There seems to be little plant life that survived the winter storm and dropping temperatures, but these three winter garden events still contain a lot of life.
Winter Flower and Train Show
Lincoln Park Conservatory
2391 N. Stockton Dr.
Through Jan. 8, 2017
Admission is free
If you’re not a garden fan you will surely be one after visiting the Lincoln Park Conservatory’s Winter Flower and Train Show if only for the fact that it’s a nice 75 degrees inside. The warmth will grab you, but the beautiful gold rush, autumn leaves, and orange spice poinsettias along with the chilly chili and peppa blanca ornamental peppers will keep you around along with the train that travels through the conservatory and scaled homes and businesses.
Illumination: Tree Lights
The Morton Arboretum
4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, Ill.
Through Jan. 2, 2017
Admission: $18 for adults and $12 for children Dec. 13–21 and Dec. 31–Jan. 2, and $22 for adults and $4 for children through Dec. 22–23 and Dec. 26–30
It’s easy to forget that trees are these majestic living things that help us survive instead of another decorative feature on the Magnificent Mile. The Morton Arboretum has found a way to dress up their trees and point out their personalities at Illumination: Tree Lights. New this year are the abstract projections cross the Arboretum’s hemlock trees. You can also stroll along a mile of illuminated trees that each have a different interactive feature. The draped lights are worth the visit alone, but you can change the color of the tree lights when you sing at the Tinsel Harmony section. See the lights dance to “The Nutcracker” at Symphony Woods. In addition, don’t miss the elegant chandeliers at the Crystal Promenade.
Wonderland Express
Chicago Botanic Garden
1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, Ill.
Through Jan. 2, 2017
Admission: $13 for adults and $10 for children ages 3 to 12 and seniors over the age of 62
When you visit the Chicago Botanic Garden you’ll be greeted with a more than 700,000 LED-lights at the entrance to Wonderland Express. When you make it inside trains from the garden’s 300–400 train collection travel high and low on 950 feet of track through a miniature village of Chicago that includes 80 mini-replicas of Chicago landmarks including Wrigley Field. As you walk through you’ll explore the three indoor greenhouses with Christmas cactus, poinsettia spheres, hydrangeas, spindle palms, and more.
Written By Joel Mora
Joel Mora is editor at Concierge Preferred. Born and raised in Miami, Fl., Joel has slowly ate, drank, and explored his way up north refining all his senses to prepare for the stampede of delicious dining, notorious nightlife, stellar shopping, and captivating culture that calls Chicago home. In the wild he’ll be the red-bearded Cuban with a Lagunitas IPA in his hand.