Garfield Park Conservatory

I visited in 2022 and didn't realize reservations were required before arriving. The place wasn’t crowded, but they wouldn’t let me in without one. I asked if I could make a reservation online on the spot, but they told me it wouldn’t matter—there were no more reservations available for the day. However, they mentioned that if I paid for a membership, I could get in, implying the capacity could be expanded for those willing to pay more. The staff was rude about the situation, and the experience left a bad impression. I haven’t returned since and don’t plan to in the future. It seems like others have had similar issues with the staff here. Management should seriously consider evaluating their staff and policies to improve the overall experience. Beautiful place overall, but the front of house staff ruins it.

LOVE LOVE LOVE, if you’re looking for something to do during the cold winter days this is perfect. They have a coat check right past the reception desk and the staff is very kind. So many species of plants and it is all well labeled so you know what you’re looking at. They have benches throughout so you can sit and read for a while or just hang out. If you’re bringing kids please don’t let them disrespect the plants growing,,,100% will be going back regularly. The plants in the gift shop are also pretty cheap, I picked up a spider plant for only $5

We really enjoyed our time and visit. Compare with other botanical gardens this is one is highly recommended. They have plants that we haven't seen in others gardens. Seems like plants here are gigantic. They have impressive sizes. The cacti collection was amazing. Not even in Phoenix AZ botanical garden have such a great selection of cacti. The prehistoric species are beautiful.

This is a local treasure for young - really old. It’s such a wonderful place to go to on a cold and rainy day OR a beautiful day. We drive for an hour and go every chance we get. There is always something new or something we haven’t seen before. Kids can touch and experience different smells, textures and sights. The whole family enjoys it, really. Parking is very convenient and the Green Line stop is right there as well. The spaces and bathrooms are well maintained. We love that they added a cafe too! But what the kids love the most is looking for the miniature toys. Not sure if it was the staff who did this but it’s genius. And best of all… admission is FREE! Highly recommended!!!

Garfield Park Conservatory is absolutely beautiful! The space is incredibly clean, and it’s clear the staff does an amazing job maintaining everything. The plants are thriving, and even the animals they have were such a nice surprise to see. I noticed some people brought books and relaxed on the benches, which gave the whole place a peaceful vibe. I’m definitely planning to do that next time—it seems like such a perfect spot to unwind. If you're a local, admission is free (such a great perk!), but out-of-state visitors pay around $10, which is still totally worth it. Just a heads-up—it gets pretty hot inside, but they have coat racks where you can hang your things, which is really convenient. Whether you’re a plant lover, looking for a calm place to relax, or just want a unique experience, this spot is definitely worth a visit. I’ll for sure be coming back!