Chicago parks and outdoors

Enjoy the great outdoors at our parks and waterfronts.

Family, Parks & outdoors

Family-friendly outdoor adventures in Chicago

Chicago’s nearly 600 parks and 26 miles of lakefront make it easy to enjoy the great outdoors in the middle of the city. Families can…

Itineraries, Parks & outdoors

2 days, 2 Chicago waterfronts

The waterfront is a center of life in Chicago. It’s where discoveries are made and adventures begin. Dedicate one day each to exploring the Chicago…

Baskets of fresh fruit at a local Chicago farmers market

Food & drink, Parks & outdoors, Shopping and fashion

Shop local at Chicago farmers markets

Chicago farmers markets are the perfect place to stock up on local produce — and get a taste of each neighborhood’s local flavor. These community…

Parks & outdoors

Chicago’s bird sanctuaries

Bird lovers flock to Chicago for a chance to spot hundreds of different species all around the city. Here’s a few areas for bird watching…

Parks & outdoors

Explore Chicago’s Grant Park

Grant Park is much more than a park. It’s a gathering place for the city’s biggest events, a green oasis in the heart of downtown,…

Parks & outdoors, Tours & attractions

Buckingham Fountain in Chicago’s Grant Park

Nature lovers, architecture buffs, public art aficionados — Grant Park has something for everyone. And so does Buckingham Fountain, the park’s centerpiece. Located right along…

Parks & outdoors, Sports & recreation

Chicago’s Lakefront Trail

Chicago’s scenic Lakefront Trail is an 18-mile paved path that follows the Lake Michigan shoreline on the city’s eastern edge. It extends from Ardmore Street…

Parks & outdoors

Fun in the sun on Chicago’s beaches

You might know Chicago as the birthplace of the skyscraper, the home of deep dish pizza, or as one of the largest urban cities in…

Parks & outdoors

Explore the 606 elevated park and trail

An abandoned railway has been given new life on Chicago’s northwest side. The 606 is a 2.7-mile elevated park and trail that was built on…

Parks & outdoors

Chicago conservatories and indoor gardens

Welcome to Chicago’s great indoors. The city’s conservatories and winter gardens give you the opportunity to explore exotic plant life whatever the weather. Lincoln Park…