Take Mother's Day outside by going on a family outing

'Go outside!" Who hasn't heard that command from their mom?

This Mother's Day weekend, turn it around and treat Mom to a day outside at one of the Chicago area's nature venues. Here are some to consider:

• • The Morton Arboretum offers several options for families Sunday. Once you get there, "leave the driving to us" suggests Gina Tedesco, public relations manager. She recommends the hourlong, narrated Acorn Express open-air tram tour as a good way to get an overview of the 1,700-acre preserve.

Other suggestions include learning how insects make noises at the Insect Orchestra, a guided tour of the fragrance garden or strolling around Meadow Lake to view the larger-than-life arthropod creations of the "Big Bugs" exhibit.

New this spring, families can bring bikes and pedal nine miles of paved roads (Tedesco cautions that the hilly terrain may be difficult for young riders) or trek two new miles of hiking trails. Both provide visitors a green way to see the arboretum's "botanical oddities and gee-whiz things," Tedesco says.

General admission is $9 for adults, $6 for kids ages 3-17. The arboretum is at 4100 Illinois 53, Lisle. Call (630) 968-0074 or visit www.mortonarb.org.

• • Or take Mom on a train trip across America -- a model train, that is -- at the Chicago Botanic Garden, which will open its Model Railroad Garden on Saturday with "Landmarks of America."

"This year, we're going to have new landmarks. We're heading west," says Melissa Schuler, public relations specialist for the garden.

Schuler says moms might also enjoy the crabapple walk at 1 p.m. Saturday on Evening Island or the American rhododendron show from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

General admission is free; parking is $15 for cars, $25 for vans. The Botanic Garden is at 1000 Lake-Cook Road in Glencoe. Call (847) 835-5440; www.chicagobotanic.org.

• • Zoos are a natural choice for families. Mother's Day takes on a Latin American flavor at Brookfield Zoo with its Dia de la Madre/ Mother's Day celebration. On tap are appearances by mascots from the Windy City Thunderbolts, the Joliet Jackhammers and the Chicago Fire as well as an interactive bilingual performance by a trio of folk musicians and a concert by Las Guitarras de España.

Admission is $11 for adults, $7 for children ages 3-11, $8 for parking. The zoo is at 3300 Golf in Brookfield. Call (708) 688-8000; www.czs.org.

• • Combine a visit to Lincoln Park Zoo with a stop at neighboring Lincoln Park Conservatory. Stroll the zoo looking for new animal moms and babies, especially in the primate and ape houses. Then head to the conservatory for a peek at the Spring Flower Show, which runs through Sunday. Azaleas take centerstage among spring annuals and perennials.

Admission is free at the zoo and the conservatory. The zoo is at 2001 N. Clark. Call (312) 742-2000; www.lpzoo.org. The conservatory is at 2391 N. Stockton. Call (312) 742-7736) or visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com.

• • Azaleas are also the star of the Garfield Park Conservatory's spring flower show. Running through Sunday, the "Age of Azaleas" also showcases hydrangeas, tulips, daffodils and hyacinths.

Admission is free. The conservatory is at 300 N. Central Park. Call (312) 746-5100 or visit www.garfield-conservatory.org.

Jennifer Burklow is a local free-lance writer.