I went twice this week. The first time I went with my parents, and our current membership only allowed for two adults. So I stopped by the membership desk asking if we could upgrade our membership. Since they couldn't do it in their system (and said they would get back to me during the week), they gave me a free pass to get in so I could push my mom in a wheelchair. The CBG is so kind to provide free wheelchairs for people in need. The only thing that would be even better is if more of their garden areas were accessible for wheelchair users, strollers, etc. I also visited the gardens on a Thursday morning for their music concert. The weather was perfect, and the performances were absolutely wonderful. The musicians were so very talented! Overall, this place is the best. The entire staff is always warm and welcoming, helpful and friendly. read more

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I've been coming here with my family since I was a child. I had the day off today and spent the morning listening to the bell concert. Then found various places to enjoy sitting and reading alternating with meandering strolls. Every area is beautiful although weekends can get quite crowded. Some of the further areas as well as the pines and wooded areas are usually a little less crowded. What was new for me this time was realizing their food offerings are wonderful. Not only do they have quite a variety but they cater to various dietary restrictions including swapping in tofu to make items vegan or vegetarian on some meals. The ideas range from burgers to fried chicken to excellent salads and tacos. I decided to try the beet hummus with roasted carrots because it seemed so fresh and innovative. Perfectly balanced meal with slightly sweet smooth hummus, crunchy pita chips, lightly toasted sweet carrots with a good chew still left in them. Plus a whipped goat cheese, pistachio pieces, and powdered mint. The flavors were wonderful. read more

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Located in Glencoe, IL, the Chicago Botanic Garden is a renowned living museum, making conservation an important part of its teaching mission. My brother, his son, my wife, and I met up in Chicago, and decided to take a bit of free time to visit. With the gorgeous Midwest summer weather, and the good company, the afternoon turned into a memorable one. I grew up close to here, but have not had the chance to visit the Gardens until now. Up to now, I've always thought it was located in Highland Park (which would put the gardens in Lake County, not Cook). So was a little confused when seeing that the admission price was lower for Cook County residents. Later learned that it's located in Glencoe, very close to Lake-Cook Road (the divider between the two counties), but definitely on the Cook side. It officially opened in 1972, as a 385 acre site across nine little islands and continues to be a partnership between the Forest Preserves of Cook County (owner) and non-profit Chicago Horticultural Society (operator). The entrance to the parking lot is metered, with parking for non-residents being $12. General admission is $27.95, $25.95 for residents. Fees for both are waived for active military and their families. Major sites to not miss would include the Japanese and Rose gardens. The site's main central focus is the 60 acre lake system with a 6-mile shoreline, with the central lake named the Great Basin. Many of the picturesque shots will include part of the lake as the background. Water is central here, with the view of the lake never being too far away. As we walked around the area, noticed a lot of places where man-made streams with waterfalls were turned off, with the surrounding ground being quite dry. Since it was June, it should have been running, but maybe it was off for maintenance. The huge spouting aerators in the middle of the Great Basin was on, and made for great background shots. During this time, there was also an exhibition of bubble like orbs (Evanescent) throughout the park. Of course, the gardens has a large cafe and gift shop. Whenever I walk through a botanic garden of this size, always wonder how many gardeners/landscapers are needed to keep a place like this looking so nice. read more

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I've never been here prior. This place is really very cool to venture through. Everything about it. There is so much to do. We really enjoyed the Model Railroad Garden and the Butterflies in Bloom as well as the displays of Bonsai trees. That was really cool to see with age of the trees. We also went on the Grand Tram and learned so much more about the full area. I hear it's very beautiful in the winter around Christmas as well. read more

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We visited for the weekly summer concert series and had an absolute blast! The ABBA tribute made for a fantastic soundtrack to a perfect day. read more

Chicago Botanic Garden - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Glencoe, Illinois

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This place is full of many things to do for both adult and kids. A must visit whether you live in the area or in the area visiting. Such a great history! read more

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I love Botanical gardens. Flowers and plants have always been my thing. This one has a butterfly garden as well. How cool is that. You pay a small fee for parking. Unless you're a member. I also noticed a tram near the entrance. If you don't feel like walking. I like to explore the premises and there are spots that the tram wouldn't be able to reach. This has to be the biggest botanical garden I've ever encountered. So worth it all though. Make sure you have on comfortable sneakers. It's a lot of walking involved. Don't forget the train station. Model Trains from state to state. Check out my video. This was another favorite of mine. I even saw amtrak from DC. I took so many pictures that I had to start removing old ones from my phone for the space. They also have various indoor plants. I loved visiting the veggie plants. All those fresh vegetables made me want a salad lol. Everything is included once you pay the entry fee. Including those beautiful butterflies. Loved it and afterwards we got something to eat. Which is also located by the visitor center. They also had free water with the cups available. Much needed, just make sure you stay hydrated. Keep a bottle of water available or thermal bottle. It definitely will be needed while walking around. Good way to get your steps in and watch nature at the same time. Enjoy yourself. read more

