Free Lincoln Park Conservatory- Tropical Oasis for Exotic Plants & Visitors (Chicago, IL)

I found Chicago is an amazing city to travel with many free yet fantastic or interesting places to visit. Lincoln Park Conservatory is one of the gems, both free and interesting.

Lincoln Park Conservatory is a 3-acre (1.2 ha) conservatory and botanical garden in Lincoln Park next to north end of the free Lincoln Park Zoo. Here’s the interesting history of how it got built. 

As Chicago's population increased, it quickly became overcrowded. Combined with the growing anxiety about the ill effects of industrialization, collecting and classifying plant life became very popular. So the Lincoln Park Commission decided to build a new and substantial conservatory to replace a small greenhouse built in the 1870s. During the nineteenth century, the expansion of iron and glass building technologies helped fuel the constructions of conservatories in major cities around the world.

The first phase consisted of a glass house conservatory that was described as a “paradise under glass." Originally, aquatic plants were placed in a heated pond outside, but were later moved into tanks inside the conservatory. The exotic plants became so popular that the Egyptian government asked the Conservatory for seeds of its water lily flowers in 1897.

I went to the Lincoln Park Conservatory right after visiting Lincoln Park Zoo, so I was totally exhausted by the time I got there. Upon entering the Conservatory, I found a restroom immediately and it was such a relief to refresh myself from Chicago’s sticky summer heat and my exhaustion on that day. One more thing I was hoping for was an air-conditioned environment. Even though the conservatory was not air-conditioned, I found that sitting on the bench next to the pond was not too bad.  Not just the plants and flowers there, I was able to find a sanctuary as well at the Lincoln Park Conservatory. ;)

The Conservatory contains four rooms with their own mini, yet lush, ecosystems displaying exotic plants from around the world, as well as sculptures, monuments, and a tranquil fountain. There are awesome outdoor gardens right outside of Conservatory, but I will introduce them in a separate posting.  

While I was looking around it, I was thinking that even if the Conservatory is good to visit during any season, it would be an especially awesome sanctuary during Chicago’s frosty winter time. I could imagine that Lincoln Park Conservatory is truly a tropical oasis in the middle of the cold Windy City and an ideal place to warm up, not just for plants, but also for the visitors! Oh, not to mention on rainy or stormy or windy days as well!

As an adult, I would’ve enjoyed this conservatory even better if I’d visited here first, before Lincoln Park Zoo. It was too bad that I did not have much time or energy left to enjoy the Conservatory thoroughly on that day. So if you do go without any kids, I would like to recommend the Conservatory rather than the Zoo.  

Although the Lincoln Park Conservatory is fun whenever you go, it tends to get extremely busy during weekends. Located in central Lincoln Park, you can easily visit other nearby free Chicago attractions, such as the Lincoln Park Zoo and the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool.

The Conservancy is open 9 AM to 5 PM every day. The outdoor gardens are open from 6 AM to 11 PM every day. Also, I found there are free tours available.

Normal docent hours are Fridays 1-4 PM and Saturdays & Sundays 10 AM – 4 PM. Free tours (no reservations required) are available to the public during those times.

Private group tours (for schools, clubs, senior centers, and others) can be arranged by reservation with at least 7 days advance notice. These tours can be arranged seven days a week between 9 AM and 5 PM. Available languages include English, Spanish, French, German, Korean, and Chinese.

Lastly, here are some etiquette tips when visiting the Lincoln Park Conservatory & Gardens:
- Always stay on the public paths.
- Do not eat or bring food into the Conservatory (crumbs attract insects).
- Do not pick any flowers or touch the plants.
- Do not feed the fish (they are on a controlled diet).
- Do not throw coins into the pools (coins are harmful to the fish).
- Children must be supervised at all times so that everyone can enjoy their visit.