Chicago Botanic Garden

Save
Chicago Botanic Garden

Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Kaosfere assumed (based on copyright claims). · CC BY-SA 2.5 · Wikimedia Commons

🌷 Garden · Glencoe

3 hours · $$ · Check website for reservations

age fit
0–1 yr
★ 5.0
1–3 yrs
★ 5.0
3–5 yrs
★ 5.0
5–10 yrs
★ 4.0
  • 🚗
    About 60 min drive
    From Naperville · Parking: Large lot on site (parking fee or included with admission, check the website); 15-minute walk from the Metra UP-North Braeside station
  • 🍼
    Stroller-friendly
    Flat surfaces — bring the stroller
  • 🌳
    Some shade
    Great on sunny days · Good on cool days
  • ⏱️
    Typical visit: 3 hours
    Best seasons: Spring · Summer · Fall

385 acres and 27 gardens arranged around the lakes; the nature play garden at the Regenstein Learning Campus has little hills, streams, and willow tunnels to run wild in, the summer Model Railroad Garden sends little trains past models of American landmarks, and the Japanese garden's islands are toddlers' favorite stroll.

💡 Tips
Admission policy has changed in recent years (non-members pay per person, parking separate), so check the website and buy tickets ahead. Tulips and cherry blossoms in spring, the chrysanthemum show in fall, and the Lightscape light show in winter. Flat paths, stroller-friendly throughout.

What this place offers

✓gardens
✓nature play garden
✓Japanese garden
✓model trains
✓lake
✓coffee
✓restrooms

Featured in these guides

This weekend's weather in Glencoe

Forecast at the destination itself (coast and hills often differ from home)

☀️
Sat 10/17
Sunny · 34–57°F · 1% rain
☀️
Sun 10/18
Sunny · 48–62°F · 0% rain

Location

Glencoe, Illinois

More like this

Morton Arboretum and Children's Garden
Kid favorite

Morton Arboretum and Children's Garden

5.0

Lisle · 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

Cantigny Park gardens and tank park
Kid favorite

Cantigny Park gardens and tank park

5.0

Wheaton · 15 min drive

3 h · stroller-friendly

Free · Parking: About $5–15 per car depending on the day (check the website); admission free

Garfield Park Conservatory
Kid favorite

Garfield Park Conservatory

5.0

Chicago · 40 min drive

1.5 h · stroller-friendly

Free · Parking: Free conservatory lot (Central Park Ave); the Green Line Conservatory-Central Park Drive station is at the door

Lincoln Park Conservatory

Lincoln Park Conservatory

4.0

Chicago · 50 min drive

1 h · stroller-friendly

Free · Parking: Zoo lot (about $20–35) or Stockton Dr street parking; bus 151 / 156