Grant Park | A Chicago Local’s Guide to Visiting
A trip to Chicago just isn’t complete without a visit to Grant Park. Also known as “Chicago’s front yard,” this 312.98-acre Chicago park is overflowing with some of Chicago’s top attractions and events.
Planning on visiting the Bean? The Art Institute? Museum campus? You’re in luck. These attractions and more are all located within the tree-lined edges of this beautiful downtown green space.
As a Chicago local, I can say that the city’s urban-nature balance is something that truly sets Chicago apart, and Grant Park is one of the best examples of this. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know before you go.
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About Grant Park
Grant Park’s history dates back to around 1836 when urban development was rapidly growing and the city map was being drawn.
The lakefront views in this area were (and still are!) priceless, and so the canal commissioners promised that the space would remain “forever open.” By 1844, this wide, open green space became known as Lake Park.
In 1879, the Art Institute was built and, by the early 1900s, Museum Campus had sprung up as well. Today, Grant Park is filled with countless attractions and is part of the Chicago Park District. It offers visitors and locals alike a welcome nature escape amid the downtown scene.
This Chicago park is bordered by Randolph St to the north, Michigan Ave to the west, McFetridge Dr to the south, and of course, Lake Michigan to the east. And, although Chicago’s Lincoln Park is technically the largest park in the city, Grant Park offers an unrivaled space for cultural attractions, public art, and recreation galore.
Visiting Grant Park is also one of the best free things to do in Chicago if you’re on a budget.
📚 Related Reading: Facts About Chicago
Things to Do in Grant Park
Millennium Park
This area in the northwestern corner of Grant Park is home to some of Chicago’s most notable attractions.
Millennium Park is located in the northwest corner of Grant Park. This is arguably the most notable section of Grant Park. Why? Because Millennium Park features all of the following attractions:
- ☁️ Cloud Gate – Also known as “The Bean,” this is one of Chicago’s most iconic landmarks. It was designed by artist Anish Kapoor and is meant to reflect the city’s skyline.
- ⛲ Crown Fountain – An interactive modern art display with water features. A great place for families and picnicking.
- 🌷 Lurie Garden – An urban garden oasis in the middle of Chicago, providing beautiful views and a haven for plants and wildlife.
- 🎵 Jay Pritzker Pavilion – A huge cultural, performance, and music venue where some of Grant Park’s biggest events take place.
- 🏛️ Millennium Monument & Wrigley Square – This limestone column monument was built as a tribute to the people, foundations, and donors that made Millennium Park possible.
- 🎭 Harris Theater – A performing arts theater for music and dance.
- 🎨 Boeing Galleries – An outdoor gallery of modern and contemporary art exhibitions and structures.
The Art Institute
Chicago’s premier art museum—home to a vast collection and famous artwork.
The Art Institute is one of Chicago’s top art museums as well as one of the world’s best. This impressive art museum located on the western edge of Grant Park along N Michigan Ave features American art as well as an extensive collection of work from around the world and throughout history.
Some of the famous works at the Art Institute include American Gothic by Grant Wood, The Bedroom by Vincent Van Gogh, and The Old Guitarist by Pablo Picasso. General admission is $32 for adults.
Maggie Daley Park
A family-friendly and fun-filled park for outdoor recreation.
Maggie Daley Park is a fantastic spot for all things recreation in Grant Park. Some of the activities and amenities here include the following and more:
- 🎾 Tennis courts – First-come, first-serve tennis courts available to the public.
- ⛸️ Ice skating ribbon – A seasonal outdoor ice rink with a scenic, Chicago backdrop.
- 🧗♀️ Climbing wall – A climbing park for beginners and experienced climbers.
- 🏌️♂️ Mini golf – A family-friendly mini golf course featuring Chicago landmarks.
- 🤸 Play garden – An imaginative playground for children ages 12 and under.
- 🧺 Picnic Groves – Two wood-tabled picnic areas are located on the eastern side of Maggie Daley Park.
- 🎗️ Cancer Survivors’ Garden – A beautiful, open pavilion with landscaped gardens and views of the lake.
- 🏠 Fieldhouse – A venue for events, day camps, and other activities.
- 🥪 Rink Cafe – A cafe serving up basics like hotdogs, hamburgers, and other treats.
Museum Campus
The southeastern side of Grant Park is home to the Field Museum, Adler Planetarium, and Shedd Aquarium.
Grant Park’s southeastern end is home to some of the best museums in Chicago, including:
- 🦕 The Field Museum – One of the largest natural history museums in the world.
- 🌠 Adler Planetarium – An interactive museum for astronomy and astrophysics.
- 🦈 Shedd Aquarium – Chicago’s premier aquarium that features aquatic life from around the world, as well as the Great Lakes.
- 🌳 Northerly Island Park – A peninsula that juts out from Museum Campus and is home to an urban nature sanctuary.
Buckingham Fountain and Surrounding Areas
One of the largest fountains in the world, this area is great for families to enjoy.
Buckingham Fountain is located on the eastern edge of Grant Park. This area has some cool spots to explore including:
- ⛲ Buckingham Fountain – One of the largest fountains in the world. It features water, light, and music displays.
- 🌹 Grant Park Rose Garden – A lush garden filled with a variety of roses.
- 🌳 Butler Field – An open greenspace used for recreation and concerts.
Chicago Lakefront Trail
This scenic 18-mile trail runs along Chicago’s lakefront and passes by Grant Park.
Take a walk (or bike ride) along Lake Michigan on Chicago’s Lakefront Trail. This trail hugs Chicago’s lakefront for 18 miles. Two of these 18 miles pass along the edge of Grant Park.
