The 10 Best Nature & Parks in Central, Illinois (IL)

November 21, 2021 Enriqueta Cusson

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. North Garden

South Michigan Avenue E Monroe Street, Chicago, IL 60603
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1 reviews

North Garden

2. Lake Shore East Park

450 E Benton Pl,, Chicago, IL 60601 http://chicagoparkdistrict.com
Excellent
79%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 14 reviews

Lake Shore East Park

3. Grant Park

337 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601 +1 312-742-3918 http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks/grant-park
Excellent
50%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 909 reviews

Grant Park

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.

4. Ward A. Montgomery Park

630 N Kingsbury St, Chicago, IL 60654-8117 http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks/ward-aaron-montgomery-park/
Excellent
25%
Good
75%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4 reviews

Ward A. Montgomery Park

5. Oak Street Beach

1000 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60611-5303 (312) 742-7529 https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/oak-street-beach-area
Excellent
44%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 351 reviews

Oak Street Beach

Great place for water sports and biking.

6. Millennium Park

201 East Randolph Street, Chicago, IL 60601-6530 +1 312-742-1168 [email protected] http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/millennium_park.html
Excellent
71%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 24,640 reviews

Millennium Park

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.

7. Kathy Osterman Beach

5800 North Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60611
Excellent
67%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 12 reviews

Kathy Osterman Beach

8. Milton Lee Olive Park

500 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60611-3779 +1 312-744-6635
Excellent
57%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 42 reviews

Milton Lee Olive Park

9. Mariano Plaza

State and Rush Streets, Chicago, IL
Excellent
43%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 7 reviews

Mariano Plaza

10. Lakefront Trail

540 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60611-3414 +1 312-742-7529 http://www.bobbysbikehike.com/rentals/
Excellent
72%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,416 reviews

Lakefront Trail

The Chicago Lakefront Bicycle Trail is roughly 22 miles of bike paths, stretching from Indiana border up to Evanston. The trail rides through many parks including Jackson Park (including U of Chicago), Grant Park (including Buckingham Fountain/Museum Campus) Millennium Park, and Lincoln Park with its Free Zoo. Plenty of beaches and bike rentals available at Bobby's Bike Hike - 540 N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago IL 60611 (free maps, helmets).

Reviewed By rudi498 - New Delhi, India

to explore the beautiful skyline of Chicago it is a must for every visitor to rent a bike abd follow the trail. Nice views, aa lot of places to rest and enjoy the lake and the the city skyline.

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.