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COVID-19 UPDATE as of 8/5/2020: Garfield Park Conservatory’s outdoor gardens are open to the public with timed entry reservations! We have adjusted our operations to safely welcome you back. We are open Wednesday – Sunday and will change hours to 10am to 5pm beginning Wednesday, August 12. The indoor gardens remain closed to the public at this time. Thank you for your patience and understanding while we implement new procedures. This phased reopening plan will only be successful with your cooperation and respect of the guidelines.  Click here to learn more about our phased reopening plan.

Click Here to read through our new FAQs (screen reader accessible pdf opens in a new tab).

Click the big green button to make your reservation!

Location & Hours

300 N. Central Park Ave.
Chicago, IL 60624

The Garfield Park Conservatory is located at the intersection of North Central Park Ave. and Lake St.

We have adjusted hours to safely welcome you back to the outdoor gardens! We are open 11am-7pm Wednesdays – Sundays (closed Mondays and Tuesdays).

Please note that the indoor gardens remain closed at this time.

 

GIFT SHOP:

The Gift Shop is closed. Stay tuned for updates.

Admission

During our phased reopening, we will remain FREE and open to all. You will need a reservation booked in advance of your visit. We welcome donations at time of booking your visit or on-site.

GROUP TOURS & YOUTH GROUPS:

All group tours are cancelled through December 31, 2020. For questions, please contact groups@garfieldpark.org

All in-person programming is cancelled through December 31, 2020. Our nature education staff is working to move what we can to virtual platforms when possible. Check out our Resource Center to find at-home nature education activities for all ages

Directions

PARKING: We have FREE parking in the Visitor’s Parking Lot just south of the Conservatory entrance., as well as Bike Corrals and a Divvy bike station in front of the building on Central Park Avenue.

You can also take the Green Line to the Conservatory Stop. You won’t miss us, we’re the huge glass building just north of Lake Street on the West side of the street.

CURRENT EVENT CALENDAR

ACCESSIBILITY AT THE CONSERVATORY:

The Garfield Park Conservatory is committed to providing a quality experience for all visitors. Please note, all outdoor pathways on the campus map below are concrete, with pavers or are hard-packed gravel. Smaller side pathways not pictured on the map may be covered in mulch or sand. Learn more about accessibility at the Conservatory.

View a campus map

Map

Line drawing of Garfield Park Conservatory and Gardens Campus Map

Important Information

WHEELCHAIR ACCESS:

The Conservatory is wheelchair accessible, except for the Fern Room. A limited number of wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Visitors using wheelchairs and those who are otherwise unable to climb stairs may enter the Conservatory at the Main Entrance, 300 N. Central Park Ave., via the North or South ramps. For more information contact us at 773-638-1766.

BABY CHANGING:

Baby changing stations are available in the men’s and women’s restrooms in the Lobby of the Conservatory.

PHOTOGRAPHY:

All visitors to the Garfield Park Conservatory, and to Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance events and programs, may be photographed and/or filmed by staff or hired photographers. These photographs and videos may be used in Chicago Park District and/or Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance printed materials, on our website, and/or in other Conservatory promotional materials. Your attendance serves as consent to be photographed and/or filmed. If you are interested in a Photography Permit or Media Permit, Click here.

Rules & Etiquette at the Conservatory

What are the rules and etiquette at the Conservatory?

We want people of all ages to enjoy the indoor and outdoor gardens at Garfield Park Conservatory. Although it looks like a park, it is actually a museum with a living collection. Our gardens have both plants and animals that require a level of respect that assures their continuity for all visitors to enjoy. Please help us ensure a safe visit for everyone by observing the following:

  • Children ages 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult in order to enter the conservatory.
  • Parents and chaperones must remain with their children at all times.
  • Visitors must be suitably attired, including shirts, pants, shorts or skirts, and shoes.
  • We are a working greenhouse, so some walkways may be wet. Please pay attention to where you are walking.
  • For safety reasons, no running is allowed inside the conservatory. We encourage adults to guide their charges to one of the many outdoor lawn areas where children may run.
  • Service animals (not emotional support animals) are the only animals allowed inside or outside. Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.
  • Service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices. In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signal, or other effective controls.
  • Mobility items are restricted to strollers, small wagons, and mobility-assistance devices. No rollerblades, two-wheeled scooters, skateboards or “wheelie” shoes with the wheels engaged, or hoverboards.
  • Kites, frisbees, drones, balls, and any other flying objects are not permitted. Visitors who wish to engage in these activities may do so across the street in Garfield Park.
  • Balloons and confetti are prohibited inside and outside the Conservatory.
  • Please leave flowers and plants for everyone to enjoy. Do not collect or remove seeds, flowers, fruits, vegetables, plant labels, etc.
  • Inside the conservatory, stay on walkways or marked paths. Paths not accessible to visitors are indicated as such. Outdoors, stay on stone pathways or lawn areas. Do not walk in garden beds.
  • Do not feed, try to catch, or handle the wildlife. It can be harmful to them—and you. The use of insect nets is prohibited.
  • Indoors, please restrict food consumption to Horticulture Hall or the lobby. Outdoors, picnicking is allowed wherever there are tables and chairs or in the lawn areas. No alcohol is allowed.
  • Please be sure to dispose of your waste properly. We recycle here, so please be sure to find a blue container if you have plastic, aluminum, glass, or paper.
  • Smoking must be outdoors at least fifteen feet from any door or window.
  • Use of Horticulture Hall for parties or gatherings of 10 or more people during public hours is prohibited. There are rental spaces for those purposes.  Book your group of 10 or more here.
  • Playing a musical instrument inside or in the outdoor gardens is prohibited unless it is part of Conservatory programming.
  • Listening to personal audio devices requires the use of headphones.
  • Tree climbing is restricted to the Play and Grow Garden.
  • Please do not soak, wade, or swim in our ponds and fountains.
  • With the exception of the wishing waterfall in the Palm House, please refrain from throwing coins, rocks, or any other objects into ponds and fountains.
  • Please keep your personal items with you at all times. If you find an item that does not belong to you, please turn it in to a security officer or the visitor services staff in the front lobby.
  • You may take photographs for your personal use only. Tripods and monopods are allowed, but do not block pathways for other visitors. Photography of any other nature requires a Chicago Park District permit in advance.  Learn more.
  • In case of emergency, please alert a staff person. In addition to floriculture and program staff working in the conservatory, you can notify the visitor services at the front desk or any security officer.
  • The Conservatory reserves the right to ask anyone to leave that does not adhere to these rules.