Enjoy Your Visit — WALK THE GARDEN

A Walk over the Trellis Bridge

PHOTO: The Trellis Bridge after a fresh summer rain Time for a new perspective on the beautiful Chicago Botanic Garden? Take a walk at the Garden to enjoy the new Trellis Bridge. If you visit in the late afternoon or early evening, you can enjoy cool breezes and spectacular light. See new corners of the Garden in a completely new way.

The Trellis Bridge connects Evening Island with the Bernice E. Lavin Plant Evaluation Garden and the Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Plant Conservation Science Center. The Plant Science Center is open daily from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. every night of the summer, so take a walk over the new bridge.

Great Basin

Start your walk overlooking the Great Basin from McGinley Pavilon. See the light and shadows dancing on the water as you head to your left around the outside of the English Walled Garden. Enjoy peeking in the windows of the walls, as you catch glimpses of the flowering variety in the Courtyard Garden. Stroll past the English oak meadow, where poppies welcome spring each year, and follow the path to your right. As you cross the Arch Bridge toward Evening Island, the path narrows and calls your attention to the forms of the plantings alongside you.

PHOTO: the Plant Science Center viewed from Evening Island Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Plant Conservation Science Center

The approach to the Plant Science Center is over the Trellis Bridge. Take a moment to appreciate the design of the Garden's newest treasure. Rising to 9 feet above the water in the middle, the bridge allows for boat passage beneath. Its laminated western pine and steel beams are supported by stainless steel cables running in a harplike design from the base of the bridge, forming a trellis that will be covered with vines. This walkway invites a new look at the Plant Science Center's dramatic entry. The Lavin Evaluation Garden's beds of concentric arcs were realigned to bring visitors from the Trellis Bridge to the Plant Science Center and back.

Enter the Plant Science Center and be welcomed into the soaring viewing gallery with laboratories on either side. Scientists and students work in these laboratories, which are the headquarters for the Garden's international efforts in plant conservation. Climb the grand staircase to visit the 16,000-square-foot Green Roof Garden. From this vantage point, the Garden looks brand new. Look across to the carillon on Evening Island, and sweeping views to the north. When it is clear, the Smith Fountain is visible. Look more closely at the Green Roof Garden. The Ellis Goodman Family Foundation Green Roof Garden South features regional and native plants. The Josphine P. & John J. Louis Foundation Green Roof Garden North features plants that are recognized as green roof plants as well as native and exotic plants with potential for green roof use.

Sweeping Views

PHOTO: the Plant Evaluation Garden As you leave the Plant Science Center, walk toward the Trellis Bridge. As you step onto the laminated western yellow pine, look to your left at the grasses and flowers in the Dixon Prairie. The color palette changes weekly and sometimes daily. Crossing back to Evening Island, enjoy the contrast on the narrower paths that create framed views and bring you close to fragrant varieties of plants year-round. Cross the Arch Bridge and notice the way the Garden has maximized its aquatic environment with these elegantly designed bridges. Turn right and follow the path toward the Elizabeth Hubert Malott Japanese Garden. To your right is the distinctive bridge leading to Sansho-en, the garden of three islands. Climb up the steps of the Waterfall Garden to your left, and pause to look closely at the Dwarf Conifer Garden.

Enjoy the Evening Activities

The Garden remains open until 9 p.m. during summer, further reason to discover your own favorite views and vistas during the evening hours. Daytime noises vanish and the Garden fills with the soothing sounds of water and music. What better time to take advantage of good sounds than in the Garden at evening? Monday nights feature the rich, clear bells of Carillon Concerts; on Tuesdays, the romantic Music on the Esplanade puts you in a mellow mood; and Thursdays get your feet tapping and your body dancing to up-tempo beats of Hot Summer Nights. Why not take your walk in the Garden before, during, or after these special events — or any evening during the week or weekend? The Garden Shop and Café are both open until 9 p.m., and you can always enjoy a beverage of your choice while relaxing on the decks outside the Café, which happen to be a favorite spot for watching birds, scenery, and sunsets.