By Fiona Good-Sirota By Fiona Good-Sirota | April 18, 2024 | Lifestyle, Feature, Guides, Listicle,
Spring at the Chicago Botanic Garden
From blooming conservatories to lush arboreta, Chicago’s green landscape is brimming with gardens, perfect for a midday adventure or an evening stroll. These grounds have just what you need to enjoy the great outdoors through all four seasons, with greenhouses, perennial florals and woods that can withstand even the coldest Chicago winters—and have their vibrant heyday in the spring, summer and fall.
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1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe / Website
With 27 gardens, 385 acres of natural areas and countless varieties of vibrant flora and fauna, the Chicago Botanic Garden is a spectacle for floral enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Visit to explore the bonsai collection, the aquatic garden, the sensory garden, the native plant garden, the model train garden and more.
300 N. Central Park Ave. / Website
Touted as one of the largest greenhouse conservatories in the country, Garfield Park Conservatory brings floral species from across the globe to the heart of the Windy City—including some that are more than 200 years old. With a water lily pond, a living wall, tropical varieties and more, guests can meander through the conservatory’s 8 indoor display gardens or venture outside to 10 acres of outdoor gardens.
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2430 N. Cannon Drive / Website
Situated next to the Lincoln Park Zoo, this conservatory culminates Victorian-Era architecture, educational events and horticultural collections, including rare orchid varieties, ancient cycads, giant palms, tropical assortments and more. The glass greenhouse is accompanied by expansive outdoor gardens, making the conservatory accessible throughout all four seasons.
220 E. Monroe St. / Website
Nestled in Millenium Park, this 2.5-acre sanctuary is home to an abundant habitat of plants, flowers, animals and insects, all set with the stunning backdrop of the city skyline. The garden is open through all four seasons, featuring bulbs and perennials in the spring, colorful seasonal blooms in the summer and cold-weather-friendly seed heads and ornamental grasses in the winter.
6300 S. Cornell Ave. / Website
This hidden gem, tucked within the island of Jackson Park, features cherry blossom trees, which bloom each year between late April and early May. The park is also home to the Columbia Basin, a 10-acre lagoon that is a scenic fishing destination.
4100 IL-53, Lisle / Website
Featuring more than 1,700 acres of trees and flowers, 4,100 different plant species, a library, a herbarium, nearby hiking trails and more, the Morton Arboretum serves as a historic outdoor sanctuary for Chicagoans. With ever-changing exhibitions and a constant stream of exciting events, visitors can get an inside look into remarkable trees and plant varieties only a short drive from the city.
111 S. Michigan Ave. / Website
The Art Institute houses two contemporary gardens, including The South Garden, with honey locust trees, flower bulbs and the rectangular Fountain of the Great Lakes, and the North Garden, featuring historic sculptures, cockspur hawthorn trees and flowering perennials. Visitors can wander through the gardens, setting their sights on lush greenery and vibrant florals situated in close proximity to the museum’s entrance.
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Photography by: Photos courtesy of the Chicago Botanic Garden; courtesy of The Art Institute of Chicago; courtesy of Lurie Garden/Millennium Park Foundation; courtesy of the Chicago Park District; courtesy of The Morton Arboretum