April showers bring us the most beautiful May flowers! The sight of the first blooms of the season peaking out remind us spring is coming! The thought of spring makes me think of nothing more than the warmer weather and colorful blooms reappearing. My kids are also very eager for the vibrant colors of the tulip fields this year. Tulip season is quick, so we are going to be sure to snap as many family photos as possible!
Tulips usually bloom mid-April through mid-May, so reference this list of the best places to see tulips and make a date with your family to stop and smell the flowers soon.
Sunken Gardens at Phillips Park in Aurora
1000 Ray Moses Drive
Aurora, IL 60507
Admission:
Free!
15,000 hand planted tulips in 15 different varieties every year! The garden, located at Phillips Park in Aurora, is handicap accessible and has a multi-level walkway system. Also enjoy the triple tiered fountain, a focal point at the center of this lovely oasis.
Pair the day by visiting the free Phillips Park Zoo in the same location, then heading to the Mastodon Island playground for a fun day that is absolutely free.
Garfield Park Conservatory
300 N. Central Park Ave.
Chicago, IL 60624
Admission: Free for all City of Chicago Residents with ID!
Non-Chicago Resident Adults 18+- $10
Non-Chicago Resident Children 7-17-$10
Free for Children 0- 6!
If you have never been to the Garfield Park Conservatory, it is a must see! With indoor and outdoor exhibits alike, it has something for everyone. In early spring, be sure to check out the Artist’s Garden that is flooded with Tulips. Be sure to also check out the current, Spring Flower Show: Rooted in Mystery. You will learn all about the roots of plants, as well as be able to view 26 different varieties of tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths. This exhibit is included in your admission ticket.
Magnificent Mile Tulip in Chicago
Magnificent Mile
Chicago, IL
Various Locations in the city, check for tulip events here.
We loved seeing tulip beds around the city last year, with tulips planted around Michigan Avenue and surrounding streets. The official Tulip season opens on April 30 in Downtown Chicago. This celebration of spring is fast becoming a spot for photographers to capture the beauty of the colors amongst the city landscape. This year, see if you can spot the 10 giant tulips on your hunt, as you enjoy the colors on a trip downtown with your family.
Tulip Fields at Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe
1000 Lake Cook Road,
Glencoe, IL 60022
(847) 835-6801
Visit Chicago Botanic Garden in April through mid-May to see the beauty of thousands of tulips in their Circle Garden. We love the model railroad garden that showcases 18 model G-scale trains running on 18 tracks and features over 50 miniature American landmarks. The Nature Play Garden opens mid April to November for children to roll, climb and discover.
Entrance fees vary depending on date of visit. Parking has to be purchased separately.
Tulip Time in Holland, Michigan
42 W. 8th Street
Holland, MI 49423
Admission to the festival: Free!
Holland is only about 2 1/2 hours away from the Chicago suburbs, but this incredible display of blooms makes the trip worth it! Tulip Time is scheduled for May 2-11, 2025. This event has now run for 96 years and continues to draw a crowd to view over six million tulips blooming throughout Holland. The tulips are not in a single location and can be found within a 4 mile radius of Downtown Holland.
There are all kinds of events lined up, including music, Dutch Dance performances, a family carnival, pickle-ball tournament, a tulip run (5k, 10k and Kids Fun Run), a walking tour, and more! View the daily schedule here.
Kuipers Family Farm Midwest Tulip Fest
1N290 Watson Road
Maple Park, IL 60151
Admission:
Weekday admission: $16.99 per person (online); $18.99 at the door
Weekend admission: $20.99 per person (online); $22.99 at the door
Children Under 2 are free.
*add on a U-Pick Tulip Carrier (fits 6-10 tulips) for $14.99
The annual Midwest Tulip Fest opens April 26, 2025. Their website notes that 650,000 tulip bulbs were planted across 8 acres in late fall of 2024 and will be expected to pop up in this spring. Weather is always a factor for bloom, so be sure to check their “Bloom-o-Meter” to find the best time to go.
Besides the Instagram-worthy photos with your family, this place is a hit with our kids because of their playground, play areas and a huge slide. There is also a small store where you can buy farm fresh seasonal goodies. Be sure to check their Facebook page for updates.
Daily admission to Kuiper’s includes access to the Tulip Fields, Spring Fun Farm attractions, Scenic Trails and exploration of the seasonal farmstand.
Tulip Fields at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle
4100 IL-53
Lisle, IL 60532
(630) 719-2424
Admission:
Members are Free!
Children 3 and under -Free!
Daily Admission for adults is between $15.95 and $21.95 for adults depending on the day (save $2 per ticket by purchasing online).
Daily Admission for children is $11.95–$17.95 also depending on the day.
