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Grant Park, Chicago

4.5
#10 of 45 in Parks in Chicago
Park · Hidden Gem · Nature / Park
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Grant Park is a large urban park (319 acres or 1.29 km²) in the Loop community area of Chicago. Located in Chicago's central business district, the park's most notable features are Millennium Park, Buckingham Fountain, the Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum Campus. Originally known as Lake Park, and dating from the city's founding, it was renamed in 1901 to honor Ulysses S. Grant. The park's area has been expanded several times through land reclamation, and was the focus of several disputes in the late 19th century and early 20th century over open space use. It is bordered on the north by Randolph Street, on the south by Roosevelt Road and McFetridge Drive, on the west by Michigan Avenue and on the east by Lake Michigan. The park contains performance venues, gardens, art work, sporting, and harbor facilities. It hosts public gatherings, and several large annual events.
Grant park is called "Chicago's front yard". It is governed by the Chicago Park District.
The original plans for the town of Chicago left the area east of Michigan Avenue unsubdivided and vacant, and purchasers of Michigan Avenue lots were promised that it would remain unoccupied. When the former Fort Dearborn Reserve became part of the townsite in 1839, the plan of the area east of Michigan Avenue south of Randolph was marked "Public ground. Forever to remain vacant of buildings." By using our Chicago trip itinerary builder website, you can arrange your visit to Grant Park and other attractions in Chicago.
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Grant Park reviews

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TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
926 reviews
Google
4.7
TripAdvisor
  • Myself and my wife recently visited Chicago to take part in the Marathon. We had a few days spare during our trip and this was one place we wanted to visit on our "to do" list. The park is really... 
    Myself and my wife recently visited Chicago to take part in the Marathon. We had a few days spare during our trip and this was one place we wanted to visit on our "to do" list. The park is really...  more »
  • Chicago was very smart to keep its waterfront on the south end of downtown open to the public. I had thought it was created by the great plan for the city after the fire, but no, the park area had... 
    Chicago was very smart to keep its waterfront on the south end of downtown open to the public. I had thought it was created by the great plan for the city after the fire, but no, the park area had...  more »
Google
  • For my first time in Chicago this was a great central space for me. Traveled here for work and Grant Park was also such a pleasure to walk in, around and out of! Lots of great food near by as well as easy travel and amenities near by such as public transit access. I recommend taking your time here, very clean and beautiful. Will definitely return.
  • Grant Park, the “Front Yard” of Chicago is located in the main business district in downtown Chicago. This is Chicago’s centerpiece like Central Park of New York. Grant Park is not just the park or one attraction. This is the combination of many landmarks and attractions. This includes the Buckingham Fountain, The Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Natural History, Aquarium and planetarium with great lakefront views and skyscrapers of Chicago. There are many parking garages under the park. 300 acres of green space in such a busy downtown area is really incredible and you will never get disappointed, even if you are new as a tourist or a local resident. Millennium Park which is a park within a Grant Park is a modern take on traditional town square for outdoor concerts. The iconic Cloud Gate in the Millennium Park is also a major milestone of Grant Park. We were dropped at Buckingham Fountain and picked up from the same point by our host. I believe the parking and traffic is a problem to visit this place. Parking charges are rip offs and your pleasure of visiting something good fades away after paying high parking charges.

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