Go to the Beach
Chicago's numerous beaches along the Lake Michigan shore are open to the public all year long. During the summer, thousands of people flock to the beach to sit in the sun, cool off in the lake, and run and bike on the lakefront trail. In the winter, the beaches are bare, but just as beautiful, as ice forms along the shore and creates magnificent winter imagery and a feeling of solitude. The most popular beaches are the Oak Street Beach in downtown and the North Avenue Beach just north of downtown.
Oak Street Beach
1000 N. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 747-2001
chicagoparkdistrict.com
North Avenue Beach
1600 N. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 747-2001
chicagoparkdistrict.com
Millenium Park
Chicago's newest park has quickly become one of its most popular since it opened in 2004. Located downtown on Michigan Avenue, visitors can wander through the vast Lurie Garden, see distorted reflections of the city's skyline in Cloud Gate, cool off in the Crown Fountain, and admire the park's post-modern architecture. In winter, visitors with ice skates can skate for free in the park's ice rink directly off of Michigan Avenue.
Millennium Park
Michigan Avenue
Washington and Madison Street
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 744-6050
millenniumpark.org
Lincoln Park Zoo
Located just north of downtown in the famous Lincoln Park neighborhood, the Lincoln Park Zoo is home to over 1,000 animals, large and small, and admission is always free. The zoo covers 35 acres, houses numerous animals and has exhibits such as a special "farm" where children can feed and pet typical farm animals like pigs, horses and cows. Around Christmas, the zoo lights up for the Lincoln Park Zoo Zoolights, when the zoo is open during special nighttime hours. It is decorated with Christmas lights and holiday music plays for visitors.
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60614
(312) 742-2000
lpzoo.com
