Chicago Botanic Garden

LOVE the new pricing model! It makes sense to charge per person that is entering vs. just by parking a car that could either have one person or seven. Yes, people used to be able to get in for free, either by walking or biking in, I did it several times myself. But if you get to enter and enjoy the gardens, you should also be the one paying for that admission. This isn’t a forest preserve or a park. For large groups, people with kids, and any other individuals that don’t really value the botanic garden or just don’t think it’s worth the price of admission there are plenty of beautiful parks, beaches, trails, and forest preserves in the area that are free. For those that find real value in the experience and/or are frequent visitors, the price of admission or membership is well worth it.

Awesome place and we only saw half of it due to child's nap time. The model train garden made me in awe and could spend so long in there just looking at every little detail. The gardens are awesome in general and cannot wait to see more. The Cafe was delicious and would recommend for lunch. Look forward to going back and seeing the rest

Let me start by saying, if you love botanic gardens, get the membership! They have options that range from households plus guests to individual memberships. They even have an option for people who live more than 75 miles away. And get this: if you become a member, your entry and parking fees are covered! If you choose not to join, expect to pay between around $16 - $22 per person plus $8 per car (I think vans & other larger vehicles cost more). Once inside, the gardens have acres upon acres of breathtaking displays to enjoy! Our favourites are the fruit & vegetable garden, the Japanese garden, and probably the bonsai display. The gift shop has lovely items plus local honey (so good for you)! The cafe has a good variety of options and the prices aren't too crazy. We haven't tried the tram yet but it's on our list. The garden closes around 8pm so you could literally spend the whole day here!

Always a treat to visit this well known, established and such a gem of a botanical garden. I very much reckoned to visit to enjoy all sorts of botanical marvels they created here. The cafe offers delicious options for lunch and pleasant facility to dine in. I’d suggest to buy tickets online as well as prepaid parking to expedite your movement through the entrance.

This is a huge garden with many acres of beautiful flowers and trees. You will need to get tickets in advance as they had to be purchased on line and they are often sold out especially on weekends. Be sure to see the waterfalls and rose gardens, apple orchards and miniature trains.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is a favorite place to visit. Every season is beautiful. This is landscaping at its finest. You will never see a better place for vibrant, healthy, diverse, and creative landscaping. If it's fall see summer green transition to all the fall colors and mums of every kind and color. See the harvest from the beautiful and educational agriculture garden. If it's winter visit the greenhouse. If it's spring enjoy the orchid show and then the amazing bulb garden. If it's summer you will see the glorious lush greenery, butterfly garden, blooming rose garden, and beauty all around you.

I took a shuttle bus from the hotel. You do require purchase admission but just happens that day I went was free admission. You need to check online before heading over but it is worth a trip. The garden is amazing. I do advice bring bottle of water, sunscreen and repellent with you during summer it is hot. I got all my tan in one day. 🤪 They have a very nice tea room Cafe and gift shop.

I guess the most beautiful place near the Chicago area. Nice park with all amenities and also so many type of plants and trees, flowers. Chicago Botanical Garden is definitely worth visiting. It’s a great place to people-watch!

I really enjoy the Chicago Botanic Garden. It was recommended by me to a coworker. I have gone during the summer as well as during their Lightscapes. Both had a mix of adults and children. GARDEN: - Lots of different areas with a wide variety of gardens - Can go in an exhibit with butterflies - VERY well kept throughout - Mini train area with landmarks from across the country (very popular with kids) LIGHTSCAPES: - Very cool lights throughout, moves to the best of the music, different music/themes at different sections - Offer alcohol for adults (like hot cocoa with alcohol) - Offer snacks/refills on drinks (including alcohol) as you go through - More substantial food along the way you can stop at if you are hungry with a variety of food - Tickets can sell out, so try to order far in advance (I ordered in August to go in November)

Let me preface this with the fact that I am not a member and this was my first visit. We had driven by this fall and saw the signs for the Lightscape and decided to purchase tickets. Tickets and parking were not cheap. We purchased both on line so it was easy entry and parking for us. It was a chilly night so we were dressed for the weather. Very important to check the weather report before you go as you will be outside walking about a mile. The walk was pleasant - there are some walkways that aren't paved so those that we passed with canes had a long walk ahead of them. We also saw families pulling wagons with their kids in them. The lights and music were very pretty. We did notice some of the lights on one path looked like they were knocked over. There were lots of employees around but none to fix the tobbled over lights. I have been to Disney many times (and I hate to compare) but for the price to see Lightscape, I expected more. It can be a fun event for a family or group to stop at the concession stands along the way and enjoy the lights & music without making the trip to Disney World.

