Millennium Park Verified listing

Millennium Park is a celebrated 24.5-acre urban oasis in downtown Chicago, officially opened in 2004 atop former rail yards and parking lots. It is part of the larger Grant Park and has quickly become one of the city’s top attractions, drawing millions of visitors each year. The park was developed through a public-private partnership and designed by a team of renowned architects and artists, including Frank Gehry, Anish Kapoor, and Jaume Plensa. It serves as a space where art, nature, and civic life come together in the heart of the city.

One of the park’s most iconic features is Cloud Gate, commonly known as “The Bean,” a massive stainless steel sculpture by Anish Kapoor that reflects the Chicago skyline and its visitors. Nearby is the Crown Fountain, consisting of two 50-foot glass towers that project rotating faces of Chicago residents and spray water during warmer months. Another highlight is the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, a futuristic open-air concert venue designed by Frank Gehry, which hosts free concerts and film screenings during the summer and can accommodate over 11,000 people.

Millennium Park is open daily from 6 AM to 11 PM, and admission is free for all. In winter, it features an outdoor ice skating rink at McCormick Tribune Plaza, while in warmer seasons, visitors can enjoy the serene Lurie Garden, a beautifully landscaped space filled with native plants and pollinators. The park is also connected to other green spaces like Maggie Daley Park via pedestrian bridges, making it a central hub for leisure, art, and community events in Chicago.