Grant Park
331 E. Randolph Street
(at Columbus Dr)
Chicago, IL 60601 (312) 742-7648
- Nearest Transit:
Randolph/Wabash (Orange, Brown, Purple Express, Green, Pink)
- Good for Kids: Yes
36 Reviews for Grant Park
I love walking by Grant Park when I have the opportunity to visit Chicago. I love its location as you have Chicago's gritty skyline in the background. It is a great place to get away from the noise and fast paced Chicago streets.
Ahhh...Grant Park. A haven in a concrete jungle, semi-solitude to escape the clutches of urban life.
Now, of course I have been to Grant Park many times in my stint as a Chicagoan (more specifically as a nanny in a nearby high rise). However, today I had ample time and space to examine it. The American Cancer Society's Walk 'n Roll sends walkers on a 5k stroll throughout this beautiful lakefront path, and with the pace at a somewhat painstaking clip, all we had left to do was admire the space...
Carefully landscaped, blooming trees, a wide expanse of "green" area, baseball diamonds, shaded hideaways, easily accessible by many forms of mass transit (Metra stops, bus stops, el stops, you name it, there's even parking if you care to blow $30 or so)...nearby Museum Campus, Millennium Park, Monroe Harbor and basically many of the beautiful spots Chicago has to offer. Packaged and presented for public consumption and enjoyment...can't beat that, really.
For as much as we piss and moan about Mayor Daley, he does a fine job with his parks...hats off to that.
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In the midst of the concrete jungle known as Chicago, there is this beautiful park that takes you away. And it just so happens to be a block from my house!
I walked thru the park on Saturday after enjoying the most amazing lunch with a friend on the beautiful green grass of nearby Millennium Park and I forgot how much stuff there is here! Walkways and hills and stairs and baseball diamonds and grass to have a picnic or have a small soccer game or whatever you wish. It also has Buckingham Fountain and the Taste of Chicago in June and July.
It is perfect and there are plenty of places to sit and catch a great view of the Skyline and it is surprisingly quiet too!
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I love this park because it's a real departure from normal Chicago lifestyle caught up in the elevated trains or the super high skyscrapers.
So I've been here for like, school field trips and stuff but only this year with the new girlfriend who is also local have I had the reason to go strolling through the park and talk for hours, noticing different things. Of course, I know what you're all thinking, it's because we've all been underneath a foot of snow the entire winter but not so! The whole thing about this place is that it's really nice - almost like one of those british lawns you see in those old time movies.
Anyway, I liked this park and it was a great place to take a walk through and unplug today.
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Taste of Chicago was fun even though it was unbearably hot.... Isn't that the same fountain from Married with Children?
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I love this park. It sits right on the lakefront and is really peaceful at night, perfect for romantic walks. It commands a great view of the skyline both during the day and at night. In addition to the spacious greens and Buckingham Fountain, there are also a lot of trails, which makes this a good rollerblade destination (late at night, when you don't have to worry about traffic on the streets). I remember late night blading expeditions from UIC with great fondness.
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I've always loved Grant Park, a true gem in Chicago, love the location amazing scenery, great place to jog .....You also have the Musical festivals, The Taste (ok, hate the crowd love to get the food and take it home), wonderful bike trails and just a slew of activities happen around and at this park.....
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I feel so very blessed to be living so close (1 block) to such a huge awesome park. My dog and I walk over here every day. This park hosts concerts and special events. I love all of the beautiful flowers, statues, and fountains. This city park is amazing.
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How fabulous to live within walking distance of Grant Park and be able to walk down on a gorgous Saturday and play tennis for an hour for $7. I love my life.
I also love the wacky twisting bridge over Lake Shore Drive, even if it is (as my boyfriend loves to point out) inefficient. And I love the fountain, too. And the ping-pong tables! I haven't used them yet, but I will, oh I will.
And the festivals! Gee whiz. I really love Grant Park. Picnics & fireworks & outdoor films, oh my.
