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Grant Park - Chicago Hotels .com

Grant Park

Often called Chicago's front lawn, Grant Park is a serene cultural landmark in the middle of the city's urban core. It is home to the Chicago Art Institute, Adler Planetarium, Field Museum of Natural History and Shedd Aquarium, making it more than just a walk in park.

During the summer, it is home to the now annual Lollapalooza festival, a two-day music festival that hosts hundreds of alternative, rock, dance and hip-hop artists from around the world. It also plays hosts to other events such as Taste of Chicago, the Chicago Blues Festival and Venetian Night.

A little over 20 acres of Grant Park was used to create Millennium Park, who has clearly outshined its neighbor. But the park is still beloved by Chicagoans, especially because of its focal point, Buckingham Fountain, one of the largest fountains in the world. It contains 1.5 million gallons of water and pushes out 14,000 gallons per minute through 133 jets. It runs every day from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. from April through October. The water display runs every hour on the hour every 20 minutes, and at dusk, lights and music run in sync with the display.

If you aren't exhausted by everything there is to do at Grant Park, other nearby attractions include Museum of Contemporary Photography, Spertus Museum, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Architecture Center and Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise.

Later, enjoy a three-course dinner at Custom House (312-523-0200), a swanky spot with a full bar. Unwind at Millers Pub, where you can enjoy superb cocktails until 4 a.m.

If you wish to stay in the neighborhood, Best Western Grant Park would be a nice starting point for your Chicago experience. On the more luxurious side look up Hotel Blake, a landmark hotel decked in 1940s style.

Click here for a full list of hotels near Grant Park.

Hours:
Daily 7 a.m. - 11 p.m.  

Admission:
Free

Address:
500 S Columbus Dr.
Chicago, IL 60604

Tel: (312) 742-7529

Web address: http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com