It's easy to get a little blue when the seasons change in Illinois and you know that soon you'll be holed up in your home to weather the winter with little to no nature in sight. Luckily, the Chicago Botanic Gardens are open and stunning year-round. Here's a place to help keep your spirits evergreen, even when the sky is gray and the fields are white. With incredibly diverse plant life and events for children and adults each month, the Chicago Botanic Gardens are a great spot to nourish the spirit by connecting with nature in any season.

The Chicago Botanic Gardens are located at 1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL 60022.

Willows to Make You Weep

In the spring and summer months, a walk on the water to see the weeping willows blow in the breeze is an Illinois staple.

A Biodiverse Destination

But you'll find plant life far beyond that traditional to the midwestern and Great Lake states here. The bounty of different biomes gathered at the Chicago Botanic Gardens ensures there's something to see here in the blistering heat as well as when Fahrenheit turns frigid.

Enchanting Animal Life

With blooms come birds. Hummingbirds are certainly a seasonal sighting at the Chicago Botanic Gardens, but there's wildlife to be spotted here throughout the year.

Botany Bonanza

One thing that makes the Chicago Botanic Gardens so special are the classes and activities they offer each month. Here, you can make your own edible vegetable arrangement in the summer...

...and help bring a beautiful bonsai tree to life come winter.

Organic Oddities

Speaking of miniatures, one of the gardens' highlights is its quirky and impressive small-scale models, like this replica of Wrigley Field.

Fall Foliage

Is there anything more hauntingly pretty than the reflection of autumn foliage in still water?

In the autumn, the turning trees make the Chicago Botanic Garden an unmissable attraction. Stand in the shade of the deep burgundy branches, look up at the crisp sky, and enjoy your life under the Illinois leaves.

Winter of Content

When winter comes and blankets the Japanese gardens at the Chicago Botanic Gardens, it feels more meditative than numbing. Trails are kept clear for travelers to enjoy the serenity of the park throughout the entire winter. This makes it an ideal destination for escaping the winter of your discontent, and finding something to appreciate in the cold Chicago climate.

So, whatever the weather, get your garden on in Illinois! Enjoy a fabulous time with your family or educate yourself in the environmental arts with one of the Chicago Botanic Garden's amazing classes. Just because you live in Illinois, you don't have to be a fair-weathered friend to nature. A visit here is one of the best ways to bring a thrill to your chill and make sure your winter comes with a little wonderland.

What are your favorite gardens to visit in the off-season? Where is the grass always greener, for you and your family? We love hearing your stories and seeing your photos. Get in touch with your Illinois destinations!