Find answers to common questions to help you plan your visit to the Garfield Park Conservatory & Gardens. From reservations and admission to what to expect when you arrive, this information is here to make your experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
Reservations & Admission
The Conservatory hours are as follows:
Monday & Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 10am – 8pm (last entry at 7:30pm)
Thursday – Sunday: 10am – 5pm (last entry at 4:30pm)
Hours may change for major holidays that occur on normal operating days. Please call us at 773-638-1766 or email [email protected] for more information.
We recommend making a reservation in advance to guarantee your entry. Same-day reservations may be available if space allows. During busy times, same-day reservations are prioritized for Garfeild Park neighbors and members.
You can make reservations here.
Additional reservation times are set aside for Garfield Park neighbors (60624 & 60612) and members. Neighbors can call 773-638-1766 or email [email protected]. Members can contact [email protected] or call 773-638-1766 ext. 13.
Reservations can be made for up to 10 people. Please include everyone in your party, including those who receive entry. This includes children, active duty military & veterans, Chicago residents, and more.
In order to gain entry to the Conservatory, you must either make a reservation online or obtain a same-day reservation slot.
Groups of 11 or more must make a group reservation. Group bookings are available on a limited basis.
For adult groups, click here.
For youth & school groups, click here.
Adult groups visiting Wednesday – Friday may request a free orientation when availability allows. Please contact [email protected] for more information.
For our guests that reside within the City of Chicago, we kindly offer admission at no charge, though we graciously accept donations offered by those able to give and recommend amounts similar to our standard admission fees.
When booking reservations online or in person, simply provide a resident zip code when prompted for each member of your group as well as verification of the Chicago addresses such as a state issued ID or driver’s license.
For guests who reside outside of the city of Chicago’s borders, our admissions fees are:
- Adults (18–64): $10
- Seniors (65+): $5
- Children (7–17): $5
- Students with valid ID: $5
Yes. The following programs offer free or discounted admission:
- Museums for All – Free with Link or WIC card
- Illinois Teachers (Pre-K–12) – Free
- Illinois Public School Students (Field Trips) – Free
- Blue Star Program – Free for active-duty military and veterans
- American Horticultural Society – Free for current members of AHS or from a garden participating in the Reciprocal Garden Network
Our discounts are offered year-round, and an ID is required.
Planning Your Visit
There are a few things to know before you plan your visit to the Conservatory.
Weekends are typically the busiest days of the week. We highly recommend making a reservation in advance. If you need to make changes, reservations can be modified or canceled up to 1 hour in advance using your confirmation email.
You will receive a QR code after you make a reservation. Please have your QR code ready to show at admissions, either printed or displayed on your phone.
Please understand that during our busiest periods, there may be a wait to enter the conservatory as our staff processes entry for our guests.
Once inside, you’re free to explore 2 acres of indoor gardens under glass and 10 acres of outdoor gardens.
A few helpful things to keep in mind:
- You may experience a short wait at check-in during our busiest periods.
- Temperatures can vary throughout the Conservatory. We suggest dressing appropriately, emphasizing layers that can be added or removed to aid in your comfort.
- Though we allow gentle interaction with appropriate plants we kindly ask that touching of the collection is kept to a minimum to help maintain proper care.
- Complimentary Wi-Fi is available for our visitors through the GPCA-Guest connection and is strongest in the Lobby and Horticulture Hall.
- Donations are graciously accepted by cash or check through our donation boxes located throughout the facility. Those wishing to give by credit or debit card can do so at our admissions counter, alongside purchases in our gift store or on the Conservatory website HERE. QR codes are also displayed throughout the facility that direct to our giving pages.
We kindly ask that you arrive as close to your reservation time as possible with a 5 minute window prior being ideal.
We will always do our best to accommodate early or late arrivals, but during our busiest periods, entry is not guaranteed.
Yes! Visitors may exit the gardens to use the restrooms or visit the gift shop during their visit and re-enter at any time.
Getting Here & Amenities
The Conservatory is accessible by car, public transportation, protected bike lane and on foot. Free parking is available in the visitor parking lot during open hours, steps to the south of our main entrance. A Divvy bike rental station is also located next to our parking lot and bike racks are in front of the main entrance. If you’re arriving via public transit, take the CTA Green Line and get off at the Conservatory stop.
Restrooms are located near the main entrance. There are no additional restrooms available in the gardens. Drinking fountains are located near the restrooms, and a water bottle refill station is located in the Palm House.
There are unattended coat racks located near the Palm House entrance.
We assume no responsibility for the security of personal property left unattended anywhere within the Conservatory.
Normal operating hours for the gift shop are as follows:
Monday & Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 10am-6pm
Thursday – Sunday: 10am – 5pm
These hours may change during special events or while facility rentals are underway.
Our collection can also be shopped online 24/7 with both shipping and in-store pickup options available.
Accessibility
All the pathways on the map are either made of concrete, pavers, or hard-packed gravel. There are smaller side pathways not located on the map that may be made of loose gravel or mulch. Paths may be wet at any given time. The Fern Room is the only room not accessible to individuals using a wheelchair.
The Garfield Park Conservatory is committed to providing a quality experience for all visitors. If you would like to request an accommodation for an upcoming visit, please contact us as soon as possible by emailing [email protected] or calling 773-638-1766.
For information about accessibility at the Conservatory, please click here.
Yes. A limited number of wheelchairs are available at no charge on a first-come, first-served basis.
A valid ID is required as a deposit.
Visiting the Gardens
Yes. Both the City Garden and the Artist’s Garden are open year-round, weather permitting.
The Summer Show in the Artist’s Garden runs annually from July to September.
Food and non-alcoholic beverages are permitted at the Conservatory. Please limit eating or drinking to Horticulture Hall or the outdoor gardens. In accordance with Chicago Park District policy, glass bottles and containers are prohibited inside the Conservatory or on our grounds.
We kindly ask that any refuse is removed responsibly. Both landfill and recycling receptacles are placed in appropriate areas for your use.
Photography & Rentals
Yes, visitors are welcome to take photos for personal use during their visit. Tripods and easels are allowed as long as they do not block pathways or disrupt other guests.
For commercial or specialty photos, a CPD permit may be required. For more information about whether or not you need a photo permit, please click here.
Photo permits are available through the Chicago Park District website.
Yes. Visitors may be photographed or filmed by Conservatory staff or partners for use in promotional materials. Your attendance serves as consent.
We would love to host your event at the Conservatory! Please contact Joan Colon, Special Events Manager with the Chicago Park District via phone at 312-746-5250 or via email at [email protected].
You can learn more about renting space at the Conservatory here.