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Beautiful holiday light shows. Wonderful pumpkin fest. Great train exhibit for families. Most importantly the most beautiful gardens ! Go to the café and eat the most delicious scones.. love all the beauty around you! read more

Visited today for the first time and the weather was spectacular! The gardens are amazing and the layout and paths make it such an enjoyable experience! The shimmering summer exhibit was so fun! There is a restaurant and gift shop on site as well as stops along the way to buy snacks and beverages (alcohol too). There is a trolly available too. Parking onsite at a cost depending on your ticket. Such a great day! read more

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5 stars for the Chicago Botanic Garden! This was my first visit today, and I highly recommend you check it out if you enjoy nature, plants, being outdoors, walking paths and wildlife. I checked it out in the spring where everything is coming back to life - beautiful! Plenty of greenhouses and walking paths with flowers and plants to check out, but I think the best time to come visit here would be in the summertime so you can see everything fully in bloom and the waterfalls going. A very peaceful, unique place to visit - I'd recommend you check it out if you like nature at all, or just see it at least once! read more

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It's been a long and dreary winter. I got a burst of life visiting the Orchid Show (Feb 7 - March 22). Boy is it groovy! You'll be Groovin' and getting Good Vibrations, man, from the amazing setting. You'll be a daydream Believer when you see the giant sunshine rays of orchids. Do You Believe in Magic, you will when you see the walls of orchids. The giant lava lamp will Light Your Fire. The sixties tunes, the psychedelics, the dayglo colors, the VW Bug just busting out orchids...it's a trip, man! But most of all you'll just marvel at the orchids, each lovelier and more beautiful than the rest. This show...this is why I'm a member. read more

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Went to the light show was so fun. Never fails. It's spectacular . It's about an hour and a half walk . Great music to accompany the lights Here now to get help for the app . Brenda was wonderful at guest services. Very kind and patient lots of info . I'm interested in tai chi that they're having a class in the organ show how wonderful would that be? read more

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As always, my visit was perfect. No matter the season, it is always beautiful. Parking is plentiful. It makes the experience so easy. The lady at the gate was pleasant and welcoming. Walking in, everything is bright and cheerful. The staff easily answers questions and gives direction. We came for the Orchid Show. This time the theme was a fun, retro theme. The music was perfect and all of the installations were fantastic! I could tell they spent a lot of time creating the experience. We also stopped into the cafe for lattes. They were brewed perfectly. The dining room is bright with a ton of windows. Lastly we visited the gift shop. Wow! It is spacious and beautiful. They have so many pretty things. It is a perfect place to purchase a gift for someone you care about or for something for yourself. read more

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I came here for the Holiday light! It is about a 1 mile walk. The different exhibits were beautiful! I especially liked the sphere of lights near the end. I did get the hot chocolate ($8) and hot apple cider ($10). The hot chocolate claims to be house made, but it tastes so similar to Swiss hot chocolate packets! Overpriced as expected, but I thought the quality would be better. read more

Chicago Botanic Garden - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Glencoe, Illinois

Perfect day to visit our Botanical Gardens. Alice, the corps plant, will bloom again. read more

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Over 9000 photos already! Just wanted to add a few from my 1st trip! Loved every inch I walked! read more

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I 10/10 would recommend visiting. The flora and landscape were absolutely beautiful. Rather you are a local or tourist, this place is certainly worth the visit. My friends and I spent nearly 2 hours here exploring the grounds. They also host a cooking show on site. I think you have to RSVP beforehand, but it was a cool thing to see as we walked around. The staff were super nice. Had a pleasant experience with everyone I interacted with. read more

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I came for the Orchid show & it was absolutely beautiful! What a great way to spend a cold day inside a brightly lit & colorful greenhouse. When we arrived we were hungry so we grabbed a bite to eat in the cafe, loved the coffee. And after exploring the flowers we hit the gift shop. There were so many great choices, I got a shirt with the name on it & blossom oil which smells great! I plan to visit again as soon as it gets warmer so that I can view the outdoor gardens. read more

