Location: Chicago
Top Things to do in Chicago
The 10 Best Nature & Parks in Chicago, Illinois (IL)
The windy city is a cornucopia of modern art, fine dining, cutting edge comedy, and die-hard sports fans. Snap a photo of your reflection in the silver Cloud Gate sculpture at Millennium Park before heading to Grant Park to get hit with the refreshing spray of Buckingham Fountain. There are dozens of museums and theater companies in Chicago, so a cultural experience is never hard to find. You’re sure to laugh your head off at the Second City Theater, the professional launch pad of many famous comedians.
Restaurants in Chicago
1. Jackson Bark - Dog Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 36 reviews
Jackson Bark is a community dog park. The only dog park on the southside of Chicago and the largest 100% enclosed dog park in the city. Over 50 agility features and amenities, plus free parking, water and toys. Voted "Best of Chicago: Dog Park", Chicago Reader 2016.
Reviewed By joelp297
This was such a diamond in the Ruff! Thanks to the volunteers that keep this fun packed dog park safe, entertaining for the dogs and their humans - even had a DJ with some great music for all to enjoy. Was looking for a dog park that had structure, not the run-of-the-mill open area park. Well we found it. This dog park had fun obstacles for the dogs, safety items and lots of bags to help keep it clean. A Must Go!
2. Promontory Point
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
Promontory Point on Chicago's South Side has been known in recent years as the site of Barack and Michelle Obama's first kiss. But it's much more than that. Its view of Lake Michigan and Chicago's skyline may not be as scenic as the view from North Avenue Beach but it is an attractive piece of landscape. Located at 55th Street in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood, Promontory Point or The Point is a man-made peninsula jutting into Lake Michigan that was opened to the public in 1937. It was constructed from landfill and by the late 1930s was protected by a seawall or revetment that consists of limestone blocks arranged in a series of four steps leading to a promenade. The 12-acre peninsula, which contains a fieldhouse and was a popular destination for swimmers, sunbathers and windsurfers in the pre-pandemic period, can be accessed by the Lakefront Trail and a tunnel which passes under South Lake Shore Drive at the east end of 55th street, in the shadow of the Museum of Science and Industry. With its view of Navy Pier and Chicago's skyline and Lake Michigan, and the presence of stone sitting rings or fire pits that date to 1938, Promontory Point is a popular wedding and corporate event location and an area for family picnics. And first kisses.
3. Lake Shore East Park
4. Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By dvkremk - Venice, United States
This was a great place to see birds and great views of the city. There are nice paths to see various plants and birds. You can't believe you are still in Chicago.
5. Lincoln Park Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,859 reviews
Established in 1868, this 35-acre, beautifully landscaped zoo is one of America's last free-admission zoos. The Great Ape House has one of the best assemblages of gorillas and chimpanzees in the world.
Reviewed By Susantoot62 - Munster, United States
The Lincoln Park zoo lights for Christmas are extremely beautiful. My family and I stroll through this magnificent park and saw the incredible display of beautiful Christmas lights. Some of the lights are actually in the shape of animals of course! There is ice carving also. You can stroll enjoying hot chocolate hot coffee and other refreshments. It is great for all ages! And guess what, it is free
6. Lincoln Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 855 reviews
Home to the Lincoln Park Zoo, this popular park is also located in a neighborhood called Lincoln Park.
Reviewed By BonnieT159 - Chicago, United States
Lincoln Park is both a neighborhood in Chicago and a real park. The park houses a wonderful nature walk surrounding a lagoon, the fantastic Cafe Brauer, the only free zoo left in the US, and much open public space that is used by visitors for everything from sports to bar-b-ques and more, A great place to visit. Be sure to stop on the bridge going over the lagoon. The view of Downtown Chicago is great from here, and many movies are shot here.
7. Grant Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 909 reviews
Dedicated in 1844, this park covers 319 acres along Lake Michigan and is home to the Shedd Aquarium, the Adler Planetarium, the Field Museum and the Art Institute.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
People are looking for things to do during the Coronavirus pandemic. Some friends claim they are bored. They have nothing to do. Are they kidding? For Chicagoans, it is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy all of the attractions that the city has to offer. When was the last time you visited Grant Park? There is so much to do, you can't see it all in one or even two days. It's like taking a three-day vacation at home. Bordered by Randolph Street on the north, Roosevelt Road on the south, Michigan Avenue on the west and Lake Michigan on the east, the 319-acre urban park is popularly referred to as "Chicago's front yard." Founded in 1844, it has grown in size by extending into the lake with debris from the Great Chicago Fire in 1871 and landfill. Originally known as Lake Park, it was renamed in 1901 to honor Ulysses S. Grant. Among the features are Millennium Park, Maggie Daley Park, Art Institute of Chicago, Buckingham Fountain, Petrillo Music Shell, Field Museum, Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium, Crown Fountain, Cloud Gate (aka The Bean), Lurie Garden, Congress Plaza, Court of the Presidents, Chicago Lakefront Trail, Hutchinson Field, Monroe Harbor, Skate Plaza, even an 18,000-square-foot, off-leash dog park. In addition, there are 16 softball/baseball fields and 12 tennis courts. Don't forget the public art, magnificent sculptures such as the Abraham Lincoln Monument, the large equestrian statue of Civil War general and Illinois-born John A. Logan and the Agora, a series of 106 headless, armless sculptures designed by Polish artist Magdalena Abakanowicz. Grant Park was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993.
8. Oak Street Beach
9. Lincoln Park Conservatory
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 761 reviews
A Chicago institution for more than a century, the Conservatory's Main Garden blooms with more than 40,000 annuals.
Reviewed By design007 - Granger, United States
Wow. Amazing little gem and with a history. Free admission which was a nice surprise. Lincoln Park Zoo around the corner when you are done. Blooming flowers, plants and bushes like I was at the Masters. Hard to believe these hardy plants, trees , and orchids can thrive in the winter. In the summer this conservatory is open air. The smell and peacefulness is what amazes you too. A young man was on a bench reading. Relaxing, while the cold of Chicago was a few steps away. Good for all ages.
10. Millennium Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24,640 reviews
Three square blocks of open lakefront complete with a Ferris Wheel, outdoor music pavillion and ice skating rink; expected to become one of the city's most popular sites.
Reviewed By 314LH - Chicago, United States
Cloud Gate (the bean to locals) is a 12-ft high stainless steel sculpture chosen in competition as the winning design (by Brit Anish Kapoor), inspired by liquid mercury. Begun in 2004, finished in 2006, it's become a Chicago icon that provides unique photo opportunities. Enjoy great views of downtown (and the skating rink in winter) from its platform, stroll the area to view regularly-changing public art exhibits, the Pritzker Pavilion, Lurie Garden, and fabulous Frank Gehry designed BP bridge.
