Spring Travel in Chicago
The birds are chirping, the days are lasting longer, and life is blooming all around the city. Springtime instills a new, fresh breath of air and with that comes new opportunities to explore all that Chicago has to offer. Discover our recommendations for your best spring vacation that the whole family can enjoy.
Garfield Park Conservatory
To begin your spring travel in Chicago, take a quick 20-minute drive from The Peninsula Chicago to Garfield Park Conservatory for their annual flower show. This year’s flower show theme is “Knock Knock”, with playful, colorful doors from the Rebuilding Exchange hanging amongst the exhibits. Marvel at the wealth of various flowers, including tulips, hydrangeas, daffodils, and hyacinth. “Knock Knock” is going on now through May 8.
EXPO CHICAGO
To pique your artistic interests, purchase a ticket to EXPO CHICAGO, the city’s contemporary art fair hosting 140 leading galleries from 65 cities and 25 countries. EXPO CHICAGO returns to Navy Pier this April 7 to 10. As a partner of EXPO CHICAGO, The Peninsula Chicago is pleased to host an exhibit within the hotel through mid-May from AfriCOBRA, a Chicago-based group of black artists who created an aesthetic philosophy to guide their collective work – a shared visual language for positive revolutionary ideas.
Japanese Garden
From late April to early May, venture to the Japanese Garden in Jackson Park to view spectacular Cherry Blossom trees in bloom. There are nearly 160 Cherry Blossom trees that bloom for 6 to 10 days on average. Be sure to check their website to see exactly when the trees are at their peak so that you can catch all the pink and white glory. Jackson Park is just west of the Museum of Science and Industry, so make a day out of it by touring their latest exhibits, such as “Art of the Brick”.
Buckingham Fountain
With the return of beautiful spring weather comes the return of the Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain water display. In early May, the fountain will turn on for a water display for 20 minutes at the top of every hour. Arrive to Buckingham Fountain at dusk to view the incredible glowing lights of the fountain alongside water shooting as high as 150 feet in the air. Located in Grant Park, this is a Chicago icon not to be missed.
To round out your spring vacation, reserve The Peninsula Chicago’s Drive, Dine, Delight package which includes complimentary valet parking and complimentary breakfast, making it easier for you to spend less time worrying about the logistics of your stay and more time planning your spring activities list.