Gardens Of Illinois

Chicago

Landing inChicago, you’ll soon find yourself immersed in the largest city in theMidwest, alive with commerce, packed with great architecture, laden with the arts, and topped off with the Magnificent Mile, one of the world’s glitziest shopping boulevards. Take a trip with the Chicago Trolley Company to familiarize yourself with the city. The more than 300,000 masterworks at The Art Institute of Chicago are a must see. TheMuseumofScienceand Industry lets you get up close and personal with a coal mine or a German U-boat. Before you leave the windy city, be sure to eat a meal at McCormick & Schmick’s.

Take time to relax and enjoy all the ‘Windy’ City has to offer over the next few days as you will have plenty of time at the end of your trip, to explore The Chicago Botanic Garden and other nearby Horticultural delights.

Chicago

Chicago’s premier Museum Campus of world class facilities includes the Shedd Aquarium, the Adler Planetarium and the Field Museum, home of the largest, most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex ever discovered. You can get a great view of the city from the Sears Tower, the Skydeck Chicago and The John Hancock Observatory with it’s sweeping views spanning the 4 states of Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois.

Also, don’t miss the chance to have breakfast at Lou Mitchell’s where the original Route 66 began. Arts lovers who enjoy the outdoors should plan to take a Chicago Architecture Walking Tour past all the great historic structures or take a Mercury Cruise out onto Lake Michigan to see the skyline from a different perspective.

Rockford

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The city of Rockford appeals to gardeners, culture vultures and golfers alike. Known for its 'cultural corridor' of which the highlight is the Rockford Art Museum's stunning permanent collection focusing on 19th and 20th century works. There is also a wealth of private galleries and historical museums in the city centre. The City is also known for its many antique shops and markets.

However, one of Rockford’s must see attractions that will appeal to anybody

is the magnificent Anderson Japanese Gardens, which consists of two very different gardens. In our hectic & stressful world, Anderson Japanese Gardens opens minds to a different culture while offering visitors a place of peace and tranquility where they will find healing, renewal, inspiration and a re energized soul. Take time to enjoy these unique and truly beautiful Gardens.

If you’ve time later today also go along to The Sinnissippi Gardens. Located along the Rock River, the Sinnissippi Gardens features an All-American Rose Selection (AARS-accredited) rose garden with approximately 2,000 rose plants and 62 varieties, including the year's newest award winners. The gardens also include a 32 ft. floral clock colorfully planted with thousands of annuals, and a peaceful shaded perennial garden. The Sinnissippi Gardens are one of the Great Gardens in Rockford.

Adjacent to the gardens is the future home of the Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, a year-round exhibition of beautiful tropical trees, plants, flowers, and changing floral displays. The Rec Path and Sinnissippi Gardens will remain open throughout the construction project.

For non Horticulturists, Rockford is also home to a dinosaur named Jane, an award winning exhibit, "Jane: Diary of a Dinosaur," lets you explore the history of the a young T-Rex skeleton found by the Burpee Museum researchers.

Finally, one of Rockford other claims to fame is its many golf courses in the city and vicinity that have earned it the title of Illinois' 'holey' city

Rockford

Plan to spend today visiting another one of Rockford’s other horticultural delights – The Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden. This 155-acre site began in 1910 when landscape architect William Lincoln Taylor, established the land as Rockford Nursery. Many of the rare trees on the site today are a result of experimental plantings by Mr. Taylor.

The Klehm family bought the nursery in 1968 and maintained the land until 1985. Realizing its value, the family generously donated the land to the Winnebago County Forest Preserve District with the stipulation it be maintained as an arboretum. Consulting arborists completed a professional inventory of the site in 1991, and concluded that Klehm Arboretum has an assortment of plant life unlike any other natural area in the United States. The combination of native plants and those from around the world provides a unique botanical resource for study. The site includes many unique species from throughout the United States that normally do not thrive in this region, plus the Midwest’s most vigorous evergreen collection.

In 1991, the Winnebago County Board and the Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden Board of Directors approved a master plan for site and building development, completed by consulting landscape and building architects.

