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A Guide to Grant Park: Chicago's Front Yard

Sitting on a prime stretch of land along lake Michigan, Grant Park encompasses other notable parks and attractions. And, thanks to Chicagoans who advocated to protect it in 1835, the open-space oasis will forever remain free of buildings.

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Home You are in… Get Inspired » A Guide to Grant Park: Chicago's Front Yard

The park claims more than 300 acres between the city’s skyline and Lake Michigan in downtown’s loop. Discover wide-open spaces, paved paths and must-see landmarks for photo op backgrounds. 

Museum Campus
Spend the day at three of the city’s best-known museums: Adler Planetarium, Field Museum of Natural History and Shedd Aquarium (1 mile south of Buckingham Fountain).

Buckingham Fountain
Dedicated in 1927, the fountain—one of the world’s largest—is the park’s focal point.

Art Institute of Chicago
For a deeper dive, download the museum’s mobile app to learn about the master works of art.

Petrillo Music Shell
The outdoor amphitheater hosts music performances during annual festivals, such as Chicago’s jazz and blues fests and Lollapalooza.

Millennium Park
Cloud Gate (aka The Bean), Crown Fountain and the Lurie Garden call Millennium Park home.

Lakefront Trail
Pedestrians, joggers and bicyclers share the paved, almost 19-mile-long path along the lake.

Maggie Daley Park
Scoot or skate through the ribbon, which becomes an ice skating rink come late winter. Or test your strength and stamina on the climbing wall late spring to early fall.

Marinas and Harbors
The Monroe and DuSable harbors are home to the Chicago and Columbia yacht clubs, where more than 1,000 boats dock every year.

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