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The gardens are absolutely beautiful! I just can't believe it took us so long to make it there. We went over Labor Day weekend and it was the last weekend the butterfly exhibit was open. I'm sure glad we made it before that closed. I was also surprised that it didn't feel too crowded on a holiday weekend. Whatever you do don't leave this place until you check out the trains. Possibly the coolest thing I've ever seen. They set the train and track up in all places around the US. Hollywood, Statue of Liberty, Wrigley Field, etc. And the bridges are all built from sticks. We also booked a time for the tram which takes you around the gardens for a little historical tour. We learned some pretty cool facts. Overall we really enjoyed our time there and plan to come back. I do think the gardens needs more songs directing people around. It was hard to find ourselves around. But other than that we really loved it there. read more

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Love this place, no matter what the season is. I do like it most in the spring and summer with everything in bloom and all the colors out. I'll go here to clear my head and relax in the serene landscapes. Went for winter programming and it was amazing. Very cool carvings and winter libations too. Looking forward to the spring again here at CBG! read more

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It was pretty nice seeing all the flowers but a the gift shop they said only 2 students at a time which wasn't nice read more

Chicago Botanic Garden - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Glencoe, Illinois

I was born in Chicago and grew up here as a kid and NEVER KNEW this place existed! None of my family or friends had been here! My fiance took me here yesterday on a day date and we had the best time! It's so beautiful and serene here! The tulips greet you when you walk up and they are truly beautiful! The grounds are breathtaking. A couple were getting married and we thought wow! What a great venue to get married at! This is a gem in Chicago indeed! read more

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My husband and I are still wondering why we never visited this beautiful garden sooner. The flowers are just beautiful and stunning. You could literally spend hours walking around. Beautiful trees, an herb garden, a little railroad park area, gift shop, and a small café. We did not eat there, but might try it another time. Everyone who works there was very helpful when we asked for directions. My husband noticed that they had a sign up indicating they will have a winter light show as well. We will definitely be returning to this great place. It would be a good place to take little ones as well. We saw lots of people with strollers and small kids. read more

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Love this place. Been here a couple times. It's still a little too early to see roses yet, but other things were in bloom! We had a map, I just wish more bathroom signs were readily apparent when you're in the back of the gardens. Nicely cared for, gift shop was nice. read more

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This review is solely based upon our visit to the orchid show, and not a larger visit to the full garden. I'll return and update my review once we've done the garden as a whole. The orchid show was fine, but I thought it would be larger. There were some beautiful displays. The colors were amazing, and the variety of orchids were impressive. This year's theme was India Blooms, which is apropos since India is a hotbed of orchid activity. There were some beautiful hanging baskets made of flowers themselves--I think carnations--which were huge and so colorful. The centerpiece of the show was a large peacock designed entirely from various orchids. It was stunning, truly. The designer of the show really set a high bar. Overall though I was a bit disappointed, I rounded up my 3.5 to a 4 because it's a beautiful green space and, as they say, the crown jewel in the Forest Preserve District of Cook County. Though it's part of the FPDCC, there is a charge for it unless you're a member. Their gift shop was pretty good and I bought a beautiful hand-blown and hand-painted orchid ornament and a cute keychain with charms. They also have a nice looking cafe, though we didn't eat stop in. They have quite a few educational programs, for adults as well as children. One is a nature preschool and though I have my eye on one through the Paris district for my little one, this one looks great and has longer days with the before and after care so I may look into this one instead. I'm looking forward to the warm weather months when we can explore the garden in all its beauty, and then the winter walk through the holiday lights. read more

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I was at the salsa evening concert and they charged me $20 for 6 ounces of wine. not ok. the wine was crap. why do you need to up charge 4 times the cost. I understand it is fundraising but that's unreal. read more

Our whole family went to Botanical Gardens and it was a hit with everyone. The gardens are immaculate and clearly labeled, which was really appreciative. Lots of paved, accessible paths with minimal hills, plus benches in every section so my mom could take breaks. The kids were obsessed with the swamps. Staff at the entrance were welcoming and gave us a map with senior-friendly and kid-friendly routes marked.. A rare spot that actually works for elders _and_ kids. Was comfortable in pushing a wheelchair as the accessibility of the place is really convenient. I would recommend it for families and friends groups as well. read more

It's a beautiful place, my wife and I went to see there Night of 1000 jack-o'-lanterns. It was a great experience, tasty food and drinks, and the pumpkin carvings were amazing. All took place at night. read more

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Incredible hidden gem in our city and especially if you know the free days to reserve tix in advance - it's truly a gift. Spacious, varied, relaxed, best of nature and gardens. From bonsai area to beautiful lakes. Rose garden, English garden, so many more. Loved it! read more

