Step back in time and explore a beautiful restored farm and organic garden at Elawa Farm in Lake Forest, then take a walk on the wild side at the Wildlife Discovery Center.

Elawa Farm came to life over 100 years ago as a “gentleman’s farm”, or hobby farm, for a prestigious Chicago family. Today, the restored buildings and gardens provide a peaceful place to wander, appreciate the natural origins of our food, and even interact with wildlife.

Two acres of well-tended organic gardens cover the lawn in front of the stately farm buildings. The expansive rows of vegetables and flowers create a flourishing seasonal exhibit of greens, carrots, heirloom tomatoes and more. Young children will love running around the large lawn and getting a chance to peek at familiar vegetables as they grow. The farm’s two resident sandhill cranes may be found ambling near the garden, occasionally surprising passerby with their booming trumpet calls.

Most of the farm’s buildings are closed to the public for use as offices and educational spaces, but the cobbled arcades and courtyards allow for peaceful wandering all the time. On Fridays and Saturdays, beginning in May and ending in October, the former wagon shed houses a cute seasonal farmer’s market. There, you can buy local wares and fresh food directly from the gardens themselves. Little ones will love playing with handcrafted animal finger puppets and snacking on jam pies from the market. 

The Lake Forest Wildlife Discovery Center shares Elawa Farm’s grounds and is home to almost 85 different species of animals. The Center’s helpful staff members will happily teach visitors about the resident owls, bobcats, otters, lizards, and other exciting animals roaming inside their exhibits, and allow for closer interactions with some of the animals as well. When the weather cooperates, two giant turtles are released on the lawn, and kids will love getting the chance to feed and pet them! The Wildlife Discovery Center is open on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10-4. 

A beautiful nature preserve, the Middlefork Savanna, surrounds Elawa Farm and the Wildlife Discovery Center, and offers flat trails for easy hiking through oak forest and prairies. A playground and picnic area across the street from Elawa Farm provide the perfect end to a morning spent exploring the area.