This place shouldn't be hard to be impressed with. When you put nature and human establishments in a nicely Curated space you have yourself a nice stroll nestled in the suburbs with. It's a cute balance between nature and the city. There's plenty of different curated area to walk around in and learn a little bit about nature, conservation, and restoration. If you really want to enjoy this place and make the best out of it, you don't need to look Too deep, just look at the flowers and how well they put everything together. Don't miss the Japanese gardens and the rooftop gardens. I like the greenhouses too cause it makes you feel like you're in a different place or country! I probably like the Japanese Gardens and the English gardens the most. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder . I would want to come back during the spring when there are more things in display as it seemed a little scarce in some areas.

A beautiful garden approximately 45 mins to 1 hour north of the city of Chicago! The parking fee is an extra $10 per vehicle. Tickets can get expensive at approximately $22 per adult, although babies 3 and under are free admission. This is a wonderful place to come and spend 2-3 leisurely hours. There is a cafe here where you can enjoy a nice lunch with a view of the nature. There is also a tram (included in the price of the ticket) that allows you to get a nice overview of the park without having to walk.

Best place around here to see flowers and plants just north of Chicago in Glencoe. Chicago Botanic Garden is a massive area that consists of nine islands. It has many display gardens and natural habitats among these. About the only bad thing is paying to get in of course. There's also paying for parking, but you can avoid that by using a bus or train to get here. A lot to check out, and not only the gardens. It's a part of the Cook County Forest Preserves. There's also prairies and woods. An admission fee is the worst thing about coming. It's about $23 for adults, and on top of that you have to pay for parking. The rest is good though. Big area that's 385 acres. This opened in 1972 and through the years has added many gardens. You can spend many hours looking at these. Among these are the Japanese Garden, the English Walled Garden, and the Rose Garden. It's also not just for tourists. A lot of research goes on. It's the home of the Joseph Regenstein Jr. School, which has classes and certificate programs. Scientists contribute to rare plant conservation research. A lot of things the garden is involved in. They're a partner of the Seeds Of Success project, which is to collect seeds from all the native Midwestern plants for preservation. Certainly one of the top outdoor activities in the area. It's located on Lake Cook Road on the county line. The best way to get here is either by taking the Pace bus from Glencoe, or by getting off at the Braeside Metra station, and avoid paying for parking by using public transportation.

Attended the Lightscape night event. I highly recommend it as a fun holiday experience. It was crowded on a weekend but acceptable for any attraction. I have had reciprocal membership on and off over the years and really enjoyed experiencing the garden at night instead of the daytime.

This garden is massive - there is so much to see and is perfect for anyone who loves nature or just wants a quiet place to walk. I give my upmost respect and appreciation for the hard-working staff who make this place so beautiful and clean. It's paid admission but gladly will support to upkeep this place. There is tons of paid parking if you are visiting. ($10) This was one of many times visiting and I will be coming back more in the future.

The Chicago Botanic Garden has to be by far the most beautiful, well designed, and colorful garden I have ever been to. From the moment you drive up to enter to park you can see an arrange of well landscaped colorful flowers and trees of all varieties. This place will definitely leave you with an appreciation for nature and have you in awe! At only $24.95 per person, if you live outside the cook county, lies a garden you can literally spend an entire day walking around and appreciating the beauty each section holds, as well as, grabbing a bite to eat at their cafe. I loved the fact that this garden holds a garden area with its own apple orchard and mini grape vineyard and you can see all the produce they grow during summer. My favorite area had to be a tie between the walk around dock with Lilly pads and giant Willow trees in the distance and their area with miniature landmarks that had miniature trains running throughout. Just a note if you are visiting, the actual Garden is located about a 25 minutes drive from the actual city but so worth the drive!

Visited on a perfect, weather Saturday afternoon. It was packed but worth the visit. There is so much to see so plan to do nothing else for the remainder of the day because you will be tired!!! We walked around for a couple hours and just embraced nature. We ended our day with a 35-minute tour on the Grand Tram to capture the parts of the gardens that we weren't able to. The fruit and vegetable garden was beautiful. We tried a delicious raspberry lemonade ($13). Note: If you are planning to park there, you will pay at the gate (card only). Entry fee to get into the gardens is sold separately (rates different for Cook County residents). Definitely worth visiting!

