Chicago Botanic Garden

Explore the Garden

Model Railroad Garden: Landmarks of America

May 8 through October 31, 2010

Click here for Model Railroad Garden hours.

PHOTO: the Obama White House in miniature.
PHOTO: the Obama White House swingset

A family favorite returning for its 11th season, the Model Railroad Garden outdoor exhibit takes delighted visitors from coast to coast with model trains, miniature representations of America's best-loved landmarks, and colorful small-scale gardens.

Each year something new appears. For the 10th anniversary of the Model Railroad Garden in 2009, visitors were treated to a train on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad line chugging around the White House (that's the train line that transported Abraham Lincoln), and a vegetable garden and the swingset in front of the White House. New Philadelphia landmarks included the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. Find the "W" sign atop Wrigley Field, and listen for Harry Caray singing "Take me out to the ball game!"

This year, White Sox fans will be excited to see historic Comiskey Park, complete with lights and sound, and ready for the start of a game!

It's a G-Scale World

The 7,500-square-foot Model Railroad Garden features 17 garden-scale (G-scale) trains on 1,600 feet of track. The garden-scale trains are 1/29th the size of life-sized trains. Train and garden enthusiasts, 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. More than 5,000 tiny trees, shrubs, groundcovers, and flowering plants of close to 300 varieties re-create the topographical landscape of America. Vignettes of tiny people and animals give the exhibit a storybook feel, while sound effects and a working geyser capture visitors’ imaginations.

Admission

Model Railroad Garden admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 3 to 12 (Garden members save $1 per ticket). Garden Plus members enter free on Wednesdays throughout the season.

Strollers are not permitted in the exhibit; however, stroller parking is located near the entrance.

outdoor activities

The Model Railroad Garden can be the first of your fun outdoor activities for families at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Close to the city, on Chicago's north shore, the Garden has a year-round calendar of family activities and entertainment, including free kids' concerts, drop-in activities, plant giveaways, weekend family classes, and outdoor family entertainment, while also offering children the chance to explore outdoors. The Chicago Botanic Garden is one of Chicago's premier attractions, where visitors walk, enjoy nature photography, and celebrate each season with outdoor and indoor activities for families and kids of all ages.

 

Download an Activity Card to bring with you when you visit.

Answers to the Model Railroad Activity Card.

Model Railroad Garden Resources PDF.

See more photos of the Model Railroad Garden.

Enjoy a frightfully good time in the Model Railroad Garden during Tricks, Trains and Treats.

Supporting Sponsor:

LOGO: Blackman Kallick