Each year, when the seemingly never-ending winter finally gives way to the warmer temperatures of spring, we in Chicago begin to eagerly await the arrival of the amazing tulip display along Michigan Avenue. This annual tradition began over 20 years ago, and it’s one that requires a bit a forward thinking in order to succeed.
The planting process begins in late October or early November as tens of thousands of tulip bulbs are planted from Oak Street to Roosevelt Road. They are then covered with sod to protect them from the ice-melting chemicals used on the streets during winter. And finally, in early April when the temps begin the rise, the tulips start poking up and eventually complete their blooms by mid-May.
The display is quite extraordinary. The colors of the tulips change each year and also change from storefront to storefront as you journey down the Mag Mile. This year, the middle medians are full of a beautiful variety of red and pink tulips. This spectacle doesn’t last long, so make sure you get out there and enjoy it while you still can!
