JOIN NOW LOG IN
iVillage GardenWeb iVillage GardenWeb THE INTERNET'S GARDEN & HOME COMMUNITY ADVERTISEMENT
Blogs Forums Photo Galleries Ask The Experts Tools & Directories        
Return to the Midwest Gardening Forum | Post a Follow-Up

 o
on my way towards Madison, WI...

Posted by pastvast z5 NW Ohio (My Page) on
Sat, Aug 27, 05 at 20:30

I'm hoping some of you can provided some suggestions...

On Friday (of Labor Day Weekend), DH and I are going to Lake Mills, WI, which is < 1hr east of Madison. I'd like to make a detour along the way to either a botanical garden or a really nice (but reasonably priced) nursery.

I think we'll be taking 90 from Toledo to Chicago, and then either take 90 or 39 up towards Madison (Lake Mills). Anything within 30 minutes of those highways would be awesome!!

Thanks for helping me turn a TDI Fest into something that enables my gardening hobby =)

-Stephanie


Follow-Up Postings:

 o
RE: on my way towards Madison, WI...

  • Posted by kec01 5 Chicago IL (My Page) on
    Sat, Aug 27, 05 at 22:14

Olbrich Gardens in Madison is the best that area has to offer! It's wonderful. www.olbrich.org


 o
RE: on my way towards Madison, WI...

Monches Farm is a little further east of Lake Mills and a breathtaking drive. Here's their website.

V.

Here is a link that might be useful: Monches Farm


 o
RE: on my way towards Madison, WI...

Morton Arboretum is just north of Chicago. It wouldn't be too far out of your way if you took I-94. It's a large and very nice arboretum.

Morton Arboretum

Jerger


 o
RE: on my way towards Madison, WI...

I am a native of the Detroit area and have been living in Madison for 3 years,and for a time commuting to downtown Chicago. My husband and I often drive the roads you are taking.This is what I would do...leave NW Ohio as early as possible, if you are nervous about traffic aim to hit Chicago after 10am but not later than 1pm central time.Chicago traffic is never great, but during those times on a Friday during the summer you have a chance of getting through w/out adding an extra hour or more to your drive. Follow the Eden's Expy./I-94 toward Milwaukee.You will exit Lake Cook and the gardens will be 4 miles off the expy. When leaving follow I-94 north to WI HWY. 50 toward Lake Geneva catch Hwy. 67 NW of Lake Geneva and take it up to I-94 at which point you are 3 exits east of Lake Mills and you have had a nicer drive than the interstate through Milwaukee. I strongly recommend Monches Farm also if you can do both. If you can, leave the Botanic Gardens and keep on I-94 to Milwaukee.South of Milwaukee follow I-894 to avoid downtown and pickup I-94 again east of Brookfield. Take exit 293 (Hwy. 16?) and follow directions from the Monches Farm website. If you return home on Monday and take I-90/39 be aware I-90 traffic out of Wisconsin is especially thick after holiday weekends so give yourself some extra time. Have a great time, the weather should be excellent.


 o
RE: on my way towards Madison, WI...

How about a biggie? The Chicago Botanic Garden is in Glencoe, IL, just off I 94. It's certainly the biggest in the area. Check out their website, www.chicagobotanic.org. If you have a membership at a garden in Ohio they have a reciprocal membership admission system: the partner gardens should be on their website. (Technically, admission is free, they just charge for parking. But there is no local street parking so that option is not open.) But don't let that stop you. I go several times a year and it's always worth the parking fee.

You can use I 94 to easily get to Madison, too. It goes straight north from Chicago to Milwaukee, then makes a sharp left west and goes straight to Madison.


 o
RE: on my way towards Madison, WI...

Thanks for all the suggestions. I ended up going to the Olbrich Gardens in Madison, WI. Well worth the drive out of the way!! Even DH was impressed, which is saying something since he's not into gardening at all!

-Stephanie


 
 

 

 


Click here to learn more about in-text links on this page.



iVillage GardenWeb: The Internet's Garden & Home Community  
  iVillage Home & Garden Network