Yelp Reviewers Vault Garfield Park Conservatory to Top Garden in the US and Canada

Garfield Pak Conservatory's greenhouse and outdoor gardens are described as "serene and enveloping." (Garfield Park Conservatory / Facebook)Garfield Pak Conservatory's greenhouse and outdoor gardens are described as "serene and enveloping." (Garfield Park Conservatory / Facebook)

Often cited as a "hidden gem," Garfield Park Conservatory is a secret no more. 

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In a listing of the top 25 botanical gardens in the U.S. and Canada, as compiled by Yelp, the conservatory claimed the top spot. 

Described as "serene and enveloping," the conservatory is the kind of place where "you just want to breathe deeply," according to reviewers.

During the pandemic, this "oasis in the Big City" gave people a place to stretch their legs in "peaceful, tranquil and beautiful surroundings."

In perhaps the highest compliment, one visitor wrote: "If I were a millionaire I would have a replica of this attached to my home so I could sit and wander for hours. I would just add a hammock and some music."

Designed by lauded landscape architect Jens Jensen, Garfield Park Conservatory opened in 1908 and encompasses 2 acres of public greenhouse space and 10 acres of outdoor gardens.

The indoor area recently reopened, after closing in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Reservations are now open for the conservatory's spring show, "Saturation." Admission is free, though there is a suggested donation for entry. 

Along with the conservatory, the Chicago Botanic Garden, in Glencoe, also made Yelp's top 25, coming in at No. 12.

The "breathtaking" atmosphere gives visitors the sense of being "transported to a magical place," reviewers said

The methodology used to create the list included factors such as the total number of reviews and the ratings, according to Yelp. 

Contact Patty Wetli: @pattywetli | (773) 509-5623 |  [email protected]


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