BOTANIC GARDENS' WONDERLAND EXPRESS

In my previous post I mentioned our visit to the Chicago Botanic Gardens' Wonderland Express, the annual holiday display of model trains meandering through replicas of the famous skyscrapers and historic landmarks of Chicagoland, all of which are made of natural materials. The craftsmanship is just amazing; the details and use of natural materials so unique. Here are some of my favorite buildings and landmarks:

As a train crosses over the Michigan Avenue Bridge, replicas of famous skyscrapers such as the Sears Tower, Tribune Tower, AON Building and John Hancock Building stand along miniature conifer trees and poinsettia plants.

Behind the replica of Chicago's Union Station sit the Chase Tower and the Wrigley Building with its clock tower.

The detailing on the building replicas is so exact: even the famous Art Institute lions, with their unusual names of "On The Prowl" and "In An Attitude of Defiance", have on their Christmas wreaths.

Both the Museum of Science and Industry...

and the Field Museum were surrounded by miniature conifer trees, poinsettias and other festively-colored plants.

The trellis criss-crossing over the Great Lawn of the Pritzker Pavillion lies in front of the curls-of-tree-bark, Frank Gehry-designed band shell. It's all surrounded by small lighted conifer trees and multiple-colored poinsettias.

It's winter, so the new Maggie Daley skating ribbon has to be featured.

It's quiet now that the Bears season is over, but the stadium looks beautiful surrounded by poinsettias and dwarf fir trees.

Not only is the Michael Jordan statue in front of the old Chicago Stadium, but a tour bus holds a replica of one of the Blackhawk's Stanley Cups.

Plants such as Blue Carpet Juniper surround the famous Water Tower.

The Chicago History Museum is surrounded with beautiful greenery and bright red poinsettias.

Chicago is the home of President Obama, and his family home looks festive surrounded with beautiful red plants 

There's even a miniature replica of the Picasso sculpture.

This video shows you how volunteers and experts assemble the tracks, trains, greenery and buildings and how it all comes together, down to the snow falling on the delight visitors, both young and old.

Wonderland Express is open annually from the Friday after Thanksgiving through the New Year's weekend.

Thank you for visiting.

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All photos were taken by me. Unauthorized use is prohibited.