Chicago Botanic Garden

Chicago Botanic Garden Review

Among the 24 different gardens are a three-island Japanese garden, a waterfall garden, a sensory garden, and a 4-acre fruit-and-vegetable garden. Three big greenhouses showcase a desert, a rain forest, and a formal garden with flowers that bloom all winter long. The Model Railroad Garden, a 7,500-square-foot train set decorated with buildings representing notable sights from across the country, such as the White House, Wrigley Field, and the Space Needle, is a delight for rail fans of all ages. It makes an appearance as a special exhibit each summer with a handful of new landmarks and then moves indoors for a holiday run as the Wonderland Express from late November through the beginning of January.