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Top Parks & Nature Attractions in Chicago, IL
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Nature & Parks
92
Nature & Parks
Parks
50
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12
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10
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9
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8
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7
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7
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6
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2
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1
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1
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1
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Central
31
Near North Side
15
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15
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15
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12
Lincoln Park
12
Downtown / The Loop
11
Streeterville
9
Hyde Park
8
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7
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6
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6
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5
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5
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4
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3
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3
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3
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2
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2
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2
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2
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2
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2
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2
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2
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2
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2
Albany Park
1
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1
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1
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1
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1
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1
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1
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1
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1
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1
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1
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1
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1
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1
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1
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1
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1
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1
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1
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1
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1
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1
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1
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1
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1
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1
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1
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1
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1
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1
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1
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1
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1
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1
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1
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1
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1
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1
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We found
92 results
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Nature & Parks
Millennium Park
24 621 reviews
#1 of 92 Nature & Parks in Chicago
"Just off the lake, great for biking and walking amazing view of the
city
skyline, wonderful way to spend a day in Chicago during the summer exploring the Cloud Gate, the beautifully landscaped gardens..."
"A great way to get your bearings in downtown and take in the skyline; a perfect picnic spot; a fabulous public art destination; and ideal for the entire family (especially when you stroll to Maggie Daley
Park
to t..."
Learn More
See 35 Experiences
Chicago River
1 950 reviews
#2 of 92 Nature & Parks in Chicago
"This is an amazing river by the
city
we can see the beautiful buildings the iconic older and new of the beautiful
city
of Chicago a lot of bridges and history lovely restaurants buy the river I do live in a beauti..."
"Plan an
architectural tour
that will share the history of the city as you go through, admiring the rich architectural genius, the City's expansion post Chicago Fire, and plans for it's future."
Learn More
See 25 Experiences
Lakefront Trail
2 415 reviews
#3 of 92 Nature & Parks in Chicago
"Highly suggest on your next visit to Chicago you take a bike ride along the lakefront bike path(s) from Fullerton Ave/
Lincoln Park
Zoo area to the Navy Pier, or if you are up for it just a bit further, Millennium..."
"The trail runs through several Chicago
parks
(Lincoln Park, Grant Park, Burnham Park, and Jackson Park) – these are good opportunities to take a break and enjoy the beautiful gardens and the art pieces in them."
Learn More
See 7 Experiences
Garfield Park Conservatory
820 reviews
#4 of 92 Nature & Parks in Chicago
"The largest enclosed conservatory in the world, host to amazing seasonal displays and one-time exhibitions, the conservatory's inner
city
environs have gentrified somewhat over the years, so this jewel is more acc..."
"The outside gardens on ten
acres
also had several themes such as a Sensory Garden, City Garden, Play Garden for children and a Monet Garden similar to his magnificent gardens in Giverny, France."
Learn More
See 2 Experiences
Maggie Daley Park
1 312 reviews
#5 of 92 Nature & Parks in Chicago
"A peaceful oasis just east of the modern Pritzger Pavilion, Maggie Daley
Park
comforts cancer patients and survivors with messages of hope and love spread among benches, gardens, singing birds, and even wooden signs."
"... drawn to the three-acre Play Garden, which is open fro 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. and contains six different play areas--The Wave Lawn, The Harbor, The Watering Hole, The Slide Crater, The
Enchanted Forest
and The Sea."
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See 4 Experiences
Lincoln Park Conservatory
761 reviews
#6 of 92 Nature & Parks in Chicago
"Two attractions associated with the Lincoln
Park
Conservatory, the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pond and the North Pond Nature Sanctuary, are located north of the conservatory along Stockton Avenue, across Fullerton Avenue."
"This was a great detour from the
zoo
(also free so you can go out of the top entrance of the
zoo
to here, and then back into the
zoo
) Lovely variety of flora and it was a nice respite from the cold when we visited."
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See 5 Experiences
Lincoln Park
854 reviews
#7 of 92 Nature & Parks in Chicago
"Its most popular attractions are the Chicago History Museum, Lincoln Park Zoo, Lincoln Park Conservatory, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, North Pond Sanctuary and Alfred Caldwell
Lily Pond
."
"The neighborhood is also home to The Second
City
, Chicago's famous comedy troupe; the Steppenwolf, one of Chicago's best theater companies; and good museums (DePaul's art museum, the Chicago History Museum)."
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See 7 Experiences
Lincoln Park Zoo
5 852 reviews
#8 of 92 Nature & Parks in Chicago
"This place is a great place you can
walk around
and and see every display they have and a nice clean safe environment that the wildlife the habitats the children still pure delight when it's warm out you can see t..."
"... is a great time to visit), but also how this zoo provides excellent signage and donor acknowledgement for underwriters of the various exhibits of
species
from birds to monkeys to seals, penguins and polar bears."
