10/17/08

Beware!!!!!

by friendlybotanist

Be very careful when going, do not park in the parkinglot. Me and my fiancee were robbed at gunpoint the other night. They all our belongings and walked away like it was nothing to them. I would not reccomend anyone going there late or at all. Please take this as a warning.

• Pros: Nice gardens
• Cons: Worst neighborhood around.

08/23/05

A little caution

by catbyn

this particular conservatory is hard to find and not in a great location. It is gorgeous, however, and with a little caution is worth the trip. There is another conservatory, in Lincoln Park, which is just as nice, also free, easier to find and has other fun things nearby (zoo, park, nature museum). I would recommend it over Garfield Park.

• Pros: Free, Beautiful
• Cons: Bad neighborhood, hard to find

A year-round refuge for those in need of a dose of greenery or a blast of desert air.

by Contributor

Overview
Covering four-and-a-half acres at the north end of Garfield Park, the conservatory houses one of the world's largest indoor gardens. In 1906, architect Jens Jensen broke from 19th-century tradition by designing organic settings for the collections rather than displaying them in pots. Extensive renovations, expanded public programming and high-profile exhibitions have recently brought this West Side oasis renewed public attention.

The Experience
The palm house dominates the exterior, and its soaring tropical species are the first to greet visitors. Eight interconnected greenhouses are divided by climate, from the abundant life of the moist fern room to the odd alien forms springing from the desert house gravel. In the children's garden, a variety of informative displays and activities engage youngsters before they jump into one of two play areas. Adjoining classrooms host horticultural workshops and clinics throughout the year.

08/24/02

Breath taking

by liquorgirl

I was blown away. I have never seen such beauty. I must of taken 80 pictures from every angle. it is a real must see.

05/15/02

Beautiful green space

by peter_behle

I went out to see the Chihuly exhibit and truly enjoyed myself. The conservatory itself is beautiful and lush--what a great place to visit in the dead of winter for a little dose of greenery.

• Pros: Easy to get to