#Lincoln Park Conservatory

[simplykinsley]

[rabbitcruiser]

National Orchid Day 

With their intricate blooms and delicate petals, orchids bring beauty and elegance to any setting. They come in a range of colors and sizes, making them a versatile addition to any collection.

With more than 28,000 species, the orchid is a unique and interesting flowering plant that occurs worldwide. More than 200 species reside in North America, and many others can be found in hotter, more tropical climates. With their large, amazing blooms that often have curious shapes, orchids offer a complex range of beauty and color to the plant world.

National Orchid Day is here to celebrate this dazzling flower, as well as the challenging story of the family that inspired it all.

History of National Orchid Day

Although this is certainly a day to recognize and appreciate the beauty of this unique flower, National Orchid Day actually has an emotional story behind it as well. The day was established by a couple named Mike and Faith Young, who fell in love with the magnificent flower while volunteering at an orchid preserve on the outskirts of Chiapas, Mexico.

Later, when they were pregnant with their first daughter, they decided to name her Orchid in honor of their experiences with the beauty of this delicate plant. Sadly, baby Orchid did not make it through the birth process. From that time in April 2014, the Young family looked for ways to find beauty from tragedy.

The founding of National Orchid Day is one of the ways that the Youngs, along with their friends and family, have kept the memory of their little girl alive while, at the same time, bringing respect and attention to this amazing flower.

Take some time to observe National Orchid Day to show appreciation for this special flower as well as the special people in your life.

How to Celebrate National Orchid Day

Celebrate and enjoy National Orchid Day in a wide variety of ways, including some of these ideas:

Get or Give an Orchid

Flowering plants can add a particular kind of joy and delight to homes and orchids are no exception. Those who want to share in the allure and elegance of this special flower might want to consider getting one from a garden store and bringing it home. Or, even better, give an orchid as a gift to a beloved friend or family member in honor of National Orchid Day.

Show Care to Loved Ones

One special way to observe National Orchid Day might be to simply take the time to show friends and family members how much they are loved and appreciated. Since the day was founded in honor of a lost family member, it’s an especially poignant time to give an extra hug and say “I love you”.

Learn More About Orchids

Take some time on National Orchid Day to learn some more about this special flowering plant. Get started with some of these facts:

Orchids are believed to be one of the oldest families of flowering plants.

This magnificent plant has the tiniest seeds in the plant world.

Orchids can take from 5-7 years to bloom once started. Some bloom for months and others only hours.

The vanilla bean comes from a species of the orchid plant family.

Source

[chicago-mentioned]

fuck it, i'm taking the amtrak to chicago for spring break. i wanna see the fishies (shedd aquarium) and probably eat too much pizza? what else should i do

[notbecauseofvictories]

Hi Sarah, I'm going to visit Chicago in a couple of weeks and when I think of Chicago I think of you. What would you recommend I visit/do?

Unfortunately, Chicago is not its best self for a couple months---while I maintain that the city is for all seasons, summer is undoubtedly when it's most alive. However, there are a couple things I will definitely recommend for the unseasonably warm spring traveler:

(1) Eat some food

A friendly word of warning: do not be tricked into eating Giordano's or Lou Malnotti's. Perhaps your companions might try to win you over with promises of Chicago-style hotdogs---do not be swayed! You must manfully resist! (Harold's Chicken is that good though, and if you're close to the one in Hyde Park, feel free to devour the three piece dinner of your choice. Cheap bottle of the too-sweet wine I preferred as an undergrad optional.)

A much better option is to find a place that serves whatever food you love, but does it really really well.

Do you like sophisticated twists on a brewpub menu? Try Moody Tongue in the South Loop

Or are you really more of a tapas person? Highly recommend mfk in Lincoln Park

Would you prefer something a little....meatier? My favorite steakhouse in Chicago is Tango Sur (though I would argue their empanadas are really the showstopper)

There's nowhere in the city that does Hong Kong-style barbecue like Sun Wah in Uptown---I just stopped by after the parade for the Lunar New Year, the duck is to die for.

Are you on the West Side? First of all, do not go to Big Star. I mean, it's fine, but....come on. I'd pick Forbidden Root instead, or head over to Pilsen for Rubi's if you can't survive without tacos.

There are so, so many different bars I would recommend. Chicago was the home of bootleggers for a reason, goddamn it. Still, if you can't get to Wang's (look, I like Violet Hour too, but sometimes you don't want to drink in near-darkness), Koval (the rare distillery in Chicago), or any of the many, many craft breweries we have in the city right now, you probably can stop by one of the many, many, many bars we have in Chicago, and get a drink anyway.