I've always told people the Chicago is one of the finest cities in the world, not just for its vibrant and exciting city life and colorful neighborhoods, but also for the rich intellectual and artistic opportunities for learning, such as the Science and Industry Museum, Art Institute, Field Museum of Natural History, Shedd Aquarium, innumerable small galleries, etc. Well, add the Chicago Botanic Garden to that list. This place, like the Morton Arboretum out west, takes effort to get to. Most people will want to drive here (and it's quite a distance from the city center), but there are transit options as well. But it's certainly worth the trip. With different themed gardens - too many to list here - there is a rich variety of plants to see. While there are maps available at the visitor center, it's almost better to randomly follow the paths around the garden and discover different places spontaneously. Though the parking lot was very full when we arrived, once you venture farther away from the main entrance (and the model train garden that is popular with children - but everyone should go) you'll enjoy a very uncrowded stroll among the naturally-fed lagoons. A peek into the Plant Science Center is interesting and if you're there on a weekday you'll see scientists hard at work and perhaps catch a display of some of the fascinating studies conducted here. There's a prairie preservation area, with samples of different grasslands from across the Great Plains. The greenhouses at the Regenstein Center, while not particularly large, have amazing collections from different biomes. On the day of our visit, there was an exhibition of bonsai trees - I didn't realize there were so many different styles - and a remarkable display of ikebana (unfortunately, no photos were allowed). The Chicago Botanic Garden is a true gem - another in the crown of the city of Chicago. read more

The Chicago Botanic Gardens are a wonderful place to spend any amount of time! I've been visiting the gardens for years and never tire of seeing the amazing diversity here. Our favorite gardens are Evening Island, the Walled English Garden, and the Bonsai displays. The gardens are so spread out you never feel crowded or forced to hurry through to make room for those behind you. You can linger and spend hours in a garden if that is your desire. The gardens are peaceful and relaxing and you can literally feel your blood pressure lower within minutes of arriving. Bring good walking shoes and plan to spend a nice day outdoors! read more

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My review of the Botanic Garden will be of the holiday light event only- I have attended 3 years in a row. First, the cost- it is just over $30 to attend the event, but parking is extra at a cost of $25 per vehicle for non members which can make this event pricey. There are several stands throughout the walking path serving food and beverage with a nice variety. I had hot apple cider and spiced nuts which both hit the spot. They also have cocktails and more hefty food options as well. I also enjoyed they had a stand at the entrance with fun light up items (hats, necklaces, mittens, etc) which I thought was a fun touch. The normal souvenir location was also open at the end. We came the day after Christmas, and I found the crowds to be busy but not overly so. All of the staff were very welcoming, and they were well spaced throughout the path. One thing I love about this event is the variety of lights & also that they have new things every year. Some places it is the exact same show every time, not here. I absolutely think this event is worth attending and hope to go back in the future! read more

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Beautiful indoor and outdoor exhibits, the butterflies are a favorite of my daughters' and they love to eat there and check out the gift shop. They also love the kid garden with all the splash areas and hills to climb on. The Christmas lights are also wonderful, and Halloween is also lots of fun. We also absolutely love the orchid show, it's huge and elaborate and just amazing. My favorite places are the rose garden and the Japanese garden. They change things up regularly and often have special exhibits throughout the garden all year. We are members and highly recommend it. I am in a wheelchair and it's totally accessible, including the tram tour- they have a lift for my wheelchair so no issues there. read more

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Beautiful gardens. The site is quite large. Huge lake in the center. You can spend hours here.

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. read more

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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. read more

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This is only a review for Mothers Day Brunch. Pass - overly priced, crowded and the food was cold by the time you sat down to eat it from the buffet. read more

The Chicago Botanic Garden is everything everyone has raved about! This was my first visit and I'm a non-member. They offer a small discount for anyone that lives within Cook County. The adult ticket is roughly $20 but the year long membership is $65, if you plan to visit multiple times in a year I would highly recommend investing in the membership. Plus you get a guest pass every visit so it works out! You also have to pay for parking so keep that in mind. I visited the Chicago Botanic Garden on a colder day so I didn't get to explore the garden as much as I could've on a warmer day. Even though the day was colder the garden was still very busy. The garden had many indoor places that I was able to go into to get a break from the cold weather. There is a strong focus on educating visitors about the various plants. It was really great seeing all of the seasonal flowers. The Chicago Botanic Garden is well taken care of and you can see the results of the hard-work that is put into keeping the garden clean along with protecting the plants. read more

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. read more

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Very pretty and such a wonderful way to spend a morning, afternoon or day! If I were a resident I'd completely take advantage and become a member. The bike trail was also very impressive! read more

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