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It's very peaceful to walk here in the summer, now that most of the tourists and families seem to take over Millennium Park June through August. The flowers are just gorgeous, and the walking paths are interesting. I saw two mounted Chicago police officers letting their horses drink from a fountain along Michigan Avenue a few weeks ago. It's also fun to people- and dog-watch here.
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Ten public tennis courts you can rent/reserve for $7/hour. A nice diversion downtown! Skyline at sunset after work while serving 85% of my serves into the net...nothing beats that.
Although, I dock one star for having to pay to use a city public park's tennis courts. I suspect that's just the nature of the beast though. Enjoy!
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Beautiful park - great place to get some pictures and take a stroll. Didn't get to spend a lot of time here on my visit, but can definitely recommend it's a nice place to go. It was clean (at least the area I was in), and there were lots of things to see. Got some neat pictures of statues and a fountain.
Good venue for Lollapalooza.
It was about 700 degrees Fahrenheit but there were plenty of water fountains and cooling buses.
All of the stages were in the same field but somehow the sounds didn't interfere with each other.
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Regardless that this is a nice park for a picnic or just to relax between class but can I ever be relaxed in this park? It's right next to frickin' busy Michigan Avenue. Fun for people watching. They also have a lot of events going on like Taste of Chicago and Lollapalooza.
I think I'm just so bitter and jaded about Chicago *gulp*
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This BITCH loves to people watch and this place is it. And Natalie it was 2000 degrees Fahrenheit that day. I was a mutha but there was water aplenty. It's a great spot to meet up with friends and just hang out. It's accessible by everything. It's crazy big and the view of the city and water and everything makes it the best spot in the city. We got some sandwiches from a spot near there - don't remember the name but it was very cool. Even taking your loser friends work going to this place. You can pretend to be listening to them as they drone on and on about their chaotic - what's the purpose - life and be looking at some great sights and appear to be actively listening.
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What a beautiful park. So many memories of family, walking with the one you love and it's another crown jewel in the crown that is Chicago. This one place that you have to go to when you visit Chicago.
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+ 1 star for being a very well kept city park.
+ 1 star for the festivals
+ 1 star for the fountain
+ 1 star for the fireworks
+ 1 star for the movies in the park
+ 1 star for the adequate washroom facilities (go by the fountain)
+ 1 star for the beautiful vegetation
- 1 star for the crowds
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Uh-mazing! Holy cow. I haven't seen fireworks display in 10 years! It's not that I don't celebrate 4th of July. It doesn't get dark during the summers in Alaska so it's not the same as here. It sucks to watch fireworks display when you are in 20+ hours of daylight all summer long. I couldn't believe this event. It made me realize how beautiful things are and how so many people can be in one place, just amazing. WOW, I have never seen so many people in one place, literally millions of people in this world.
Utter amazing-ness!!! I would give it 10 stars for this 4th of July fireworks display. I only wish I had my family and friends from back home with me to enjoy this event.
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5 stars for being a great city park, from outdoor amphitheater to dining area to strolling in the park, the city needs a open space where free expression and laughter fill the air.
In my first week in Chicago, I had a night to remember with a special friend, who surprised me with a night in the park with world music. What a great vibe, the stage is set, the music surrounds you and the people are dancing..
i saw belly dancers, children playing, lovers intertwined. A cross section of life that will only be replaced by something similar yet so different, just days, moments and hours later..
See ya at Lollapalooza!!!
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Great place to spend time in the city. I like it in the fall, right before it get's deathly cold and windy... Especially nice in the morning between 6 and 7am before all the people show up:)
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I agree with the reviews that it's a beautiful park that is very well kept. I come here every summer with the rest of Chicago and many tourists for the Taste of Chicago. Although the crowds get to be a little much it's a fun time and it's unbelievable how many people they fit into this park.
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Quite a lovely park. A great way to take in the city on your first day there. I'm so glad we wandered over here. It led us to many other lovely parts of Chicago. I'll definitely return on my next visit!
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This park is absolutely beautiful and Buckingham fountain is a splendid sight....much bigger than I anticipated. The park is huge and you have a beautiful view of the waterfront. I definitely recommend this place!
