Entry No. 39 — the Chicago file — filed under: outdoor-weird

Bahá'í House of Worship Gardens

A white temple that rises 190 feet over Lake Michigan, its lacework dome looking like carved stone. The concrete is mixed with quartz so the whole structure quietly shimmers, and it stands on nine sides with nine doors, ringed by nine fountains and formal gardens. Look close at the pillars: the cross, the Star of David, the star and crescent and more sit side by side. It is the oldest surviving Bahá'í House of Worship in the world, and one of only a handful on the planet.

The move: Stroll the nine symmetrical garden quadrants beneath the lace-like dome, then sit in the quiet of the temple interior.

• 📍 Wilmette
• 💸 Free
• ⚡ Up for anything
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: 100 Linden Ave, Wilmette, IL 60091

Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Proof: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4

last checked: 2026-06-23