Take a Two-Mile Perimeter Walk
Distance: .85 miles
Time: 45 min. - 1 hr.
Stop 1: Annex 1
Kick off your walk with a stop at the Visitor Center:
- Fill up your water bottles.
- Take a bathroom break.
- Grab a power bar or snack for later at the Garden View Café.
- Park your bike.
- Purchase sunscreen at the Garden Shop.
Stop 2: Gate at Children's Learning Campus Crossroad
Gate to gate, the outer/perimeter road makes a wide, two-mile curve around the edge of the Chicago Botanic Garden's 385 acres.
Stop 3: .4 mile mark
.4 mile mark: Take a break overlooking the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden.
Stop 4: .7 mile mark
.7 mile mark: Continue to the right for the outer road OR return to the Visitor Center through the gardens ahead.
Stop 5: .9 mile mark
.9 mile mark: Restrooms are a short walk down this road to Evening Island, as are paths to return to the Visitor Center.
Stop 6: 1 mile mark
1 mile mark: Check out the view of the Plant Science Center across the water. You're about to enter Dixon Prairie.
Stop 7: 1.2 mile mark
1.2 mile mark: That's Marsh Island on the left. It's accessible by prairie path and boardwalk.
Stop 8: 1.4 mile mark
1.4 mile mark: The Pullman Evaluation Garden offers a cool and shady place to rest, plus: restrooms, water fountain, benches, and vending machines.
Stop 9: 1.6 mile mark
1.6 mile mark: Power walk the stairs inside the Plant Science Center to check out the Green Roof Garden. Inside, find: restrooms, water fountains, benches, cool air in summer/warmth in winter.
Stop 10: 1.9 mile mark
1.9 mile mark: What a view! Take a bench break to savor the spectacular islands of the Malott Japanese Garden: Sansho En.
Stop 11: 2.0 mile mark
2.0 mile mark: The gate marks 2.0 miles from the Children's Learning Campus gate. Parking lots and the Visitor Center are ahead.