There are more---of course there are more!---but we don't have all day. So instead I will leave you with this bit of wisdom: don't eat at Navy Pier or anywhere too close to Lincoln Park Zoo. If you are at a bar, don't settle for a burger when sometimes, the chicken tenders are actually better. And if you absolutely must go somewhere for pizza, choose Pequod's.

(2) See a thing

Chicago has many things in it! So many things! A hundred thousand things! Unfortunately, I don't know what you're into, so I will just talk about them in general.

MUSEUMS: I am a devoted museum-goer, and Chicago has blessed me with an endless feast. There are the big ones, of course---the Field Museum of Natural History, the Adler Planetarium, the Shedd Aquarium, the Museum of Science and Industry, the Art Institute of Chicago. However, my favorites are smaller, more unique: the International Museum of Surgical Sciences, Intuit (though it's temporarily closed, more's the pity), the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures at UChicago, the Lincoln Park Conservatory. That's not even all the museums in Chicago! That's not even all the museums that I've been to. It's amazing.

EVENTS: I once joked that I was a person who needed to schedule her enrichment like a blue-haired senior, but the joke was on me---I am that person! Fortunately, Chicago supports me in this endeavor by publishing many, many different calendars of "what to do this week or weekend". Do you want to see something onstage? Well, here you go. How about some classical music? I have a trusty guide. What about non-classical music? Always go to the Chicago Reader for that. Are you thinking of catching a game? Well, we're still in spring training for the Cubs and Sox, but the Bulls are doing okay even if the Blackhawks aren't, and we've got soccer (male and female) now too!

(Unfortunately, the Chicago Sky aren't playing right now, they're my favorites.)

OTHER: Unless you are extremely efficient, coming here and eating good food, doing one other thing, is more than enough. I promise it is! However, if you have more time, I definitely recommend just---wandering around. The Loop in particular is great for this, because it's reasonably small and everyone there is busy doing things. Going places, talking on phones, getting into or out of ubers, protesting outside of the Daley center, etc. etc. It's amazing to watch, and the buildings are pretty neat too.

Or you could wait a couple months, and take the Chicago Architecture Boat Tour, which I think should be a requirement for all Chicagoans. Maybe even everyone alive in the world. Just saying.

(3) Walk along the lakeshore

Chicago offers many delights, but I really do believe that Lake Michigan and its vast expanse of water, sky and space, is a unique gift to the city. It is beautiful in winter, in spring, in storms, in sun. It is free. You can sit in the grass or the sand or amble along its broad paths for miles, looking at unexpected art installations and waving grasses and the way the beaches slope to the water; you can talk to a friend or watch bikers and joggers pass you by. In the summer, there are a dozen different stands offering warm elote or cold soda, and cheerful men on jingling bike carts that will sell you neon orange push pops. In the winter, there are still bikers and joggers but also Canada geese, and you can stare mournfully at the slate grey water and ponder existence.

It is the heart of Chicago. Nelson Algren called us an "October city, even in summer"; Carl Sandburg described us as a shirtless dude who gives great oral. Personally, I think of Montrose Beach in the setting sun of winter, the sand almost too cold to touch---and beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.

[maculategiraffe]

I'm at the Lincoln Park Conservatory in Chicago today, and was reminded of Baby Nephew by a kiddo who saw a drained pond and announced "Oh no! The water! Darn!"

OH NO THE WATER!!!

he doesn't say oh no nearly as much as he used to but we were at a park today that has a bunch of climbing structures and ladders and rope bridges and the baby was incredibly intrepid and insisted on crossing a narrow swaying bridge by himself, slowly but steadily, holding onto the sides and taking careful measured steps. and at one point during the crossing some bigger kids barged onto the bridge and past him making the whole structure sway. and the baby stood there clinging to the ropes and saying quietly to himself "oh no oh no oh no oh no oh no oh no"

I was like "you okay buddy? do you need me to come get you?" and he looked up and said "no I am okay by myself. I just don't like it when the bridge wiggle"

[copperbadge]

Hello! I recently moved to Chicago for a job. As a local, do you have any recommendations for which museums and/or attractions to check out, and which to skip or leave for later? I’ve only been to the art institute so far, but I had a really nice time! Also, your resume tips helped me out a lot, so thanks for that!

Sorry for the delay in reply to this! I definitely wanted to respond sooner but some answers take longer than others :D

I did a bit of a writeup here recently so that's some starter reading, but let me just do a quick rundown of the big museums...

