Bahá'í House of Worship

The Bahá'í House of Worship is such a beautiful and peaceful place! The temple’s architecture is absolutely stunning, with intricate details that leave you in awe as you walk around. The surrounding gardens are beautifully maintained, offering a peaceful and calming atmosphere perfect for reflection, prayer, or simply enjoying nature. Inside, the sanctuary is quiet and welcoming, open to people of all faiths who wish to meditate or sit in silence. It’s remarkable how peaceful and uplifting the space feels. Whether you’re interested in architecture, spirituality, or just want a tranquil escape, this is a must-visit landmark in the Chicago area. A wonderful experience every time—I highly recommend it!

An absolutely beautiful place to spend time reflecting, practicing minfulness and praying. In addition to its beauty, upon entry, you'll find that the environment is friendly and the staff are welcoming. The staff on site are eager to assist and share their knowledge. I visited the grounds in May.

The Baha’i house of worship was interesting experience for me primarily because I was given information about how this religion came into being. The temple itself is beautiful and very well kept. I can’t comment on the religion because i believe everyone’s religion is personal but overall since there’s only one in the whole North American region, it’s definitely a place someone should visit.

This temple is both a Chicago landmark and a Chicago Mecca. What’s sad is that I’m from Chicago and never visited here until a friend from California wanted to go. They were shocked that I wasn’t here till now. What was equally shocking was the jaw-dropping majesty of this place. That’s how it can be in Chicago; so much is there that it gets unfortunately taken for granted. I strongly recommend that whether you’re from Chicago or not, visit here at least once. It took thirty years to build this beautiful temple. Take your time and take it all in, both inside and out. Ponder the sacred inscriptions above the entrances (outside) and above the alcoves (sanctuary interior nooks). The peace here lifts your soul above the ground-level madness and distractions which drain us all. Parking can be tricky, but a visit is more than worth it!

A serene and stunning place of worship. The intricate architecture and peaceful gardens provide a perfect setting for reflection. Open to all, regardless of faith, it’s a must-visit for anyone seeking tranquility and beauty.

The Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette is absolutely beautiful and incredibly peaceful. The gardens are meticulously maintained, and the intricate architecture is stunning from every angle. We went inside to pray, and the quiet, serene atmosphere made it a truly moving experience. This is a place where anyone—regardless of faith—can feel welcome and find a moment of reflection. Highly recommend visiting!

Although I'm not familiar with the religion, the temple and its gardens are stunning and beautifully maintained. The magnificent architecture is well worth a short visit if you're in the area.

This place is a gem! I’ve been to another Bahá’í temple (in Chile) and i loved them both. Very peaceful, the architecture is great and the gardens are beautiful. And it’s also FREE entrance and parking.

Great views. It was really peaceful inside. The flowers were still blooming outside. Red-winged blackbirds chasing people haha. A few graduates taking photos.

Beautiful temple of worship open the public. Curated garden space. Dedicated silent auditorium.

This is one of the temple that you must visit if you are in Chicago. It is free to public. You will be worry free once you step foot on the parameter of the temple. It's peaceful and has breathtaking architecture. Please, please respect the temple by not taking any pictures inside the temple. Bottom line, put away your phone and take a moment to respect. Hope you will have some peace of mind after leaving the temple. Unlike other places in Chicago where you have a hard time finding parking, this temple has many free parking spaces.

This is a beautiful spot near Evanston where you can go to pray, study outside in the grass, and even get married! Free entry for all, you can attend church services or visit alone after, it is a peaceful place to be alone with your thoughts.

Tranquil, serene, welcoming. This temple is one of only eight continental temples in the world, and I think it's currently the oldest still standing. Located right across the street from a beautiful beach, the grounds are adorned with fountains, flowers, beautiful trees. Walking paths all the way around the amazing structure, which makes you feel like you're in another realm or another country. Lots of photo ops, though no photos allowed inside. The temple is open to anyone, and prayer is open to the general public from 6 PM to 8 PM. I am an atheist, but found the prayers and chants delivered to be beautiful. There was a very kind usher at the door who explained the rules and gave me an informational pamphlet. He was so soft spoken and kind. Loved this excursion. And it's close to the Lake Michigan drive and multiple parks on the beach. Also near northwestern, so you can stop by and check out their ornate architecture and stately buildings as well. Easy access to Chicago downtown as well.

This place is very peaceful and serene, a lot of pretty nature in the gardens. A recommended place to pray regardless of your religious preferences. Also a nice spot to meditate or read.

