The Chicago Botanic Garden is located in Glencoe, IL, a mere 25-mile bike ride away. The Garden opened in 1972, the creation of the Chicago Horticultural Society. Their aim is simple: to promote gardens and gardening. Comprising 26 gardens, the space is vast. It took our small party two hours to cover maybe a good third of it.

The vital stats:
23 gardens and three native habitat areas, 385 acres total
81 acres of waterways
9 islands
6 miles of shoreline
15 acres of prairie
100 acres of woods

The photos presented here are a sampling of the beauty that can be had when visiting the gardens. I highly recommend it if you're looking for a quick getaway.

» Take a closer look; click here.

Photos were taken with a Nikon D70, a digital SLR with a 18-70mm AF Nikkor lens.

(Information culled from the official website for the Chicago Botanic Garden at www.chicagobotanic.org.)