Finally convinced the hubby and kids to take me here after asking them for almost 2 years! Messed around and got the Membership deal for my whole household because it just made more sense and I've never been more excited about a membership. The Chicago Botanic Garden is so peaceful and zen. I loved everything about our visit and I got to take great pictures. The Japanese Garden is a must see along with the Rose Garden. I got there around 3pm and the place was only open until 6 so we didn't get to go to all the areas, but I got a whole year to use my membership! Looking forward to the Night of 1000 Jackolanterns. As a member you get 20% off all the ticketed events. If you're a nature and plant lover I highly recommend!!!

I had a great experience at the botanical gardens. I visited with a group of my friends and we had a great time exploring all of the different gardens. I was very excited to visit after we didn't get a chance to really explore the Anderson Japanese gardens in Rockford. I was very impressed with the Japanese garden here and also really enjoyed the garden with the waterfall. My friends and I also had a great time looking at the bonsai trees and all the different lakes. The 45 foot waterfall garden was super scenic and colorful. This is a great place to enjoy nature and to spend time with loved ones, I highly recommend coming here!

My first time to this location and it was specifically for the Chicago Botanical Lightscape in January. Cost about $50 per person! (2 adult tickets x $34 + $6 service fee + $25 parking = $99) It took 1 hour to leisurely walk the path and see the lights. There are places to get food and beverages (including alcoholic options) along the way. The displays were nice and I enjoyed the 80's music. Overall, I thought the Illumination light show at Morton Arboretum was bigger, nicer, and better value for the price. .|\---/| | @_@ | ..\_^_/..2024

First time here. Love the beautiful grounds and the gorgeous gardens. Was lucky enough to get to see the butterflies and blooms, which were very nice and beautiful butterflies. Nice place for nature walks, observing wildlife, and taking pictures. Even got a chance to see a rainbow from in the water spurt over the main pond/lake area. The tram tour was fun and informative. Would highly recommend this place.

It had been a few years since I've been to the Chicago Botanic Garden. I forgot how peaceful and serene it is here. Once you get past the visitors center, the crowd thins out. There are MANY different trees, flowers, lakes, lagoons, birds and animals to see. The park is huge and there are many places to explore. To see everything that there is to see will take several visits. There is a tram that will take you on a tour of the garden so you can figure out which places you want to visit. You are allowed to bring water and baby needs into the park. Plan on coming early, as it gets busy later in the day. I plan on coming back to the Chicago Botanic Garden to take advantage of all that is here.

Exceeded expectations and a great place to visit. Multiple paths and places to walk outside of enjoying the gardens. There is a cafe there and gift shop.

I've been visiting the Chicago Botanic Garden for a number of years now and I'm still in awe of the place every time I come. I came on Mother's Day recently and visited their model railroad garden for the first time (it was never open all the other times I've visited) and it was quite the fun experience. I've never seen something like it before and really enjoyed seeing the recreation of various American landscapes and the vast number of model trains racing on the tracks. The Garden covers a huge area and it will take the majority of the day to walk through everything. It's definitely one of the most beautiful spaces you'll find in the Chicagoland area and an ideal manicured nature escape from the city. They do have tram rides available right outside the entrance- I have yet to go on one but if I go again this year, it'll be the first thing I do. They have a pretty good cafe near the entrance with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating- I recommend getting the tacos and skipping the pizza.

I am obsessed with this place. I bought a membership in June even though I had never been before, and it was way overdue. Since then I've come here on average once every other week to walk around and take it all in. This is my happy place. And all the guests are so nice and everyone politely says "hello" to everyone else when they cross paths (at least during the members-only hours). I love coming here in the morning because it's less crowded and the sun isn't at a crazy high UV index yet. It's the best. I've also been here a few times for their 10am free concerts on Thursday, which is a cool perk, and I hope to go back for some of the evening concerts they do, too. Highly recommend. I want to live here.

