Explore Chicago
CNGP offers City and native plant events & tours and workshops teaching gardening and connecting people. Participants leave inspired to grow greener at home.
Events & tours
Israel isn’t just a tour guide — he’s a storyteller, a neighborhood ambassador, and one of Chicago’s most unforgettable hosts. As a longtime Chicago Greeter, he’s spent years welcoming visitors from around the world, showing them the city’s hidden corners, famous landmarks, and everything in between. Whether you speak English or Spanish, Israel’s got a way of making you feel right at home — like you’re exploring the city with an old friend who just happens to know every great story, scenic shortcut, and secret garden in town. Native plant events and tours have meaning.
Día de los Muertos Fundraiser Experience
October 24 – November 2, 2025
Step inside our University Village neighborhood home as it is transformed into a sacred Día de los Muertos celebration featuring many living ofrendas, each lovingly designed by Israel to honor ancestry, memory, and the beauty of spiritual continuity.
This is not just a tour; it is an invitation into tradition, storytelling, and reverence.
Every guided experience lasts approximately 40–45 minutes and includes shared meaning behind each altar. It’s symbolism, personal dedication, and connection to community healing.
All donations support the Morgan Street Native Garden, helping us protect pollinators through winter and prepare for spring bloom.
Your contribution ensures our neighborhood continues to grow not just flowers but memory, belonging, and hope.
Suggested donation: $50 per group up to 5 people.
Only a limited number of tour spots are available. Advance booking is essential. Specific location details follow booking. Maximum group size: FIVE (5)
Chicago City Tour
Take a fabulous private tour with Israel — you and your guests will experience a lively journey through the city’s neighborhoods filled with stories of history, architecture, quirky fun facts, and Chicago’s powerful connection to the Great Lakes. Suggested Donation: $50
🌿 Chicago Urban Garden Tour with Israel
Discover the green heart of the city! Join Israel for a fun, eye-opening tour of Chicago’s hidden gardens — from the Morgan Street Native Garden and Mural to lush gems like Garfield Park Conservatory, Montrose Bird Sanctuary, and the Japanese Gardens near the Museum of Science and Industry. You’ll see how nature thrives in the most unexpected places! Suggested Donation: $50