Wednesdays are their discount admissions days; See ticket information.
Take in the colors of spring at the awesome Morton Arboretum. Exact dates have not been announced, however the tulip blooms typically takes place late April through early May. Monitor the Arboretum’s Bloom Report to get up to date information on the status of the tulips.
Besides the beautiful scenery, there are tons of kid friendly trails and a great children’s playground and garden to check out while you’re there.
Tulips at Lilacia Park in Lombard
150 S. Park Avenue
Lombard, IL 60148
Admission: Free!
Don’t be fooled by the name of the park. Lilacia Park also has multiple beds of tulips in the spring! Visit the park during Lilac Time between May 3rd and May 19th, 2025 to see 700 lilacs and 25,000 tulips. Easy paths make the park extremely kid-friendly. There is street parking around the entire park, and a shared parking lot on the east side off Park Ave. The park is open dusk to dawn.
This year’s event schedule includes live music, story time, tours, plant sales, wine tasting, and even a 5K.
Downtown Naperville
Naperville, IL 60540
Admission: Free!
Downtown Naperville is filled with tulips in the spring! Between strolling, dining and shopping, be sure to stop for a photo or two. Downtown Naperville always has lots to offer aside from great dining options and shopping, including a short walk to the DuPage Children’s Museum. Check out Central Park, a completely updated park in the heart of Downtown. There are often great events planned in and around this bustling shopping district, too. Check the calendar to plan your trip out.
Richardson Adventure Farm Tulip Festival in Spring Grove
909 English Prairie Rd
Spring Grove, IL 60081
(815) 675-9729
Admission:
Tuesday-Friday $16 per person (1 free Tulip)
Saturday-Sunday, ages 13+ $19 (1 free Tulip)
Saturday-Sunday, ages 4-12 $16 (1 free Tulip)
Ages 3 and under Free!
Richardson’s 2025 tulip fields are still closed, but they are anticipating over 1 million blooms on over 5 acres, and roughly predicting an April 20th opening! Regular activities and events include live music on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, free games, food trucks and more. Friendly, leashed dogs are welcome. Check their Facebook page for updates on blooms and special events.
Cantigny Park in Wheaton
1 S 151 Winfield Road
Wheaton, IL 60189
(630) 668-5161
Admission:
Admission is free; see parking fees, which are $6 weekdays and $16 weekends April 5 through November 16.
Another family favorite of ours, Cantigny is filled with color with their big beds of tulips amidst their 29 acres of gardens. There’s also a fabulous wooden playground in addition to the tank playground. It’s a beautiful picnic spot if you pack a lunch.
This year’s May Fest is on Mother’s Day weekend (May 10th and 11th) and includes a marketplace held inside the historic McCormick House. Check out over 30 vendors offering pottery, jewelry, art, and more. A coffee and pastry bar will be set up as well. Learn about the upcoming plans for the grounds, or listen to live music in the beer garden.
Tulip Fest at Ivy Oaks Floral
105 N Terrace Court
Somonuak, IL 60552
Ivy Oaks Floral has their own Tulip Fest scheduled for May 3, 2025 from 10:00am-12:00pm. Ivy Oaks is located near Dekalb. Their event will features thousands of tulips, grown in their own flower farm. This event will also feature a food truck, tulip bar, and seasonally available plants and herbs.
More Flower Fields Near Chicago
If after you visit the tulip fields you are in search of more picture-perfect blooms, we have the goods for you! Check out what’s ahead:
- Nettle Creek in Morris, IL is a lovely lavender farm that blooms in mid June.
- Check out the Wildflower Farm in Monee, IL for fun activities and summer events.
- In the summer, check our 10 Sunflower Fields near Chicago to visit in August and September!
- Visit Proclamation Farms in Wilmington and check out the u-pick experience in their flower field and local farmstand.
How long do tulips bloom?
Tulips usually bloom 1-2 weeks when the temperatures remain around 45-55 degrees. However, if the temperature rise, tulips may only bloom 1-2 days and then wither from the heat.
When is the best time to see tulips?
Tulip season is in April and May, depending on the variety. Your best bet is to figure out which tulip field you would like to visit, then keep an eye on their social media account for their stunning photos of tulips in full bloom.
I’m interested in growing tulips at home. When should I plant them?
It’s best to plant tulip bulbs in the fall, before the ground freezes. Tulip bulbs need to experience the cold winter temperatures and take root before emerging in the spring. Then you can have your own fields of tulips!
We have the guides for the best spring activities in Chicago’s suburbs on our website, then check out our Instagram and Facebook accounts to see what we’re up to around town.
1 Comment. Leave new
This is the most helpful site for things to do with my grandson and family.
Thank you so much for all the work you put into it.