I haven't been here over 30 years and we just stopped by to visit on a Friday afternoon, it was really beautiful and quiet! A great place just to relax and enjoyed the scenery and all the beautiful flowers surrounding the temple! Inside the temple is beautiful (no photos allowed)! The outdoors had lots of fountain surrounding the temple and flowers were beautiful!

This is the only Baha'i temple in the United States. I can't believe I lived and worked a few miles from here for decades and never visited until today. We walked the grounds, sat inside the temple, and visited the visitor's center. I would say we were there for about two hours. It's so beautiful and peaceful, that you will want to sit and reflect/meditate/pray. I enjoyed learning about the Baha'i faith and even purchased a couple of books in the bookstore. You are not allowed to take pictures inside the temple. Outside in the garden area, there were two sets of bridal parties taking pictures while we were there. If you live in Chicago or plan to visit, this is worth seeing.

Great place to express your devotion and connection to the divine spirit that exists in everything and everywhere

I've been a few times before but I didn't realize that there's stuff in the basement of the welcome center! They have a video you can watch of the temple being built that's cool. Highly recommend checking it out. The welcome center is a great place to learn about the Baha'i faith and once you're done there, the gardens and temple are gorgeous. I love going to the gardens to just chill and relax. They're extremely serene. A perfect place to meditate or do yoga if that's your jam. The temple itself, you are able to go inside, but you must be quiet as it's meant to be a quiet space. They do not allow pictures inside the temple but they do give you a free booklet of prayers. I highly, highly recommend making your way out here. It's free, they do have parking and they are within walking distance of the Linden purple line stop so if coming from Chicago, you don't need a car to get out there! It's very CTA friendly.

Full disclosure--I work at the Baha'i House of Worship so I am totally biased! I love it here! We hope everyone feels welcome and that they have a blessed and inspiring experience.

Very interesting place to visit and learn about another religion and culture. The video was informative and helpful. The gardens are beautiful and very nice to walk in. There is a parking lot and we didn't have any problem getting a parking spot on a weekend morning. Highly recommended!

This is such a striking stark white building as you drive by along north shore. I have driven by it thousands of times before. My aunt finally took me inside and around the grounds. It's open to all. The architecture and detailing is beautiful and lovely to look at, it appears white washed all of the time and all year round too. Do stop by and take a closer look at the detailing, it's quite impressive to say the least.

This is a hidden gem in Chicagoland. I love coming here especially in spring and summer. It's a beautiful space, both the gardens/grounds as well as the architecture of the temple itself. The interior of the building is equally stunning. I have been inside the temple on several occasions and have been able to just sit there and reflect. On other occasions I sat on the steps outside. It's very tranquil. I've also brought family from out of state and country for photos. They were amazed by the beauty found here. Overall, it is worth a visit. A visit allows to educate oneself about different faiths, to see the architectural designs of the temple and to step away from all of our busy lives and simply see beauty and peace so close to Chicago.

Speechless. If you're visiting Chicago or the area I would highly recommend coming by to visit even if you only get to view the architecture. The detail to every aspect of the structure left me flabbergasted. Prior to the covid pandemic there used to be staff in the welcome building that would help inform visitors of the religion, history and of the building. There are currently 11 standing temples in the world and it makes me wonder if they stand as magnificently as this one. Whenever I have family from out of town I always offer visiting this structure as an option when we get away from the downtown area. Unfortunately no dogs allowed pretty much past the sidewalk because of am incident in the past, but I was able to at least walk with my dog around the structure from the side walk.

If you live in Chicago this place should be on your list of places to visit or on your Chicago bucket list. I actually haven't been inside. I enjoy going just to sit in one of the several gardens. It's very peaceful. I've only visited during the weekday so I can imagine it is teeming with folks on the weekend, so plan accordingly.

Absolutely beautiful place to visit! Just a short trip outside of Chicago. There are gardens outside to walk around. If you want to make a whole trip out of your visit, the beach is not far from the Baha'i HoW and the downtown are has cute coffee shops and restaurants nearby.

Gorgeous gardens and architecture! If you haven't been here, this is definitely an eye-catching location in the North Shore. I highly recommend stopping by to admire the inside or check out their small museum. When the weather is nice, the gardens are SUCH a lovely and peaceful place to enjoy. Parking here is very easy.

