Indoor Spaces

Indoor spaces offer year-round locations for your meeting or special event. For additional images of the spaces, visit our gallery.

McGinley Pavilion

This dramatic canopied terrace is a breathtaking setting for a summer party, dance, meeting, or reception.

Located at the water's edge across from the Garden's Theodore C. Butz Memorial Carillon, McGinley Pavilion is available for rentals from May through October (heaters and clear side walls are available).

McGinley Pavilion's Waterfront Patio has spectacular views of Evening Island.

CAPACITY
Sit-down dinner with dance floor	270
Sit-down dinner	300
Cocktail reception	350
Wedding ceremony	250
Theater	148
Classroom	96

Fairchild and Linnaeus Rooms

The ideal location for meetings or intimate seated dinners for up to 70 people, these rooms are adjacent to the Krehbiel Gallery and have beautiful views of the Garden's Esplanade and North Lake.

The Linnaeus and Fairchild Rooms house the Garden's permanent botanical art collection, offer audiovisual capabilities, and are available throughout the year.

CAPACITY
Sit-down dinner or meeting with round tables	70
Cocktail reception	100
Wedding ceremony	80
Theater	100
Classroom	30

Nichols Hall

Designed by Edward Larrabee Barnes, this grand indoor space features a dramatic two-story skylight and Canadian hemlock walls and ceiling.

A distinctive, grand indoor space ideal for gala events, Nichols Hall accommodates up to 350 guests.

CAPACITY
Sit-down dinner with dance floor	300
Sit-down dinner	350
Cocktail reception	450
Wedding ceremony	300
Theater	350
Classroom	200

Burnstein Hall

Burnstein Hall is an airy room with garden views and access to Runnells Courtyard, which features the Garden's renowned Bonsai Collection; it provides a lovely backdrop for dances, dinners, or meetings of up to 220 guests. Available year-round.

CAPACITY
Sit-down dinner with round tables	200
Sit-down dinner with dance floor	175
Cocktail reception	220
Theater	150
Classroom	76

Krehbiel Gallery

With its Kasota stone reflecting pool, the Krehbiel Gallery provides a serene setting for guests during cocktails or at a seated dinner.

This indoor site serves as the Garden's premier art exhibit display space and provides a beautiful alternative to outdoor garden areas. The Krehbiel Gallery can be reserved for either a small dinner party or a cocktail reception as an enjoyable prelude to dinner in Nichols Hall or McGinley Pavilion. Evenings only, September through May.

CAPACITY
Sit-down dinner	100
Cocktail reception	250
Wedding ceremony	200

Alsdorf Auditorium

This modern theater with comfortable fixed seating for 200 is perfect for lectures, meetings, or media presentations and can be rented in all seasons. (Twenty-five additional seats can be added.) It features audiovisual equipment, a podium with remote capabilities, and a stage computer connection. Food and beverages are not permitted. Available year-round.

CAPACITY
Theater	200

Garden View Room

This newly decorated space, conveniently located in the Visitor Center, can serve as a party or meeting room. Adjacent to the Garden Café, its windowed wall accesses the Café deck, with views of the Garden. Available year-round.

CAPACITY
Sit-down dinner with round tables	60
Cocktail reception	80
Theater	50
Classroom	18

Plant Science Center

The award-winning Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Plant Conservation Science Center features science laboratories, meeting rooms, and two notable garden areas: the Woman's Board of the Chicago Horticultural Society Rainwater Glen and the Green Roof Garden.

Plant Science Center Seminar Room CAPACITY		Green Roof Conference Room CAPACITY		Grainger Gallery Atrium CAPACITY
Meeting with round tables	50	Board-room	12	Sit-down with rounds	100
Theater	60	Theater	60	Theater	100
Classroom	30	Classroom	30	Cocktails	250