Price: $$$ Recommend Level: 5/5 Payment Options: Cash/Credit Card/Apple Pay/Online Parking: Parking lot (Non-member is $8 per vehicel) The Chicago Botanic Garden is always a beautiful place to visit as it always have special event that's happening througout the season. This place is a hoot year-round, offering more excitement than a squirrel in a nut factory. From spring's floral like the orchid show to winter's snowy serenity such as christmas light, this garden is a riot of color and charm. It's like a botanical fashion show, with each season strutting its stuff in style. But wait, there's more! The garden hosts events hotter than a jalapeno in July. Whether you're into flower power festivals or leaf peeping parties, there's something for everyone. And let's talk photo ops! This place is full of selfies and/or group ops potential. Strike a pose with a posse of posies or snap a shot with your sweetheart under a canopy of trees. It's Instagram gold! Not to mention, grab a bite at their café as there are plenty of options to refuel and recharge. (but fair warning though, the prices of their food items is abit pricy, so if you can bring your own food will definitely worth the trouble brining it). In a nutshell, the Chicago Botanic Garden is a botanical bonanza that's fun for the whole family or a romantic rendezvous. And I always have a great time there.

I want to preface this by saying I only saw the light show Lightscape and not the gardens during the day, also this review is very late. The light show was very well organized and spaced out, very festive and beautiful! I will say in the beginning it was a bit crowded but once you walked a bit further from the first two exhibits, it got less crowded but keep in mind it might be a bit garden but it will get busy and there will be people a bit everywhere walking. I really enjoyed my time here! There's music, different themes, lights, art installations, and seating along the way. Lots of places to stop and grab a drink or a bite to eat as well. It takes about 1 hour to an 1 hour and half to do the full circuit. A holiday activity that everyone will enjoy!

It was one of the prettiest Botanic Gardens I have seen. It is large and so we got on the little transfer vehicle that have us an overall view of the gardens. Then we went to a few of the different areas. That night there was a concert. My friend went but I had other plans. They also have morning concerts. I was just visiting g but would go back when I am back in the area.

This review is for their "Lightscape" only. I have written a separate review on the visit for the "Chicago Botanic Garden," but that was awhile ago and their ticketing format has changed after COVID. However, I never got a chance to check out the venue at night, and I thought it would be fun to take our 2.5 year-old son with us. I had to say that the tickets were pricy: $34 for non-members plus $3 convenience fee for each ticket that was purchsed online ($30 for members and the convenience fee waived). Fortunately, kids under 3 were free. Discounted parking was purchased online as well for $15. If purchased onsite, that would become $25. Anyway, I know there were too many numbers being said, our grand total for this trip, including 2 adults and parking, was $89. Entering to the "Lightscape" was fast since we had the tickets ready. We didn't come during the holiday season, yet the event ended the weekend after the new year and we visited on the very last Saturday. For individuals who love Christmas, they would be able to listen to seasonal music again and re-live the festivity. In the beginning of the line, there was a poster listing the food vendors and a map for the route. I believe it was approximately 1.3 mile long. Arrows were only pointing forward. In other words, one wasn't allowed to walk in a reserved direction. Restrooms were available at the entrance. Of course the infamous porty-potty installs could be seen throughout the journey, yet I would recommend using the actual facility before commencing the walking, especially when you had a young toddler who was yet diaper-free. Various ways, shapes, and patterns of lights were displayed. People were courteous enough when capturing photos so they weren't blocking the walking paths. Our son was very fond of the "fire lights." They weren't "light" by definition. They were actually little fire torches that occupied a portion of field, with Andrea Bocelli's music in the background. He was just SO impressed and moved by everything presented. We went on a snowy January evening and eveyone dressed up accordingly. The temperature wasn't ultra low, so it made the experience a pleasant one. The paths were salted properly. In addition, there were workers stationed at corners to direct traffic or to make themselves available to answer questions. We weren't so sure if we would come annually due to the price we paid. Thinking about it, that could have been the best deal for the family since my 2.5 year-old son's ticket was free and he had his exercise and everything made sense to him. I realized that there were activities that a young toddler couldn't participate, but this one was appropriate for the entire family to enjoy and to make memories together.

Love the Botanic! Really big place to walk and see the beautiful nature! Love the flowers

Loved it! It was a cold night but we were dressed for it. Five of us walked the 1.3 mile path to see all the lights and displays. This is the second Botanic Garden light tour we've done this December and it was the best. Well done.