Sadly, our planet is filled with a lot of pain, hardship, hate, and an entire bundle of other negative energies that try to ultimately destroy mankind one-by-one. That's really how you are going to start a Yelp review, you ask? Yes, because it is a reality check we need to address the elephant in the room. However, there are some solutions and places where one can find peace, harmony, and a new perspective. The Baha'i House of Worship is one of these spots and everyone should be made aware of this glorious locale. The Baha'i House of Worship is one of only ten Baha'i structures in the WORLD and the only one in the US. Where can you find it? Minutes from the heart of Chicago in a residential and college community with the shores of Lake Michigan residing in the distance. So what exactly is this heavenly, gorgeous piece of architecture? One might assume it is a mosque or a Hindu temple but Baha'i actually celebrates ALL religions and the unity of all humans. This isn't about religion or one belief being better than the other-- this is about existence and mankind. In that manner, the Baha'i House of Worship, aside from its services, is open to public visitation and I am telling you: you need to visit. Upon arrival, you will be blown away by the massive size of the circular building with intricate hand-carved details and lines. The architect in you will rejoice as your breath is taken away. Not to mention, there is a level of peace and introspection the second you step foot on the property reminding you of the smallness of your problems but your huge place in the universe. If you are feeling lost or in a dark place; a visit to the Baha'i House of Worship is a must. Bring your camera because the grounds and building are one to remember and is the perfect background to both casual and ceremonious photos. We visited on a cloudy, cold, day with a flutter of snow and it was still stunning (albeit, very windy). After some photo-taking, my boyfriend and I stepped inside the quiet structure and again: it takes your breath away. The beauty of the high, circular ceiling, the art work and sheer peace is enough to make you break down your walls of emotions. My boyfriend actually got down on knee to propose here (not with an actual ring but it was still a moment I will never forget); so, much can be said about the love confined in the space. Now, I am only human and I had to use the ladies room during my visit. The main structure doesn't have restroom facilities which is something one should keep in mind if attending a service here and I had to walk across the grounds to the welcome-center... which was closed! Not the most ideal situation if your bladder needs relief. Being that I haven't attended an service here, I can only vouch for the beauty of the grounds and the peace it brings to visitors. But I promise that the Baha'i House of Worship is one to stop by at when in the Chicago area. Even if you spend a mere few minutes to detox the pain of the world... you will feel much more fulfilled that you did.

Lovely temple to visit and walk around. When people visit us in Illinois, we bring them here for a slow walk in and around the template and down to the beach. Takes less than an hour. It's hard to take a bad picture of this place because the structure is so gorgeous. The location is convenient as it's in a quiet neighborhood and there is free parking in the surrounding area. The dog beach and people beach are also just a couple minutes walk away.

What a beautiful magical place to visit. I have been here a few times in my life, and I swear every time I visit it, I feel renewed. The architecture, detail, beauty, nature, gardens, and spiritualness here is incomparable. This is a must see when you are in the area. You will love it and not want to leave.

Architecture is stunning and is fitting to Baha'i theme of oneness. The temple has 9-sides spherical structure. The religion itself is influenced by many religions like Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism among others. Each of these 9 sides have highly stylized carvings and a well-manicured lawn on the outside with pretty flowers. We stayed back to attend part of the religious mass that was happening inside. It gave me a feeling of being in a Gurudwara(Sikhism) and a Hindi temple. Donations should only be made by members, which is different from most religions I know. A very cute, well-maintained place in Evanston PS: If you were planning to go to Evanston beach later, just know that non-residents have to pay $10 to use the beach.

Found this spot on a travel site listing beautiful places to see just outside of Chicago and I got to say the Baha'i House of Worship was well worth the half hour drive. We showed up early on a Saturday morning and no issues finding parking in their private lot. A security guard saw us wandering once we parked and welcomed us and informed us that the visitor center didn't open til 10am but we were more than welcome to explore the gardens and see the temple. Cool! Reading up a bit on Baha'i I came to learn this religion teaches the oneness of god, the unity of humanity and the essential harmony of all religions. Looking closely at the details on the outside of the temple you'll see symbols of all religions incorporated into the design of the building which truly capture this principle of unity and harmony. Really quite a site to see. The Gardens itself surround the temple and are well maintained. Great for photo ops and such. We did end up entering the temple and took some time to just reflect, meditate, and see the interior of the building which was just as beautiful as the exterior. Anyways, not much else I got on this one. Expect to spend 30min to an hour exploring. 'Til next time, cheers! 170/365

Great place to meditate. Amazing Architecture Welcome centre with some exhibits and movie room. Great for Photoshoots Free Parking Close to evanston. Friendly staff

We were at the gardens of the temple yesterday and I forgot how beautiful and well maintained they are....the temple is closed due to the pandemic but we throughly enjoyed our stroll.

Breathtaking is all I can say. I'm astounded by the beauty of this holy shrine, and the spirituality I feel when I come hear. It's like refilling my cup.

