Anchored by the Chicago Center for Green Technology, an “eco-industrial park” for landscaping and environmental companies, and the famed Garfield Park Conservatory, this West Side neighborhood is appropriately called Chicago’s ‘Green Town’. Designed by legendary Danish landscape architect Jens Jensen and opened in 1907, the free-admission Garfield Park Conservatory is one of the nation’s largest and oldest conservatories, and houses over a thousand different plant species for public enjoyment.
Attractions
Contents
Chicago Center for Green Technology
- Art & Architecture
The Chicago Center for Green Technology is the most comprehensive educational resource in the Midwest for green technology and design, and sustainable building and living practices.
Free Admission | 445 N. Sacramento Blvd. | 312.746.9642
Devening Projects + Editions
- Art & Architecture
This contemporary art gallery hosts new exhibitions about every six weeks, and opening receptions for the first week of each exhibition. Accessibility limitations. Please contact site for more information.
Free Admission | 3039 W. Carroll Ave. | 312.420.4720
Garfield Park
- Parks & Gardens
In 1869, the Illinois state legislature established the West Park Commission, which was responsible for three large parks and interlinking boulevards. The centerpiece of the system, the 185-acre Central Park, was renamed to honor President James A. Garfield (1831- 1881) after his assassination in 1881. Plans for the entire ensemble of Humboldt, Garfield and Douglas Park had been completed ten years earlier, by William Le Baron Jenney, best known today as the father of the skyscraper. As ambitious plans could not be realized all at once, Garfield Park developed in stages, beginning with the east lagoon.
Free Admission | 100 N. Central Park Ave. | 312-746-5092
Garfield Park Conservatory
- Parks & Gardens
The Garfield Park Conservatory, one of the largest conservatories in the nation, features thousands of plant species on display in eight different rooms and occupies approximately 4.5 acres inside and out.
Free Admission | 300 N. Central Park Ave. | 312-746-5100
Legler Branch Library
- Art & Architecture
Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, Legler Library has a WPA mural, Wilderness, Winter River Scene, painted by R. Fayerweather Babcock during the Great Depression.
Free Admission | 115 S. Pulaski Rd. | 312.746.7730
Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica and National Shrine
- Art & Architecture
Raised to the title of Basilica in 1956 by Pope Pius XII, this church is one of three basilicas in Illinois, and houses shrines dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows and St. Peregrine.
Free Admission | 3121 W. Jackson Blvd. | 773.638.0159
Waller Apartments
- Art & Architecture
Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1895 and designated a Chicago Landmark in 1994, these apartments are said to be some of the earliest examples of subsidized housing in Chicago.
Free Admission | 2840–58 W. Walnut St.
World’s Fair Bulls (in Garfield Park)
- Art & Architecture
Daniel C. French and Edward C. Potter sculpted massive temporary versions of this pair of bulls with goddesses for the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893. Smaller plaster models were exhibited in Humboldt Park in 1908, and by 1915 bronze versions were placed near the formal garden in Garfield Park. The Chicago Park District restored the sculptures and placed them just west of the Garfield Park Conservatory in 2003.
Free Admission | 300 N. Central Park Ave. | 312.742.PLAY (7529)
Dining
Wallace’s Catfish Corner
- Soul Food
Wallace’s is decorated with pictures of celebrity patrons. This cafeteria-style soul food restaurant has a wide selection of entrees and side dishes, including fantastic meat loaf.
2800 W. Madison St. | 773.638.3474
Shopping
Out of the Past Records
- Music and DVDs
This is the place to go for music collectors. Out of the Past Records has many tapes, records, CDs, videos and more from all different decades. They also have their own eBay store where you can purchase things as well.
4407 W. Madison St. | 773.626.3878
Tours
Chicago Center for Green Technology Guided and Self-Guided Tours
- Audio & Self-Guided,
- Walking
The Chicago Center for Green Technology is a national model for sustainable design and technology and the first rehabilitated municipal building in the nation to receive the LEED™ Platinum rating by the U.S. Green Building Council.
Free Admission | 445 N. Sacramento Blvd. | 312.746.9642
Chicago For Kids Audio Tour
- Audio & Self-Guided
Take an adventure to Chicago’s coolest places without ever leaving your home! The FREE Chicago for Kids Audio Tour will take kids on adventures throughout the city and features eight destinations, games and challenges that highlight the rich culture and history of Chicago.
Free Admission | 78 E. Washington St