What are the opening hours?

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

Allerton Park and Retreat Center

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Monticello, IL
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 M

ansion 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.

09/06/2026

Help send off the season at Summer’s End on Friday, September 11 from 6-9 p.m. on the Gatehouse Lawn. This outdoor concert will feature Lunar Ticks , an eclectic improvisational and alternative rock band from Chicago, IL, opening for The Way Down Wanderers.

The Way Down Wanderers are an alternative band from Peoria, Illinois. They have a unique blend of bluegrass, folk, and roots music. The band has garnered attention for their high energy performances and note worthy harmonies.

While you are enjoying the tunes, stroll the vendor fair or grab dinner at the food trucks or the Greenhouse Café. A bar will be available, and attendees may bring their own food, but no outside alcohol is permitted.

This event concludes the Allerton Park Concert Series presented by Cim-Tek Filtration.

$5/person or $20/family, payable upon arrival. Please bring lawn chairs or blankets.

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

09/05/2026

Grab a guitar and start strumming tunes at Learn Guitar: Get Started the Right Way on Tuesdays, Sept. 15 through Nov. 17 from 6–7 p.m. in the Studio. 🎸

This class is led by musician Rex Parvin, who has a very specific approach to teaching guitar based on having an understanding of how music works and how that understanding applies specifically to the guitar. It is essentially a 3-step process:

— Learn the notes on the guitar
— Learn how those notes go together to form chords.
— Apply and combine steps 1 and 2 to form chords and play songs, developing your own style and creative expression.

Learn more about the class and register here: https://allerton.illinois.edu/event/learn-guitar-right-way/2026-09-15/

09/05/2026

Join Sharon ShareAlike for a Halloween Themed Drag Bingo on Sunday, October 25 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. 👻🎃

Enjoy a cash bar and prepare to be entertained as this is sure to be a good time! Registration closes October 17 or when capacity is reached. This event is for individuals 21+.

Learn more and register here: https://allerton.illinois.edu/event/halloween-drag-bingo/

09/04/2026

LIVE MUSIC ON THE PATIO! Come out to the Greenhouse Café tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 5 from 12:30-2:30 p.m. to enjoy live music from Rich Hogan! And of course, all your favorite cool drinks, treats, and delicious lunch options...

Find complete hours and the menu: https://allerton.illinois.edu/greenhouse-cafe/

09/04/2026

We are grateful to The Joe Zalabak Team at Keller Williams Realty TREC of IL, LLC for their generous sponsorship of the Allerton Park Concert Series!

Joe, a proud University of Illinois graduate, consistently ranks in the top 5% of brokers in the Champaign County Association of Realtors. His areas of expertise include new construction, historic and older homes, investment properties, and guiding buyers and sellers at every stage—whether purchasing their first home, upsizing, or downsizing.

Thank you, Joe, for being a valued sponsor of this year’s Concert Series!

Learn more: https://zalabakhomes.kw.com/

Find info on the Series and our next concert on Sept. 11: https://allerton.illinois.edu/allerton-park-concert-series/

09/03/2026

The Greenhouse Café will be CLOSING EARLY at 2 p.m. today. But you have until then to stop by for an ice cold Allerton T!

Find hours and menu here: https://allerton.illinois.edu/greenhouse-cafe/

09/03/2026

Farms instructor Billie Theide has quite the round up of classes this fall! Join her at any of her upcoming unique classes listed below. 👇

- Knitting Without Needles: French Tube Scarf: https://allerton.illinois.edu/event/french-tube-scarf/
- Jewelry 101: Viking Knit Bracelets & Necklaces:
https://allerton.illinois.edu/event/jewelry-101-viking-weave/
- Collage Intensive: https://allerton.illinois.edu/event/collage-intensive/
- Knitting 201: Hats: https://allerton.illinois.edu/event/knitting-201-hats/2026-10-25/
- Thread Bowls: https://allerton.illinois.edu/event/thread-bowls/
- Wet Felt Bowls & Vessels: https://allerton.illinois.edu/event/the-farms-wet-felt-bowls-vessels/
- Crochet 101: Fingerless Gloves: https://allerton.illinois.edu/event/crochet-101/

09/03/2026

Explore, reflect and create through poetry at Exploring Nature & Life Through Mary Oliver’s Poetry on Saturday, Sept.12 from 12-4 p.m. 📝

Led by instructor Kate Herald, students will explore some poetry basics like allegory and meter using Oliver’s poetry about the same kinds of flora and fauna that are found all over Allerton.

Students will be invited to write and share their own life poem based on their observations of nature.

Learn more and register: https://allerton.illinois.edu/events/mary-olivers-poetry/

09/02/2026

Learn how to grow, harvest, preserve, and cook with herbs! Plus, enjoy a specially curated lunch featuring fresh herbs from Allerton's garden! Join us Saturday, Sept 12 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

After an informative tour of the Herb Garden, students will plant their own kitchen herb garden container and make a lavender sachet to take home.

A buffet lunch prepared by Leah of the Greenhouse Café will be provided along with cooking tips to use herbs and spices in various recipes!

Learn more and register: https://allerton.illinois.edu/event/cooking-herbs/

09/02/2026

Lets have a ball! Enjoy a celebration of the changing seasons with a night of dance mixers and party games at Historical Dancing: Fall Equinox Ball on Wednesday, September 23 from 6-8 p.m.! 💃

Led by Jeanette Watts, these simple, fun dances will be taught throughout the evening in the glorious library. No partner or previous dance experience required!

Learn more and register at: https://allerton.illinois.edu/event/fall-equinox-ball/

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

http://allerton.illinois.edu/

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