I had an amazing time at the botanical gardens! I went with some friends, and we thoroughly enjoyed discovering the various sections. I was particularly eager to visit since we missed out on the Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford. The Japanese garden here was impressive, and I loved the waterfall garden as well. We spent a lot of time admiring the bonsai trees and the beautiful lakes. The 45-foot waterfall was especially picturesque and vibrant. This is a fantastic spot to connect with nature and make memories with loved ones--I highly recommend it!

One of the most beautiful places in Chicago! We visited in early November and then for Lightscape, both of which are AMAZING. If you love nature and trees, you will love this place. There's a specific area designated to children and there's a Japanese garden which is gorgeous. It is a bit of a drive from the city but it is entirely worth it!

So much to explore and enjoy at these gardens. Normal admission is $23.95 plus $10 parking. It was worth the money to me.

Amazing price for the amount of time you could spend here! A lot to see and learn. Many bathrooms as well. Tram tour is free with your ticket. 100% work the ride. 35 minute tour around the property. Good place to stop and the tour driver will tell you a lot of facts of the place! Wish I took more photos. Definitely should put on your list of places to go.

This place is magical no matter what time of the year you go. There is something about these gardens that brings you peace and tranquility to your soul. We visited on Sunday night with tickets our neighbors Amy gave us to see the 1000 Jack o Lanter exhibits. OMG, the amazing artwork done on these huge punkins is amazing. I'm a huge plant lover, and my family calls me plant mama, but this is at another level of art. They are so beautifully done that you don't want to leave. Please, if you haven't visited this event, it's well worth the money and time.

A huge park well maintained. It pays to be a member. Staff are really friendly and helpful. Great exhibits.

Just beautiful. I highly recommend purchasing a membership so you can enjoy the various seasons over the course of the year. There are all sorts of events, market days and classes worth experiencing if you want an even more immersive time there. My personal favorite feature: the cafe. If weather permits, I recommend having a light meal at the cafe right next to the entrance. I believe they source locally to cook with the freshest ingredients around. Watch the birds flutter around beside a reflective water feature and enjoy all that nature has to offer! - AT

One of my favorite places in the Chicago area! It's the perfect place to walk and enjoy nature and all the beautiful flowers and lush gardens. Admission is free, but they do charge a hefty parking fee. I don't mind, though; because it's so worth it. They often host special events, and it's nice to come with family, friends, or out of town guests. They have nice eateries or you're welcome to pack a picnic. I've been here a few times for seminars in the conference/meeting area and those are always well done as well. They have a gift shop that has really nice things; great garden tools, plants, and a variety of gift items. All around a great place to spend a few hours or a whole day.

Phenomenal! I visited for one of their "free admission" days, which also happened to be Columbus Day, so it was quite busy. I could see how going on a regular day would be even more enjoyable, with plenty of peaceful walking trails and sitting areas tucked away in the gardens. From the moment we walked in, I was delighted by the landscape and views, walking over the bridge with hanging flowers and overlooking the lagoon. Unfortunately, it was a bit of a chilly day, so we were looking forward to some respite in the greenhouses, but they were closed. However, there is a cafe and gift shop in the visitor center if you need to warm up. We also went over to the Regenstein Center and were able to see their bonsai tree exhibit in the courtyards, which was really cool. My other favorite part was the Japanese Garden. Even though it was October, and not what you'd consider peak bloom season, there was still a surprising amount of beauty to take in. I'm hoping to come back and visit again in the spring, and also around the holidays to see the Lightscape. I know both will be sensational just based on my first experience at the gardens!

My family and I really enjoyed our time here in this BEAUTIFUL garden. This place has many things to offer for all ages. Aside from all the amazing plant life they have yummy places to eat and grab a drink or some wine to sip as you take in a breathtaking nature walk/experience. They're open all year so we're looking forward to coming back to see the fall and winter attractions the garden has to offer.

The Chicago Botanic Gardens is such a beautiful place! We had a wonderful time walking out among various plants and flowers. Lots of education happening here! We enjoyed the train garden and spoke to one of the men that volunteers here. He was like a little kid, you could tell he enjoyed teaching all that would listen at the model train garden. It was fun to see all the landmarks made out of natural materials. We took the tram ride with Keith. He was a great guide, providing lots of education in a fun and informative way. We decided to get out at the last stop before the end, at the butterfly exhibit. So glad we did! We really enjoyed learning all about the various stages of a butterfly's development and having them land on us (spoiler alert - it tickles!) They check to make sure you don't have any hitchhikers on you as you exit by going into a buffer zone. If I lived here, I would buy a membership for sure! So much peace and tranquillity and a beautiful setting. It would be fun to return for each season.

