Garfield Park Conservatory

Garfield Park Conservatory Review

Escape winter's cold or revel in summer sunshine inside this huge Victorian glass structure housing tropical palms, spiny cacti, and showy blooms. A children's garden is filled with climbable leaf sculptures and a tube slide that winds through trees. The Sweet House now houses a permanent "Sugar from the Sun" exhibit focused on the elements of photosynthesis—sunlight, air, water, and sugar—in a full-sensory environment filled with spewing steam, trickling water, and chirping sounds. And don't miss the historic Jens Jensen-designed Fern Room with its lagoon, waterfalls, and profusion of ferns. Events include botanical-themed fashion shows, flower shows, and the annual Sweet Saturday in February, which pays homage to plants that yield ingredients for favorite sweet treats, such as Gummy Bears and chocolate. It also includes chef demonstrations and free samples. In 2011 hail damaged the Fern Room and the Show House, where the blooms are located. Repairs are scheduled for the summer of 2013 so check before visiting to see if these rooms are closed.