I feel cleansed of all my sins in the beauty of this monolith to acceptance of all religions.........NOT! Gud nut joke eh?! And good architecture of this building here! Nice place to take pics, pray, and read

The Baha'i House of Worship is a breathtaking site that is not far from Chicago. It now holds a very special place in my heart- having been recommended by a student I work with, and visiting it with one of my closest friends. The faith is one of unity and inclusion, both of which are values I possess and try to bestow onto others. On a sunny day, this site embodies that with the number of visitors who come to admire its stunning structure and bask in its beautiful ambience. There is ample space to reflect, meditate, or share a picnic like we did. Bring some snacks and watch over this temple. It is miraculous to think that this is one of seven Baha'i structures in the world, and the only one in North America. I feel privileged to be in a place where I am able to access this site. I look forward to coming back here again and bringing others to share in this peaceful and uplifting experience.

So I guess this is one of the seven wonders of Illinois - who knew? I learned this tidbit, and a little about the Baha'i faith during my visit. All in all I spent about 30 minutes or so walking around the gardens, and when I entered the house of worship I was also given a little book of prayers. Very neat. I was surprised how built out the grounds were, including a whole visitor center, but I still found it to be a very peaceful place. The structure itself is quite majestic, and worth at least a quick stop to see it.

Since I can remember, my kids have always referred to the Baha'i Temple as God's giant orange squeezer. Well, it kind of looks like one ;-) How is it possible that this landmark sits right on Chicago's North Shore, and we've driven past it forever and never stopped? Not once...not even to walk the grounds for a closer look. I guess because I felt like I would be intruding on a house of worship. But, it's okay to stop by, even if you just want to walk the grounds. My hubby and I were driving past on our way to Evanston, and he just randomly took a right turn and parked on a side street and suggested we try something new--do something off the beaten path and check out the Baha'i Temple. We got out of the car, went to the visitor center and then took a much-appreciated pause on a beautiful day. We learned about the history of the faith in the visitor center and then made our way around the winding paths and took in all the greenery and flowers. It's funny how all of a sudden everything became quiet, and I just wanted to shut my mind off from the chaotic world and breathe in the peaceful gardens and fountains. There was a service taking place so we didn't actually go in the Temple, but being on the premises was just enough to remind myself that it's okay to slow down. I left with an overwhelming sense of calm. If you need to hit that reset button, I highly encourage you to stop by.

Absolutely stunning-- went here with my girl and we both loved it. Landscape was so well maintained and so clean.

Beautiful place I bike from ravenswood true Wilmette Free admission So calm So quite So peaceful Thanks

Absolutely Stunning Building. The boyfriend and I went during the shutdown of 2020, and while the inside was not open (with good reason) as we all knew very little about the pandemic at that time; that was no excuse not to enjoy the beautiful gardens, lake views, and the temple it self. People were having picnics outside, and it felt like Narnia. I am very excited to go back now, and see what the inside holds. Amazing architecture, and surroundings.

I have been to the Baha'i house and it like no experience I have ever had great spiritual place

Beautiful place with stunning architecture and laced details. This is one of the seven wonders of Illinois, which was completed in 1953. Enjoy a walk along the lake front while admiring history, culture and nature at this site. There is a beautiful garden around the Temple which provides a serene feel. Great for giving yourself a quiet space to hear yourself and relax. Plenty of parking around the streets.

Wow! What a beautiful place! The gardens around are so manicured and well taken care of. I can see why a lot of people want to take pictures here. While we were visiting there were at least three different quinceañeras snapping photos! There's a free parking lot in the front and a welcome center if you want to collect information.

Great piece of architecture, very calm and we always love visiting this place. Why then would I give this place a two star? Well on a recent visit I approached the front desk and asked them about a place where I could feed my 4 month old. I was not looking for an exclusive area but just a spot where it would be ok to feed (considering its a place of worship). The lady told me with all niceness that they don't have any such area. I went on to explain that I had some pumped milk and was told that they do not allow. I could always make the short trip to the beach park nearby. I've been to many places of worship with my little one but none that responded this way to the feeding needs of a 4 month old.

No matter what you believe, the Baha'i House of Worship is worth checking out. The structure itself is incredible and is set on lush grounds sprinkled with fountains. And if, like me, you have heard of the Baha'i Faith but don't really know much about it, there is a welcome center with information so you can learn more! Among other things, they believe in the oneness of all religions, equality of the sexes, and the importance of education. Since a devotional was happening at the time we arrived, we were only able to go outside the building, but it was a lovely day so we walked around the building and read the quotations on the various sides of the walls, looked at all the fountains and avoided bees near the flowers. It's amazing how serene this place is for being right near the road. Parking was crunchy on a week-end; we ended up parking on the street back across the river and walking back. Definitely an unusual spot (it's the only Baha'i Temple in North America) and worth a visit to expand your horizons if you are anywhere near Chicago.

