Visit Chicago's front yard: Grant Park

Insider Tip for Visiting Grant Park

If you're visiting Chicago in early September, head to Grant Park early – around 11 a.m. to avoid the lines – for the Taste of Chicago. Enjoy the park and eat the best cuisine the city has to offer. Admission is free. – Sarah Estime

Overview of Grant Park

Often referred to as "Chicago's front yard," Grant Park is an approximately 313-acre swath of green space that starts at the eastern edge of the Loop and stretches down to the northern fringes of the Near South Side.

Things to Do

Main Attractions

First-time visitors should plan on spending a fair amount of time in Grant Park: This is where you'll find several of Chicago's most popular attractions, including The Field Museum, the Art Institute of Chicago, and Shedd Aquarium. Millennium Park also rubs elbows with the northwest corner of Grant Park. Baseball diamonds, flower gardens, walking paths, and wide-open grassy terrain are available as well.

Buckingham Fountain

At the heart of Grant Park is Buckingham Fountain. One of the largest fountains in the world, this tiered water feature boasts 133 jets that shoot water as high as 150 feet into the air during 20-minute choreographed displays. These displays occur every hour on the hour between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. from early May to mid-October, depending on the weather. The last display of the evening starts at 10:35 p.m. At night, the fountain's performance is enhanced by lights and music.

Tips for Visiting

Before you visit the park, be sure to check the Chicago Park District's website for event listings, since some festivals and concerts – such as Lollapalooza and Taste of Chicago – cause crowds to swell and some areas to become restricted.

Operating Hours

Grant Park is open to visitors every day from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Admission to the park and Buckingham Fountain are free, but select attractions within the park have set hours and may charge entry fees. Some of the park's events and festivals also cost extra.

Facilities and Accessibility

Restrooms, grab-and-go eateries, a playground, and a skate park are available on-site. Grant Park can be accessed from a variety of L train stops, including Monroe, Adams/Wabash, Jackson, and Roosevelt – all lines except for the Yellow and Blue lines service one or more nearby stations. A few parking garages and limited street parking are within walking distance.

Grant Park is also a popular stop on many of the city's top Segway tours and best Chicago walking tours. Plus, thanks to a variety of nearby Divvy bike-share stations, pedaling around Grant Park is a breeze.