I’m a Chicago local and the abundance of parks in Chicago is one of the top reasons I love living here. The city is full of green space and it’s well dispersed so it never feels like you’re stuck in a concrete jungle.
In this guide, I cover popular Chicago parks featuring cultural attractions, viewpoints, gardens, and nature trails where you can escape the bustle. Plus, I share a few hidden gems that you won’t want to miss. These sites are truly some of the top attractions in the Windy City!
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13 Best Parks in Chicago
Millennium Park
Chicago’s most popular park is home to Cloud Gate and other main attractions.
📍 Google Maps | 🌳 Millennium Park Website
Millennium Park is Chicago’s most popular park and, not to be missed — even if you only have one day in Chicago. It’s located in the downtown Chicago Loop along Michigan Avenue and within Grant Park.
Millennium Park is where you’ll find some of Chicago’s top attractions. These include Cloud Gate (“The Bean”), Crown Fountain, Jay Pritzker Pavilion, and Lurie Garden. The family-friendly Maggie Daley Park is within walking distance, too. These free sites are perfect for those visiting Chicago on a budget.
The best way to enjoy Millennium Park is to simply wander around. Snap a photo at “The Bean” if you’re a first-timer, sit back and do some people-watching, or catch one of the many free events at Jay Pritzker Pavilion. For example, there’s the Grant Park Music Festival, the Chicago Blues Festival, and other festivals and performances.
Grant Park
This huge green space downtown is known as “Chicago’s front yard.”
Grant Park is one of the largest parks in Chicago with over 300 acres. Grant Park is known as “Chicago’s front yard” and is perfectly situated in the downtown Loop on the east side of Michigan Avenue.
West of Grant Park are city blocks with museums, shops, and restaurants. East of this historic park is beautiful Lake Michigan. Grant Park is special because it’s home to some of Chicago’s best attractions. Most notably, you’ll find Millennium Park, Maggie Daley Park, Buckingham Fountain, and the Art Institute of Chicago.
Other amenities in Grant Park include a skate park, recreational fields, and more. The Museum Campus is also technically part of Grant Park and is home to some of Chicago’s best museums.
👉 Don’t Miss: You can reach Navy Pier from Grant Park by hopping on the nearby Lakefront Trail.
Lincoln Park
You’ll find free, family-friendly attractions at Chicago’s largest park on the North Side.
Lincoln Park is one of the best parks in Chicago. It’s the largest park in the city with over 1,000 acres and it’s home to some of the best free attractions in Chicago. These include the Lincoln Park Zoo, Lincoln Park Conservatory, Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool, and the Chicago History Museum.
My favorite spot at Lincoln Park is the Nature Boardwalk around South Pond. This pathway rewards you with stunning views of Lincoln Park and the Chicago skyline. I can never get enough of the view no matter how many times I visit.
You’ll find tons of walking paths and open spaces to sit and relax at Lincoln Park. This makes it great for any visitor, but especially for dog owners and families. You can also reach the nearby Lakefront Trail from Lincoln Park. North Avenue Beach hugs this corner of Chicago’s Lake Michigan shoreline, too.
Maggie Daley Park
This family-friendly park features playgrounds and recreational areas for your kids to run and play.
📍 Google Maps | 🌳 Maggie Daley Park Website
Maggie Daley Park is one of the best places to visit in Chicago with kids. This park is located in the northeastern corner of Grant Park. Here, you can let your kids run, play, and roam. There are so many play areas to keep them occupied.
The Play Garden playground is one of the best spots, but there are tons of little play areas to choose from. There’s also a climbing wall, a mini golf course, picnic areas, and other areas for recreation.
I recommend combining Maggie Daley Park with a visit to Millennium Park so you can hit up top tourist attractions, but keep your little ones happy, too.
Jackson Park
This huge park in the Hyde Park neighborhood is where you’ll find the Museum of Science and Industry, beautiful gardens, and recreational amenities.
Jackson Park is another one of Chicago’s biggest parks at over 500 acres. This wide-open green space is on Chicago’s South Side in the Hyde Park neighborhood. Jackson Park is home to the popular Museum of Science and Industry, but it’s also home to some lesser-touristed gems.
Check out Jackson Park’s Japanese Garden, Garden of the Phoenix. This garden has beautiful landscaping and meanders around the lagoons. Wooded Island is another cool spot that’s great for bird-watching. This section of the park is tranquil and home to over 200 species of birds!
Jackson Park is also home to Lake Michigan beaches, golf courses, a community farm, recreational facilities, and the Jackson Bark dog park.
Northerly Island Park
This park near the Museum Campus has walking trails surrounded by native, Midwestern prairie greenery.
Northerly Island Park is located on the peninsula that extends out from the Museum Campus. Many locals and tourists overlook this park in favor of the museums in this area. Huntington Bank Pavilion, one of the city’s best music venues, also draws crowds.
But Northerly Island Park is a nice place to escape to. Here, you can take in views of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan without the crowds of other popular parks in Chicago.
The scenic walking trails are surrounded by prairie greenery. You can also access a nice little beach, 12th Street Beach, from Northerly Island Park. The downside of Northerly Island, however, is that you have to pay for parking if you drive. Fortunately, there are also other ways of getting around Chicago.
👉 Pro Tip: Note that dogs aren’t allowed at Northerly Island Park. Leave your pups at home!
The “606” Bloomingdale Trail
Run, walk, or bike this 2.7-mile-long urban greenway lined with trees.
📍 Google Maps | 🌳 The 606 Website
The Bloomingdale Trail, more commonly known as “the 606,” is an urban greenway located on Chicago’s Northwestern side. It’s a 2.7-mile-long trail but it’s technically considered a “park” by the Chicago Park District.
