Chicago Botanic Garden

Chicago Botanic Garden

Chicago Botanic Garden Butterflies and Blooms by Bill Bishoff Courtesy of Choose Chicago

Chicago Botanic Garden Butterflies and Blooms by Bill Bishoff Courtesy of Choose Chicago

385 acres of Cook County natural oases await your group at the Chicago Botanic Garden, one of the ‘world’s great living museums and conservation science centers’. This local Chicago forest preserve is situated on nine islands, holding 27 gardens and 4 different natural areas in all.

In 2015 this grand botanical garden saw over 1 million visitors, each guest eager to explore the ‘urbs un horto’, or city in a garden. Such celebrated architects as Simonds, Raush, and San Sho-En worked diligently on the layout of these gardens, the latter designer playing a big part in the renown Bonsai collection within.

Aside from exploring the different natural areas throughout your group can also explore the 6 miles of shoreline within, visit the Garden Shop, or grab a bite to eat at the onsite cafe. One of the greatest things about this garden? They are extremely group friendly, working well with large class groups education and amenity wise, the cafe even providing group salad and sandwich options.