The Chicago Traveler

If you need a moment away from the hustle and bustle of the Windy City, but you can’t make it to one of Illinois’ natural wonders, visit the urban oasis that is the Garfield Park Conservatory.
Covering 4.5 acres (18,211 m2) of the north end of Garfield Park, the conservatory is one of the largest and most remarkable in the country. This humongous garden contains trees, flowers, cacti, and exotic plants from all over the world. Visitors can experience various climates via six interconnected greenhouses and two grand exhibition halls, offering everything from a wet and warm atmosphere to dry desert …read more

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If you’re visiting Chicago for the next few weeks, you won’t be alone. The cicadas are here! Yay…? These insects may be ugly and noisy, but considering the periodical bugs only emerge once every 17 years, you can understand why their appearance is a big deal to many.Cicadas spend 17 years underground, feeding on tree roots. When the temperature and time are right, the immature insects will emerge from tunnels they have been digging toward the surface. Before dawn, these nymphs (the larval form of some insects) will climb trees, plants, and even road signs to find a place to …read more

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Orchids by Hausermann, Inc. is the oldest and largest orchid grower in the Midwest and is one of the world’s largest orchid ranges.

Carl Hausermann, the founder, started growing crops such as sweet peas, roses, and gardenias in 1920. His son, Edwin, began purchasing orchids 15 years later, replacing the other flowers. Now, approximately 400,000 Cattleya blooms are produced annually by the range.
This impressive greenhouse serves customers both locally and globally. From seed to bloom, Hausermann’s has something for every hobby and occasion. The firm also does its part to save many endangered and rare orchid species through an aggressive seed …read more

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