Built as a private residence by artist and philanthropist Robert Allerton in 1900, Allerton Park & Retreat Center offers a unique opportunity to experience art, nature, and history away from the distractions of everyday life. Explore 14 miles of hiking trails, wander through formal gardens with more than 100 garden ornaments, marvel at the century-old Mansion, and find peace in the quiet, expansive grounds. Allerton has become a destination for meetings, conferences, weddings, retreats, and special events for visitors from all over the country. Organized programs open to the community and visitors include outdoor concerts, youth summer camps, themed dinners and educational events, nature hikes, and public tours. Overnight accommodations are also available. Admission is free — open 8 a.m. to sunset. The Visitor Center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and is an unstaffed, self-guided resource with maps, displays, restrooms, and the Greenhouse Café. 

Allerton launched The Farms: An Allerton Folk School in 2023. As the first folk school in Illinois, The Farms offers classes, workshops, retreats, and gatherings focusing on art, outdoor education, science, storytelling, and wellness. All courses value hands-on, experiential teaching and learning, and are facilitated by and for the members of the community.