Wonderland Express
November 28, 2008 – January 4, 2009

Hours: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. daily
Closed at 3 p.m. December 4 and December 24
Closed all day December 25

Take a magical trip to a winter wonderland of twinkling lights and holiday beauty at the Chicago Botanic Garden when we kick off the holiday season! Outside, 750,000 white lights sparkle and welcome you and your family to the Garden's wonderland. Inside the Regenstein Center, a 10,000-square-foot exhibition of miniature trains winds over bridges, under trestles, past waterfalls and through dozens of Chicago's favorite landmarks. Paul Busse, designer of the Model Railroad Garden, created this amazing exhibition exclusively for the Garden's holiday celebration.

Walk past an English country train platform, beautifully decorated for the season. Come with friends and family to the special holiday events listed here and visit all season for lunches and dinners in the Garden Café.

Special events include "Winter Wonders" Family Drop-in Activities, plus Christmas Breakfast with Santa, Christmas Supper with Santa, and a Hanukkah Dinner.

As always, the Reindog Parade will be a howling good time for everyone! This year the event will be on Saturday, December 6, from 11 a.m. to
2 p.m.

Note: Wonderland Express will be closed on December 25, and will close at 3 p.m. on December 4 and December 24. The last admission into the exhibition on these days will be at 2:45 p.m.

Take Metra to Wonderland Express

Take Metra’s Union Pacific North Line to the Glencoe station and enjoy our holiday trolley to the Garden every weekend during Wonderland Express, and every day from December 26 to January 4. Round trip trolley tickets are $2.

NOW AVAILABLE for Wonderland Express

The wonder and magic of the Wonderland Express exhibition is highlighted in this unique and beautiful book. Filled with Chicago history and architecture, it's a behind-the-scenes peek into the studio of the creator of Wonderland Express, Paul Busse. With colorful photos of trains and treasured landmarks, this elegantly bound, cloth-covered book captures the imagination of children and adults alike.

For Garden Shop hours, click here.

Parking fees apply for nonmembers.