The 606 is definitely more popular among locals. But it’s a great place for anyone looking to get some exercise in Chicago. You can walk, run, bike, or scooter along this tree-lined trail, and it’s popular with families.
My recommendation? Combine a visit to the 606 with a trip to Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood. Enjoy a walk on the greenway and then stop in one of the area’s many coffee shops.
Promontory Point
This beautiful outcrop along Chicago’s lakefront is perfect for picnicking and enjoying scenic views.
Chicago locals may come after me for revealing this hidden gem, but it’s too good not to share. Promontory Point is a little outcrop along Chicago’s lakefront on the South Side. In fact, it’s not far from Jackson Park.
Promontory Point isn’t super large or home to any special facilities. Instead, visit for its relaxing atmosphere combined with Lake Michigan and Chicago skyline views. I recommend visiting Promontory Point for a scenic picnic with friends (there are bonfire pits for barbecuing) or going for a relaxing walk. You can also visit the little sandy beach nearby, 57th Street Beach.
Walk or bike on Chicago’s Lakefront Trail to reach Promontory Point. Alternatively, drive and park at the nearby SP+ Parking Garage. Note that there are bathrooms at the Promontory Point Fieldhouse.
👉 Pro Tip: Promontory Point is a nice place to witness the changing of seasons in Chicago.
Ping Tom Memorial Park
Visit this cool, Chinatown park along the Chicago River where you can rent kayaks in the summer.
📍 Google Maps | 🌳 Ping Tom Memorial Park Website
Ping Tom Memorial Park is a smaller cultural park located along the Chicago River in the Chinatown neighborhood. You can reach Ping Tom Park by driving or taking the “L” train to Chinatown. Or, you can take the Chicago Water Taxi to and from downtown for a different experience.
Visit the pagoda-style pavilion and stroll along the walking trails that meander through landscaped gardens. You can even rent a kayak at the Ping Tom Boathouse for a fun experience down the Chicago River.
You’ll also find a playground and a recreation center at Ping Tom. There are public bathrooms available at the boathouse, too.
🥢 Don’t Miss: Head over to Qing Xiang Yuan Dumplings after visiting Ping Tom Park. This is one of my all-time favorite Chicago restaurants that serves delicious dumplings.
South Shore Cultural Center Park
This Chicago park is a hidden gem, home to a beautiful landmark building and scenic natural areas.
South Shore Cultural Center Park is just south of Jackson Park along the lakefront. This small park is a hidden gem. Here, you’ll find a golf course, a little sandy beach, and a peaceful nature sanctuary with walking trails, birds, and butterflies!
The most notable part of South Shore Park is the South Shore Cultural Center. This beautiful and historic Chicago landmark used to be a country club. It features a formal dining room, solarium, and theater. It was also a filming site of the 1980 film The Blues Brothers.
The best way to enjoy the park is to attend a cultural program or special event at the Cultural Center. Then, relax on the beach or enjoy the lush, peaceful nature trails.
Garfield Park
This large park on Chicago’s West Side is where you’ll find Garfield Park Conservatory.
Garfield Park is a sprawling green space along Central Park Ave on Chicago’s West Side. The park is best known for two notable features: Garfield Park Conservatory and the Garfield Park Gold Dome Field House.
Garfield Park Conservatory is one of the largest nature conservatories in the United States. It’s home to thousands of plants and beautiful greenhouse rooms for palm trees, desert plants, and more. The Garfield Park Gold Dome Field House is a Spanish Baroque Revival-style building.
The main attractions of Garfield Park are visiting the conservatory and checking out the beautiful architecture of the Gold Dome building. However, visitors can also enjoy many recreational facilities and a walk or bike ride through the park’s pathways.
Oz Park
This peaceful, playful park is perfect for taking a break while exploring the Lincoln Park neighborhood.
Oz Park is a residential park nestled in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. This park is great for families and those wanting a peaceful little reprieve after wandering the neighborhood’s streets.
Families with kids will enjoy the playground and Wizard of Oz-themed statues around the park. Other visitors can enjoy the tennis and basketball courts and baseball and soccer fields. You can also just enjoy a walk through the tree-lined pathways.
I recommend combining a visit to Oz Park with a relaxing stroll through Lincoln Park’s residential streets. There are tons of pretty houses to look at nearby, plus many shops and restaurants.
Humboldt Park
This large recreational park features sports facilities, a boathouse, and lagoons on Chicago’s West Side.
Humboldt Park is a large recreational park on Chicago’s West Side, past Wicker Park. It’s around 200 acres large and filled with pathways that pass through greenery and meander along the park’s two lagoons. Humboldt Park’s most notable feature is its boathouse which overlooks the lagoon.
You’ll find fields for soccer, baseball, and softball in Humboldt Park, along with tennis and basketball courts. There are playgrounds for children to enjoy. Humboldt Park is also home to the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture, which is located on the park’s southern side.
Lastly, be mindful of homelessness in Humboldt Park. Houseless people tend to set up camp on the park’s northern side along W. North Avenue. I recommend visiting Humboldt Park during the day versus at night just as a safety precaution.
FAQs About Chicago Parks
What are the biggest public parks in Chicago?
The biggest public parks in Chicago are Lincoln Park,Jackson Park, and Grant Park.
What are the closest parks to downtown Chicago?
The closest parks to downtown Chicago are Grant Park,Millennium Park, and Maggie Daley Park. These Chicago parks are all located within the same green space in the downtown Loop. Lincoln Park and Northerly Island Park are the next major parks nearby.
What is the most popular park in Chicago?
The most popular park in Chicago is Millennium Park. This is whereCloud Gate (“The Bean”) is located, along with other top tourist attractions.
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Have you visited any of these parks in Chicago? What did you like about them? Let us know in the comments below. And be sure to check out my 5-day Chicago itinerary for more helpful travel tips.
