Grant Park
Often called Chicago's front yard, 319-acre Grant Park is a lush recreational respite in the city. Named for 18th U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant, the park's main attraction is the Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain. Constructed in a Beaux Arts style, the fountain's main jet spouts water 150 feet in the air. The park is also home to the Art Institute, Field Museum of Natural History and Shedd Aquarium.
Visitors can take a scenic walk along shaded trails or the Lake Shore Trail, which parallels Lake Michigan and extends the full length of the park, or visit one of 16 public softball fields or 12 tennis courts. By crossing the 925-foot-long bridge at the north end of the park, guests can find more recreational and entertaining fun at Millennium Park, which was added to Grant in 2001.
Grant Park is home to various locations for private events, including the North and South Pavilions at Buckingham Fountain, which total over 70,000 square feet, and the Grant Park Rose Gardens, which can accommodate over 3,500 people. Admission to the park is free. For more information: 312-742-4847
