Things to do During Chicago Spring Season
Chicago Spring
I have been looking forward to Chicago spring season for a while now. This winter hasn’t been the hardest, but definitely a challenging one. The seasonal depression has for sure sat in, but the sun that we occasionally get has been helping me get through the days.
I work remote, so it is sometimes hard for me to get human interaction lol. My partner works a hybrid schedule which is nice. But the recent snow we have been getting here in the Midwest has been a bit crazy. But it’s hopefully coming to an end soon.
I’m honestly lucky to have a remote job being able to work anywhere in the world, but there are of course pros and cons to this. The winters in Chicago have been so brutal. I love warm weather, so I would love to live in a warmer area.
There’s something about Chicago’s spring and summer season, it’s truly unmatched. Warm weather in the midwest makes everyone a bit more nice and adds a little pep in their step. The feeling that the days are getting longer warmer.
Spring is almost here! The groundhog has seen his shadow and there’s six weeks left of winter (lol). Although we all know this little tale is not relative to when winter is actually going to be over, but it helps boost us winter dwellers morale.
In the midwest, specifically, Chicago spring time is such a breath of fresh air. The trees are starting to grow their leaves back, flowers a blooming, the air breeze is a bit warmer. It’s just an overall refreshing feeling from the snow and black ice.
Things to do in Chicago during Spring
Garfield Park Conservatory – Chicago Spring Flower Show: Knock Knock (February 26 – March 11)
The Garfield Park Conservatory has been a staple monument in Chicago. It was first opened in 1908, but then Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance was founded in 1998 by people in the area.
The difference between the two is Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance is the non-for profit group that works with Chicago’s Park District’s to bring programs and events for the surrounding Chicago areas.
This was one of the things I loved about it, it is truly a place where the community can enjoy and get involved in different events you wouldn’t normally see.
Garfield Park Conservatory – Chicago monument
I remember going there as kid during Chicago’s spring season because we would have scheduled field trips because of their chocolate tastings and the beautiful flower and plant shows.
I’d always drive past it going to school. It’s just a monumental piece of Chicago history that can’t ever be replaced.
Their mission is to change lives through the power of nature. You can visit their site to view more of what they do for Chicago’s youth and community and more.
Chicago spring season couldn’t go without a visit to the Garfield Park Conservatory especially for their Chicago Spring Flower Show: Knock Knock. The experience is relaxing walking through and looking at the various amounts of flowers.
I’d recommend that if you’re visiting to at least drop by and do a walk through to enjoy the ambiance of the place.
Where: Garfield Park Conservatory – 300 North Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL 60624
Hours: Wednesday 10am-8pm; Thursday – Sunday 10am-5pm; CLOSED Monday and Tuesday. Advance reservations are required.
Cost: FREE Admission, donations suggested
Chicago Botanic Garden (The Orchid show: February 12 – March 27)
The Chicago Botanic Garden has been a key place to visit especially during Chicago spring time. It opened its doors to the public in 1972. With it being one of the world’s great living museums and conservation science centers.
The Botanic Garden 27 gardens and 4 natural spaces. More than one million people visit the Chicago Botanic Garden.
I’ve visited once and was taken away by how huge the entire place is. I believe the entire garden is 385 acres! Also, it is so well kept. Seeing all the vibrant colors and the various amount of gardens it has to offer was astonishing honestly.
The beautiful Orchid Show: Untamed is being held by the Chicago Botanic Garden and is showcasing the many ways Orchids can show their beauty while breaking through our imagination barriers.
Where: 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL 60022
Hours: General hours – 10am – 5pm (members hours begin at 8am)
Garden View Cafe – 8am – 4pm daily
Garden Shop – 10am – 5pm daily
Greenhouses – ONLY open for the Orchid Show
Lenhardt Library – 12pm – 4pm Wednesday – Sunday (appointment only) Closed on holidays.
Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden – 8am – 5pm daily
Cost: Member – Adult: $7, Child (ages 3-12): $5, Child (ages 0-2): Free
Non Member – Adult: $19, Child (ages 3-12): $16, Child (ages 0-2): Free
They also have an event called Orchids After Hours as well on Thursdays until March 27th. This is geared more for the adults offering a space with complimentary drinks and food you can purchase as you walk around the garden.
Roosevelt Collection Shops
The Roosevelt Collection Shops is especially beautiful during Chicago’s spring season. It’s an open mall area that consists of shopping, dining, and movie area all synced together. I think that this spot is a hidden gem to many native Chicagoans and visitors. It’s located in the South Loop.
This area was actually built not too long ago. It has about 20+ stores within the shopping area. Also it has a huge Showplace ICON movie theatre. My family and I have actual seen so many movies here including the new Star Treks, Star Wars, Marvel movies, etc. Highly recommend!
The parking is underneath in a garage. There is typically always a park so there usually isn’t a problem. A big bonus to this spot is that there is a huge garden area in the back that they let you get access to. Great area to sit, walk around and enjoy the great city view.
There are also a select few restaurants that they have as there as well. The one I personally have only gone to is Nando’s and it’s so good every time *chefs kiss*.
I recommend this for those who are looking for a more chill family activity. It’a great spot in Chicago during the spring with all of the flowers they have blossoming.
Where: 150 W Roosevelt Rd Chicago, IL 60605
Hours: Monday – Saturday 10am – 9pm, Sunday 11am – 6pm
Cost: No admission fee, Parking fee – ticket parking in garage or you can reserve your spot in an allotted time.
Chicago Latino Film Festival (April 21 – May 1)
The Chicago Latino Film Festival is a great cultural experience provided by the Latino Cultural Center of Chicago. They are developing, promoting, and increasing awareness of Latino culture by presenting a wide variety of art forms to the Chicago communities.
It started in 1985 with just 14 films projected onto a wall for 500 viewers and has since grown to what it is today!
My friends have told me so many good things about the Chicago Latino Film Festival. They are giving opportunities to young art creatives who want to get their work exposure.
They make them feel seen and heard and it shows in the art pieces. One of the things I love about Chicago is how diverse the city is.
There are so many different cultures within this big city. In my eyes, there’s no place like Chicago.
Where: 31 W Ohio St. Chicago, IL 60654
Hours: TBD
Cost: TBD
Chicago Restaurant Week (March 25 – April 10)
Chicago restaurant week is where customer can take part in a lower fixed price menus throughout restaurants in Chicago and the surrounding Chicago suburbs.
Brunch and lunch will be around $25 and $39-$55 for dinner. As all of these are multi course meals as well. Because of current times, restaurants will still be participating in Chicago’s spring restaurant week and offering dine-in or take out now as well.
This is a great opportunity to finally try those lux restaurants you been dying for at cheaper fixed prices. I participated last year and ate at a restaurant that had 3 courses.
It was a fixed price and a bit out of my comfort zone, but glad for the experience. It’s nice to switch it up every once and a while.
Where: Chicago and Chicago suburbs
When: March 25th – April 10th
Cost: Lunch – $25, Dinner – $39-$55
We all know Chicago’s weather and Chicago spring season can still be pretty chilly, check this post out for more tips are dealing with the lingering Chicago winters. Hope you’re excited for spring in the Windy City as much as I am!
Joshua Wade
Blogger, Fashion enthusiast, tech nerd, LGBTQIA+, city native. I love sharing insight on my experiences and knowledge.