The Arboretum launched a $2 million capital campaign for Phase I development in May of 1992. Plans for Phase I included a 13,500 square foot education center, demonstration gardens with plots for exhibiting new plant varieties and garden techniques, a special events garden with performance stage, and area for gatherings and musical performances. In the spring of 1993, a 1-1/2 mile figure eight paved walking path was completed. Named in honor of the first corporate pacesetter donor, the CLARCOR Garden Pavilion was completed in February 1994.

The fall of 1994 saw the completion of the Member’s Garden and the dedication of the fountain, and then in 1995, work began on the Nancy Olson Children’s Garden. Dedicated in October 1996, the garden is designed for kids to explore the wonders of nature.

Supporters celebrated ground breaking of the Botanical Education Center in August 1996. After more than 15 months of construction, the Botanical Society moved into its new home in December 1997. Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden opened on a full time, seven-day-a week basis in March of 1998.

In 2003 the Winnebago County Forest Preserve District and the Klehm Arboretum Board of Directors adopted a 10 year master plan for future development. This development includes new gardens, revitalizing existing gardens, increasing the diverse collections, and the addition of facilities to better meet the needs of visitors as well as offer unique indoor garden exhibits.

Rock Island

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Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before leaving the city of Rockford and heading South West to Rock Island, home of the Quad City Botannical Center where you will spend today exploring.

Adjacent to the Mississippi River in downtown Rock Island Illinois, the Quad City Botanical Center is comprised of an indoor tropical atrium, a physically enabling garden, a G-Scale garden train exhibit (seasonal) and other thriving outdoor gardens, as well as an educational greenhouse and other things. As a public garden they maintain 100's of plants ranging from tropical varieties to regional zone five perennials. A garden for all season, the tropical atrium is splendid throughout the winter months, and its rare conifer collection is unique to the Quad Cities. In spring, flowering bulbs enliven the garden, including a stunning iris collection. Other special collections include day lillies, mums and ornamental grasses. The outdoor butterfly garden attracts pollinators by the 100's, and is lively from early spring to late fall when the Monarchs start their migration.

Chicago

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Heading back to Chicago early today you will be spoilt for choice as to what to see next as you continue your journey through some of Illinois’s finest Gardens.

A good place to start is with Chicago’s magnificent Botanic Gardens. Close to the city, the Chicago Botanic Garden offers something for visitors, young and old alike. In every season at the Gardens, there are activities, programs and breathtaking beauty throughout all 385 acres of woods, waterways, 24 formal display gardens, and four natural areas. You can explore the wonders of the various Gardens with names such as The Circle Garden, The Fruit & Vegetable Garden, McDonald Woods, The Esplanada and The Waterfall Garden by walking or by taking a tram. The Tram tours include a panoramic overview or the intimate view of the gardens of the main island. To enhance your visit, you can download Garden guides of individual gardens or check out their interactive Garden map.

With so much to see, one day here almost wont’ be enough.

Chicago Area

Another day, another beautiful nature experience awaits you! Within half an hours drive of the city, The Gardens at Cantigny beckon you, tugging your senses, drawing you closer! Here you can feel your body relax as you absorb the landscape, allowing the pace of everyday life to ease. Stroll through the more than 29 acres with 22 individual gardens that encompass the Gardens at Cantigny and you understand why Cantigny’s gardeners work so hard to maintain them. Here, you'll see what has been lost from our landscape. The prairies, grasses, trees, and ornamental flowers remind us of the beauty that nature offers every day.

There is beauty at every turn in the Gardens at Cantigny. Designed as a display garden, Cantigny Gardens showcases trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants that thrive in Midwest growing conditions. Whether you’re an amateur gardener or landscape professional, you will leave Cantigny Gardens inspired and invigorated.

Chiacgo Area

Today is your last day in Illinois, so you can spend it relaxing or shopping in the City or alternatively choose to take in one last garden experience at the nearby Morton Arboretum. Here there are many gardens located on the east and west sides of the Arboretum. Each has a distinct theme or purpose, ranging from fragrance & color to education & adventure. These gardens come in many different sizes and shapes, including those which can be planted above ground! We encourage you to explore & learn more about each of these horticultural gems.

Home

Today you will depart from home, knowing you have seen the very best of The Gardens of Illinois.