Millennium Park Chicago
The Millennium Park or Parque del Milenio is the tourist jewel of the city of Chicago. This is a comprehensive guide to all the things you can see and do at Millennium Park Chicago.
Located in Grant Park, the Millennium Park has all the attractions to be included in the itinerary of our trip to Chicago.
There are many parks in Chicago, but the Millennium Park or Millennium Park is one of the main attractions in the city of Chicago.
Millennium Park is located within Grant Park in the city of Chicago. Its architecture, design, sculptures and its many attractions have made it one of the favorite places in the city, both for the inhabitants and for the visitors.
Millennium Park has won awards for its innovative features with one of its most visible pieces being the Jay Pritzker Pavilion stage, designed by Frank Gehry.
The park honors Chicago's tradition of being the city that has contributed the most to the development of modern architecture and urban landscape.
Things to See and Do at Millennium Park Chicago
The main attractions of Millennium Park are the Cloud Gate sculpture, the Crown Fountain, the Lurie Garden and the Jay Pritzker Pavilion stage.
The park is connected to other sections of Grant Park via the BP Pedestrian Bridge and the Nichols Bridgeway.
Having fun at Chicago's Crown Fountain
The Crown Fountain is one of the first sculptures we see upon arriving at the Millennium Park. The fountain was designed by the Spanish artist and sculptor artist Jaume Plensa and captivates the public that surrounds it, while children and not so children have fun with the water.
The fountain consists of two structures about 15 meters high covered with glass bricks, in which short videos alternate with the faces of different Chicagoans.
Amaze us with Cloud Gate: El Frijol (The Bean) or the Bean of the Millennium Park
The Cloud Gate sculpture resembles a gigantic blob of liquid mercury, reflecting the buildings and clouds in the Chicago sky depending on which way you look at it.
Visitors look at it with surprise from different angles, trying to discover the images that this marvelous sculpture generously returns.
Attend a free concert at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion
The Jay Pritzker Pavilion is an outdoor concert arena where the Grant Park Music Festival, the only free festival of its kind in the United States, takes place each year.
During the summer, the music from concerts and previous practices is heard in Millennium Park as a very pleasant backdrop.
Take a walk in the Lurie Garden
When you visit the Lurie Garden in Millennium Park, you feel the rare sensation of being in a lonely place, yet you know you are surrounded by the surrounding imposing architecture and in the middle of the city.
In the garden there are paths at different levels with an artificial stream that runs through it.
Take a break in Millennium Park's Wrigley Square.
This plaza is part of the Millennium Park, but is secluded enough to be quiet and peaceful. The central element of the square is the Millennium monument, a semicircle with Doric-style columns that surrounds a water fountain.
The square also has a large grassy area to rest.
Also in Millennium Park there are the McCormick Tribune ice skating rink, Harris Theatre, Wrigley Square, McDonald's Cycle Center for cyclists, the Exelon Pavilions, AT&T Plaza, Boeing Galleries and the Chase Promenade walk.
Other Things to Do at Chicago Millennium Park
Go up the BP Pedestrian Bridge and walk to Maggie Daley Park
The bridge is nearly 1,000 feet long and ps Columbus Street, linking Millennium Park to Daley Park. It is a very gentle slope and the views from the top of the bridge are very good.
Taking photos from above the Nichols Bridgeway
The Nichols Bridgeway is a pedestrian bridge that links Millennium Park to the third floor of the Art Institute of Chicago. Very nice views also on both sides of Monroe street.
Tour the Boeing Art Gallery
The Boeing Art Galleries are located on either side of AT&T Plaza and the Cloud Gate sculpture. There are exhibitions of works of art in the open air.
Practice ice skating (in winter, of course)
The McCormick Tribune Ice Skating Rink is open from mid-November to mid-March.
Although the availability of the rink depends on the weather, since it has a cold system it can keep the ice solid in case the temperature rises unexpectedly.
Now in the nearby Maggie Daley Park there is another ice skating rink.
Questions about Chicago's Millennium Park
Is there internet connection inside the park?
Yes, the park has free Wi-Fi. The network you have to connect to is called “Park Wifi”.
The City of Chicago offers free wireless internet access at Millennium Park and other public places such as the Cultural Center (78 E. Washington), Daley Square (50 W. Washington), and Millennium Park (55 N. Michigan).
Are there public restrooms available?
Yes, the restrooms are located on the east and west sides of the Jay Pritzker Pavilion and are very clean and comfortable.
Is the Millennium Park wheelchair accessible?
Yes, all areas of Millennium Park are accessible by wheelchair. Additionally, in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion there are integrated spaces for wheelchairs in both the free seating area and the reserved seating area for members.
Restrooms are also accessible, plus there are complimentary wheelchairs for the concerts and accessible parking in the garage located just below the park.
What time does the Millennium Park close?
Park hours are 6 am to 11 pm.
Can you enter with pets?
No, animals are not allowed in Millennium Park. Only service animals may enter.
Is alcohol allowed in the Millennium Park?
Yes, but at certain times only.
Is the entrance to the Millennium Park free?
Yes, the entrance to the Millennium Park is free all year round. However, you have to pay to sit in the privileged seats at the concerts, and of course also to leave the car in the underground parking lots.
What trains take me to the Millennium Park?
The Elevado's Green, Orange, Brown, Pink and Purple lines have stations nearby. Exit at Madison/Wabash or Randolph/Wabash and walk 2 blocks east.
From the Red and Blue lines of the subway, exit at Monroe or Washington and walk two or three blocks east.
Buses 3, 4, 6, 14, 20, 56, 60, 124, 151, 157 and 173 also arrive. On weekdays and at busiest times, buses 26 and 148 also run.
Where is the Millennium Park?
Millennium Park is located in Chicago's Grant Park off Michigan Avenue between Randolph Street to the north, Columbus Drive to the east, and Monroe Street to the south.
- Address: 201 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60602
- Days and Hours: Open every day from 6 am. to 11 p.m. On some dates the schedule may vary.
- Telephone: (312) 742-1168
- Admission: Access to the park is free.