Spring flowers with kids around Chicago: Lilac Time, cherry blossoms and blossom walks
Spring comes late to Chicago and leaves fast, so the month from mid-April to mid-May is worth planning around: cherry blossoms on the island in Jackson Park, a whole park of lilacs in Lombard, and tens of thousands of tulips at Cantigny and the botanic gardens. Miss it and you wait a year.
Start with what's free and close. Lilacia Park sits across from the Lombard Metra station; in the first week of May the lilacs and tulips bloom together, and a stroller loop takes half an hour. The Garden of the Phoenix in Jackson Park peaks in late April, with the MSI next door. Cantigny charges only for parking, and the tanks are waiting after the tulips. The Morton Arboretum's magnolias and Children's Garden and the Chicago Botanic Garden's cherries and tulips are ticketed half days.
- 5 places
- 3 free
- 5 stroller-friendly
- closest is 15 min away
5 places
Drive times from Naperville
Lilacia Park (Lilac Time)
5.0Lombard · 20 min drive
1.5 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Parking: Free weekend parking at the Metra Lombard station lot; the park is right across from the station
Jackson Park Wooded Island and Japanese garden
4.0Chicago · 45 min drive
1.5 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Parking: Free parking on the east side of the MSI and along Hayes Dr; 15-minute walk from the Green Line / Metra Electric 55th-56th-57th station
Cantigny Park gardens and tank park
5.0Wheaton · 15 min drive
3 h · stroller-friendly
Free · Parking: About $5–15 per car depending on the day (check the website); admission free
Morton Arboretum and Children's Garden
5.0Lisle · 15 min drive
3 h · stroller-friendly
$$ · Parking: Parking included with admission; the big visitor center lot has a line after 10am on fall weekends
Chicago Botanic Garden
5.0Glencoe · 60 min drive
3 h · stroller-friendly
$$ · Parking: Large lot on site (parking fee or included with admission, check the website); 15-minute walk from the Metra UP-North Braeside station
💡 Good to know
- Bloom dates shift every year; the Lombard Park District, Jackson Park and both botanic gardens post updates online, so check before you go.
- It can still snow in April. Pack jackets, and aim for the half day after a shower, when the flowers look best and the crowds are thinner.
- Lilac Time weekends and the garden lots fill by 10am; go early or take Metra.