Is there public transportation from downtown Chicago to the Botanic Garden? Is it work taking time from a 3 day visit to the city to go to the garden?

No, not if you only have three days.

The one by Lincoln Park Zoo? We took a bus, stopping at Chicago History Museum first and then walked the rest of the way. We also went to zoo.

Worth it? Depends on what else you want to do with your 3 days and the time of the year. We were there in mid- April, a bit later in May would have been nicer.

The museum was enjoyable. We were disappointed with the zoo. While it is free, we thought our local zoo was better. Garden were nice, nothing over the top. The 3 together filled the better part of a day. If you have other things or just wanted to see Gardens, I would pass.

Check the Botanic Garden page http://www.chicagobotanic.org/visit/directions. The trip would probably take around 90-minutes.

The Botanical Gardens are way out in the suburbs. There is so much to do and see in the city that I would skip the gardens. There are many lovely gardens in the parks. A neighbor of mine was a Master Gardner and volunteered at those parks, tending the gardens.

You could take the Metra train out to Highland Park, the town where the gardens are located in. You would then have to take a taxi to the gardens. The Metra has an exact schedule so timing would be something to be mindful of. If you took a taxi from downtown you'd be going in the opposite direction of what the majority of rush hour commuters would be traveling so that would be in your favor. I think forty five minutes would be about right, not ninety. Also, the gardens are free, you only have to pay if you park so you could count your taxi fee as the entrance fee.

The gardens are absolutely beautiful. I take every out of town guest there. You could easily spend half a day and there is a very nice, but somewhat pricey, cafeteria for lunch or snack. I would really encourage anyone who had an interest in gardens to go but since it would be somewhat more difficult to get there from downtown you'd have to make the decision about how much it is worth to you.

If you decide not to go, the gardens around the art museum/ giant Chicago bean, are also very nice if not extensive. The Lincoln Park area, where the zoo is, is nice to walk through and prettily landscaped, but really don't compare to the Botanical Gardens.

Sorry - I had the wrong gardens in mind with my post. Please disregard....

The Chicago Botanic Garden is well worth the trip from downtown Chicago. With 26 display gardens, several changing exhibitions and a variety of events, there is plenty of activity to fill an entire day here. Visit http://www.chicagobotanic.org/visit/directions for directions.

Hi, Deladeb.

I do love the Botanic Gardens in Glencoe. They have a wonderful collection of bonsai trees and some lovely water features. However, it is in a northern suburb and will take up the majority of your daytime hours. I usually take the CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) Purple Line elevated train to EVanston, then catch the Pace Bus #213.

http://www.pacebus.com/sub/schedules...sp?RouteNo=213

If you aren't as keen on the trip because of the distance, and want to stay in the city, here's what I do when I want to get into nature:
the Lincoln Park Conservatory (and it's garden & fountain in its south lawn) is gorgeous in the summertime. There's also the Alfred Caldwell lily pool (entrance off Fullerton, just a block east of Stockton), and North Pond and South Pond with it's "nature walk." Really lovely views everywhere and easily gotten to by the 151 Sheridan Bus.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/lincoln-park...y-pool-chicago

Hope you have a great time in Chicago!

Thanks for your replies. My sister and I are going for my 50th Birthday. 5 years ago was our last visit and we loved the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Art Institute, drinks at top of Hancock, boat tour and Navy Pier. I had recently read that the Botanic Garden was a top 10 garden in the U.S. and had never heard of it so I considered it.

The Impressionism, Fashion and Modernity Exhibit at the Art Institute is really wonderful right now. May be worth a return visit for you.

Also, if you do go to the Gardens, be sure to bring a hat & sunglasses. If you walk through the "Illinois prairie grasses," there's not a lot of shade in that bit of the garden. It is a lovely place... I may have to plan a return before the fall!