Just a short trip from Chicago, the Chicago Botanic Garden is a 385-acre complex of flora, footbridges and waterways.See more..
4.5Morton Arboretum(980 reviews) - Lovely drive through groves of trees plus scupture Saturday: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM Parks • Gardens
Only 25 miles west of Chicago, there's something for everyone in all four seasons at The Morton Arboretum. Whether you seek a quiet hike in the woods or an active family day out, The Morton Arboretum offers a wide variety of fun activities, events, tours, and classes for all ages and interests. Here you'll find an oasis of 16 miles of hiking trails and nine miles of paved roads, perfect for hiking, running, biking or just exploring. From a guided tour on an open-air tram to the award-winning Children's Garden and Maze Garden, to seasonal exhibits and lunch in The Ginkgo Restaurant overlooking Meadow Lake, the Arboretum is a unique place to explore, discover, escape, and connect with trees and nature.See more..
5.0Anderson Japanese Gardens(849 reviews) - Beautiful unexpected gem in the city of Rockford Saturday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Gardens
Anderson Japanese Gardens is proud of its longstanding reputation as one of the highest quality Japanese gardens in North America. Our passion, however, is how the Garden positively impacts individuals and the communities where they live. We are committed to presenting first-class programs, events, and opportunities that bring people together in this uplifting natural setting.See more..
4.5Garfield Park Conservatory(847 reviews) - Loved this place Saturday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • Gardens
The Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago, Illinois is one of the largest and most stunning conservatories in the world, and it’s free. We change lives through the power of nature. Often referred to as landscape art under glass, the Garfield Park Conservatory occupies approximately 12 acres inside and out, and includes cold frames and propagating where thousands of plants are grown each year for displays in City parks and spaces.See more..
4.5Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens(216 reviews) - Do Stop by When In Rockford Saturday: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Gardens
Situated along the banks of the beautiful Rock River, Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens brings the tropics to the Midwest. The facility is the third largest conservatory in Illinois, offering an 11,000-square-foot plant exhibition area complete with water features, seating areas, and sculptures, all in a tropical plant setting.The beauty continues outdoors with the Eclipse Lagoon, complete with two fountains, waterfalls, pedestrian bridge, patio areas, and walkway connecting the Conservatory to the historic Sinnissippi Rose Garden. Featuring Bruce Munro: LIGHT June 3 - November 5!See more..
This is a free attraction. Its wonderful for walks, photos and dogs are welcome. There is a lovely herb garden, a waterfall, area to rent canoes and kayaks. Parking is free and you can walk around the entire lake. A great place to teach children about nature.See more..
One of the 7 Wonders of Illinois as designated by the Illinois Bureau of Tourism. Away from the distractions and noise of city life, enjoy luxurious surroundings in a century-old, Georgian-style mansion with gleaming floors, marble fireplaces, and elegant furnishings. Expansive windows offer picturesque views of a reflecting pond, natural meadow, and 1,500 acres of peaceful forest filled with deer, birds, and other wildlife.You will find this enchanting setting just 25 miles from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign—an easy drive from the University’s Willard Airport and a simple excursion from Chicago, Indianapolis, St. Louis, or the Quad Cities. Plan your next meeting, conference, retreat or wedding at Allerton Park and Retreat Center. We look forward to welcoming you soon!See more..
4.5Sinnissippi Park(101 reviews) - Awesome Riverfront Park Parks • Gardens
On the banks of the Rock River, this park includes beautiful gardens and a popular jogging, walking and nature path.See more..
4.5Washington Park Botanical Gardens(93 reviews) - Washington Park Botanical Garden Springfield Il Saturday: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM Gardens
Garden consisting of 9,000 square feet of greenhouse area and a conservatory featuring more than 150 species of tropical plants.See more..
4.5Quad City Botanical Center(90 reviews) - Gorgeous Saturday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Gardens • Educational sites
The staff was very helpful and kind. It was $5 to go in. You get a map and then get to explore. If you sweat easily, don't go on a warmer day, it gets steamy in the main house. See more..
This year-round garden, which started as a commercial nursery, includes 155 acres of trees and 300 woody plant species mapped and labeled. The gardens include: a Rhododendron and Azalea dell, Hosta Garden, Nancy Olsen's Children's Garden, Fountain Garden, Demonstration Garden, Peony Garden, Grasses Garden,Woodland Wildflower Garden and Plant-a-Row garden. There are several signature events hosted each year also. Botanica luncheon,Garden Fair, Plant Sale, Woodsong Concert Series, Autumn in the Arboretum and Twilight in the Garden are all popular annual events.See more..
You have to plan to be able to experience this unique garden. If you are able to catch one of the limited tours, you will see how ingenuity and vision transformed a throw away space into a spot of calmness and beauty. The plants, sculptures and waterscapes create a world that manages to feel both cultivated and wild.See more..
The University Arboretum is relatively small compared to publicly/privately operated facilities around the country, but it has 160 acres of land to provide open green vistas and quiet wooded corners with many well-kept landscapes & gardenscapes to explore & enjoy. My wife & I were pleasantly surprised by the variety of plants & themed garden areas, and we especially appreciated the Idea Garden where we took notes & photos to inspire next spring's backyard garden projects back home. We'd recommend a visit to the Arboretum by anyone living in or visiting the area who enjoys a pleasant outdoor walk, while admiring the handiwork of the University of Illinois' College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences (ACES) students. Thanks to the School for sharing this beautiful space with the public.See more..