Learn More
See 10 Experiences
Grant Park
909 reviews
#9 of 92 Nature & Parks in Chicago
"... to visit either of these destinations in opposite directions, The Park has wonderful gigantic statues as well as beautiful small fountains along with magnificent
Buckingham fountain
- surely worth a visit!"
"... are Millennium Park, Buckingham Fountain, Maggie Daley Park, Petrillo Music Shell, the Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum Campus which includes the Field Museum, Adler Planetarium and
Shedd Aquarium
."
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See 11 Experiences
Shedd Aquarium
9 651 reviews
#10 of 92 Nature & Parks in Chicago
"... which features anacondas, piranhas, caimans and spiders; Wild Reef, which features snakes; Abbott
Oceanarium
, which features dolphins, beluga whales, sea otters and sea lions; Stingray Touch, which opened in 2..."
"Separated by regions such as Carribean,
Great Lakes
, Amazon, Pacific, etc. with everything from giant octopus and crabs, piranha, sharks, buluga whales and many species of fish from pet store type to giant predators."
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See 13 Experiences
Oak Street Beach
351 reviews
#11 of 92 Nature & Parks in Chicago
"... with North Michigan Avenue aka Magnificent Mile and curves around the Streeterville neighborhood and the beachfront on its way to Navy Pier and Grant
Park
, Oak Street Beach rests on the shore of Lake Michigan."
"It’s a
clean beach
and lots of lifeguards which was handy to keep an extra eye on the children."
Learn More
See 4 Experiences
North Avenue Beach
258 reviews
#12 of 92 Nature & Parks in Chicago
"While in Chicago for the weekend, my husband and I rented Divvy Bikes and rode them along the North Ave Beach shore on the trail right along the
bike path
adjacent to the water for about 2 hours!"
"Whether with family doing a
picnic
on the grass, having a beach day with friends or simply riding a bike."
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See 14 Experiences
Lurie Garden
118 reviews
#13 of 92 Nature & Parks in Chicago
"While it's right next to the Bean and the Pritzker Pavilion, it's a joyful space and definitely worth a visit throughout the seasons when visiting
Millennium Park
."
"It provides a wonderful opportunity to take a break from this busy city and enjoy the tranquility of
nature
in the center of the Chicago."
Learn More
See 3 Experiences
The 606
103 reviews
#14 of 92 Nature & Parks in Chicago
"I stayed at a hotel in Wicker Park and was pleased to find the 606
trail
entrance... did a quick out and back for about 5 miles... it’s well built and there are even water fountains along the
trail
."
"The east trailhead is located at Walsh
Park
(Dog
Park
) on Ashland Avenue and the west trailhead is at Ridgeway Avenue, 2.7 smooth miles away."
Learn More
Oz Park
81 reviews
#15 of 92 Nature & Parks in Chicago
"Oz
Park
is a 13.32-acre public
park
on Chicago's Near North Side that recognizes the memory of Lyman Frank Baum, a children's author and creator of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, who was a resident of the Lincoln Par..."
"It's a unique experience to see the
characters
in real life and learn a little history about the park and the statues."
Learn More
See 3 Experiences
Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool
64 reviews
#16 of 92 Nature & Parks in Chicago
"From 1926 to 1931, Caldwell worked for landscape artist Jens Jensen, whose influence is evident in the Sun Opening, the curving walkways, the meandering, stepping-stone limestone
paths
and circular benches."
"This is a delightful little
park
with plenty of nature to appreciate and habitat to turtles, Chipmunks, butterflies, song birds (just the critters enjoying their day while we walked though that day)."
Learn More
See 1 Experience
Ohio Street Beach
126 reviews
#17 of 92 Nature & Parks in Chicago
"
Nice beach
with all the amenities- rest rooms, bars, music on the edge of downtown."
"What a
great city
."
Learn More
Montrose Beach
101 reviews
#18 of 92 Nature & Parks in Chicago
"Fairly clean, great restaurant on location, decent bathroom facilities,
kayak
and SUP rentals, volleyball nets, lots of grass nearby, ample parking, close to the harbor, and a great dog beach!"
"How about renting a Jet Ski? Clean and spacious, Montrose Beach also offers a
bird sanctuary
, a dog beach and two restaurants, The Dock and Noel's Tacos."
Learn More
Millennium Monument
66 reviews
#19 of 92 Nature & Parks in Chicago
"... of East Randolph Street and North Michigan Avenue, the limestone semicircle of paired Roman Doric-style columns or peristyle rises to a height of nearly 40 feet, giving a classical elegance to
Grant Park
."
"Located at 201 East Randolph Street in Wrigley Square, which is situated in the northwest section of Millennium
Park
, in the southeast corner of the intersection of East Randolph Street and North Michigan Avenue,..."
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Milton Lee Olive Park
42 reviews
#20 of 92 Nature & Parks in Chicago
"If you’re venturing toward Navy Pier or walking/biking/dunning the lakefront trail...stop by this
park
."
