Grant Park is a large urban park in the Loop community area of
Chicago. Located in Chicago’s central business district, the park’s most
notable features are Millennium Park, Buckingham Fountain, the Art
Institute of Chicago and the Museum Campus.
-Recommended by Ajani Jones
Millennium Park is a public park located in the Loop community area of Chicago and originally intended to celebrate the third millennium. The park officially opened in 2004, four years behind schedule. Within the park is the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Cloud Gate, the Crown Fountain, the Lurie Garden, and various other attractions including Grant Park which hosts Lollapalooza. Because the park sits atop a parking garage and the commuter rail Millennium Station, it is considered the world’s largest rooftop garden.
Maggie Daley Park is a 20-acre public park in the Loop community
area of Chicago. It is near the Lake Michigan shoreline in northeastern
Grant Park.
This popular dog-friendly beach draws patrons for its numerous activities including kayaking and volleyball rentals, non-motorized boat launch, and distance swimming at Tower 4. After working up an appetite, visit one of the many food concessions to sate your hunger. Take some time to look around – a natural dune habitat shows thriving endangered plant life, and attracts many migratory birds during the fall and spring.
“We love Montrose Beach in the summer! They’ve got a little restaurant/bar where live music is held right on the beach. It’s also spitting distance from the dog beach if you want to see a million dogs have the ACTUAL times of their lives.” – Late Nite Laundry
Recommended in the Chicago edition of the Waterloo Sparkling Sessions, presented by Waterloo Sparkling Water.
Chicagoans come to Humboldt to enjoy baseball, soccer and tennis, as well as fishing by the lagoon.
-Recommended by Post Animal and DEHD
Hollywood Beach (recently renamed Osterman Beach for the late Kathy Osterman, the former Special Events Director for the city) is a smaller beach that attracts the local gay community and neighboring residents and features a fishing pier and a gay volleyball league.
Promontory Point is a man-made peninsula jutting into Lake Michigan. It is located in Chicago’s Burnham Park. The Point was constructed from landfill and by the late 1930s was protected by a seawall or revetment.
Sandy swimming beach, open seasonally, featuring lifeguards, skyline views, concession stands, picnicking and a boat launch.
Baseball, basketball & soccer are offered at this local park with playgrounds & a game room.
Public swimming pool in Chicago, Illinois.
Union Park spans 13.46 acres and offers tennis courts, baseball fields, a swimming pool, a playground, an athletic field for football or soccer and basketball courts, as well as a field-house with a theater.
The park hosts events throughout the year including Pitchfork Music Festival, concerts, movie screenings, and more.
Located right on the shore of Lake Michigan, locals flock to Oak Street Beach for its laid-back atmosphere and unbeatable views of Chicago’s skyline accented by palm trees (the city imports them every year). Play or watch a beach volleyball game and one of the many volleyball nets set up on the sand, or simply lay back and enjoy the people watching.
The 63rd Street Beach features a non-motorized boat launch site. A natural area provides much-needed habitat for migrating birds in the spring and fall seasons.
“Nestled along Lake Michigan, and right outside of Chicago, Fort Sheridan is a beautiful beachside escape from the big city.” – Pool Holograph
Recommended in the Chicago edition of the Waterloo Sparkling Sessions, presented by Waterloo Sparkling Water.
“…because even though I don’t go, I always imagine being a headliner.” – Wyatt Waddell
Recommended in the Chicago edition of the Waterloo Sparkling Sessions, presented by Waterloo Sparkling Water
“…the perfect summer experience with great bands and good hangs.” – Discus
Recommended in the Chicago edition of the Waterloo Sparkling Sessions, presented by Waterloo Sparkling Water.