Garfield Park Conservatory

300 N Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL 60624, USA

Address:	300 N Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL 60624, USA
Phone:	+1 312-746-5100
Site:	garfieldconservatory.org
Rating:	4.7
Working:	9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM 9AM–8PM 9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 14

Margaret Haywood

I love going to the Garfield Park Conservatory. Its too bad that more people dont know about it, but on the up side, that means it is never too crowded. There are both indoor and outdoor gardens. In doors, the fern room is my favorite. The ferns are arranged around a pond. The water feature at the back of the room creates the sound of running water. There are still some Chihuly flowers in one of the rooms, left over from the exhibit several years ago. The succulent collection is also pretty interesting. Some cactuses are tiny, FYI. Outside, you can walk through prairie as well as more formal gardens. The Conservatory has great activities during the year, which are mostly free, like their county fair. They also have classes like bee-keeping. THe Conservatory is free, so its always worth going. Some people are intimidated by venturing to the west side - The Conservatory is a very short drive off of 290 and there is an enclosed parking lot right next door.

Erin Elizabeth

One of the most beautiful places in the city. The historic conservatory is wonderful especially during Chicagos cold winters. The changing display in the showroom is always outstanding, fun, and fresh, especially this past winters magic forest of floating firs. The outdoor spaces are just as beautiful too, but whats really great is the outdoor exploration/playspace for kids. It gives kids a unique opportunity to interact nature and learn. The indoor childrens garden us, great too and features special programming on Monday mornings. Parking is easy and free in the secure lot next to the conservatory and the conservatory is also free, but does have a suggested donation.

Fernando Gouvêa

Para quem gosta de jardins vale a pena pois é muito bonito e organizado. Para quem não é muito fã disso é melhor não ir! Vira programa de índio. Tem um jardim muito parecido com esse na saída do Zoo, o Lincoln park conservatory, é bem menor porém muito bonito. De graça também, assim como o Zoo!

Jose Aburto

I have been coming here for about 20 years and Im only 23 years old. This is place is a gem. I go here so often and NEVER get tired of it. The conservatory changes the decor and plants often so it feels like a new place everytime you go. I truly believe this placer Is magical and provides a service to people in the city to experience nature in different environments. They also have educational activities for kids and guest speakers. Its free to enter but I feel like they close to early, which is my only compliant but thats only because I have a bad schedule.

Lin C

Cant believe that I did not know about this Chicago gem until today. A great place to bring your kids in the winter (and of course, when its warm outside too). Even with the number of kids here today, it remained peaceful and serene. When using Google Maps, make sure it shows "Garfield Park Conservatory" as Garfield Park is huge and you may be directed to the other side, away from the conservatory. Its easy to get to from I-290: almost a straight shot off of the exit. You can also take the green line: The stop is right in front of the conservatory.

A Private User

I hope They dont. Starrto charge 4 parking and entry As the other great Chicago Park District place es that were ALWAYS FREE and now that the musium of science and industry and Planiterium and Sheds Aquarium started to change high parking and entry fees Being disabled and on limited income cant afford to go anymore With all the $ the city takes in and DONT spend on the schools the places of learning shouldnt. Be chargeing for learning A lifetime resident of Chi ago and cant beleave how things have changed for the bad.

J Henry

We got off the subway and thought we were going to die. The park was full of ghetto kids playing loud music and letting off fireworks. My friends looked at me as if to say, why the hell have you brought us here? Luckily, just before we got back on the subway, we asked a girl where the conservatory was and found out it was the opposite side to the park. Thank goodness, my friends soon thanked me as they loved the place. Very calm and beautiful. I had a go on the slide but it wasnt very slippy.

John Sweetwood

A wonderful city destination especially as a warm, indoor winter diversion. There is a childrens area with a slide where they can dig in dirt and spray water on plants. There are tables in one section perfect for young ones to eat lunch. For adults, it is a very well maintained botanic garden. In warmer weather there are outdoor areas as well, one for children and one for adults to take a longer stroll. If you want to explore nearby Garfield Park, it can be a nice extention to a summer day.

A Private User

What a gem! A total Chicago treasure! I took my two kids, ages 9 and 5 to the Conservatory yesterday and thought, "I must bring everyone here. It is the perfect place for the senses-- quiet for the spirit, earthy smells, splashes of color amid the lush green, soft baby bunny bellies to touch, slides to spin down for the kids, warmth for the soul. It is truly a magical place: to explore, to rest, to do a scavenger hunt provided by the conservatory, to bond, to rejuvenate. Visit this haven!

Matthew Gekas

This is my favorite spot in the city. More precisely, the fern room inside is my favorite spot in the city. Stepping inside is like being transported to another place and time. Huge greenhouse structures provide the home for flora not seen anywhere else in the area. I could spend hours wandering the different houses/environments setup. Its a quick cta train ride from the downtown and a great local destination often forgotten about by its residents.

M M

Its free and awesome! Totally worth $5, but no its free instead. The conservatory is basically a bunch of exotic plants that arent native to Chicago, but are really cool to see in person anyway. They have a gift shop with some cool gifts for kids, as well as some decent looking grab-and-go sandwiches. Its not even a block away from the Green Line CTA stop, so if you live in Chicago and have kids, you should definitely check this out.

Erin RavenSkye

What can I say about the conservatory that hasnt already been said. Its one of the highlights of the city. I go here every chance I get. They have various workshops, Shakespeare in the park every summer, activities for kids of all ages, an outdoor play area, labyrinth, and an amazing assortment of flowers and plants - plus a well educated friendly staff who will go out of their way to make sure you are enjoying your day.

Clay Hamm

This place is almost too good to be true. They dont charge admission but there is a donation box - please throw in at least five dollars, its well worth it. If you like flowers or gardening you must go here. There are things for kids and adults of all ages. Tropical plants, desert plants, vegetable gardens, flower gardens, bee hives, carnivorous plants, a pond with turtles and fish. Its truly amazing, you will be inspired

Tegan Gordon

inside and outside gardens. Its not enormous like the Botanical Gardens up north but its pretty big, there are several buildings and the indoor plants are huge and flourishing in different controlled temp environments. It is not so great in the wintertime but i just went in early Sept and it was lovely. It was also empty on a weekday afternoon which was great and they were beekeeping outside too. and its so cheap.