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April 2024 by Olga S.
So much to explore and enjoy at these gardens. Normal admission is $23.95 plus $10 parking. It was worth the money to me.
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April 2024 by Lili H.
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.
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March 2024 by Igor C.
We attended the Orchid show on a Saturday. We spent about two hours in the show and another hour in the cafe. Displays with the carnival theme were well done and emphasized verity of sizes and shapes of the orchids. Some of the more exotic shapes were eye catching. Overall we enjoyed the experience. At a couple of places in the circuit it was a little crowded.
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August 2023 by Christina M.
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!
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August 2023 by Ted Birren
Great selection of items and the collection changes with some regularity so it doesn't get stale. The discount for being a member is a nice add too! It's been my way to wrap up a visit to the Garden for many years, to stop by and part with a few dollars before heading to the car. Definitely a must-do if you are doing a tour of the Garden! ??
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August 2023 by Anirudh P.
I had an absolutely amazing experience at the Chicago Botanic Garden! It's a true haven of natural beauty. The Japanese and waterfall gardens were my personal highlights - they transported me to a serene world of tranquility. The attention to detail and design in these areas is simply breathtaking.What's even better is the fact that the garden offers free admission on select days every month. This gesture truly makes the garden accessible to everyone and allows more people to experience its wonders. From the meticulously curated displays to the educational exhibits, the Chicago Botanic Garden is a five-star destination that never fails to impress.
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August 2023 by Bailey P.
I'm not a huge plant person but still enjoyed my trip to the botanic garden. I came on a Thursday in August and currently they have a special where Tuesdays and Thursdays are free so the only expense I paid was parking. Being that it was August, it was pretty warm but there were lots of places to sit and shaded areas. My favorite area was the train garden! I also really enjoyed the vegetable garden. They were giving away free thyme when I visited too so that was a big highlight. It took a little over an hour to walk through the gardens.
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August 2023 by Deirdre Karcher.
Beautifully laid out. You can always find a flora based gift here.
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July 2023 by Michelle A.
OMG, I absolutely loved this place! Our host had a membership here, and we spent a few hours here on Saturday. This place is absolutely beautiful and worth going. Our host even saved me 10% or basic sales tax in the gift shop. This place is 10000 times better than Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chanhassen, MN. There was a railroad garden made up of wood sculptures featuring us landmarks. So fun. Definitely go here if you can. Loved it a lot!
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July 2023 by Nektaria R.
Omg I love this place. I hadn't been her in over 10 years and was instantly smitten by this beautiful garden location. Lots of good food at all their little cafes, and lots for children to do. Everything from trains to butterfly gardens there's no way you won't be smitten as well. You will get sticker shock because everything is an additional charge unless you have a family membership which is not too bad for a years worth of fun and free parking. Pro tip. If you're a city of Chicago resident w a library card, get a free day at the park for two adults and two children. So worth your time and money!!! Check it out. You won't be sorry.
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June 2023 by Jhenevie O.
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!
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June 2023 by Diane Schael
Great place to visit. Such a calming beautiful environment
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June 2023 by Deborah Clark
I enjoyed the variety of options in this gift shop. Cute t-shirts, books, live plants, and much more.
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May 2023 by Rafael Ortiz
Fun things to see and buy. Little pricey but worth it
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May 2023 by Christine L.
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.