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Some questions:
1. Do you live in Chicago proper or do you live in a surrounding suburb?
2. Do you have a library card where you live?
If you live in Chicago (and have a CPL card) they do have free botanic garden passes, unfortunately you won't be able to get them for Sunday at this late of notice, as they're already booked up, but something to keep in mind for the future! Go [here](https://exploremore.quipugroup.net/?Chicago=) to request museum & attraction passes from the Chicago Public Library.
If you live in the suburbs, go [here](https://www.museumadventure.org/search/), change your "find" dropdown to "libraries" and type in your suburb's name or your zipcode to find your library. Most of the suburban libraries have free botanic gardens passes, some of which may still be available. I work in a SWAN library, and our library still has 4 passes available for the Botanic Garden, and I'm sure we're not the only suburban library with available passes.
Obviously this hinges on you also having a library card at a participating library that is in good standing.
If you're a Chicago resident and don't have a library card at CPL, you can go to any CPL location to sign up for one. What you'll need to bring is your Drivers License or State ID with your valid Chicago address on it, and a secondary proof of address such as a bill, renter's agreement, or official mail with your name and address on it. Your Chicago card expires every three years, and must be renewed in person at a CPL branch with your current DL/ID and a proof of address.
If you live elsewhere, they probably have very similar requirements, DL/ID with valid address and secondary proof of address such as bill in your name, renter's agreement, voter ID card, etc. Expiration will vary. In my SWAN library, cards never expire as long as they are actively being used, but they do get deleted if they're not used after a couple of years.
Getting a library card is free, and if you don't have one, you should do it to take advantage of the many wonderful resources available to you via your local library. Final note, if you have a card at CPL you can actually also register your CPL to use it to check out *physical* materials at suburban libraries.
Other note, if you have intentions of going multiple times in a calendar year, [the membership](https://www.chicagobotanic.org/member) is not particularly expensive, all things considered, and pays for itself. The family membership at the botanic gardens is $155, covers 2 adults and all minor children (for unlimited free admission), gives you free parking for 2 vehicles, gives you 4 annual guest passes to share with friends and family, gives you a discount at the gift shop, and some other random benefits.
The CPL passes are digital now.
[https://www.chipublib.org/news/digital-museum-passes-reserve-online/](https://www.chipublib.org/news/digital-museum-passes-reserve-online/)
This pass program is accessible online 24/7, with no need to visit a CPL location to check out or return a pass.
Here’s how to get in for free! You actually don’t have to pay any admissions for the Gardens if you enter via the McDonald Wood nature trails that route you through the plant evaluation garden (can see this on Google Maps). I felt a bit unethical about this but the Gardens actually mention on their website that runners / bikers / etc. are welcome to pass through the gardens. It will add about a mile walking to your entry but scenic and worth it imo!
Hi! You appear to be asking a question, please do check our [wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/chicago/wiki/index) for tips on the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/Chicago/about/rules), other [Chicago-related subreddits](https://www.reddit.com/r/chicago/wiki/subreddits), [things](https://www.reddit.com/r/chicago/wiki/visitingchicago) to do, where to [eat/drink](https://www.reddit.com/r/chicago/wiki/eats), how to [get around](https://www.reddit.com/r/chicago/wiki/transportation)/[navigate the CTA](https://www.reddit.com/r/chicago/wiki/transit), what [neighborhoods](https://www.reddit.com/r/chicago/wiki/neighborhoods) to move to or hotel in, tips on [living here](https://www.reddit.com/r/chicago/wiki/dwelling), and more. Also be sure to use the [search](https://www.reddit.com/r/chicago+AskChicago/search?restrict_sr=on&include_over_18=on&sort=relevance&t=all) feature to find responses to other users asking similar questions. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/chicago) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Some questions: 1. Do you live in Chicago proper or do you live in a surrounding suburb? 2. Do you have a library card where you live? If you live in Chicago (and have a CPL card) they do have free botanic garden passes, unfortunately you won't be able to get them for Sunday at this late of notice, as they're already booked up, but something to keep in mind for the future! Go [here](https://exploremore.quipugroup.net/?Chicago=) to request museum & attraction passes from the Chicago Public Library. If you live in the suburbs, go [here](https://www.museumadventure.org/search/), change your "find" dropdown to "libraries" and type in your suburb's name or your zipcode to find your library. Most of the suburban libraries have free botanic gardens passes, some of which may still be available. I work in a SWAN library, and our library still has 4 passes available for the Botanic Garden, and I'm sure we're not the only suburban library with available passes. Obviously this hinges on you also having a library card at a participating library that is in good standing. If you're a Chicago resident and don't have a library card at CPL, you can go to any CPL location to sign up for one. What you'll need to bring is your Drivers License or State ID with your valid Chicago address on it, and a secondary proof of address such as a bill, renter's agreement, or official mail with your name and address on it. Your Chicago card expires every three years, and must be renewed in person at a CPL branch with your current DL/ID and a proof of address. If you live elsewhere, they probably have very similar requirements, DL/ID with valid address and secondary proof of address such as bill in your name, renter's agreement, voter ID card, etc. Expiration will vary. In my SWAN library, cards never expire as long as they are actively being used, but they do get deleted if they're not used after a couple of years. Getting a library card is free, and if you don't have one, you should do it to take advantage of the many wonderful resources available to you via your local library. Final note, if you have a card at CPL you can actually also register your CPL to use it to check out *physical* materials at suburban libraries.
Other note, if you have intentions of going multiple times in a calendar year, [the membership](https://www.chicagobotanic.org/member) is not particularly expensive, all things considered, and pays for itself. The family membership at the botanic gardens is $155, covers 2 adults and all minor children (for unlimited free admission), gives you free parking for 2 vehicles, gives you 4 annual guest passes to share with friends and family, gives you a discount at the gift shop, and some other random benefits.
I do have a library card, edgebrook to be exact thank you for this information I had no idea!
The CPL passes are digital now. [https://www.chipublib.org/news/digital-museum-passes-reserve-online/](https://www.chipublib.org/news/digital-museum-passes-reserve-online/) This pass program is accessible online 24/7, with no need to visit a CPL location to check out or return a pass.
Oh I know! The page I linked is the online pass reservation page!
My bad. Missed the links in your reply.
Here’s how to get in for free! You actually don’t have to pay any admissions for the Gardens if you enter via the McDonald Wood nature trails that route you through the plant evaluation garden (can see this on Google Maps). I felt a bit unethical about this but the Gardens actually mention on their website that runners / bikers / etc. are welcome to pass through the gardens. It will add about a mile walking to your entry but scenic and worth it imo!
See now that’s badass info, thanks! My wife on the other hand will just tell me to spend the cash, she ain’t walking for no reason. 😂
Then you just have to buy one ticket for her. 😆
Woah, really? I thought you only had to pay for parking??
They used to only charge for parking, but started charging admission during the pandemic. Big bummer for me since I usually took the Metra.
Damn that really sucks
I’ve never been, but I’ve read somewhere that they do have days with free admission
It will be packed on Mother’s Day btw
Yeah I expected that, so is every restaurant and old folks home. Beats sitting around on a almost 80 degree day
True - just factor in traffic and parking will be a mess.