If you\u2019ve got an extra day to spend next time you are in Chicago, see if you can\u2019t work in a trip, just 25 miles north of downtown.\u00a0 Two of my favorite places will make your Chicago trip so much more memorable \u2013 the Chicago Botanic Gardens and Ravinia Festival.<\/p>\n
Chicago Botanic Gardens<\/strong><\/p>\n More than a million people come each year to wander and wonder at the 26 mature gardens and four raw, natural areas in the Garden.\u00a0 With 385 acres, nine mini-islands and six miles of shoreline, there\u2019s an abundance to see and to enjoy.<\/p>\n With so many gardens, it seems they could have run out of names, but you\u2019ll find them all here on this interactive map. For an interactive map of Chicago Botanic Gardens, click here.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Young boys in your party? Before they complain, tell them there\u2019s a Model Railroad Garden (#25) and the pathways are marvelous places to ride their bikes.<\/p>\n One of our favorites was the Japanese Gardens, set on their own island. Another was the English Walled Garden.\u00a0 So many to see and to enjoy.<\/p>\n While admission to the gardens is free (Yeah!) parking is a tad expensive.\u00a0 Cars are $25, vans are $30 and gulp, RV\u2019s are $65.<\/p>\n For more information, see the Chicago Botanic Garden website:\u00a0 http:\/\/www.chicagobotanic.org\/<\/a>\u00a0 It\u2019s located at 1000 Lake Cook Road; Glencoe, IL 60022\u00a0 Phone 847.835.5440.<\/p>\n Ravinia<\/strong><\/p>\n Just minutes away from the garden, and right on the rail line from Chicago is Ravinia Festival<\/a>. It\u2019s the oldest outdoor music festival in the nation with 120 to 150 live concerts each summer from June through September. You\u2019ll also find the Chicago Symphony Orchestra here for the summer season.<\/p>\n Whatever music genre gets you going, you\u2019ll probably find it here at Ravinia. From One Republic to Crosby Stills and Nash, from Ramsey Lewis to the Julliard String Quartet, you\u2019re sure to find something of interest.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Plan on packing a picnic and enjoy an evening on the lawn, or dine at one the many eateries and then sit in the pavilion.\u00a0 Combo packages are available with dinner and tickets for a cost-savings package.<\/p>\n The lawn experience is where it\u2019s at.\u00a0 Although you can\u2019t see the stage from most areas, there is a fabulous sound system so you\u2019ll enjoy the performance where ever you are.<\/p>\n Want to be like the locals?\u00a0 Pull a wagon full of food and beverages with you and include a candelabra for illumination and mood. (Seriously.) No grills or beer kegs.<\/p>\n Check their upcoming schedule<\/a> and find your way to Ravinia Music Festival; 418 Sheridan Road; Highland Park, IL 60035;\u00a0 Phone 847.266.5000.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" If you\u2019ve got an extra day to spend next time you are in Chicago, see if you can\u2019t work in a trip, just 25 miles north of downtown.\u00a0 Two of my favorite places will make your Chicago trip so much more memorable \u2013 the Chicago Botanic Gardens and Ravinia Festival. Chicago Botanic Gardens More than […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":11052,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","cos_headline_score":0,"cos_seo_score":0,"cos_headline_text":"","cos_headline_has_been_analyzed":false,"cos_last_analyzed_headline":[],"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":[],"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[2308,2809,2469,2937],"class_list":["post-11042","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel","tag-gardens","tag-live-music","tag-music-festival","tag-outdoor-performances"],"featured_image_urls_v2":{"full":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Ravinia-2-3.jpg?fit=1280%2C960&ssl=1",1280,960,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Ravinia-2-3.jpg?fit=150%2C112&ssl=1",150,112,true],"medium":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Ravinia-2-3.jpg?fit=300%2C225&ssl=1",300,225,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Ravinia-2-3.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1",768,576,true],"large":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Ravinia-2-3.jpg?fit=600%2C450&ssl=1",600,450,true],"rpg_gallery_admin_thumb":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Ravinia-2-3.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1",150,150,true],"rpg_gallery_thumb":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Ravinia-2-3.