Art Institute -- you've already been so you know it's world-class! Make sure that when you're in the modern wing (as you enter) you look left, there's a whole bunch of galleries to the left that often go unexplored. Also in the original wing, at the main staircase, make sure you go downstairs to explore, the Thorne rooms are down there and so is the paperweight collection if they ever open it again.

Museum of Science and Industry -- always a great time, still has lots of weird old exhibits, but it's also easy to get lost in, so don't plan to see everything your first time out. This is especially fun to take visiting guests to. Don't miss the daily chick-hatching!

Field Museum -- even older and weirder than the MSI, but you can get a little trapped in exhibits (sometimes the only way in or out is to walk a long ways) so conserve your energy. The new Sue exhibit is kind of tucked back on an upper floor but DO NOT miss it, the light show is super fun.

Chicago History Museum -- you know I still haven't been? They have a great cafeteria, I've eaten there :) I'm given to understand it's a really fun museum.

Shedd Aquarium -- I like the Shedd but eh, it's an aquarium. The tickets on the website are pricey but if you buy in person there's a "just the fishes" option for like $8, problem is you usually have to stand in line for a while to get it.

Adler Planetarium -- it's fun, but unless you're a nut for outer space, the highlight is the planetarium show; I'd save this one for a rainy weekend when you just want to wander somewhere.

I truly love the dumb little Money Museum at the Fed, but I think it's still closed. If it isn't, it's a great way to spend an afternoon, lots of fun money to look at, but you will need legal ID and you have to go through a metal detector on your way in, so be prepared for that.

The Garfield Park Conservatory is a fantastic botanical garden; go in summer so you can enjoy the large outdoors space. If you go in the morning, they sometimes let you help feed the koi fish in the indoor ponds.

Lincoln Park Zoo is a lovely mainly-outdoor zoo, and has a lot of events, even in the colder months (zoolights, for example, and they have a summer 5K where I personally almost died from running but refused to let the camels witness that).

As you settle into the city you'll become more aware of what there is to see and do; you pick up a kind of rhythm of the place, so I do think just getting out and looking around the city is a good way to find fun activities. Chinatown (red line Chinatown stop) is fun to shop and eat in, and a great way to learn about the parks is to attend some movies in the parks this summer.

Welcome to the city and I hope you love it here!

[pedal-broad]

A&A

Lincoln Park Conservatory, Chicago, IL - 9/9/2023

[jedimasterhyladae]

Orchids Lincoln Park Conservatory

[divorced-lawyer]

Lincoln Park Conservatory

[dinonuggiesaurus]

some good textures i found at the lincoln park conservatory in chicago

[inallcaps]

Lincoln Park Conservatory | Chicago, 2023

Taken by me on my Fujifilm XQ2!

[simplykinsley]

[rabbitcruiser]

National Orchid Day

With their intricate blooms, orchids bring beauty and elegance to any setting, making them a versatile addition to any collection.

With more than 28,000 species, the orchid is a unique and interesting flowering plant that occurs worldwide. More than 200 species reside in North America, and many others can be found in hotter, more tropical climates. With their large, amazing blooms that often have curious shapes, orchids offer a complex range of beauty and color to the plant world.

National Orchid Day is here to celebrate this dazzling flower, as well as the challenging story of the family that inspired it all.

History of National Orchid Day

Although this is certainly a day to recognize and appreciate the beauty of this unique flower, National Orchid Day actually has an emotional story behind it as well. The day was established by a couple named Mike and Faith Young, who fell in love with the magnificent flower while volunteering at an orchid preserve on the outskirts of Chiapas, Mexico.

Later, when they were pregnant with their first daughter, they decided to name her Orchid in honor of their experiences with the beauty of this delicate plant. Sadly, baby Orchid did not make it through the birth process. From that time in April 2014, the Young family looked for ways to find beauty from tragedy.

The founding of National Orchid Day is one of the ways that the Youngs, along with their friends and family, have kept the memory of their little girl alive while, at the same time, bringing respect and attention to this amazing flower.

Take some time to observe National Orchid Day to show appreciation for this special flower as well as the special people in your life.

How to Celebrate National Orchid Day

Celebrate and enjoy National Orchid Day in a wide variety of ways, including some of these ideas:

Get or Give an Orchid

Flowering plants can add a particular kind of joy and delight to homes and orchids are no exception. Those who want to share in the allure and elegance of this special flower might want to consider getting one from a garden store and bringing it home. Or, even better, give an orchid as a gift to a beloved friend or family member in honor of National Orchid Day.

