If you are traveling through the Midwestern United States the summer and are in search of a quiet spot for you and your family to take a break from the road. Consider checking out one of this urban oasis’.
Chicago Botanic Garden: Glencoe, Illinois
Nearly 40 years ago the Chicago Botanical Garden opened in Glencoe, Illinois. It was opened to provide the public with a place to visit and connect with nature. Over the years, it has matured into one of the world’s great living museums and conservation science centers. Over one million people have visited the Garden since it opened. The space includes 26 gardens and four natural areas that encompass 385 acres on and around nine islands. The location is renowned for its amazing Bonsai Collection as well as the outreach programs that it offers. With over 50,000 active members it holds the honor of having one of the largest memberships of any U.S. botanic garden. In addition, the library contains 110,000 volumes that include the best rare botanical book collections in the nation.
Missouri Botanical Garden: St. Louis, Missouri
Founded in 1859, the Missouri Botanical Garden is the nation’s oldest botanical garden and is a National Historic Landmark. This beautiful Garden is an oasis in the city of St. Louis as well as a center for botanical research and education. Its grounds offer 79 acres of the horticultural display, a 14-acre Japanese strolling garden, and one of the largest collections of rare and endangered orchids in the world. The Garden has been on display in the city for more than 150 years and is known to be a place for relaxation, a center for education, conservation and family fun.
United States Botanic Garden: Washington, DC
Over 200 years ago, George Washington had a vision. He wanted to create a capital city of the United States that included a botanical garden for everyone to enjoy. Washington thought it was important to demonstrate and promote the importance of plants to our burgeoning nation. The resulting U.S. Botanical Garden was established by the U.S. Congress in 1820 and is one of the oldest botanic gardens in North America. The location is recognized as a living museum and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. As part of its mission, it is dedicated to demonstrating the aesthetic, cultural, economic, therapeutic, and ecological importance of plants to humankind.
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