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 | 230 |
Sit-down dinner | 270 |
Cocktail reception | 350 |
Wedding ceremony | 125 |
Theater | 148 |
Classroom | 96 |
Pullman 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 Pullman 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 | 70 |
Theater | 75 |
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 | 275 |
Sit-down dinner | 300 |
Cocktail reception | 400 |
Wedding ceremony | 275 |
Theater | 350 |
Classroom | 275 |
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 | 210 |
Sit-down dinner with dance floor | 150 |
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 exhibition 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 | 75 |
Cocktail reception | 275 |
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 |
Boyer Room
This newly decorated space, conveniently located in the Visitor Center, can serve as a party or meeting room. Adjacent to the Garden View 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 |
Lakeside Room
Our newest event room, conveniently located in the Visitor Center, can host your next party or meeting. The Lakeside Event Room overlooks our Lakeside Deck, offering a beautiful view of the Smith Fountain. Available year-round.
CAPACITY | |
Classroom | 20 |
Theater | 40 |
Banquet with round tables | 40 |
Meeting with round tables | 40 |
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 | |
Meeting with round tables | 50 |
Theater | 60 |
Classroom | 30 |
Green Roof Conference Room CAPACITY | |
Board-room | 12 |
Theater | 60 |
Classroom | 30 |
Grainger Gallery Atrium CAPACITY | |
Sit-down with rounds | 100 |
Theater | 100 |
Classroom | 250 |