This is a great place to go with the whole family! Fabulous attention to accessibility and education throughout this huge garden. My husband and I stopped off here on our way out of Chicago to up north and it proved to be an excellent place to stretch our legs and take in refreshing air! There's a beautiful model train area that features all of these model trains and "road side attractions" of the United States which was so much fun to look at. There weee art exhibits throughout the gardens and benches and even a library you could go and look up information. We could have spent days here! With your admission, you get a trolly ride around most of the garden -- you get to see islands and meadows and research labs and you can get off at certain points and walk back if you'd like or simply ride the trolley and enjoy the day. My husband and I had my Service Dog in Training (SDiT) with me and the trolley people were exceptionally professional and polite. If we lived closer, this would absolutely be someplace I'd have a membership to. Very professional, beautiful, exceptional place I could see bringing lunch or work or meditating in a little corner!

Wonderful Gardens... A must see and do at least once. Plan for at least three hours here... and more : ) Nature Bathe. It's been a minute since we've been here... so much beauty. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly... Thank You. The earth laughs in flowers... Ralph Waldo Emerson

CBG hosting a evening holiday lightshow called "Lightscape" where we purchased tickets online ($35) which included parking (well worth the price). Long lines are expected to this event which the day we went was a little above freezing. There are signs everywhere to illustrate the dazzling landscapes around the park. The entire event was around 2 hours to walk-thru. There are 2 areas from start to end where you are able to use the portable potties (expect long lines to use it). I would highly recommend ordering the tickets online and dress warm. These showings have varies times so parking spots are in rotations.

Don't miss the butterflies! It's always a great day when I spend it at the gardens but today was especially wonderful because we came to see the butterflies and they were really active.

I attended the botanical garden on one of the free admission days (just pay for parking, $8) and my cousins and I thoroughly enjoyed the day. The temperature was perfect for mid-November, when I look back on the photos it felt like a dream. The peek into the laboratory rooms was my favorite, really neat to see where the genetics and biology sectors come into play. The greenhouse was also my favorite, felt like I was back in the south with the humidity so felt right at peace there. The Japanese garden was peaceful and reflective to walk through. It appears the garden also hosts seasonal events throughout the year in addition to wedding receptions as well.

It's been over 10 years since I first reviewed the gardens and a lot has changed since then and I'm overdue for an update so here we go! The gardens themselves are still the same beautiful, well cared for gardens from years past with frequently updated signage for the plants and so many nooks and corners of the garden to explore. Every time you visit (especially in the springtime) you'll see something different. Throughout the year they'll have special shows and events. June is a great time to see the roses. Another favorite is the Orchid show, which has ballooned over the years from simple displays of prized orchids to a magnificent exhibit of orchids in some areas from floor to ceiling that also extends from the showroom into some of their gardens. Now as for the nitty gritty, the pay structure has also changed significantly in the last few years. While the parking price has gone down ($8 per car, more for vans and bigger vehicles) they now charge individual admission price which varies ~ $13-17 depending on what day of the week you go. Similar to the Chicago museums though they do have several free days throughout the year (and maybe even each month?). You do still have to pay for parking. If you like plants it's definitely worth a visit.

This is a very late review for the Chicago Botanical Garden Lightscape show back in January. It was our first time going to the Chicago Botanical Garden and it was very frigidly cold. Bundle up as it is all outdoors. We paid roughly $34 per person. There is also a fee for parking. The light show itself was very cool and beautiful. Roughly small and pricier in comparison to the light show at the Mortem Arboretum. My favorite part was the golden light cathedral and the music coordinated light show along with the starlight pathway. Halfway through the installments there is a heated outdoor eating area as well as an indoor area with bathrooms and a more extensive cafe where you can order more food items. Overall, it was a great experience! It's a perfect winter activity to do with family and friends. I will say, compared to the Mortem Arboretum which is closer and less expensive, I personally prefer the Mortem Arboretum. However, if you live near Chicago and have never been, I would highly recommend checking it out!

