When spring arrives, most of us can’t wait to head outside, enjoy the warmer weather, and see flowers in bloom. Whether we drive around to see flowers or go hiking, it’s just a great feeling to get out of the house and see nature coming back to life. We decided to put together a flower road trip that will take you to some of the most eye-popping fields and gardens around Illinois. Let’s get started!
Google Maps Here is a link to an interactive map and you can add other stops to it.
- Tulips - Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago
Garfield Park Conservatory/Facebook Tulips have long been associated with spring as they are one of the first flowers to bloom. But you don’t have to fly all the way to The Netherlands to see fields of these flowers. From parks to farms, you can find fields of colorful, eye-popping tulips right here in the Prairie State, and no place seems to display them better than the historic Garfield Park Conservatory. Although this park has thousands of flower species, it’s the tulips that are the real showstoppers. For more information, visit the Garfield Park Conservatory website.
- Wildflowers - Deer Grove Forest Preserve, Cook County
Eric Qiu/AllTrails With wetlands, forest, and prairie habitats, you’re bound to see incredible wildflowers carpeting the landscape at this forest preserve. One of the best trails that leads to wildflower fields is the Deer Grove East Red, Black, and Brown Loop. This 7.1-mile trail is located near Palatine. For more information on the trail, visit the AllTrails webpage.
- Lavender - Nettle Creek Lavender Farm, Morris
Nettle Creek Lavender Farm/Facebook You don’t have to travel all the way to Provence, France to visit fields of lavender. Nettle Creek Lavender Farm has a u-pick lavender field as well as u-pick flowers and herbs. They are open seasonally and sell products they make using the lavender growing on the farm! For more information, visit the Nettle Creek Lavender Farm website.
- Zinnias - Rendleman Orchards, Alto Pass
Rendleman Orchards/Facebook While Southern Illinois’ Rendleman Orchards is known for their high-quality produce, they also have u-pick flower fields with sunflowers and zinnias, which are an impressive sight for anyone who drives by! When the season starts in mid-June, stop by the farm and pick some gorgeous flowers to take home. And don’t forget your camera! For more information, visit the Rendleman Orchards website.
- Virginia Bluebells - O’Hara Woods Nature Preserve, Romeoville
Angelic Steele/TripAvisor To see the Virginia bluebells at this nature preserve, it’s best to take the 3-mile O’Hara Woods Loop which is a great trail for any hiking skill level. If you’ve never seen a sea of these beautiful blue native wildflowers before, you are in for a treat! For more information, visit the O’Hara Woods Nature Preserve AllTrails webpage.
- Wildflowers - Lincoln Memorial Garden, Springfield
Lincoln Memorial Garden/Facebook This garden has recreated native landscape from the time of Abraham Lincoln, so you will find many wild prairie flowers throughout its 100 acres. Hike along six miles of trails and enjoy the peace and quiet here. For more information, visit the Lincoln Memorial Garden website.
- Wildflowers - Casper Bluff Land and Water Reserve, Galena
Harold Jaeger/Google This 85-acre reserve boasts incredible views of the Mississippi River and has a significant archaeological site of 51 ancient mounds. There is also a vast prairie that bursts to life with wildflowers each spring. This reserve is worthy of a day trip to see both the flowers and the archaeological site. For more information, visit the Casper Bluff webpage.
There are obviously many more flower fields we could add to this list. What are some of your favorites? Please let us know in the comment section.
Google Maps
Here is a link to an interactive map and you can add other stops to it.
Garfield Park Conservatory/Facebook
Tulips have long been associated with spring as they are one of the first flowers to bloom. But you don’t have to fly all the way to The Netherlands to see fields of these flowers. From parks to farms, you can find fields of colorful, eye-popping tulips right here in the Prairie State, and no place seems to display them better than the historic Garfield Park Conservatory. Although this park has thousands of flower species, it’s the tulips that are the real showstoppers. For more information, visit the Garfield Park Conservatory website.
Eric Qiu/AllTrails
With wetlands, forest, and prairie habitats, you’re bound to see incredible wildflowers carpeting the landscape at this forest preserve. One of the best trails that leads to wildflower fields is the Deer Grove East Red, Black, and Brown Loop. This 7.1-mile trail is located near Palatine. For more information on the trail, visit the AllTrails webpage.
Nettle Creek Lavender Farm/Facebook
You don’t have to travel all the way to Provence, France to visit fields of lavender. Nettle Creek Lavender Farm has a u-pick lavender field as well as u-pick flowers and herbs. They are open seasonally and sell products they make using the lavender growing on the farm! For more information, visit the Nettle Creek Lavender Farm website.
Rendleman Orchards/Facebook
While Southern Illinois’ Rendleman Orchards is known for their high-quality produce, they also have u-pick flower fields with sunflowers and zinnias, which are an impressive sight for anyone who drives by! When the season starts in mid-June, stop by the farm and pick some gorgeous flowers to take home. And don’t forget your camera! For more information, visit the Rendleman Orchards website.
Angelic Steele/TripAvisor
To see the Virginia bluebells at this nature preserve, it’s best to take the 3-mile O’Hara Woods Loop which is a great trail for any hiking skill level. If you’ve never seen a sea of these beautiful blue native wildflowers before, you are in for a treat! For more information, visit the O’Hara Woods Nature Preserve AllTrails webpage.
Lincoln Memorial Garden/Facebook
This garden has recreated native landscape from the time of Abraham Lincoln, so you will find many wild prairie flowers throughout its 100 acres. Hike along six miles of trails and enjoy the peace and quiet here. For more information, visit the Lincoln Memorial Garden website.
Harold Jaeger/Google
This 85-acre reserve boasts incredible views of the Mississippi River and has a significant archaeological site of 51 ancient mounds. There is also a vast prairie that bursts to life with wildflowers each spring. This reserve is worthy of a day trip to see both the flowers and the archaeological site. For more information, visit the Casper Bluff webpage.
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Address: 300 N Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL 60624, USAAddress: Deer Grove East, 1599 Pepper Tree Dr, Palatine, IL 60067, USAAddress: 1034 W 135th St, Romeoville, IL 60446, USAAddress: 8255 N 4000 W Rd, Morris, IL 60450, USAAddress: 9680 IL-127, Alto Pass, IL 62905, USAAddress: 2301 E Lake Shore Dr, Springfield, IL 62712, USAAddress: 870 S Pilot Knob Rd, Galena, IL 61036, USA
