Grant Park
Grant Park is Chicago's greatest treasure. It dates back to the city's birth. The park was designated as public land that would remain forever clear of any building or other obstructions. This patch of land near Lake Michigan is a cultural and nature hub in the city. It houses several of Chicago's treasured museums, sports fields and gardens. The park is also a venue for concerts and other live performances. The
Chicago Jazz Festival
,
Rock Concert Lollapalooza
and Grant Park Music Festival are some of the events held in the park every summer. It is also notable for various landmark events including a speech by US President
Barack Obama
after being elected as the first African-American president in 2008. Grab the best tickets for Grant Park events at StubHub.
Grant Park is surrounded by the Windy City's best restaurants. Buck's Four-Star Grill is located within the park itself, offering culinary staples such as hot dogs and beer, and the restaurant is equipped with an outdoor patio where diners can eat while enjoying a beautiful view of Chicago's city skyline. If you are looking for something fancy, the Mercat a la Planxa is a Spanish restaurant known for its wide variety of brunch options. People looking for a casual dining experience will be treated at Brown Bag Seafood Co. This restaurant specializes in grilled, fried or blackened seafood served in tacos or subs.
There are several parking choices for people heading to a Grant Park event. The park is surrounded by several garages catering to tourists and residents alike. The Millennium Lakeside Garage is the closest to the park. The garage offers access to Millennium Park and is open 24/7. Adams & Wabash Self Park, Field Harbor Parking Garage and SP+ Parking are other parking garages surrounding Grant Park.
Tourists heading to the city and going to a Grant Park event will be glad to know that there is a wide variety of choices when it comes to hotels. The Best Western Grant Park Hotel offers beautifully decorated rooms and houses an Asian/Italian restaurant, a seasonal terrace and a wine bar. The Congress Plaza Hotel, Hilton Chicago and Hyatt Regency Chicago are some other accommodations near the park.
Grant Park is not only a place where you can enjoy live performances, but it is also home to many must-visit attractions in Chicago. The Millennium Park tops the list of tourists and residents alike when exploring the Windy City. This park opened in 2004 and houses several masterpieces. Anish Kapoor's Cloud Gate or The Bean are some of the highlights of this space, and it is where you can find The Jay Pritzker Pavilion and the Laurie Garden. If you want to explore the city's art, the Art Institute of Chicago houses more than 250,000 pieces of fine art created by many famous painters. Lastly, Grant Park also houses the Buckingham Fountain. Sightseers muse over its ability to shoot water 150 feet into the air.