Chicago Botanic Garden Branches Out With An Amazing Summer Planned

By: Jonathan Jones 05/31/2013

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One of the greatest attractions in the Chicago area, the Chicago Botanic Gardens is the absolute perfect place to enjoy a weekend this summer.  And because it’s free, it doesn't require much planning.  That’s right.  Admission to the Gardens is free.  And if you bike in, you won't have to pay the $25 parking fee!

There’s something about these sprawling gardens that make this setting seem like a

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different world entirely.  As kids explore neon colored butterflies in the butterfly house, and 385 acres of sprawling lawns and exotic flowers and trees, it seems impossible to think that this paradise is so close to home.

One of the most interesting additions to their summer calendar this year is called “Nature Nights: Ready, Set, Garden!”, every Saturday evening at 5 pm.  Bring a picnic dinner with you for this one as you can learn some basic gardening skills in the Grunsfeld Children’s Growing Garden as you roast marshmallows in camp fires!

Attention Farmer’s Marketers!  If you’re like me and you enjoy going to Farmer’s Markets to

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find everything from fruits and vegetables to breads, cheeses and even soaps, then let me tell you... this Farmer’s Market is unmatched in the area.  On the first and third Sunday of every month until November, head to the Botanic Gardens’ Farmer’s Market for an extremely impressive variety of locally grown and homemade treasures.

There is just so much to do at the Gardens this summer.  Cooking classes, art exhibits, photo walks, plant sales, and outdoor music performances to name a few.  As someone who looks back fondly at my own childhood experiences in the Chicago Botanic Garden, I can honestly say that these memories will last a life time.

If you head out that way, be sure to enter some of your photos in our photo contest!