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It is quite a mad house for the Taste of Chicago, but totally worth it for the great food. If you have to drive though, traffic sucks for special events. I can't wait to check out the many great festivals that will be hosted here this year, including Lollapalooza. As many have alluded to already, Buckingham Fountain is great, as are the skyline and harbor views.
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Millenium Park
What a beautiful job they've done. The bandshell was amazing! Frank Gehry in all his glory. My soul soars along with his structures! Sneaking inside the barricades I was chastized by a park custodian who looked to be about 12 years old. But I quickly made friends by asking him some questions about the sound booth that sinks into the ground during performances. I wandered. The sculpture additions are gorgeous and make such an impact. I was impressed by the knowledge of the very young custodians who very competently answered my inquiries. The bean is beautiful. A mercurial dollop that is recessed on its underside. As you walk under it, the reflected grid from the pavement creates an incredible optical illusion on its nether regions. I looked up into it and my tiny mirrored image was scatterd all over its concave underbelly. My favorite though, was the opposing monolithic blocks with water cascading over their walls. They featured faces of actual Chicagoans that communicate to one another as streams of water shoot out from between their lips - such a wonderful idea for a city that can be sweltering in summertime! A great big, wet, interactive and visually stunning installation that cools you off in July to boot! After seeing everything I could see, I strolled next door to the Chicago Art Institute to reminisce. I love those lions - noble bronze beasts that they are.
Truly brings character to Chicago. Worth going for their festival and everything or even just a nice walk.
One of my favorite and most fondly-remembered places in Chicago. My parents took my to every city event, going back to the Daley Senior administration when business people wore batik suits and carried macrame briefcases. My dad used to come to Yippie demonstrations. I love Buckingham fountain, Taste of Chicago, Jazz Fest, Blues Fest (aka Booze Fest), the concerts, the gardens, fireworkson the 4th, you name it.
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While many people frequent this park on nice days it still manages to feel peaceful. The grass is green and trimmed, artistic displays and statues honoring the past are here, flowers of every color are planted in the spring, baseball fields and tennis courts are up for use, and bikepaths cover the lakefront. Grant Park is vast with plenty of room to stretch out in the grass, play some sports, see somes sights, and just take a break from the city. Many cultural events are held in the park year-round, particularly during the summer, and it's worth it to get out and see those. Last year, Columbia College's Manifest festival had all sorts of fun activities and live music free to anyone who came. In the evening you can see rabbits playing "follow the leader" in shaded glens. Occasionally ducks will even wander into the pathways! Be sure to enjoy the serenity of this pleasant park.
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Grant Park is big and beautiful, and it's right in downtown Chicago. It offers a fabulous view of the skyline, and of course, the famous Buckingham Fountain, where you can cool off on a windy day.
A beautiful park! Keep a lookout for the different events they have there! Free movies in the park are awesome as well as the Blues fest and all the other festivals they have in this awesome park!
Best park in the city! Tuesday night during the summer they play a movie in the park..you can bring a picnic, a bottle of wine and your favorite friends and watch a good movie under the stars!
This is an awesome park in downtown Chicago! It's especially great on summer nights when they have fireworks. It's really well-kept and a great place to take a leisure walk at any time of day!
I love to come here to see Buckingham fountain and see events and concerts here. The grounds are beautifully maintained and the view of the skyline is awesome. I have always had a really good time at each event or anytime I've strolled the grounds here.
Chicago's oldest large-scale park provides great views of the skyline and offers lots of open space for picnics and family activities. The Petrillo Band Shell always houses live music, and everyone from famous singers to local bands have performed in this venue. During the summer, enjoy a movie in the park or fireworks on the lakefront. And while you're there, don't forget to stop by the Buckingham Fountain for a spectacular display.
really huge...is where the March of Dimes usually takes place...great lake view and a lot of events are usually held here throughout the year
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beautiful park...many events are hosted here in the summer...My favorites include the weekly movies shown on Tuesdays...Taste of Chicago concerts....Jazz Fest...Must see for all tourists and definitely a place you cannot avoid as a Chicagoan.
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