You can reach the Lakefront Trail from a variety of points in Grant Park. I recommend visiting Buckingham Fountain and walking over to the trail from there.
If you’re interested in racing and boating, the edge of Grant Park is also home to Chicago’s premier yacht club.
South Garden Area
Located in Grant Park’s southwest corner, this area is notable for its baseball and skateboarding.
Millennium Park may get all the credit for being one of the best parts of Grant Park, but the southwest corner of the park has some spots worth checking out, too.
The Skate Park features 1.86 acres of open recreational space for skateboarding, biking, and rollerblading. Meanwhile, Hutchinson Field is a southeastern lawn that’s home to a well-kept field, great for playing baseball.
Festivals & Events
Many of Chicago’s most notable festivals and events take place in Grant Park.
Grant Park hosts a number of events throughout the year, especially in the summertime. Some notable Chicago festivals and events include:
- 🎸 Lollapalooza – An annual summer music festival that takes over Grant Park’s southern end. This festival brings big names as well as up-and-coming artists. Performers like Lady Gaga, Kendrick Lamar, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Billie Eilish, and so many others have all played here.
- 🎹 Chicago Blues Festival – The largest blues festival in the world takes place here every summer, right in Millennium Park, with free admission.
- 🎷 Chicago Jazz Festival – A fantastic jazz festival that’s become a Chicago labor day weekend tradition. It takes place in Millennium Park and admission is free.
- 🎶 Millennium Park Summer Music Series – A free, weekly summer music series that takes place at Jay Pritzker Pavilion. A diverse lineup of artists from a variety of music genres perform for this.
- 🎼 Grant Park Music Festival – A free Grant Park tradition. This summer music series takes place at Jay Pritzker Pavilion and is known for its classical music performances by world-class orchestras and choirs.
- 🌭 Taste of Chicago – A fun (and delicious!) annual summer festival that takes place near Buckingham Fountain. Visitors can expect food vendors from all over the city, a beer hall, and crowd-pleasing musical performances. Admission is free.
- 🎥 Summer Film Series – Movies are presented on a huge screen at Jay Pritzker Pavilion and play from mid-summer through early fall. Admission is free.
Picnicking
You’ll find numerous picnicking spots throughout Grant Park, perfect for enjoying a casual afternoon in Chicago.
Grant Park has tons of great spots for light picnicking whether you want to pack your food or pick up a meal from a nearby Chicago restaurant or food truck.
Check out Crown Fountain, Millennium Monument, Picnic Groves in Maggie Daley Park, and the Lakefront Trail to be near attractions and scenery.
For a more classic picnic setup, head to the Great Lawn beneath Jay Pritzker Pavilion or any other open greenspace throughout the park.
Getting To & Around Grant Park
Depending on where you’re staying in Chicago, you may need to take the “L” train to get to Grant Park. Luckily, the park is located in the downtown Loop, which makes it easily accessible.
The train has a number of stops just a couple of blocks from the park, including State/Lake, Washington/Wabash, Adams/Wabash, and Harold Washington Library.
If you’re staying in or close to the Loop in Chicago neighborhoods like River North, Streeterville, or South Loop, then walking to the park is easy. Ubers are also an easy way to get downtown to this area. If you plan on driving in Chicago, know that there are several parking garages located beneath the park.
Walking is the best way to get around once you’re in Grant Park. Even with the park’s size, you can still get from one end of the park to the other in around 30 minutes.
You can do a segway tour or bike tour around the park if you want to spice things up. For more on bike rentals in the city, check out our guide for how to get around Chicago.
Discover Cars
If you plan on renting a car on your trip to Chicago, then the best way to do it is with Discover Cars. One of our most trusted travel resources, the service is great for comparing rental rates and securing your booking.
Grant Park Hours & Details
🎟️ Entrance - Free
🕛 Hours - 6 am - 11 pm daily
🚗 Parking - There are underground parking garages located beneath the Park, by Michigan Avenue.
🚶 Tours - The best way to visit Grant Park is to explore on foot, but there are some guided tours that include stops in the neighborhood:
- Chicago’s Ultimate City Bike Tour
- Big Bus Chicago Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
- Chicago Favorites Ultimate Food & Walking Tour
🖥️ Website - Grant Park Website
📱 Phone - (312) 742-3918
🗺️ Map It - 331 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601
Tips for Visiting Grant Park
Tip #1 - Wear Good Walking Shoes
Wearing good walking shoes in Chicago is a must, especially if you’re planning on exploring an area as wide and open as Grant Park.
Tip #2 - Go Hands-Free
It’s a good idea to be hands-free with all of the things to see and do in Grant Park. I recommend bringing a day pack if you’re traveling as a family and want a little extra storage space. Belt bags are the way to go if you just want to carry the essentials.
Tip #3 - Bring a Water Bottle
Stay hydrated by bringing a water bottle with you. This is especially important if you’re walking around Grant Park during the summer, which is one of the best times to visit Chicago.
Tip #4 - Wear Sunscreen
Chicago summers are no joke and the sun can get pretty intense. I highly recommend wearing some sunscreen for a day out in Grant Park.
👉 Check out our Chicago packing list for more on what to bring and get a free, printable version of our packing list here!
FAQs About Grant Park
Why is Grant Park famous?
Grant Park is famous because it's home to some of Chicago's biggest attractions, such as the Art Institute of Chicago, Millennium Park, and Museum Campus.
Is Grant Park and Millennium Park the same?
Grant Park and Millennium Park are not the same. However, they are located in the same place. Grant Park is the larger park that houses the smaller, Millennium Park.
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That’s a wrap! With so many fun things to do in Millennium Park and other areas, it’s one of the best places to visit in Chicago. Be sure to add it to your Chicago itinerary!
