A Groovy Winter Escape: Orchid Show at Chicago Botanic Garden 🌸✌️
There is something about walking into warmth, color, and living beauty in the middle of an Illinois winter that feels like therapy for the soul.
This week I spent the day at the Chicago Botanic Garden for their annual Orchid Show — and this year’s theme was “Feeling Groovy.” Think 70’s vibes, peace signs, bold colors, and orchids arranged in playful, retro-inspired displays. It was joy-filled, nostalgic, and such a creative way to experience flowers in February.
Outside it was gray and cold.
Inside it was warm, vibrant, and alive.
Exactly what I needed.
Peace, Love… and Orchids 🌼
The entire exhibit felt like stepping into another era — peace and love woven into cascading orchids, layered textures, and bright floral palettes. The way the orchids were displayed felt artistic rather than traditional. It wasn’t just about the flowers — it was about mood, design, and storytelling.
As someone who loves both photography and thoughtful design, I found myself studying the shapes, color combinations, and lighting as much as the blooms themselves.
And of course… I had my camera.
Back Behind the Lens
This trip felt extra special because I brought my Nikon Z6III (my Nikon D780 is getting fixed now, and a few lenses to play with. My Tamron 28–70mm f/2.8 had just been repaired, and it felt so good to use it again. That lens has such versatility — sharp detail, beautiful depth of field, and flexibility in tighter greenhouse spaces.
There’s something grounding about slowing down, adjusting settings intentionally, watching light, and waiting for the right composition. It’s different from shooting on a phone. It’s more immersive.
It reminded me how much I love the creative process — the challenge of capturing something delicate like an orchid without blowing out highlights or losing texture in the petals.
Winter light inside a greenhouse can be tricky… but also magical.
Why I Decided to Get a Membership
By the end of my visit, I knew this wouldn’t be a one-time thing.
I decided to purchase a membership so I can come back throughout the year — spring blossoms, lush summer gardens, fall color, and even the quiet beauty of winter again. Free parking, some guest passes, and events - I thought it was a great idea!
Membership also opens the door to reciprocal benefits at other botanical gardens across the country. That feels like an invitation to explore — especially as I travel and photograph new places.
It’s not just about flowers.
It’s about:
Seasonal rhythm
Creative inspiration
Movement and fresh air
A place to reset
I can already picture myself biking over this summer, camera in my backpack, wandering the gardens in golden hour light.
A Simple Winter Adventure
Sometimes adventure doesn’t require a plane ticket or a mountain summit.
Sometimes it’s:
Driving north on a cold day
Walking into warmth and color
Letting creativity wake up
Investing in something that brings you back to nature again and again
The Orchid Show was playful and unexpected — a little burst of joy in the middle of winter. And it reminded me that beauty is always available… even when the landscape outside feels dormant.
I’ll be back in spring when everything begins to bloom again.
And I have a feeling this membership will become one of my favorite investments of the year.
After soaking in all the warmth and color of the orchids, I made one more stop at Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve to hike along the bluffs and walk the quiet winter shoreline. The lake was calm and layered in soft blues under a moody sky — such a contrast to the vibrant greenhouse blooms. It felt grounding to end the day with fresh air, open space, and the steady rhythm of Lake Michigan. From tropical orchids to winter beach in a single afternoon — that’s the kind of Illinois adventure I love.
Until then — peace, love, and orchids. ✌️🌸 And this playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2yHuGFf8S0Liu1o0IeWbat?si=ffc269491a3b488d - Take a listen!
