Top Chicago Parks

Why stay cooped up inside when you can come out and play in one of Chicago's amazing parks? Totaling 570 parks combined, the Chicago Park District features more than 7,600 acres of beautiful parkland. Gardens, beaches, museums, fitness centers, playgrounds, the list of things to do goes on and on. Check out five of our favorite Chicago parks.

Grant Park: Enjoy 319 acres of natural beauty, mixed in with cultural and historic landmarks. Grant Park is people and pet friendly. The park is often referred to as "Chicago's front yard," and is the site of three world-class museums, including the Art Institute of Chicago, the Field Museum of Natural History and the Shedd Aquarium. Make sure to toss a coin into the Buckingham Fountain. Built in 1927, the monumental fountain is the park's centerpiece. Bike trails, jogging paths, tennis courts, baseball fields and more await you at Grant Park. Grant Park is located at 337 E. Randolph Street in downtown Chicago.

Millennium Park: Located in the heart of downtown Chicago is Millennium Park, a 24.5-acre park featuring the works of world-famous architects, planners, artists and designers. The park contains identifiable sculptures by Frank Gehry and Jaume Plensa, as well as the infamous Cloud Gate sculpture (or "the beam") by Anish Kapoor. Numerous events occur year round at the park, including iceskating at McCormick Tribune Ice Rink from December to April, regularly scheduled music festivals and free Monday afternoon concerts. Millennium Park is located at 201 E. Randolph Street in downtown Chicago, and is open daily from 6 a.m. - 11 p.m.

Jackson Park: It's no wonder Jackson Park was chosen as the site to host the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. With 600 acres for athletes, nature lovers and beach bums to explore, Jackson Park is one of the largest public recreational spaces in Chicago. The park boasts a variety of facilities, including golf courses, fitness centers, jogging/walking paths, playgrounds, and more. Make sure to check out the many expansive gardens located throughout. Jackson Park is located at 6401 S. Stony Island Avenue. Open weekdays from 9 a.m.-10 p.m. and weekends 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Garfield Park: Located on the West Side of Chicago, Garfield Park stretches over 184 acres of land. The park features plenty of active facilities for baseball, boxing, swimming, tennis and basketball, and contains excellent paths for jogging, walking and bicycling. Garfield Park's major attraction is the Garfield Park Conservatory. Occupying almost five acres of indoor and outdoor space, the conservatory features permanent plant exhibits incorporating specimens from around the world. Some of the ferns you'll see here are over 300 years old. Admission is always free. Garfield Park is located at 300 N. Central Park Avenue. Open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and Wednesday from 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

Lake Shore Park: Lake Shore Park currently sits atop what were originally the sand dunes of Lake Michigan. The park today offers plenty of outdoor recreational opportunities, including tennis courts, a running track, softball diamonds, and a playground. You can't beat Lake Shore Park's location. Nestled between the lake and the Museum of Contemporary Art, this Chicago park is great for taking a leisurely stroll or hitting the pavement hard. The park is located at 808 N. Lake Shore Drive. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-11 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m.-9 p.m.