From the crocuses of late winter to the mums of late fall, the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, Illinois presents an everchanging landscape of beautiful flora in 27 gardens and four natural areas on 385 acres. There is no other site like it in the Chicago area.
Main entrance is located at 1000 Lake Cook Road in Glencoe, Illinois, west of Green Bay Road and east of the Edens Expressway (Interstate 94). Pedestrians and bicyclists can also enter at the southern end of the garden located on Dundee Road just east of the Edens Expressway (Interstate 94). Admission is free to pedestrians and bicycle riders. Otherwise admission is $25 per passenger car; on Tuesdays cars driven by those 62 years and older are admitted for $10. Beginning in 2022 entry fees will also be charged to individuals, including pedestrians and bicycle riders, and the parking fee will be reduced to $8. Ticket prices will range from $9.95 to $25.95 per person. Admission fees will always be discounted when purchased in advance of a visit and will not exceed $23.95 for a Cook County resident adult ticket in 2022, or $25.95 for a non-Cook County resident. A detailed map of the botanic garden may be found here.
Chicago Horticultural Society in partnership with Forest Preserve District of Cook County
24 miles from the center of town
Nearly all areas of the garden are accessible, and accessible parking is located in parking lots 1 and 2. Accessible restrooms are located in the Visitor Center, the Regenstein Center and the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden. The outdoor decks at the café are wheelchair accessible. Consult here.
Biking (limited to north south passage at eastern end of garden; no bicycles on the walkways or trails), Birdwatching (blackbirds, cardinals, chickadees, grosbeaks, herons, jays, killdeer, mallards, martins, orioles, teals), Hiking, Historical/Cultural Interest, Visitor Center, Watchable Wildlife (beavers, chipmunks, muskrats, white-tailed deer) and Wildflowers. The garden hosts many special events including an annual orchid show, educational classes, guided walks, a farmer’s market in season, various flower and plant competitions and a winter holiday Lightscape. Consult here.
The manager of the garden, the Chicago Horticultural Society, was instrumental in organizing Victory Gardens to grow food during World War II in the Chicago area.
Visitor center, art gallery and in season butterfly pavilion. Restrooms and water fountains located throughout the garden.
On premises cafe with plenty of outdoor seating serves breakfast, lunch and snacks.
Green Bay Trail. There is a short trail which connects the garden to the Green Bay Trail through Turnbull Woods Forest Preserve.
Spring, Summer, Fall
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