Wonderland Express

 

If you live in the Chicagoland area, a winter visit to the Chicago Botanical Gardens is a must.  From November 26th to January 2nd, the Wonderland Express is open.  This magical experience features "a 10,000-square-foot exhibition of miniature trains winding over bridges, under trestles, past waterfalls, and through more than 80 mini-replicas of Chicago's favorite landmarks. All buildings are handcrafted from natural materials like leaves, bark, and moss."  Not just for children, this is truly something everyone should see. I cannot recommend this enough.

Augie walks under one of the 4 trestle bridges.

The Shedd Aquarium

 

The Chicago Theater

They have a mini-Chicago skyline featuring Navy Pier, the Sears Tower, and Marina City.  It even snows over the skyline!

Buckingham Fountain

Picasso on Daley Plaza

Obama Family House in Chicago

They even have the Crate and Barrel store on Michigan.  

The Stanley cup (made from baby coconut husk, eucalyptus pod, sea grass rope, burr oak, acorn caps, turkey tail mushroom, sponge mushroom, and cork bark) is new this year!  Duh-di-duh, Duh-di-duh, Duh-di-duh-di-duh-di-duh!!!!

The gallery just outside the Wonderland Express Exhibit is transformed into an English country train platform with another miniture train garden running the length of the gallery.  

The faux train platform is decorated adorably. There are packages, suitcases, and a ticket booth!

On your way out, check out the outdoor grounds as well.  Their Christmas lights are beautifully done.

 Every inch of their trees are covered in lights. It is amazing!!

Check out the Botanical Gardens website for more info- http://www.chicagobotanic.org/wonderland/about.php

This is a must see!