Spring is officially on the way in Chicago. The days are about to be warmer and longer, filled with birds chirping, green grass, and iconic blooming flowers. Even though Chicago is known as a big city, we can’t ignore the beautiful nature to be found there too. From gardens and parks to the flowers planted downtown, the Windy City is full of gorgeous flora you won’t want to miss this spring. Here are 5 local favorite spots to see springtime in full swing this year:

Garfield Park Conservatory

One of the largest greenhouse conservatories in the United States, Garfield Park Conservatory is the perfect escape from the fast pace of the city. It boasts everything from an expansive outdoor garden to a desert house. To see the blooming flowers of spring, however, check out their annual Spring Flower Show.

This year’s show, “Showers of Flowers” highlights over 80 hanging flower baskets. These baskets will include flowers such as pansies, petunia, and calibrachoa, as well as trailing vines, like ivy and sweet potato, and bushy asparagus ferns. Enjoy seasonal favorites like daffodils, tulips, lupines, cymbidium orchids, astilbe, snapdragons, and ranunculus that will be featured as ground plantings as well. This will definitely be a breathtaking experience, so take advantage of it!

Lincoln Park Conservatory

A visit to the Lincoln Park Conservatory is one of the best ways to experience Chicago’s spring blooms. This historic glass greenhouse, located within Lincoln Park, offers a lush escape from the city with vibrant seasonal displays and carefully curated plant collections that change throughout the year. It’s an ideal stop for anyone looking to enjoy flowers in full color while still being close to downtown.

Inside the conservatory, guests can wander through rooms filled with tropical palms, delicate orchids, ferns, and other exotic plants thriving beneath the glass ceilings. Just outside, the surrounding gardens provide even more beauty, with landscaped spaces perfect for a relaxed walk, photography, or simply soaking in the fresh spring air. For visitors to the city, it’s an easy and memorable way to experience one of Chicago’s most beloved floral destinations.

Chicago Botanic Garden

There’s no better time than the spring to visit the 385 acres of cultivated gardens and natural areas of the Chicago Botanic Garden. With 27 stunning gardens, the Botanic Garden features an array of plant life from around the world. Winding paths, peaceful lakes, and thoughtfully designed landscapes make it an ideal place to spend an afternoon surrounded by nature as the season’s colors begin to emerge.

Throughout the spring months, visitors can see a vibrant display of blooms appearing across the grounds, from elegant lilies and classic roses to lush peonies and cascading wisteria. Each garden offers its own unique experience, whether you’re strolling through colorful flower beds, relaxing beside the water, or discovering new plants along the way. It’s a beautiful way to experience the changing season and one of the most beloved spots near Chicago for seeing flowers in full bloom. Check out the Orchid Show every day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through March 22nd for a ‘60s and ‘70s themed groovy show. Floor-to-ceiling sunbeams made of orchids light up the room with good vibes, among other retro flower displays. You don’t want to miss this vibrant display of spring.

Downtown Tulips

Each year, Chicago bursts into vibrant color with a gorgeous display of tulips that bring hope for the warmer days ahead. The display stretches along Michigan Avenue from Roosevelt Road at the south end of Grant Park to the north end of The Magnificent Mile at Oak Street. The densest concentration of the display appears north of the Chicago River. Flower beds line both sides of the avenue, while the center median forms an almost uninterrupted stretch of blooms across several city blocks.

Jackson Park 

Located along the lakefront in the Hyde Park neighborhood, Jackson Park is a great stop to see stunning cherry blossoms. It was also the epicenter of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, which left behind over 100 cherry trees in a Japanese garden complete with scenic lagoons. The trees line the park’s Columbia Basin, and typically bloom over a two-week period during our first stretch of warm spring weather.

The annual cherry blossom viewing festival, Hanami (which literally means “to look at flowers” in Japanese), will be held on April 26. The afternoon will consist of admiring the breathtaking pink and white blooms, performances from Tsukasa Taiko, spring watercolor painting, and more. While you’re there, take a stroll through the rest of the Osaka Garden and Wooded Island Natural Area for more spring scenery that feels like a breath of fresh air after a cold Chicago winter.

Fresh Starts this Spring

The springtime flowers are not only beautiful to look at but also serve as a reminder of the beauty of new beginnings. With the warmth of spring coming to Chicago, take the opportunity to embrace this beautiful city this new season. When you stay at Hotel EMC2, you can experience a stay that is both new and fresh, just like the spring.