Step into Spring: Your Guide to Illinois Botanical and Sculpture Gardens

Mar 11, 2023

The weather outside is still a touch frightful, but never fear because spring is almost here. This March has rolled in like a lion all across the country, but we anticipate it will prance out gently like a little lamb. Speaking of lambs, you know the sort who love to roam prairies, fields, and graze amidst the flowers… you can follow in their footsteps by strolling through beautiful botanical gardens and nature parks!

Today, we’re sharing our picks for beautiful conservatories, curated landscapes, nature preserves, and other magnificent botanical facilities across the state of Illinois. Fancy yourself a little road trip? We’ve also included the distance mileage to our best estimate, so you can plan your route for a little weekend getaway or day trip as you see fit!

The Chicago Botanic Garden – About 20 miles from Classic’s Dealership

This gorgeous botanical garden is perfect for a few hours stroll through its 27 gardens over 385 acres to appreciate the collection of rare, tropical, and local plants and flowers. It’s the perfect backdrop for snapping a selfie or two, and great for the avid photographer who wants to hone their nature photography skills. The garden is open daily all year round, but the hours do change seasonally. In addition to the permanent collections and displays, there are also special events, rotating exhibitions, and artwork to enjoy!

The Morton Arboretum – About 50 miles from Classic’s Dealership

This beautiful space is a public garden and outdoor museum with a library, herbarium, and Center for Tree Science research facility. Every Wednesday the arboretum offers discounted admission, and there are free timed-entry admissions on certain holidays (check the calendar for more info!) The arboretum is perfect for a leisurely stroll or stop by on one of the special events days for music, lectures, and so much more! There are 16 miles of hiking trails open 265 days a year, so you can explore more than 200,000 plants just about any time!

Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens Rockford – About 100 miles from Classic’s Dealership

This beautiful facility is the third largest conservatory in the state, with an impressive 11,000 square feet of indoor space to observe tropical plants and flowers, a fully landscaped lagoon, and beautiful sculptures. Stroll through these beautiful gardens or check out the permanent and rotating educational exhibits and unique events, or take a peek at the calendar to see what seasonal displays are currently offered.

Monticello Sculpture Gardens at Lewis and Clark Community College – About 310 miles from Classic’s Dealerships

Each year the Monticello Sculpture Garden at Lewis and Clark Community College announces a new theme, and this year’s theme is “Discover Monticello Sculpture Gardens” in celebration of their 10 year anniversar and inspired by the college’s rebranding campaign. Tours are available for free between 9AM and 3:30 on Monday through Friday! Your group will learn about the history of Lewis and Clark and the former Monticello’s Women’s Seminary, what steps are being taken to preserve the original buildings, learn about the artists and inspiration behind the sculpture installations, and explore the plants, lily pond, and fountains.

Mabery Gelvin Botanical Gardens in Mahomet – About 180 Miles from Classic’s Dealership

This incredible oasis is located inside of the Woods Forest Preserve. What originally began as a small garden outside the Museum of the Grand Pararie has since grown into eight rolling acres of gorgeous green grasses, cascading waterfalls, rock gardens, and truly magical blossoms. It’s full of scenic areas that are perfect for some romantic couples portraits, or of course, a colorful spring selfie!

Wandell Sculpture Garden in Urbana – About 180 miles from Classic’s Dealerships

22 beautiful acres of sculptural wonders and gardens are nestled inside the 130 acres of Meadowbrook Park’s tallgrass prairie grounds. The park just celebrated its 25th year running since Celia and Willet Wendell established a local nature trust! Now through September of 2023, the park is hosting lots of fun, unique, and educational events as part of its quarter century anniversary.

The Gardens at SIUE Edwardsville – About 300 miles from Classic’s Dealership

Located on the grounds of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville campus, what started as an arboretum now occupies 35 acres. It’s rife with emerald green fields, treelined paths, student-designed sculptures, bridges, and beautiful flower gardens. Hours change seasonally, so you’ll want to check the posted calendar.

Other notable destinations include:

Regenstein Center in Gelncoe– 20 miles from Classic’s Dealership

Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park in Skokie – 35 miles from Classic’s Dealership

Oak Park Conservatory in Oak Park – 45 miles from Classic’s Dealership

The Sculpture Park in Schaumburg – 45 miles from Classic’s Dealership

Linmar Gardens in Galena – 180 miles from Classic’s Dealershpi

West Street Sculpture Park in Galena – 180 miles from Classic’s Dealership

Luthy Botanical garden in Peoria – 190 miles from Classic’s Dealership

Quad City Botanical Center in Rock Island – 200 miles from Classic’s Dealership

Ana Bethel Fisher Rock Garden in Decatur – 225 miles from Classic’s Dealership

Mandala Gardens in Marion – 400 miles from Classic’s Dealership

How Botanical Gardens Lead to Innovations, TEALEAVES on YouTube: