As the month of April has come to a close and May starting off strong, there are some absolute fun and gorgeous locations to visit at this time of year. May in itself is very underrated as people only remember the month for its rain and weird temperatures, but all the plants start to bloom and bring life to all the wildlife. Thus, it’s a great time to start heading out and start finding things to do while it’s not too hot and not too cold. That’s why I have compiled this list so you don’t have to research and start setting dates to visit these amazing places. (These are places within a 50-mile radius).
1..Cantigny Park
Cantigny Park is a very close-by spot that has tons to offer. It has a nice grade, a museum, and a tank park. The garden has an amazing array of flowers all over the world, which are displayed beautifully around the museum. It has over 160,000 different types of flowering plant life. Personally, my favorite part of the garden is the fountain garden, where you can see the Japanese Quince bloom all around the fountain. The museum itself is also really cool. It tells the history of America’s first infantry division. In the museum, you can learn about the many stories of the soldiers and take a look at historical artifacts from the time of conflict. The inside also has recreated some of the battlegrounds, giving a really authentic experience of the history. The biggest highlight of course is the giant tanks all over the place. It’s a great place for kids to climb the tanks and have fun, while parents can read up on the history of the tank or join in on the fun. Apart from the main attraction, there are other activities like picnicking, camping, and golfing.
Cost: Parking-$5 for a car.,$20 for a limousine, $40 for a mini-bus, and $80 for a large bus. Museum- Free.
2..Blackwell Forest Preserve
Blackwell Forest Preserve is not just beautiful but has plenty of fun activities to do. You could spend the whole day going boating around the many lakes, or fish for bluegill, catfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, rainbow trout, and walleye. You can either camp out or plan a picnic in the open fields, hills, and forest areas around the preserve. The picnic grounds are really nice and are a great area to chillax and have some fun with your family or friends. If you don’t feel like sitting around, there are tons of trails, which you can walk, bike, cross-country ski or ride horseback. Overall, it’s an amazing place to let loose and have some fun.
Costs: Entry- Free.
3. The Morton Arboretum
The Morton Arboretum is an absolutely gorgeous place. With the multitudes of different flora to see, there are also many activities. The most popular activity for everyone is the maze. Other than the towering shrubs it has different flowers showcased with signs to learn more about them. At the end of the maze, there is this little platform where you can get a nice view of the whole place. There are also many trials which you can bike or hike. There are sections in which you can see themed trails that showcase flora from different countries. In the month of May, they have a photographic society, which photographs all the amazing blooming flowers in their many gardens. Speaking of gardens, there are so many different gardens to explore. The four-season garden and the fragrance garden are one of the best to visit to see and smell all the flowers. It’s a stunning place with endless fun and great sights.
Cost: Adults (18-64) is $16. Seniors (65+) is $14. Children (2-17) is $11. Admissions are cheaper on Wednesday.
4. Chicago Botanic Garden
The Chicago Botanic Garden has a plethora of beautiful gardens of different cultures and themes. Every garden has its own specialty and looks incredible on its own. My favorite garden has to be the Waterfall Garden as it combines the use of very natural settings with a stunning selection of flowers to match. It’s really nice to walk around in and it feels like you’re in one of those fairy gardens in movies. Other than the many sights, the gardens also help promote gardening at your own home. In the Buehler Enabling Garden, you learn about how you can start your own garden by looking at the many home-inspired flower beds. There are just a few gardens, but there are 33 total gardens that you can explore and see. There are many events in the month of May. There are a lot of guided tours, workshops, and giveaways. You can also take Tai Chi classes in the month of May. There is also an art exhibit that highlights the beauty of the Illinois prairie. This place is absolutely amazing, and if you ever find yourself in Chicago, you should for sure visit.
Cost: Per car, weekdays is $25. Per car, weekends is $30.
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Thank you for reading! I hope this will help people who are struggling to find something to do or appreciate enjoying nature.