11 Secret Spots In Chicago Where Nature Will Completely Relax You
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Elizabeth Crozier
Author
One of the things that makes Chicago so great is that nature abounds just about everywhere you go. Whether you’re in The Loop, the suburbs, or somewhere in between, natural oases can be found around just about every corner.
Indoors and outdoors, this list has all the best places to get some fresh air and relax. Read on for 11 places you need to visit ASAP.
Spanning about 1,000 acres, this nature center opened in 1971 to provide environmental education and outdoor recreation to locals. For the best hike, take the two-mile loop trail; it is one of the only places in Chicago where you can feel lost in the middle of nowhere. Click here for more information.
Located on Pulaski Road, this nature center teaches visitors about wildlife and the environment. Unwind with a brisk walk through towering trees and prairie grass. You may even meet a rare bird or other woodland critter along the way!
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Just north of the Lincoln Park Zoo on Fullerton, this hidden oasis bursts with natural delights. It was founded in 1889 and is open daily for visitors to walk around and find some tranquility. You'll want to sit by the calm lily pond all day.
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Taking up about 1,700 acres of Lisle, a west suburb of the city, this museum of trees is open daily and includes fun activities like a Maze Garden and a Children's Garden. Regulars love to visit throughout the year and watch as the firs, oaks, and willows change with the seasons.
This secret garden is part of Grant Park in The Loop and is located just behind the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, beyond 15-foot hedges. Whether you're looking for romance or just a quick escape from the bustle of the streets, this is the best little nook in the city. Click here to check out our previous feature on this garden.
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Whether you're strolling along the riverwalk or cruising down it in your favorite liner, the Chicago River is one of the most relaxing places in the city. For optimum tranquility, find a boat where you can sit outside and enjoy the breeze. Click here for more information about Mercury Chicago Skyline Cruiseline.
Following the Des Plaines River, this system of trails and roads spans most of Lake and Cook counties. The river runs for 133 miles, and there are numerous access points throughout the area. Click here for more information about this peaceful place.
Another great spot just north of the Lincoln Park Zoo, this indoor attraction features four different rooms enclosed under a glass dome. Ferns, palms, and orchids are always on display, and the fourth room houses seasonal displays. It's warm and cozy here even during winter.
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Tucked away in Glencoe, north of the city, this magical place will whisk you away to another world. Especially in the spring and summer, glistening ponds, weeping willow trees, and blooming buds astound and amaze. In fall and winter, visitors enjoy indoor exhibits and harvest time.
Though not naturally occurring, this wonderful spa still uses nature to relax you. Himalayan salt crystals are filtered into the room to ionize the air, and the floor is covered in salt as well. Click
here for ultimate tranquility.
This beautiful and natural attraction is an indoor oasis you can visit anytime of year. There are multiple rooms, including ones for ferns, palms, and desert succulents. Located right by the Central Park Green Line stop, you'll find calmness in this wonderland of nature.
For more wonderful places to get away from the city, check out eight amazing state parks around Chicago everyone loves.
Where else in the city do you like to relax? Share your secret natural spots with us!
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