Washington Park & Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon
Washington Park
A historic park on the west side of town, with a botanical conservatory, a rose garden and one of the world's larger carillon towers, which visitors can climb for views over the park.
Washington Park is an early 20th-century city park whose planning involved the landscape designer Jens Jensen. Its rolling grassy slopes, ponds and tree-lined avenues reflect the prairie-style approach to landscape design. The Rees Memorial Carillon Tower, about 40 meters tall, holds 67 bronze bells and is one of the larger carillons in the world. It has recitals on summer weekends and hosts an international carillon festival in June. When open, visitors can climb the tower for views. Next door, the Washington Park Botanical Garden features a domed conservatory, tropical plants and a rose garden. Entry to the park is free, and the hours of the botanical garden and carillon tower change with the seasons. It is about a 10-minute drive from downtown.
Opening hours
Park open all day; botanical garden approx. 10:00–16:00
Nearby sights
- Illinois State Capitol
- Illinois State Museum
- Dana–Thomas House
- Illinois Governor's Mansion
- Old State Capitol State Historic Site
- Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices State Historic Site
- Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
- Lincoln Home National Historic Site