Chicago is a highly developed industrial city full of skyscrapers. It features a large number of sights that will be interesting to visitors to the city, and its parks are one of its distinguishing features.
In addition to the famous green spaces available in every district of the city and its suburbs, Chicago also has less-known parks designed by famous landscape designers. In total, there are 570 parks in Chicago, and each of them will be a good way to relax and take a break from the bustle of the city.
By the way, you can easily get to any of them by Payless rental car Ohare Airport to gain strength after an exhausting flight. At Rentalcars24H.com you will find many affordable models that will allow you to have a comfortable trip on a budget.
Well, have you already booked the best Payless rental car Ohare? Then let’s go to some interesting parks in Chicago…
- Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool
This is usually the first less-known park that newcomers to Chicago will learn about. This park is a landscape design example of the Prairie School architectural style. The park was created in 1936 by the architect Alfred Caldwell. In 2002, the park was included in the official list of Chicago’s sights, and in 2006 – in the National List of Historic Places. This makes it a landmark building not only for Chicago but for the whole country. The park is situated on the territory of the zoo between the Stockton and Cannon Drive streets.
- Exelon Observatory
The Bloomingdale Line was a 2.7-mile elevated railway running east to west in northwestern Chicago. In 2015, the city turned this already inactive railway into a pedestrian zone called the Bloomingdale Trail.
Very quickly, the park became one of the most-visited destinations in Chicago. However, there’s something else in this park that not everyone knows about. In the warm season, the local astronomer conducts open sessions of observing the stars through telescopes – it takes place each 2nd Friday on a specially equipped platform at the eastern end of the Bloomingdale Trail.
- Milton Lee Olive Park
Located on an artificial peninsula, it occupies the northern part of Navy Pier, and adjoins Ohio Beach. The unique was projected by architect Dan Kylie in 1965 and named after Milton Olive, a Chicago resident who was an African-American Vietnam war veteran and who received the Medal of Honor.
A pedestrian alley framed by tall trees leads along the lake, offering magnificent views of Chicago. This park is popular among honeymooners – you can take stunning photos with a view of the park, as well as Downtown Chicago.
- City Hall
In 2001, a 39,700-square-foot garden was appeared the roof of the Chicago City Hall. The main goal of creating the park was to show the benefits of green roofs, and the fact that they have a beneficial effect on air quality in the city and on the local microclimate as a whole.
You will find more than 150 species of plants there, and their total number reaches over 20,000. But these are not ordinary plants – they were chosen in such a way as to bloom under the constant influence of direct sunlight.
- Lurie Garden
While walking around the Millennium Park, most people don’t go further than the famous Chicago sculpture Cloud Gate. Parents with children usually reach the famous fountains.
But in the Millennium Park you’ll find another hidden gem – Lurie Garden. Go there and you will truly understand the meaning of the expression “City in the garden”.
Lurie Garden, located on the south side of Millennium Park, is a unique green oasis in the heart of Chicago. This garden is a true living example of an urban model of gardening and floriculture. What’s more, it regularly hosts free educational activities for children.
- Burnham Wildlife Corridor
The charming park’s territory covers the area of approximately 5 hectares and is located on the shores of Lake Michigan near the Grant Park. It was named after the famous Chicago architect D. Burnham, who in 1909 designed this park with a number of artificial islands full of cozy beaches and harbors.
The amazing park zone is presented with a 200-acre area that runs through the park. This is a real natural oasis and a huge separate city with a bird sanctuary, hiking trails, and marshland – this corridor forms the largest urban green zone near the lake.
- Garden of the Phoenix
This is not just a garden, but an outstanding remainder of the 1893 World’s Fair. The iconic Japanese garden has the amazing Moon Bridge, colorful Shinto Gate, as well as traditional Japanese plants. A mini-waterfall, pedestrian bridges, nature and the overall peaceful atmosphere of this park are excellent components to relax from the noise of a big city.
