The Model Railroad Garden: “Landmarks of America” opens for its tenth season at the free Chicago Botanic Garden, and runs May 9 through Oct. 25. Free admission to Botanic Gardens; this special Model Railroad Garden is $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 3-12. This impressive family-centric area features model trains and miniature American landmarks made with natural materials, and colorful small-scale gardens. This year, visitors will see a new train on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad line chugging around the White House (that’s the train line that transported Abraham Lincoln).
The Model Railroad Garden encompasses more than 7,500-square-feet and features 17 G-scale trains on 1/3 of a mile of train track. This is fast becoming a Chicago tradition as train fans, young and old, return year after year for the delightful sights and sounds of the miniature trains traversing high and low through tunnels, across bridges, and around buildings — all intricately handcrafted with natural materials, including twigs, bark, leaves, acorns, and pebbles.
Included in the exhibit are more than 5,000 tiny trees, shrubs, groundcovers, and flowering plants in 250 varieties recreate the topographical landscape of America. The creators have developed little showcase vignettes of tiny people and animals which give the exhibit a real storybook feel.
At the free Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe. Open daily. $15 parking. (847) 835-5440 or www.chicagobotanic.org.
