** Chicago Botanic Garden hosted our visit to Lightscape. All images and opinions are my own.
I’m feeling festive after our visit to Lightscape this week. Months ago I saw photos of Lightscape on Chicago Botanic Garden’s website and I knew I wanted to take my family to wander along the vibrantly illuminated trail during the holiday season. Lightscape combines color and sound on a milelong enchanted path with features such as a playful choir of singing trees, blooming crabapple trees and a Cathedral of Light. You’ll also hear some of your favorite holiday songs to accompany the lights.
Let the path and volunteers guide you along the various light displays. The entire walk can take about 90 minutes, or longer if you stop to linger or enjoy snacks and drinks. We got ourselves pretzels and cheese, popcorn, a gingerbread cookie, and some hot chocolate and stopped to enjoy it all on a bench midway through the walk.
One of the first highlights was the Garden of Fire, which was mesmerizing — and foggy!
We also strolled past an electric waterfall, a row of crabapple trees, ribbons of lights and multicolored tulips. There are ice and snowflake projections on the ground as well.
TIP: There’s a snack stand next to the lighted tulips where you can purchase hot chocolate and marshmallows to roast at a firepit, though you may need to ask a volunteer to point you in the right direction as we found it hard to see it. The path is pretty easy to navigate and the volunteers guide you throughout.
Take your time to stop and take photos along the walk. We spotted a couple photo opps that were set up along the path where you can choose the message at the bottom. We went with Happy Holidays and Wish You Were Here.
Two of the most impressive displays were the 110-foot long Cathedral of Light and the festive finale (not pictured). The Cathedral is simply magical. If you look closely you’ll see that the lights are small flowers. The finale is set to music and features bright and colorful moving lights. It’s the perfect sendoff!
Lightscape runs Nov. 22 until Jan. 5. It’s a perfect outing with friends or family who may be visiting over the holidays. It’s also both family-friendly with young toddlers and ideal for a date night or girls’ night out. I spotted visitors of all ages enjoying the lights.
Want to check out Lightscape? Chicago Botanic Garden was kind enough to provide four tickets and free parking to one lucky winner! Simply enter below! Winner will be announced Nov. 27! The only mandatory requirement to enter is to comment with who you’d take to Lightscape!
If you don’t win, you can find a range of ticket prices that depend on the time chosen. Vlue, standard and peak options are available. The various time slots allow people to flow through without crowding. We never felt overwhelmed with people; at some points we were in groups and at other times we were alone for a few minutes.
Value: Adult: $17/$20, child 3-12: $8/$10; Standard: Adult: $21/$23, child 3-12: $10/$12; Peak: Adult: $23/$25, child 3-12: $11/$13. Children under 3 are free at all times. Day of tickets are $2 more each.
Do you plan to attend Lightscape this year? I highly recommend it!
Enter the giveaway for Lightscape tickets!
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Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns
Summer Stroll at Chicago Botanic Garden
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Marette Flora is the founder of Floradise blog and personalized gift shop. Marette is a passionate storyteller and creator. She attended the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University and obtained a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication.
She is passionate about creating helpful and meaningful things.