Chicago Botanic Garden

Explore the Garden

Model Railroad Garden: Landmarks of America

Saturday, May 10 – Sunday, October 26, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily
Special extended hours until 8 p.m., June 7 – September 1
Weather permitting


The Model Railroad Garden: Landmarks of America has chugged into its ninth season at the Chicago Botanic Garden. A family favorite, this enchanting outdoor exhibit takes visitors from coast to coast with model trains, miniature representations of America's best-loved landmarks, and colorful small-scale gardens.

It's a G-Scale World
The 7,500-square-foot Model Railroad Garden features 16 garden-scale (G-scale) trains on 1,600 feet of track. Train and garden enthusiasts, young and old, return year after year for the delightful sights and sounds of the miniature trains traversing high and low through tunnels, across bridges, and around buildings—all intricately handcrafted with natural materials, including twigs, bark, leaves, acorns, and pebbles. More than 5,000 tiny trees, shrubs, groundcovers, and flowering plants in 250 varieties recreate the topographical landscape of America. Vignettes of tiny people and animals give the exhibit a storybook feel, while sound effects and a working geyser capture visitors’ imaginations.

Heading West This Year
The Model Railroad Garden has expanded its western settings this year. The expanded San Francisco area features depictions of Telegraph Hill, Coit Tower, a California mission-style church, cable cars, Lombard Street (America's most crooked street), and the Golden Gate Bridge. The Pacific Northwest area features Mt. Saint Helens and Seattle's waterfront, including Pike's Place Market and the Seattle Space Needle. Other western landmarks include Napa Valley; Yosemite, Yellow Stone, and Mesa Verde national parks; and Hollywood.

Admission
Model Railroad Garden admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 3-12 (Garden members save $1). A 10-visit pass is available for $28.

Strollers are not permitted in the exhibit; however, stroller parking is located near the entrance.

Click here for answers to the Model Railroad Activity Card.

Click here for a list of Model Railroad Garden Resources.

See more photos of the Model Railroad Garden.

Enjoy a frightfully good time in the Model Railroad Garden on Saturday, October 25 and Sunday, October 26.

 

Virtual Tour

Take a virtual tour of Model Railroad Garden. (You will need QuickTime to view this panorama.)

Then visit the Garden to see this year's new and improved Model Railroad Garden in person!

Lead Sponsor:

LOGO: Chase       LOGO: JP Morgan

Supporting Sponsor:

LOGO: Blackman Kallick