In all righteousness I do not think a place of worship should ever receive a rating. But since we here on yelp like to paint a picture of what to expect in your mind, I'll go ahead and do that. Honestly, was oblivious to the term Baha'i or what religion this temple belonged to. I personally do not like to label myself as belonging to one religion and am completely open to all teaching's, hence I went forward to explore this one. I was quite taken aback by the architectural intricacy of this building. It's quite massive yet humbling. Adored by beautiful fountains at the entrance (be sure to flip a coin in). As you climb up the stairs, look up and be in awe with it's internal quiet and charm, just as stunning as it's exterior. (Photography is prohibited once inside) There are plenty of chairs inside in a circular fashion, ideal if you're in search of some inner peace or for meditation which is my primary reason for coming here so often. Just some random facts- it is located a little up north but in a charming neighborhood, there is free parking up front so very convenient, surrounded by gardens if you'd like a stroll. Not sure how ideal it is for toddlers since you're supposed to be absolutely quiet once you get inside the temple. Recently, paid attention to its hours and very excited that it's open until 10 pm, can't wait to get back and see it in its glory during night hours! In closing, whatever the reason may be, I think it is a must visit!

It is a Very nice architecture from the outside to the inside. Like the garden too. It is a nice place to go to if you are touring around Chicago and like architecture

Of the three Baha'i Temples I have visited, this one has the most exquisite landscaping and exterior views, complete with fountains. The walking tour guides the visitor past many posters that explain the premise of the faith. The only thing keeping this from being a 5 star is the crowds and noise level. When visiting the temples in Panama and Australia, there are typically very few people around. The lack of distraction makes it so much easier to sit, meditate, and feel the presence of your Higher Power.

Some worship places really look good, like I have been to so many Churches in Italy, France, Portugal and Spain and also Temples/Mandirs in India, Sri Lanka,Singapore and recently went to a Buddhist temple in Mississauga. Some how all these have a very calm and serene feeling. Bahai temple is very clean, the architecture is beautiful, there are wordings on the ceiling written beautifully. There is a place for worshipers upstairs and on ground floor. They play videos for visitors to understand more about the Bahai temple and religion. The landscaping outside is beautiful. If you are visiting Chicago, do stop by and see it.

Very beautiful! Went here late spring and I loved the gardens. Lots of beautiful flowers, fountains, and the landscaping was done so well. The interior of the temple is also beautiful. Serene, calm, good place to meditate and pray.

What a serene & holy place. It was absolutely stunning architecture. The quartz exterior glistened in the sunlight. The gardens & fountains surrounding the temple were beautiful as well. The visitor center is very welcoming worth a video explaining their faith & how the temple was built. A wonderful stop on our site seeing journey.

This is an incredibly beautiful landmark. This was the first time I've ever seen a Baha'i house of worship and I thought it was worth the 2+ mile hike to get here from Evanston. They do allow you to walk in and sit even when service is not in session. It's very peaceful. I'm not religious but appreciated the brief moment of peace and zen.

This house of worship is absolutely beautiful and so very peaceful. Even in the dead of winter on a freezing cold night, the sight was breath-taking and the atmosphere was calm and quiet. I appreciate that they allow all religions to enter. The gardens must be so beautiful during the summer months. I'm very glad we stopped at this destination and really loved everything about it.

Absolutely gorgeous. I've been meaning to visit Baha'i for the past four years of my NU career, and finally managed to stop by a couple days before leaving Evanston for good. I definitely recommend visiting the welcome center (check their hours!) because it gives you a really good introduction/background information about the temple and the history behind it. I also highly recommend sitting in on the 20 minute film - I usually avoid these but it gave a great, brief history without being dry. The temple itself is absolutely gorgeous and the interior is breathtaking. I also know a lot of people who run up here for exercise, and I think being able to see the temple at the end of your run will definitely be a worthwhile reward.

It's an enormous, beautiful worship temple. It's so large and beautiful in person, and when you walk inside the height and architecture of the ceiling will blow your mind. Definitely recommend if you want to visit there as a trip.

Amazing architecture and gardens! It is the oldest surviving Baha'i House of Worship in the world, and the only one in the US. This is a domed structure surrounded by fountains and gardens. The top of the dome is covered in intricate lace style details. Inside the center of the dome ceiling, you could see an Arabic inscription, which means the "Greatest Name". One of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. Definitely will visit here again.