This has a plethora of flora and fauna throughout. The paths are fairly decent with both mulch paths and concrete for some. The tram ride around the gardens is something I highly recommend. It allows you to see the further ends of the garden while providing a nice educational opportunity. This is a lovely day trip. I got a lot of steps in. I may have to come back for lunch one day.

Went for the lightscape and it was so good. Only downside is the ran out of roasted chestnuts pretty early the day I went.

Still my favorite botanic garden. Very well kept. Easy walking paths. We are always happy to be here. The Japanese gardens are our favorite. This trip we decided to take the train around the gardens to see the sculptures that are scattered around. The guide on the train was very informative about the art and the artists. Weather was great. Cherry trees were in bloom. Model railroad garden was closed but hey, maybe next time. We will be back and this is a got to place in my book.

Beautiful orchid show. Highly recommend. Beautiful carnival theme. So many beautiful flowers. They are preparing the garden for the spring and summer for us to enjoy.

I am already a member of the botanic gardens so I already love it but I went the other night to light scape, which is a special event in the winter. It is a light show set to music and it is about a mile and a half long I highly highly highly recommend doing this at least once, I was blown away by the creativity!!!!

I took my mom who was visiting from Japan here. The parking was $10. The entry fee was $25 a head. The rose garden wasn't in bloom so that was disappointing. The gift shop wasn't anything to write home about. The Japanese garden / island was nice. Overall, the landscaping was impressive and the variety of florals was mid. When the roses are in bloom it may be a good time to come.

Love, love, love it here! I got tickets to go to the night of 1,000 pumpkins which is a special event. Well, first off...I LOVE Halloween so this was a definite no brainer! Going on a Sunday night, hopefully, it wouldn't be too crazy. Fingers crossed. The event started at 6:30pm so my bf and I got there a little after 6:30pm. Luckily, our tickets included parking. Our parking was easy because we were being told where to park and getting there semi early helped a lot because there weren't too many cars. After we parked, we headed on in. Again, not too crazy so the lady took our tickets at the window and we started toward the trail. Immediately, you are greeted with various small pumpkins on the pathway alongside a little food cart that was serving drinks and food. My bf and I are foodies and were naturally starving so we got some noms before we continued to head down the trail. We got a pretzel with some cheese sauce, some bite sized churros, beer braised short rib sandwiches, a Captain Morgan Spiked Hot Cider and a Baileys Spiked Hot Chocolate. Food was decent, overpriced but we knew what we were going into when we decided to get the food plus...we were here for the experience so no complaints here. At least it filled up our tummies enough to continue our walk. There was Halloween music blasting through the numerous speakers throughout the path so my bf and I were jamming out to some classics like "Thriller" and the Ghostbusters theme song. As you continue through the path, there are certain sections with certain themes such as "Marvel", "Movies filled in Illinois", "Haunted Houses". The amount of pumpkins there were was astounding but even more unbelievable was the carvings. The amount of detail in a lot of these carvings was unreal, the artists that do these pumpkins are just that...ARTISTS. Visually stunning to say the least, just beautiful! I had so many favorite pumpkins from various sections, it was hard to pick just one. The walk in and of itself was brief but the nighttime was lit up by the beautiful glow of these Jack o lanterns. There were various areas to sit down, the park was clean, there were employees to help you along the way and various restrooms available. As usual, Chicago Botanical Gardens hit it out of the park with this one. As a native of the Northshore, I can't wait to come back as my bf and I enjoyed every minute of it.

Yay the only day we could go was Thurs and thry said that was a free day. Totally not sure if its every Thurs but that was a nice surprise. Normally fee for parking but we even got free parking ... our lucky day. Went with 3 other ladies and we had a blast walking around exploring. The ticket ...which were free also got us into the butterfly area and the tram. Once again not sure if that was because its the free day or if the ticket always gets you into those things. This was my first time on the tram ... nice way to Get orientated to the huge park. The tram stopped a few times and gave you the opportunity to get off or to get on if there were free spaces. Really enjoyed the butterfly area lots of butterflies. So many gardens, water features, fountains, mature tree, flowers ... just heaven. Wish this was close to where i live ... i would come regularly. Hope my pictures turn out but get way to spend the day. Did have to show my ticket for several things even though it was a free day? So keep ticket handy. Bring a water bottle (there are refill areas). Hat, sun screen, camera and definitely comfortable shoes. They have some places to sit and rest or relax. But even if it's not a bench ... there are lots of flat rock area that you can sit.