Millennium Park Lincoln Park Grant Park Buckingham Fountain

Chicago Parks

Chicago’s beautiful parks offer serenity and space under the brilliant skyline. Explore Chicago’s 7,300 acres of parkland, including 552 parks, 33 beaches, two conservatories, 16 historic lagoons, 10 bird and wildlife gardens, and sports and entertainment venues -and enjoy thousands of outdoor events, concerts and tours

Millennium Park. Set in downtown Chicago on Michigan Ave., Millennium Park is an extraordinary showplace for art, music, architecture, and landscape design. The 24.5-acre park defines Chicago as America’s greatest and most culturally diverse city. Surrounding the dazzling Jay Pritzker Pavilion -the most sophisticated outdoor concert venue of its kind in country -are inspiring works of art, including Cloud Gate, a mammoth stainless steel sculpture, the Crown Fountain and the beautiful Lurie Garden. Experience the park’s amazing works of public art and architecture, as well as free classical music presentations by the Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus, ice skating and alfresco dining. Visit www.millenniumpark.org.  [Top]

Lincoln Park. With its green open spaces and historic zoo, Lincoln Park is a place of relaxation and rejuvenation. Chicago's largest public park offers recreational facilities including baseball and softball fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, volley ball courts, field houses, a golf course, and a popular fitness center. Enjoy an evening stroll through Lincoln Park Conservatory, visit the historic zoo's impressive collection of primates, polar bears, and wild beasts, or explore the beautiful beaches and harbours with boating facilities. The park offers landscaped gardens, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, and a theater on the lake with outdoor performances during the summer.  [Top]

Grant Park. Situated between Michigan Avenue and Lake Michigan, Grant Park is Chicago's most beloved downtown park. The Park's unique geometric design consists of a series of bridges, lawns, trees and monuments, including a statue of Abraham Lincoln. The park features the Petrillo Music Shell, which presents diverse outdoor concerts to the city, including Blues, Gospel, Jazz, Country and Classical. Grant Park includes Museum Campus -Shedd Aquarium, Art Institute and the Field Museum of Natural History -and is the site of Chicago's annual Taste of Chicago, held each summer. The park's most distinguishing feature is Buckingham Fountain, built in 1927, and the newest addition is Millennium Park at the north end. The front of the park along Michigan Lake is a favorite space for strollers, joggers and bikers.  [Top]

Buckingham Fountain. Located in Grant Park, Buckingham Fountain is one of Chicago's most popular attractions and one of the largest fountains in the world. The four sea horses on its sides represent the four states that touch Lake Michigan -Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. The popular Chicago landmark and attraction operates from approximately April 1 to November 1 each year and runs from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm. Every hour on the hour for 20 minutes, the fountain produces a dazzling water display and the center jet shoots 150 feet into the air. At dusk, the fountain's water show is accompanied by 820 lights and music.  [Top]