/event/public-mansion-tour-sept13/
- Fix it: Home Repair Kit: https://allerton.illinois.edu/event/fit-it-home-repair-kit/
- Mystical Mushrooms: Mixed Media Workshop: https://allerton.illinois.edu/event/mystical-mushrooms/
- Flower Crown Workshop: https://allerton.illinois.edu/event/flower-crown/
- 10th Annual Family Campout: https://allerton.illinois.edu/event/family-campout/
- Dahlia Flower Arranging: https://allerton.illinois.edu/event/dahlia-flower-arranging/
- Knitting without Needles: French Tube Scarf: https://allerton.illinois.edu/event/french-tube-scarf/
- Paper Flower Art: Marigolds: https://allerton.illinois.edu/event/paper-flower-art-marigolds/

Check out these highlights from Plein Air Painting held this past weekend! Artists were able to paint surrounded by sere...
09/09/2026

Check out these highlights from Plein Air Painting held this past weekend!

Artists were able to paint surrounded by serene setting of Allerton Park. Students learned how to set up their materials efficiently, simplify what they saw, mix clean natural color, and recognize strong value relationships in the landscape with help from instructor Deb Marett.

Check out our fall course line up here: https://allerton.illinois.edu/events/

Would you be nervous—very, very dreadfully nervous to visit the mansion after dark? You are cordially invited to experie...
09/09/2026

Would you be nervous—very, very dreadfully nervous to visit the mansion after dark?

You are cordially invited to experience An Evening with Poe on Wednesday, October 28th or Thursday, October 29th from 6:30-9 p.m.

Walk the halls and discover the secrets of the Mansion while finding Poe in a different setting for each chilling tale.

Tickets to this ghastly grim event sell quickly, so purchase them now or regret it…for evermore.

Learn more and register here: https://allerton.illinois.edu/event/an-evening-with-poe/2026-10-28/

Address

515 Old Timber Road
Monticello, IL
61856

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 7pm
Tuesday 8am - 7pm
Wednesday 8am - 7pm
Thursday 8am - 7pm
Friday 8am - 7pm
Saturday 8am - 7pm
Sunday 8am - 7pm

Telephone

(217) 333-3287

Website

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