Chicago: the most popular places for a walk under the cloud
June 11, 2025
Chicago, known as the Windy City, is not only an impressive skyscrapers and bustling streets. It's also a place where nature blends harmoniously with the urban landscape, offering residents and tourists numerous oases of tranquility and recreation. In this article, we will take you on a journey through the most charming places for a walk under the cloud in Chicago. Whether you're a lover of leisurely strolls, an active recreation enthusiast, or simply looking for a moment of respite from the hustle and bustle of the city, Chicago has something for you. Get ready to discover the green face of this fascinating city, where every step can be a new adventure and every corner holds a surprise. From the iconic Millennium Park to the picturesque Riverwalk, explore the places that will make you fall in love with Chicago all over again.
Ad
Millennium Park and Grant Park - the heart of green Chicago
Start our adventure with Millennium Park, a true jewel in the crown of Chicago's public spaces. This 10-acre park, which opened in 2004, is not just a recreational destination, but a true work of urban art. The centerpiece of the park is the famous 'Cloud Gate,' commonly known as the 'Bean,' a sculpture by Anish Kapoor that has become a symbol of modern Chicago. Its mirrored surface reflects the city skyline, creating amazing, surreal views that attract photographers and casual strollers alike.
Millennium Park offers many activities for families. In summer, you can cool off in the Crown Fountain, designed by Jaume Plensa, where the faces of Chicagoans are projected on giant LED screens. In winter, meanwhile, the park transforms into a fairyland with the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink, where you can skate overlooking the city skyline.
For music and art lovers, Millennium Park offers numerous concerts and cultural events at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, an impressive outdoor amphitheater designed by Frank Gehry. It's the perfect place to spend a summer evening listening to symphonic music under the stars.
Right next to Millennium Park stretches Grant Park, known as 'Chicago's front garden.' This sprawling 319-acre park offers space for active recreation, with numerous paths for joggers and cyclists. It's also home to the famous Buckingham Fountain, one of the largest in the world. On summer evenings, you can enjoy spectacular light and water shows that draw crowds of spectators.
Grant Park is also home to some of Chicago's biggest festivals and events, such as Lollapalooza and Taste of Chicago. If you're looking for a quieter place to picnic or relax, head to Rose Garden or Lurie Garden - an oasis of calm in the heart of the bustling city.
Both Millennium Park and Grant Park offer excellent views of the Chicago skyline, especially beautiful at sunset, when the last rays reflect in the windows of skyscrapers. These are ideal places to start or end a day of urban adventures.
Riverwalk and Maggie Daley Park -. riverside attractions for everyone
Another must-see on the Chicago walking map is the Riverwalk, a scenic boardwalk that stretches along the Chicago River. This 2.4-mile trail is a relatively new attraction in the city, opened in full swing in 2016, and has quickly become a favorite of locals and tourists alike.
The Riverwalk isn't just a walking path - it's a true center of river life. Along the route you'll find numerous cafes, restaurants and bars where you can relax and enjoy the view of the river and the surrounding skyscrapers. For outdoor enthusiasts, the Riverwalk offers the option of renting kayaks or boats, so you can admire Chicago's architecture from a whole new perspective.
One of the most charming sections of the Riverwalk is The Jetty, a place where you can not only walk, but also observe the river's diverse flora and fauna. This is an ideal place for an educational walk with children, where you can learn more about the Chicago River ecosystem.
The Riverwalk is especially beautiful at sunset, when the last rays reflect in the water and the windows of the surrounding buildings. It's also a great place for an evening stroll - the boardwalk is spectacularly lit up, creating a magical atmosphere.
Just a few steps from the Riverwalk is Maggie Daley Park, a modern recreational complex that is a true paradise for families with children. Named after the former first lady of Chicago, the park offers a plethora of attractions that will make kids not want to go home.
The centerpiece of the park is the giant Play Garden playground, designed to stimulate children's creativity and imagination. Here you'll find slides, swings, trampolines and many other attractions that will provide hours of fun.
For older children and adults, Maggie Daley Park offers a climbing wall - one of the largest public outdoor walls in the country. It's a great place to try your hand at this exciting sport, no matter what your skill level.
In winter, the park turns into a fairyland with the Skating Ribbon ice rink - a unique, winding ice path that offers a whole new skating experience. In the summer, meanwhile, the same place serves as a track for skaters and skateboarders.
Maggie Daley Park is also a great place for a picnic - numerous green spaces and benches encourage people to relax and enjoy the outdoors. The park also offers fitness programs and children's activities, making it a vibrant place all year round.
Both the Riverwalk and Maggie Daley Park are well connected to downtown and other attractions, making them ideal points on the Chicago walking map. Whether you're looking for a quiet place to relax or an active getaway, these two places are sure to meet your needs.
Lincoln Park - a green oasis on the north side of the city
At the end of our walking adventure in Chicago, we can't leave out Lincoln Park - the city's largest public park, spread over an impressive 1208 acres along the shores of Lake Michigan. This vast expanse of greenery offers so many attractions that one could spend an entire day, or even a week, here and still discover new corners.
Lincoln Park is not just a recreational space, but a real city within a city. One of the main attractions is the Lincoln Park Zoo, one of the oldest public zoos in the United States, established in 1868. Best of all, admission to the zoo is completely free! It's a great place for a family outing, where you can observe more than 200 species of animals in their carefully designed habitats.
For nature lovers, Lincoln Park also offers the Lincoln Park Conservatory, a beautiful 1890 greenhouse where you can enjoy exotic plants from around the world. It's the perfect place for a leisurely stroll, especially on cooler days when you can take refuge in the warm, tropical atmosphere.
If you're looking for active recreation, Lincoln Park has plenty of options for you. Numerous biking and running paths stretch along the lakeshore, offering beautiful views of the water and the city skyline. You'll also find fields for various sports, tennis courts and even a golf course in the park.
For those who prefer more leisurely activities, Lincoln Park offers picturesque gardens such as the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool - a hidden gem of landscaping, perfect for a contemplative stroll. On warmer days, you can also enjoy the beaches of North Avenue Beach or Fullerton Beach, which are part of the park.
Lincoln Park is also a cultural center - the park is home to the Chicago History Museum, where you can explore the fascinating history of the Windy City. For art lovers, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum offers interactive exhibitions on nature and ecology.
One of the most charming corners of Lincoln Park is the Nature Boardwalk, a boardwalk around a pond that not only offers beautiful views, but is also home to a variety of flora and fauna. It's an ideal place to observe birds and other animals in their natural habitat.
Lincoln Park is especially beautiful in autumn, when the leaves of the trees change colors, creating a spectacular palette of colors. In winter, meanwhile, the park transforms into a fairyland, especially around Christmas, when the Lincoln Park Zoo holds its annual ZooLights Festival.
All in all, Chicago offers an incredible variety of opportunities for strollers and outdoor enthusiasts. From the modern Millennium Park to the scenic Riverwalk to the sprawling Lincoln Park, each of these places has its own unique character and offers something for everyone. Whether you're a Chicago resident or just visiting this fascinating city, these green spaces will allow you to discover a different, more relaxing side of it. Remember, the best way to get to know a city is just to walk - so put on your comfortable shoes and set out to conquer green Chicago!
Similar articles
Ad