Learn More
See 1 Experience
Jackson Park's Japanese Garden
30 reviews
#21 of 92 Nature & Parks in Chicago
"It was originally built on this site as the “Garden of the Phoenix” with the Japanese pavilion for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, and along with the
Palace of Fine Arts
Building (now the home of the Museum..."
"While Jackson
Park
has an incredibly rich history (including hosting the Columbian Exposition of 1893...a World's Fair intended to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Columbus' discovery of the New World in 1492, b..."
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Ping Tom Memorial Park
27 reviews
#22 of 92 Nature & Parks in Chicago
"I have seen people taking family photos and wedding pictures in the
park
, with the skyline as a back drop, Have fun!"
"Another cool thing is one can grab a water taxi from the
park
to different stops in downtown, Michigan Ave included and back again if you like."
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Lake Shore East Park
14 reviews
#23 of 92 Nature & Parks in Chicago
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Jackson Bark - Dog Park
36 reviews
#24 of 92 Nature & Parks in Chicago
"Thanks to the volunteers that keep this fun packed dog
park
safe, entertaining for the dogs and their humans - even had a DJ with some great music for all to enjoy."
"Amazing dog
park
! Very large, a lot of obstacles and toys for the dogs to play."
Learn More
Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary
12 reviews
#25 of 92 Nature & Parks in Chicago
"There are several different biomes (is that the right word?) within a small space, including forest,
prairie
and dunes."
"There is a short shady trail to enjoy and many friendly
birds
(some of whom have become accustomed and comfortable with human foot traffic)."
Learn More
See 1 Experience
Humboldt Park
24 reviews
#26 of 92 Nature & Parks in Chicago
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Chicago Lakefront
10 reviews
#27 of 92 Nature & Parks in Chicago
"It is historic buildings, lavish hotels and skyscrapers, unforgettable huge parks, the iconic Navy Pier and Chicago River, the ever-so-busy Lake Shore Drive, the eighteen miles of Lakefront
Trail
along the fantast..."
"Until it gets too cold or snowy, we enjoy taking daily walks through Lincoln
Park
and weekend treks along the lakefront trail from North Avenue Beach to Montrose Beach and North Avenue Beach to Oak Street Beach."
Learn More
See 6 Experiences
31st Street Harbor
22 reviews
#28 of 92 Nature & Parks in Chicago
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Foster Avenue Beach
31 reviews
#29 of 92 Nature & Parks in Chicago
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North Park Village Nature Center
11 reviews
#30 of 92 Nature & Parks in Chicago
"Located at 5801 North Pulaski Road in North
Park
Village, on the city's northwest side, between Peterson and Bryn Mawr, open from 9 to 4 daily, this 46-acre nature preserve features hiking trails, a birding area a..."
"This nearly 50 acre property features multiple well maintained trails that wander through the wooded, savanna,
prairie
and wetland areas."
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Frequently Asked Questions about Chicago
Which experiences are best for nature & parks in Chicago?
These experiences are best for nature & parks in Chicago:
Bikes, Bites, and Brews: Chicago's Signature Dishes Bike Tour
Bike Tour of Chicago's Lakefront Neighborhoods
Chicago Ultimate City and Food Bike Tour
Private Tour of Chicago in Open Air Jeep
Bikes, Bites, and Brews: Chicago's West Side Foodie Ride
See more nature & parks in Chicago on Tripadvisor
What are the best places for nature & parks in Chicago?
These places are best for nature & parks in Chicago:
Millennium Park
Lincoln Park Zoo
Garfield Park Conservatory
Shedd Aquarium
Lakefront Trail
See more nature & parks in Chicago on Tripadvisor
Which places provide the best nature & parks in Chicago for kids and families?
These are the best places for kid-friendly nature & parks in Chicago:
Millennium Park
Chicago River
Lakefront Trail
Garfield Park Conservatory
Maggie Daley Park
See more nature & parks for kids in Chicago on Tripadvisor
Which places provide the best nature & parks in Chicago for couples?
These are the best places for couples seeking nature & parks in Chicago:
Millennium Park
Chicago River
Lakefront Trail
Garfield Park Conservatory
Lincoln Park Conservatory
See more nature & parks for couples in Chicago on Tripadvisor
Which places provide the best nature & parks in Chicago for groups?
These are the best places for groups seeking nature & parks in Chicago:
Millennium Park
Chicago River
Lakefront Trail
Maggie Daley Park
Lincoln Park
See more nature & parks for groups in Chicago on Tripadvisor
Which places provide the best nature & parks in Chicago for travellers on a budget?
These are the best places for budget-friendly nature & parks in Chicago:
Millennium Park
Chicago River
Lakefront Trail
Garfield Park Conservatory
Maggie Daley Park
See more budget-friendly nature & parks in Chicago on Tripadvisor