Spanning nearly 400 acres, the Chicago Botanic Garden is one of the largest botanic gardens in the United States. While biggest doesn’t always mean best, this enchanting living museum goes beyond expectations with its 27 spectacular gardens and four diverse lush natural areas. Even more impressive is its expansive bonsai collection, considered one of the best displays of these miniature masterpieces in the country. Here’s why you’ll want to visit this FREE horticultural utopia:

This massive botanic garden in lives up to the hype.
Natalka-d/Trip Advisor
More than 1 million visitors strolled through its grounds in 2017.
Its enchantment is apparent everywhere.
Natalka-d/Trip Advisor
Seasonal flowers, incredible nature areas, fountains, statues, and wildlife delight visitors year-round.
The botanic garden features nine islands.
Luiz Gadelha Jr./Flickr
Its includes a renowned Bonsai Collection, considered among the very best in the world.
Chris Breitenbach/Flickr
It includes nearly 20 bonsai on rotating display to take the stage at the peak of its beauty.
The water areas provides delightful surprises to observant visitors.
Randy Knight/Flickr

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The Heritage Garden statues are crowd favorites.
JR P/Flickr
The expansive gardens includes six miles of lake shoreline.
Randy Knight/Flickr
Bursts of color are prevalent throughout the year.
JanetandPhil/Flickr
Waterfalls provide calmness and harmony.
JanetandPhil/Flickr
Towering trees sway for show to their loving audiences.
Yi-Liang (Lucas) Liu/Flickr
Park benches and shade trees throughout the gardens invite visitors to relax and enjoy all that nature has to offer.
Birds, butterflies and bugs are throughout the gardens.
JanetandPhil/Flickr
This black-capped chickadee is just one of numerous species who live here.

Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes because you’ll definitely want to get out and up-close to many of the garden’s awe-inspiring sections. Narrated trams rides are available for an overview of popular areas. The gardens feature free admission but there is a charge to park. The park, located at 1000 Lake Cook Rd. in the Chicago suburb of Glencoe, Illinois, is open 365 days a year, although operating hours differ by the season and location. Check here for hours before you plan your visit.

For more beautiful natural wonders, view these 13 beautiful photos of the great American outdoors.

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