The Garfield Park Conservatory is our vacation spot within the city during the winter months. It's the perfect escape: Designed by Jens Jensen in 1906, the conservatory boasts flowering cacti, bright yellow lily pads, a double Coconut palm, and a large plant dripping with bananas. The lush palms of the fern room bring one back to the Illinois of millions of years ago, and the vibrant flowers of the Show House wake up wintery minds to spring. Park your car in the convenient lot, shed your lawyers, and breath in some fresh, moist air for a spell.

The Elizabeth Morse Genius Children's garden features climbable leaves and a giant seed pod, a long, curvy slide, and best of all, a chance to run around and breathe in oxygen - without coat, hat and gloves.

On Saturdays and Sundays throughout the winter, drop in to the Children's Garden to take part in a popular "Make-&-Take" session, where children can make bookmarks, bracelets, and dinosaur terrariums. This year's Make and Take theme is: plants of the past, present, and future.

300 North Central Park Avenue

Open daily from 9 - 5

Admission: Free