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1",150,150,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Ravinia-2-3.jpg?fit=1280%2C960&ssl=1",1280,960,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Ravinia-2-3.jpg?fit=1280%2C960&ssl=1",1280,960,true],"gb-block-post-grid-landscape":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Ravinia-2-3.jpg?resize=600%2C400&ssl=1",600,400,true],"gb-block-post-grid-square":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Ravinia-2-3.jpg?resize=600%2C600&ssl=1",600,600,true],"et-pb-post-main-image":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Ravinia-2-3.jpg?resize=400%2C250&ssl=1",400,250,true],"et-pb-post-main-image-fullwidth":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Ravinia-2-3.jpg?resize=1080%2C675&ssl=1",1080,675,true],"et-pb-portfolio-image":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Ravinia-2-3.jpg?resize=400%2C284&ssl=1",400,284,true],"et-pb-portfolio-module-image":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Ravinia-2-3.jpg?resize=510%2C382&ssl=1",510,382,true],"et-pb-portfolio-image-single":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Ravinia-2-3.jpg?fit=1080%2C810&ssl=1",1080,810,true],"et-pb-gallery-module-image-portrait":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Ravinia-2-3.jpg?resize=400%2C516&ssl=1",400,516,true],"et-pb-post-main-image-fullwidth-large":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Ravinia-2-3.jpg?resize=1280%2C960&ssl=1",1280,960,true],"et-pb-image--responsive--desktop":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Ravinia-2-3.jpg?resize=1280%2C720&ssl=1",1280,720,true],"et-pb-image--responsive--tablet":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Ravinia-2-3.jpg?resize=980%2C551&ssl=1",980,551,true],"et-pb-image--responsive--phone":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Ravinia-2-3.jpg?resize=480%2C270&ssl=1",480,270,true]},"post_excerpt_stackable_v2":" If you\u2019ve got an extra day to spend next time you are in Chicago, see if you can\u2019t work in a trip, just 25 miles north of downtown.\u00a0 Two of my favorite places will make your Chicago trip so much more memorable \u2013 the Chicago Botanic Gardens and Ravinia Festival. Chicago Botanic Gardens More than a million people come each year to wander and wonder at the 26 mature gardens and four raw, natural areas in the Garden.\u00a0 With 385 acres, nine mini-islands and six miles of shoreline, there\u2019s an abundance to see and to enjoy. With so many gardens,…<\/p>\n","category_list_v2":"Travel<\/a>","author_info_v2":{"name":"Maureen","url":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/author\/maureen\/"},"comments_num_v2":"0 comments","author_meta":{"display_name":"Maureen","author_link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/author\/maureen\/"},"featured_img":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Ravinia-2-3.jpg?fit=300%2C225&ssl=1","featured_image_src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Ravinia-2-3.jpg?resize=600%2C400&ssl=1","featured_image_src_square":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Ravinia-2-3.jpg?resize=600%2C600&ssl=1","author_info":{"display_name":"Maureen","author_link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/author\/maureen\/"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Ravinia-2-3.jpg?fit=1280%2C960&ssl=1","coauthors":[],"tax_additional":{"categories":{"linked":["Travel<\/a>"],"unlinked":["Travel<\/span>"]},"tags":{"linked":["Gardens<\/a>","Live music<\/a>","Music festival<\/a>","outdoor performances<\/a>"],"unlinked":["Gardens<\/span>","Live music<\/span>","Music festival<\/span>","outdoor performances<\/span>"]}},"comment_count":0,"relative_dates":{"created":"Posted 12 years ago","modified":"Updated 12 years ago"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Posted on September 24, 2014","modified":"Updated on September 24, 2014"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Posted on September 24, 2014 9:02 pm","modified":"Updated on September 24, 2014 9:02 pm"},"featured_img_caption":"","series_order":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p21Ejy-2S6","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":7703,"url":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/great-gardens-grow-rockford\/","url_meta":{"origin":11042,"position":0},"title":"Great Gardens Grow in Rockford","author":"Maureen","date":"December 5, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"When we planned our last trip to Rockford, Illinois, we were pleased to find some amazing gardens available to visitors. While very different from each other, they were all fabulous in their own right. Join us for a quick photo trip to four of Rockford\u2019s best. La Paloma Gardens 3622\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Travel"","block_context":{"text":"Travel","link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/travel\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Klehm