4.5Oak Park Conservatory(50 reviews) - Green Oasis in Oak Park Saturday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Gardens
This place is heaven. I went here on Sunday and I absolutely enjoyed myself. From the outside this place looks small, but you quickly step inside a leafy green oasis. Even for a weekend visit the place wasn't crowded and I only crossed one other couple in there. I didn't expect to spend a whole hour here & I'm looking forward to going back already. They also have parrots! Skipper, Sara & George! George was super vocal & adorable. Admission is free & street parking nearby is free. The inside is pretty warm & humid for the plants so expect to sweat a little. There's a cute back area that looks like it will be fun for kids. I definitely recommend going & enjoying yourself!See more..
4.0Japan House(34 reviews) - The Area Was Beautifully Landscaped Saturday: Gardens • Educational sites
The Japan House is actually part of the College of Fine and Applied Arts of the University of Illinois. The actual "house" was closed when we were there, so we just strolled around the area. I'm not sure where the Arboretum ends and the Japan House grounds begin. But, we walked around and could clearly identify the Cherry Tree "Lane," the Dry Garden, and the Tea Garden. Some of the trees there were really old and massive.See more..
5.0Weber House and Garden(32 reviews) - Storybook House and Amazing Gardens Saturday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Historic Sites • Gardens
5.0Merrick Rose Garden(20 reviews) - Roses amazing this fall Spent < 1 hour Parks • Gardens
The roses are always impressive here. But this fall is over the top with profusion of blooms. A great place to sit, amble, or chat. It is small but mighty and so extremely well maintained.See more..
4.5Mandala Gardens(13 reviews) - Serene Spiritual Space Saturday: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Gardens
Mandala Gardens is a seven-acre holistic sanctuary built one day at a time by owners Diana and Greg, who have shared a decades-long vision of creating healing and beauty with stones and soil. Always an artistic work in progress, Mandala Gardens features stone sculptures, a labyrinth, quiet sitting spots, pathways, flowers, herb gardens, farm animals and wildlife. Open daily from 9-5. Please contact us for information about reserving the gardens for private events.See more..
Zen Living by design Japanese Garden is our Airbnb Ryokan Spa, by scheduled appointment only giving our guests the ultimate Koi Experience. We are CLOSED due to Covid.See more..
We are a family owned greenhouse, growing a wide selection of annuals, hanging baskets, perennials, vegetable plants, herb plants, trees, shrubs, roses, and more. Our 9 acre greenhouse is under 1 roof for easy and convenient shopping. In the fall, we grow premium 9 inch mums along with Flowering Kale & Cabbage, Millet, and Purple Fountain Grass.See more..
What´s better than going to a botanical garden on a wonderful sunny day? Of course that could be said about any botanical garden! But the one in Chicago has some very special extras to offer: first the butterfly house! We visited it thinking it would be a little hightlight on our tour. It actually turned out to be one of the biggest ones! We saw so many of the wonderful butterflies hatched at the CBG...! Very good explanations by the stuff and the hatching sation was something you do not want to miss! You also definitly want to have a look at the Japanese Gardens on the three islands, the sensory gardens, the bonsai collection and the Brazilian exhibition! Perfect day for us... and I am sure it will be for you, too!See more..
4.5La Paloma Gardens(3 reviews) - beautiful gardens Saturday: Gardens Due to the monumental damage done by flooding, the gardens are not as presentable this year as in the past. Visitors are welcome understanding these circumstances. Thank youSee more..
4.5Lindley Sign Post Forest(2 reviews) - Quirky Small Local Park - Worth Short Stop Spent < 1 hour Parks • Gardens
This little local part pays homage to Danville, Il native Carl K. Lindley and his military background. The park has a number of signposts listing mileage from Danville to the cities listed. Not worth going out of your way for but Danville is located along interstate and was a quick pullover during a long driving trip through the midwest. Nice plan to walk around for a few minutes.See more..
4.0Shakespeare Garden(2 reviews) - A Must see when visiting Evanston Gardens
Small & Powerful. Beautiful setting with the Chapel site. A favorite spot for many years. Easy to get to and walk.See more..
4.0Ralston Park(1 review) - Wow, very nice square in this little town Parks • Gardens
Very nice central square with a lot of nice houses around it. The only think I did not liek about this square was a small copy of statue of the liberty in the center of the park. Kind of cheap. It seams like there should be something better in the center of such a nice park/square.See more..
Bronkberry Farms & Greenhouse, in Plainfield, IL, is the area's premier farmer's market serving Plainfield, Oswego, Montgomery, Joliet, Yorkville, Naperville and surrounding areas since 2012. We offer annual and perennial flowers, hanging baskets, vegetable plants, fruit and vegetables, canned goods, local honey, farm fresh eggs, essential oils, artisan soaps, homemade caramel apples, pesto, pumpkins, mums, antiques, metal yard art, hayrack rides. For more information, contact Bronkberry Farms & Greenhouse in Plainfield. We are open for the season! Can't wait to see you!See more..
