Stopped by the Oak Park Conservatory Winter Greens Market to pick up a little fresh decor. For $12, for example, you can get a bunch of cedar branches, which I’ve distributed between a candleholder (cutting them up some), and the dining table runner. They also sell door swag, garlands, various decorative items to add to planters and vases, poinsettias, amaryllises, and more.
(Note that they’re running a little low on fresh greenery right now, but have ordered more, so if you don’t want it urgently, you might want to wait a few days for a more full selection.)
I also wandered around the conservatory a bit; I used to come here all the time when my kids were little, as it was a great, safe place to let them run around and let me have a little break.
Note that they’re doing a historic renovation of the glass windows in one of the rooms, so that one, you’ll want to keep your coats on for, but you can still visit all three main rooms — the poinsettia display is impressive! Also fun visiting the parrots, the koi pond, and the tiny waterfall…
Free to visit, 10-4 Tues – Sun, closed on Mondays. It’s also closed on Christmas Day and closes at 12 on Christmas Eve (but the free Garfield Park Conservatory is open both days!)
