Picture wandering a wooded path in Illinois and turning a corner to spot a wooden giant peeking through the branches, taller than your house and made entirely from scrap lumber. For a few unforgettable years, colossal trolls dreamed up by a Danish artist stood watch over a sprawling nature preserve just outside Chicago.
Families drove in from all over to hunt them down, camera in hand. While those trolls have since packed up, the arboretum they called home still delivers plenty of wonder for a budget-friendly day out.
A 1,700-Acre Wonderland in Lisle
Sitting just off Interstate 88 in Lisle, this sprawling green giant covers a jaw-dropping 1,700 acres of trees, trails, and open sky. It works as both a public botanical garden and a serious research center devoted entirely to trees.
Located in DuPage County, it sits an easy drive from Chicago and its western suburbs, making it a doable day trip for much of northern Illinois. Regulars often admit they lived nearby for years before finally visiting, then kicked themselves for waiting…