chicago botanic garden

We have visited this lovely garden many times while staying with a friend in Chicago. In winter, there's an indoor miniature railway that travels through miniature city neighborhoods plus beautiful tree lights displays outside. In summer, you can wander through many different gardens including a rose garden, a Japanese garden, a water garden, a vegetable garden, all beautifully tended. A couple of trains take you through the grounds for a nice overview. There are plenty of places to sit down outside, and the restaurant is good, with indoor and outdoor seating. The gift shop is also very good. Several years ago we brought home a charming pottery rabbit named Winston who sits in our sun room.

When people think of our great and beautiful Windy City, few think about gardens. Sure, most people know about our great waterfront parks on Lake Michigan but up on the North Shore in the tony suburb of Glencoe is one of Chicago's greatest attractions. The Chicago Botanic Gardens. I have been to botanic gardens around the world...from Capetown to Sydney to Shanghai to Rome and can honestly tell you that our garden on the prairie is one of the best. Not only does it cover a gamut of ornamental styles...its true prairie gardens are unique and unbelievable beautiful. The facilities are top-notch and one can spend a whole day soaking in the beauty of the Midwest/plains landscapes. I often just take a book and spend hours reading in the tranquil Japanese garden. And listening to the carillon is otherworldly. If you are from out of town...I highly recommend that you take the time to visit. The METRA train will take you up there. And, if you live in the area and have not visited...shame on you!

Visit the amazing Orchid Show at the Chicago Botanic Garden, along with its various related festivities. It is among the best orchid shows in the country and you will have the opportunity to see many amazing varieties of this beautiful flowering plant. Winter time at the Garden is filled with many interesting activities and shows that should not be missed.

We visited the annual orchid exhibition. Beautiful and informative. My sister said was like a trip to the tropics without the airfare and hotel. A thorough, creative layout that left a visitor wanting to learn more about the genus and species. Really amazing stuff. And I'll never look at vanilla or a venus fly trap the same way.The rest of the garden at various points of the year is the best though my most recent trip just covered the special exhibity.

We are members of the Garden, and try to visit several times a year. One of our favorite special events is the Orchid Show, which is beyond words. Rather than displaying these beautiful flowers in pots, thousands of orchids create breath taking displays throughout the indoor greenhouses. It is a display not to be missed - especially because it occurs in February-March, when nothing outside is green or blooming. Good for the soul.

Love coming here during all seasons. It is s great place to relax and enjoy nature. There are a lot of different gardens, such as English Rose Garden, Japanese Garden, Waterfall Garden, Fruits and Vegetable Garden, etc. Admission is free, but you have to pay for parking $25. At summer they always have some activities for kids at Vegetable Garden and concerts on selected days. There is a gift shop and cafe, place is good for lunch if you got hungry. There's a grill outside with great choices and they serve alcohol.

Love to tour and learn how to improve on my garden efforts. Looking forward to the current orchid show which was fabulous last year. Have been a member for many years.

I go there often, with family or alone and it is always great. Very well maintained, good for both adults and kids. You can spend hours. The cafes are great too. Love the food there!

Oh my! Oh my! Would Dorothy ever click her heals with this exhibition. CBG has outdone itself with the 2015 orchid show. No looking behind a curtain to find a wizard. The staff at CBE were wizards that put it all out front, We didn't need to search for Oz as we walked into the great hall with floor to ceiling orchid "trees" of every variety and color. Then down another hall with more bamboo trees sprouting even more flowers and odors to delight the senses. Finally, we got into the back room, the great greenhouses where orchids and more orchids were dug into the ground, hanging from trees and all but dancing. Worth the price of admission for a great two hour walkthrough. Click your red shoes and enjoy. Go early on a weekend or on a weekday cause it gets mobbed!

I absolutely LOVE the Chicago Botanic Gardens. It is a delightful spot to visit no matter what season you are visiting. If the weather outside is frightful, the displays and exhibits inside will be delightful. The botanic gardens do a wonderful job of keeping the gardens blooming year-round. In the winter, the indoors are ablaze with color, warmth and blooms of some type or the other, depending on the exhibit they have going on at the time. In the Spring and Summer, the outside is draped in blankets of color in every direction. Perfectly manicured landscapes stretch in every direction as far as the eye can see as the gentle breeze caresses your skin and delightfully fragrant plants and trees of all kinds tease your nose with tantalizing scents. It is the perfect place for a leisurely romantic walk, a walk to clear your head or just a walk to forget the busy pace of city life. For those that like to take breaks or can't walk for long periods of time, there are plenty of strategically placed benches. You can rest your feet and drink in the lush scenery around you at the same time. Don't forget your camera either. There are plenty of photo ops here, both for amateur and professional photographer alike. If you are a nature buff, skip on the one time ticket and buy the annual pass. You will love kicking back on the lawn and communing with nature in this gorgeous garden haven.

The Garden is spectacular at many times of the year, but off peak has its unique charms. Any time of year, come very early and you will join other walkers for multiple "loop" options around the varied and interesting grounds. Or come in the winder and you can do the same! Refreshing! If you come with kids at any time pick up the free scavenger hunt at the info desk.And the cafe has lovely views.

We visited the beautiful Botanic Garden this last December. We went with our son, wife and 2 grandsons. The Wonderland Express (model trains) was on exhibit and we enjoyed it so much. Models of different Chicago buildings were in the exhibit. We walked outside too and the grounds were wonderful. We also went to a room where the kids could make paper snowflakes and wire and raisin bird feeders. We ate in the cafeteria and thought the sandwiches were very good. We have heard that the Botanic Garden is fun to see in the warmer months and they have an outdoor area where adults can order drinks. This was lots of fun!

Beautiful place, great membership programs but between entry and parking, it is expensive if you are not a member.Especially good seasonal programs around holidays

We have been members for years.Great camps for kids. It is just a wonderful place to visit , even in the Winter.Great for a long walks and exercise. The Prairie walk is at least 2 miles or close to it.The gardens are lovely.A great garden railroad.Great for photos.The food in the cafe is really good to. (a little high priced though) You can picnic around the parking lot, also I do not think anyone would complain to you for picnicking on the grass off of the east side road on the lake. Go there have fun and relax

In the Chicago Winter the greenhouses at the Garden are truly a breath of fresh air. Notice the difference when you take a deep breath surrounded by nature's oxygen makers the plant kingdom. We were also lucky enough to be there for the orchid show. Amazing!