16 gardens in Illinois checked against official websites: 8 botanical gardens, 5 conservatorys, 5 arboretums. Most are listed in or near Rockford, Springfield, Glencoe. 8 list free general entry and 3 charge admission; the rest are unrecorded or vary.Gardens near Chicago Gardens near Rockford Gardens near Elgin
Admission and hours checked September 28, 2026. Prices may change.
A twelve-acre Japanese garden in Rockford with streams, waterfalls and koi ponds. Paid admission, higher on weekends; free on the third Thursday donation day.
Large botanic garden in Glencoe, Illinois with themed gardens, greenhouses and a model railroad garden. Members-only morning hours come before the public opening.
Chicago conservatory with two acres of indoor greenhouses and over ten acres of outdoor gardens. Entry needs a ticket, and reserving ahead is recommended.
University of Illinois arboretum in Urbana with gardens and natural areas across more than 100 acres. Entry is free; open daily from sunrise to sunset.
A 155-acre arboretum and botanic garden in Rockford with 12 specialty gardens, paved paths and wooded trails. Paid admission; leashed dogs are welcome.
Evanston arboretum on a narrow strip beside the North Shore Canal, with trees grouped by plant family, gardens, sculptures and a bird sanctuary. The Ecology Center sits inside it.
A Lombard park known for its lilac collection and Lilac Time festival. Open every day of the year and free to enter.
A 100-acre garden of restored prairie, woodland and wetland with over 6 miles of trails near Springfield. Free entry except special events; nature center has set hours.
A 5-acre botanical garden in Glen Oak Park with a tropical conservatory and 15 theme gardens or borders. Entry is free; donations are welcome.
Eight-acre botanical garden inside Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve near Mahomet, reached through the free Museum of the Grand Prairie or a side gate. Entry is free.
Park-district conservatory in Oak Park with three display rooms of Mediterranean, tropical and desert plants. Groups of 10 or more must register in advance by phone.
An indoor and outdoor botanical center in Rock Island with a tropical Sun Garden and seasonal exhibits. Open daily except a few holidays.
36-acre public garden on the SIUE campus with a half-mile paved loop, butterfly, prairie and English cottage gardens and student sculpture. Entry and parking are free.
A 1,700-acre tree arboretum in Lisle with trails, tree and plant collections and a Children's Garden. Timed ticket purchase is available online; entry includes parking.
Springfield park district garden of 20 acres with 10 garden areas and a glass-dome conservatory. Grounds and conservatory are free; the conservatory is closed for renovations.
Elmhurst Park District conservatory with a tropical plant house and three seasonal flower shows a year. Entry is free and it opens every day.
These are gardens we could check against their own official websites, not every garden in the area. “Free” refers to general garden entry, not parking, tours or special events. We do not show live opening status.
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