Show Care to Loved Ones

One special way to observe National Orchid Day might be to simply take the time to show friends and family members how much they are loved and appreciated. Since the day was founded in honor of a lost family member, it’s an especially poignant time to give an extra hug and say “I love you”.

Learn More About Orchids 

Take some time on National Orchid Day to learn some more about this special flowering plant. Get started with some of these facts:

Orchids are believed to be one of the oldest families of flowering plants.

This magnificent plant has the tiniest seeds in the plant world.

Orchids can take from 5-7 years to bloom once started. Some bloom for months and others only hours.

The vanilla bean comes from a species of the orchid plant family.

Source

[gogetyrshovel]

hello i am visiting chicago for the first time in march and have no clue what to do do you have suggestions …

YES !!!

feel free to PM me with specifics if u want (neighborhood you're staying in, dietary restrictions, interests) so i can make better recs but here are some general must dos

Attractions:

The Art Institute of Chicago is beautiful, huge, and world class and so you will not see everything but they have an app-guided tour that will take you around to some of the most famous works in their collection

The Museum of Science and Industry is a childhood fave but the interactive exhibits still hold up tbh. You can look at anatomical slices of real human bodies and simulate a tornado!

The Shedd Aquarium is amazing but pretty $$ ($40!!) so would recommend if you're super interested but maybe save your money if it doesnt seem worth it to you.

Millenium Park is a must see--weather is kinda touch and go in March but if you get a warm/sunny day I recommend renting a Divvy bike and checking out the Lakefront Trail (side note: Lake Michigan is way bigger than u think it is)

Navy Pier is largely a tourist trap and nothing special I would skip it LOL 1

The Architecture Tours are also amazing and worth it !! Plus the views from the river are unmatched.

Neighborhoods to check out/Food to eat:

(I'm assuming you're staying in the loop but if not I can give you more suggestions based on where you're staying/what's accessible via transit)

Wicker Park/Logan Square

Cool bookstores, record stores, thrifting, good breakfast/brunch, coffee shops up the wazoo. Easily accessible via the blue line (more on transit later), one of my favorite meals ever is the Chicken Fried Chicken from Dove's Luncheonette.

Chinatown

The Chinese American Museum is pretty interesting if you're into history, but the biggest draw of Chinatown is the food. Chiu Quon Bakery has delicious pork buns and egg tarts that are ridiculously affordable, Hing Kee's soup dumplings are top tier. Go4Food is another local favorite and I recommend Happy Lamb if you're looking for hot pot.

Lincoln Park

Lincoln Park Zoo is free!! Check out the lily ponds and the Lincoln Park Conservatory. The coffee and baked goods at Verzenay are a little $$ but totally worth it.

Andersonville:

My biggest pet peeve is when people tell queer tourists to go to Boystown just cuz they have the gay bars and rainbow sidewalks. Andersonville doesn't have as many lesbians as it used to, but the vibes are a lot more inclusive and it feels way less yuppie gay white guy in my humble lesbian opinion. Lots of cute boutiques and good food. Kopi Cafe is unique and has really great vegetarian/pescatarian sandwiches and snacks. Not too far from Little Vietnam either, get a big bowl of pho or a banh mi at Pho 888.

Getting around:

I will wax poetic about the CTA, but it can definitely be intimidating if you're not familiar with it! You can get the Ventra app on your phone and tap it at the turnstiles/on buses --any chip card will work too. The best bang for your buck is to get a 3-day pass or a 5-day pass depending on how long you'll be here, because those give you unlimited rides and you'll probably be doing a lot of running around. The L (for elevated trains) is generally faster than the buses and are named by color (e.g. the red line, blue line, green line etc). Buses are numbered and sometimes have letters too. Google Maps' transit directions are usually solid but estimated arrival times are more accurate on the Ventra app itself.

[notbecauseofvictories]

wherever there is light  + 2023 IN PHOTOGRAPHS: Chicago (Brookfield Zoo, Lincoln Park Zoo, Garfield Conservatory, Roseland Cemetery, Graceland Cemetery, Navy Pier) and Ireland (Cliffs of Moher, Inis Mór, Killarney National Park, Timoleague Friary)

[polyolefinprince]

Hi Sam! I’m visiting Chicago for the first time this weekend. Any recommendations for tourist-y things I shouldn’t miss?

Well personally I'd recommend checking out some of our museums such as the Field and the Art Institute, if you want animals the Shedd Aquarium is great and the Lincoln Park Zoo is free, I also really recommend the Garfield Park Conservatory