Visit

The Conservatory indoor gardens are now open! We have posted reservations 2/27 through 3/14. However, we are completely booked through that time. Moving forward, we will be offering reservations two weeks out. We will begin to post additional days available for reservations on March 3. That means we will open reservations for March 17 on March 3. And we will open reservations for March 18 on March 4. And so forth.

COVID-19 UPDATE (as of 2/26/2021): Under public healthy safety guidelines, the Garfield Park Conservatory and Gardens is excited to announce we will be reopening our indoors on February 27 to the general public. We will continue to offer virtual programming to help you stay connected. We want to safely offer you the physical and mental health benefits of nature in our global plant collection. The Spring Flower Show: Saturation will launch as we welcome back guests. This year’s show will immerse visitors in practically the entire spectrum in the rainbow!  

Safety: The number of people admitted at one time will be at reduced capacity levels to help ensure social distancing. All visitors and staff are required to wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth and to social distance. All visits must be pre-booked in advance and each reservation will be for up to 60 minutes.  

Click here to read through our FAQs to help you prepare for a visit. 

Bookings can only be made two weeks in advance. If you need assistance, please contact us at visitors@garfieldpark.org or call 773-638-1766.  

Location & Hours

300 N. Central Park Ave.
Chicago, IL 60624

We are located near the intersection of North Central Park Ave. and Lake St.   

Wednesday 10am-8pm (last entry at 7pm)

Thursday – Sunday 10am-5pm (last entry at 4pm)

Closed Monday and Tuesday

*Please note that some time slots are blocked out for staff to provide plant maintenance and for enhanced cleaning protocols.

GIFT SHOP:

Shop Online

 

 

Admission

Visits remain FREE! We accept donations from those who are able and want to give. You can donate at time of reservation or at any time on our website here: garfieldconservatory.org/donate   

GROUP TOURS & YOUTH GROUPS:

All group tours and in-person programming are cancelled until further notice. For questions, please contact groups@garfieldpark.org

All in-person programming is cancelled until further notice. 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

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.