Arboretum","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/Klehm-4.jpg?fit=599%2C397&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/Klehm-4.jpg?fit=599%2C397&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/Klehm-4.jpg?fit=599%2C397&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":25573,"url":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/nemours-a-must-see-destination-in-delaware\/","url_meta":{"origin":11042,"position":1},"title":"Nemours – a must-see destination in Delaware","author":"Doug","date":"February 9, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"This is part two of our \u201cDiscovering Delaware in 19 delightful places\u201d series. Wilmington, DE If there\u2019s an area that is over-endowed with fabulous gardens and magnificent mansions, it would have to be the Brandywine Valley and Scenic Byway. 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Brightly painted storefronts line the narrow streets with apartments above. Black painted bollards line the sidewalk and keep the cars in the street where they belong. Preview You won\u2019t have to walk too far\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Travel"","block_context":{"text":"Travel","link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/travel\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Wexford-city-streets","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/typical-wexfod-street-ireland.jpg?fit=1100%2C850&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/typical-wexfod-street-ireland.jpg?fit=1100%2C850&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/typical-wexfod-street-ireland.jpg?fit=1100%2C850&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/typical-wexfod-street-ireland.jpg?fit=1100%2C850&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/typical-wexfod-street-ireland.jpg?fit=1100%2C850&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":32769,"url":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/fall-roadtrip-3-eight-not-to-be-missed-fall-festivals-near-annapolis\/","url_meta":{"origin":11042,"position":3},"title":"Fall Roadtrip 3 – Eight not-to-be-missed fall festivals near Annapolis","author":"Press Release","date":"August 17, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"It's the Eastern Seaboard at its best, and located in the Middle Atlantic region, fall comes a little later here.\u00a0 That gives you even more time to plan your fall road trip to Annapolis, Maryland and other local wonders in Anne Arundel County area.\u00a0 The food is top notch, the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Travel"","block_context":{"text":"Travel","link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/travel\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Kunta_Kinte_FEstival","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Kunta_Kinte_FEstival_22.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Kunta_Kinte_FEstival_22.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Kunta_Kinte_FEstival_22.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Kunta_Kinte_FEstival_22.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Kunta_Kinte_FEstival_22.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10741,"url":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/experience-spirit-wild-west-cheyenne-wy\/","url_meta":{"origin":11042,"position":4},"title":"Experience the spirit of the Wild West in Cheyenne, WY","author":"Doug","date":"August 31, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Since the Wild West Days, Cheyenne has grown up into a wonderfully diverse city.\u00a0 Beautiful parks and modern conveniences still rub shoulders with historic buildings and a rich historic past. 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Cheyenne Depot Look up from anywhere in town\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Travel"","block_context":{"text":"Travel","link":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/category\/travel\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/Cheyenne-9952.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/Cheyenne-9952.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/Cheyenne-9952.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/Cheyenne-9952.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":224,"url":"https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/one-key-unlocks-it-all-longboat-key\/","url_meta":{"origin":11042,"position":5},"title":"One key unlocks it all \u2013 Longboat Key","author":"Doug","date":"January 5, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"See update 3-19-2024 at https:\/\/dougbardwell.com\/db\/2024\/03\/19\/one-key-unlocks-it-all-longboat-key-redux-2024\/ The holidays are over and many snowbirds will be looking to get out of the frigid climes. 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