See America's Landmarks in one Afternoon {Chicago Botanic Gardens}

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Have you ever wanted to rent a jet stream and pack the family up for a cross country trip to see all of America’s greatest landmarks? Okay maybe that’s just me but with one {much shorter} car ride you can see miniature versions of all those landmarks at the Chicago Botanic Gardens in Glencoe.

Chicago Botanic Gardens Model Railroad- Old Faithful

We spent a recent Saturday afternoon experiencing these landmarks for the first time {gasp!} My kids, we’re surprised it was the same place as “winter wonderland” Apparently we need to get out there in the summer and blooming months! The model railroad is an extra fee exhibit (see website for current pricing). If you have train lovers this is a great way to get some mom time in the garden while your little train lover gets his or her fill of choo choos zooming through tiny American Landmarks.

Just like in the Wonderland Express event all these landmarks are built from natural materials. our favorite, the little Old Faithful (erupting every 60 seconds!).

My littlest one (age 2) was especially enamored with the Thomas area. The trains were a larger scale and were a recognizable feature for her. My oldest (8) loved trying to name and find all the landmarks he knew. If you have older kids it would make a great learning opportunity!

The fun at the Model Railroad garden doesn’t have to end with the end of summer either! Coming in October you can celebrate Halloween in the train garden with Trains, Tricks, and Treats. The garden will get a spooky makeover with Halloween decorations, trick or treating figures, bats, a graveyard and more tucked into the landscape! Kids can come in costume and trick or treat at stations throughout the Model Railroad Garden.

Trick or Treating in the Model Railroad Garden — Photo provided by the Chicago Botanic Garden

We had a great time at the model railroad, I think dad could have stayed in here even longer than the kids!

Disclosure: My family and I were given parking passes and entry into the railroad garden in order to provide you better information for this story. All thoughts and opinions are my own and no other compensation was received.