{"id":998,"date":"2018-08-10T09:11:15","date_gmt":"2018-08-10T14:11:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/neverdonewithfun.com\/staging\/5228\/?p=998"},"modified":"2018-08-10T09:22:41","modified_gmt":"2018-08-10T14:22:41","slug":"family-field-trip-garfield-park-conservatory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/neverdonewithfun.com\/staging\/5228\/2018\/08\/10\/family-field-trip-garfield-park-conservatory\/","title":{"rendered":"Family Field Trip: Garfield Park Conservatory"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Garfield Park Conservatory holds a special place in my heart, as it was a date spot for #DoneWithFun Daddy and I back in our pre-kid, Oak Park apartment life. The lush greenness overwhelms me every time.<\/p>\n

But we discovered this winter that it\u2019s also a fantastic place to take kids in all weather, rain or shine. The 2 acres of indoor display houses and outdoor gardens are free and open to the public 365 days a year and offer the perfect opportunity to connect with nature and let your kids tire themselves out at the same time.<\/p>\n

\"Fun<\/a><\/p>\n

Where:<\/strong><\/span>
\nGarfield Park Conservatory
\n300 N Central Park Ave
\nChicago, IL 60624
\nGet directions<\/a><\/p>\n

Plan your visit:<\/strong><\/span> https:\/\/garfieldconservatory.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Fun<\/a><\/p>\n

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Make the most of your visit with these tips:<\/span><\/h5>\n

DO:<\/strong><\/span> Dress cool. The Garfield Park Conservatory is a greenhouse, with many tropical plants, so don\u2019t be surprised if it gets steamy in there. This isn\u2019t the place to keep on your winter coat if you\u2019re exploring in winter time. But it is a perfect place to take some lovely deep breaths of the warm, clean, moist, plant-purified air. Your lungs will thank you.<\/p>\n

\"Fun<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Fun<\/a><\/p>\n

DON\u2019T:<\/strong><\/span> Forget your camera. Each room of the Conservatory is prettier than the next, and there are a million spots to capture memories or try your hand at nature photography. The sheer number of shades of green in one location was breathtaking. No filter needed here.<\/p>\n

\"Fun<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Fun<\/a><\/p>\n

DO:<\/strong><\/span> Check the Events Calendar<\/a> before you go.\u00a0 There are all sort of events going on at the Conservatory, from free outdoor yoga classes to family programming. It\u2019s worth it to look at the calendar first no matter what side of the equation you are on: Looking specifically for something unique and entertaining to do, or seeking a quieter, less crowded day.<\/p>\n

\"Fun<\/a><\/p>\n

DON\u2019T:<\/strong><\/span> Automatically bring a stroller. The houses are set up well enough to accommodate strollers for infants and the smallest children, but the Conservatory is also a great space to let your toddlers, preschoolers, and older kids stretch their legs and explore. It\u2019s not so big that you\u2019ll end up carry them halfway through, and it\u2019s relatively safe and easy to stay on the paths\/out of trouble. If you\u2019re going to do the outdoor paths, you may want the stroller there to avoid whining.<\/p>\n

\"Fun<\/a><\/p>\n

DO:<\/strong><\/span> Spend time in the Children\u2019s Garden. The Elizabeth Morse Genius Children\u2019s Garden has a big tunnel slide, a climbing area specifically for toddlers, a giant \u201croot\u201d rock with peekaboo windows to see inside, and so much more. It\u2019s the perfect place to start or end your visit, where the kids can explore on their owl level and burn some energy too. On weekends, the Fiddleheads programs runs in the Children\u2019s Garden from noon until 4 PM. Conservatory staff members have special exhibits set up for children to touch and explore, and even a giant sandbox of dirt to dig in. The boys were in heaven.<\/p>\n

\"Fun<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Fun<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Fun<\/a><\/p>\n

DON\u2019T:<\/strong><\/span> Overlook the Sensitive Plant. We were all spellbound by this plant in the Children\u2019s Garden. It\u2019s in a medium-sized pot with a sign nearby, an unassuming fern that you might not glance at twice. But when you touch this plant\u2019s leaves, the leaves shrink up and pull away from you \u2013 it\u2019s literally sensitive to touch. Easton couldn\u2019t get enough of this one. I couldn\u2019t help musing that as my sensitive child, maybe he was connecting with it on a deeper level.<\/p>\n