8Chicago Botanic Garden, Chicago
Owned by the Forest Preserve District of Cook County and managed by the Chicago Horticultural Society, the Chicago Botanic Garden opened to the public in 1972.
The 385-acre living plant museum is situated on 9 islands featuring 26 display gardens and surrounded by 4 natural areas: McDonald Woods, Dixon Prairie, Skokie River Corridor and Lakes and Shores.
The Botanic Garden draws about 1 million people annually. After all, its collection of 185 bonsai is one of the best public displays of miniature masterpieces, with works by bonsai master Susumu Nakamura.
In 2006, the Chicago Botanic Garden received the Award for Garden Excellence, given yearly by the APGA and Horticulture magazine.
