Garfield Park Conservatory

Lonely Planet review

With 4.5 acres under glass, the Park District's pride and joy, built in 1907, seemed like a lost cause in 1994. Located far away from the heart of the city, in a neighborhood that tended to scare away visitors, the Conservatory nevertheless began a multimillion-dollar restoration campaign. By 2000 it was completed, and the crowds have been pouring in ever since.

One of the original designers, Jens Jensen, intended for the 5000 palms, ferns and other plants to re-create what Chicago looked like during prehistoric times. Today the effect continues - all that's missing is a rampaging stegosaurus. The Economic House features a fascinating range of plants that are used for food, medicine and shelter. New halls contain displays of seasonal plants, which are especially spectacular in the weeks before Easter. A children's garden lets kids play with plants that aren't rare or irreplaceable, and a Demonstration Garden was added in 2002 to help answer the questions of the wide-eyed urban gardeners who come here. If you drive, note that the neighborhood is still not the safest.