GRANT PARK: CHICAGO’S FRONT YARD
Explore Grant Park, Chicago's front yard.
Grant Park has more than 300 acres within its expansive reach and also serves as a beautiful backdrop to The Art Institute of Chicago, The Field Museum, and the Shedd Aquarium.
The park is home to the iconic Buckingham Fountain, which happens to be the symbolic starting point for Route 66. During the summer, the fountain lights up nighttime with hourly shows of light, color, and music.
However, the reason we love this park so much is the same reason you should: summer festivals. Some of the city's—even the nation's—biggest parties get thrown here every year with The Chicago Blues Festival and Taste of Chicago both calling Grant Park home.
Plus, the SummerDance program will give you the chance to boot, scoot, and boogie every Thursday through Sunday from June to September. Dance floor challenged? Fear not. The program offers free dance lessons before the live music begins, so you can take your skills home and make your friends jealous. Last, and most definitely not least, Lollapalooza fills Grant Park with music, food, and thousands of people every August in one of the nation's largest summer concert festivals.
Don't think you have to come in summer to enjoy Grant Park. You can explore the park's nooks, crannies, and sculptures any time of year. Maybe have a snowball fight in the winter or enjoy the Mother Nature's paint brush in the fall. Just don't forget your camera.
