Chicago Botanic Garden's Wonderland Express Full of Holiday Cheer

By Marielle Shaw in Arts & Entertainment on Dec 15, 2013 7:30PM

Spring and summer aren't the only times it's worth a drive to Glencoe's Chicago Botanic Gardens. The gardens are expertly groomed all four seasons, and there's always something interesting going on, whether it's a summer chef series, or concerts, or even art shows.

For the holidays, the Gardens present “Wonderland Express” an all-ages showcase within the garden’s greenhouses and exhibition buildings. Visitors to the garden will get a light show along the path to the Regenstein Center. There are thousands of lights on the path to the main event, beautiful poinsettias, and a 40-foot fir that's the Esplanade’s centerpiece.

Once inside, you'll see the indoor railroad garden that winds through a gingerbread village, which should impress any little ones you have with you. (Or any train enthusiasts, for that matter.)

Adults will view locally-designed Christmas trees and a variety of “cookie swags” which we frankly think sound delicious. The exhibit then expands, and the train continues along through a mini-Chicago formed entirely with natural materials like gourds, pine cones, acorns and seeds. Paul Busse, who is well-known in the railroad garden circuit, and his crew from Applied Imagination created this particular display.

Guests can also explore the 3 greenhouses, something we always recommend when the weather is a bit too frightful for a full garden walk. (Though we also recommend exploring the Japanese Garden after any good snowfall if you're bundled up appropriately, and in general whenever you’re at the garden.) Three biomes are represented—desert, tropical, and sub-tropical; in particular, the fragrant blooms and amazing foliage in the subtropical room are reason enough to stroll through.

During the Wonderland Express showing, there are also special events to catch, like the upcoming Holiday Concert at 2 and 4pm on the 21st. Wonderland Express runs until January 5, and it’s a popular event that may become a fun tradition. Check out the ticket availability and prices here.