Willow’s World

To preface, I have always been a bit of a tree hugger. The “Hug A Tree” T-shirt I frequently sported in my youth tells you all you need to know. Getting outside, feeling the sun on your face and a late summer breeze through your hair is something that most everyone means to do, but often gets pushed to the wayside in favor of other, more “important tasks”. I’ll be the first to admit that I am guilty of doing just this. School’s grand entrance into my schedule over the last month has thrown a wrench into the hours of time I used to spend outside. I am sad to report that I consider it a special day if I get to enjoy even 15 minutes of uninterrupted free time outside. As summer draws to a close, now is the perfect time to spend some quality time in nature. Lucky for you, I have compiled a list of the best spots in the Chicagoland area to check out!

Chicago Botanical Garden

I like to describe the Chicago Botanical Garden as the cream of the crop in terms of Chicago’s offerings of botanical happenings. Situated on a whopping 385 acres of land, the garden offers a variety of natural areas and 27 theme-specific gardens. From a sprawling Japanese Garden full of uniquely trimmed bushes to a Fruit and Vegetable Garden complete with grapevines, a grove of nut trees, there is something for everyone! For an international twist, consider checking out my personal favorite, the English Walled Garden. Designed by landscape architect John Brookes, the garden is complete with a stone lion and a lovely selection of native English plants that smell as delightful as they look. If you are in the mood to live out your cottage core dreams, this is the place for you!

Anderson Japanese Gardens 

Located in Rockford, about an hour and a half drive northeast of downtown Chicago lies the Anderson Japanese Gardens. Named after local Businessman John Anderson, with the guidance of “Master Craftsman and designer” Hoichi Kurisu, construction for the project began in 1978.  The Garden is crafted with the three essential elements of Japanese landscaping: stone, water, and plants. Walking through the gardens provides a highly calming atmosphere. Sounds of gently flowing waterfalls, and the comforting sensation of being enveloped in a leafy canopy provided me with a much-needed moment of zen when I visited the Garden in August of last year. A highlight of this Garden is the expansive pond complete with friendly koi you can feed. 

Morton Arboretum

Topping the Chicago Botanical Gardens with a whopping 3,700 acres of space, the Morton Arboretum is the ultimate green getaway. Favorited by parents for its interactive Children’s Garden, and by runners and bikers for its 16 miles of hiking trails, the Arboretum is a must-see spot! Besides the permanent gardens and trails which are both fun and functional, the Arboretum also hosts traveling exhibitions which can quickly become the highlight of any trip. In years past, a crowd favorite was an exhibition of oversized trolls fashioned from pieces of scrap metal and wood. On display currently is artist Daniel Popper’s largest ever exhibition, entitled “Human+Nature”.  

Cantigny Park

Last up is a trip down memory lane. Cantigny Park. Nestled on a quaint of 29 acres of land, Cantigny provides a little bit of everything. The First Division Museum (free for all) follows the history of the U.S Army’s 1st Infantry. Just Outside the museum lie the crowning jewels of Cantigny, a series of tanks which can be climbed on! I can confidently say that climbing the tanks at Cantigny is one of my favorite childhood memories. In recent years, Cantigny has also renovated some of its outdoor garden spaces. The Hosta Garden as well as a xeriscaping-inspired Garden (What is xeriscaping?)  have quickly become some of my absolute favorites.

As the fall months quickly approach, I highly recommend checking these spots out while the weather is still beautiful. That said, many of these establishments are open through late fall and host season-related events. I can vouch that apple cider sold at the Arboretum’s café makes for a great accompaniment to an October stroll. With my own action-packed school year ahead, I know the best thing I can do is get out and enjoy observing the changing season, and I would highly recommend it for you too!