Chicago Botanic Garden and Next Door Bistro
We’ve missed the tulips the last couple years as we always forget they bloom in April and May. This year was finally different! The weather was perfect, the tulips were at their peak and love was in the air. If you haven’t had a Chicago Botanic Garden Date Day lately, it’s time to go.
The Tulips
We arrived around 10am, paid our $25 to park and set off to find the tulips. It didn’t take long! Right after we passed through the visitor center, we saw our first ones. The Crescent Garden, aptly named for its shape, was packed with the bright flowers. The same was true for the Circle Garden, where we found even more of the vibrant blossoms. We spent a good amount of time enjoying the views and watching the amateur photographers, awkwardly wielding their giant lenses, trying to get the perfect picture. We even took a few pictures of our own with our trusty iPhones.
The Gardens
After the tulips, we checked out the bonsai trees and headed off on a walk around the grounds. The Garden, which opened over 40 years ago, is HUGE. Its 27 gardens and four natural areas cover 385 acres and include nine islands and six miles of lakeshore. It’s impossible to see it all in one day, so we picked a few of our favorite spots to visit.
Today we took in the smells of the Dwarf Conifer Garden, listened to the roaring waters of the Waterfall Garden and meditated in the silence of the Japanese Garden. We also wandered through the Birch Forest, which is a favorite of Theresa’s, and spent a little time exploring Evening Island.
Our last stop was the vegetable garden. It’s the one place we visit every time we come to the Garden as it’s fun to see how everything changes over the four seasons. As we strolled happily along, we focused on the freshly planted leafy greens and the hanging baskets. We also recommitted to making our own hanging lettuce basket – someday.
As we headed out of the Garden, we talked about all the places we didn’t have time to visit this time. The three magnificent green houses, the English Walled Garden and the Rose Garden all came to mind. Luckily for us, we will be back. Time and time again.
Next Door Bistro
Our last stop, before picking up Nate at school, was the Next Door Bistro in Northbrook. We’d planned on going to Francesco’s Hole in the Wall, but didn’t realize they’re not open on Tuesdays. Turns out that was a good thing as we got to experience a restaurant that was equally good.
The restaurant, which rumor has it is run by Francesco’s ex-wife, serves freshly prepared Italian cuisine and is awesome. Theresa had a perfectly prepared cauliflower steak with roasted vegetables in a light tomato sauce and a glass of a very nice Valpolicella. Tom had the fresh pappardelle with chicken, sausage and peppers and a crisp glass of their finest Peroni. We walked away comfortably full, but not stuffed, and decided it would be hard to choose the better of the two restaurants.
May 2019
Chicago Botanic GArden
1000 Lake Cook Road in Glencoe, IL.
3 Hours
$25 for parking, but admission to the Garden is free
Next Door Bistro
250 Skokie Blvd, Northbrook, IL
1.5 Hours
$50 for lunch with drinks
Free Parking
