Chicago's Millennium Park
I've pretty much figured out that I'm as old as dirt. As in, the first time I ever went to Chicago there was no Millennium Park. It wasn't even a twinkle in the eye of the park's developers.But on my most recent visit to The Windy City, I was able to spend a morning strolling around this beauty of an urban park.
Anish Kapoor's Cloud Gate sits near the entrance to the park. Or The Bean if you are anyone but the artist (Rumor has it that the artist is not fond of the nickname) It's a fun and interactive art installation that you could spend a coupla hours enjoying. Who doesn't like looking at distorted images of themselves in a big bean? And taking lots and lots of pictures of that?
There was a free Yoga in the Park class that morning at the Pavilion (officially the Jay Pritzker Pavilion) and gazillions of people were leaving so after we were done looking at ourselves in the bean, we made our way over to The Great Lawn. There were a few stragglers left and some people just enjoying the lawn.
My favorite part of Millennium Park is Lurie Garden. A five acre garden inside the park, the highlight of the Lurie Garden is the 15 foot high Shoulder Hedge which is dramatically lit at night. There were people sitting along the boardwalk and dipping their feet in the stream and benches for sitting within the garden. Really peaceful and beautiful.
And last but not least, if you visit Millennium Park, you can't forget to stop by the Crown Fountain. Two 50 foot high glass block towers with video images of a cross-section of 1000 Chicago residents with a reflecting pool in between them, this is a popular spot in the park. Every few minutes the video images appear to be spouting water from their mouths and kids and grown-ups alike love to swim and jump in the water.
But the best image from our morning at Millennium Park was the little pair of sandals sitting right in the middle of the sidewalk about 30 yards from the fountain. It's as if their owners just couldn't wait and had to get in that water and have fun!
Have you been to Millennium Park?
I am linking up with Travel Photo Thursday at Budget Travelers Sandbox, Weekend Wanderlust at A Brit and a Southerner, Weekend Travel Inspiration at Reflections Enroute and Friday Postcards at Walking on Travels so go check them out for some fun travel inspiration!
Anish Kapoor's Cloud Gate sits near the entrance to the park. Or The Bean if you are anyone but the artist (Rumor has it that the artist is not fond of the nickname) It's a fun and interactive art installation that you could spend a coupla hours enjoying. Who doesn't like looking at distorted images of themselves in a big bean? And taking lots and lots of pictures of that?
There was a free Yoga in the Park class that morning at the Pavilion (officially the Jay Pritzker Pavilion) and gazillions of people were leaving so after we were done looking at ourselves in the bean, we made our way over to The Great Lawn. There were a few stragglers left and some people just enjoying the lawn.
My favorite part of Millennium Park is Lurie Garden. A five acre garden inside the park, the highlight of the Lurie Garden is the 15 foot high Shoulder Hedge which is dramatically lit at night. There were people sitting along the boardwalk and dipping their feet in the stream and benches for sitting within the garden. Really peaceful and beautiful.
And last but not least, if you visit Millennium Park, you can't forget to stop by the Crown Fountain. Two 50 foot high glass block towers with video images of a cross-section of 1000 Chicago residents with a reflecting pool in between them, this is a popular spot in the park. Every few minutes the video images appear to be spouting water from their mouths and kids and grown-ups alike love to swim and jump in the water.
But the best image from our morning at Millennium Park was the little pair of sandals sitting right in the middle of the sidewalk about 30 yards from the fountain. It's as if their owners just couldn't wait and had to get in that water and have fun!
Have you been to Millennium Park?
I am linking up with Travel Photo Thursday at Budget Travelers Sandbox, Weekend Wanderlust at A Brit and a Southerner, Weekend Travel Inspiration at Reflections Enroute and Friday Postcards at Walking on Travels so go check them out for some fun travel inspiration!
I have not been to the park but I love the Big Bean. As you say who wouldn't? I wonder who gets the job of keeping the Bean surface clean and reflective?
ReplyDeleteInteresting Jan! I never thought about that.It would seem to be a thankless job as you can actually touch it and put fingerprints all over it. Hmmmm....
DeleteWhat a cool place. I have always wanted to visit. Jan got me thinking about who cleans the surface of "The Bean." Wikipdia says the lower part is cleaned twice a day by hand. The entire structure is cleaned twice a year.
ReplyDeleteThat makes sense Ruth since the lower part is where visitors can reach - what a job that must be! Thanks for visiting!
DeleteI've never been to Millennium Park but would love to visit one day and see the now iconic Bean for myself. My kids would love the Crown Fountain.
ReplyDeleteI hope you make it there someday Michele! Crown Fountain is very cool - we sat and people watched for a very long time. Better people watching than an airport!
DeleteI haven't, but my partner is going for the marathon, so I'm guessing I'll see lots of photos. I love that fountain. The bean makes me think of Source Code....
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting Lydia! I've never seen Source Code but the bean does have a real science fiction feel to it!
DeleteI must be as old as you. I grew up in Chicago and went back 20 years later surprise to find that bean and the entire millennium park. I haven't been back in years, but now I want to go just to see that amazing art with the water coming out of it's mouth. Thanks for these photos.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Rhonda! I just loved this park. Since I am usually drawn to water I thought that I would love the waterfront (and the last time I had visited was winter so we didn't go along Lake Michigan) but I really enjoyed visiting here the most. The gardens, the bean and the fountain. And I'm sure that the sunny weather didn't hurt either.
DeleteLove the photos that you captured of Millennium Park - Chicago receives amazing reviews from everyone I know that has been there.
ReplyDeleteThanks Paula! It's a fun city to visit!
DeleteThe Bean and Chicago deep dish pizza are the sole reasons I want to go to Chicago! After this post I'll have to add the Crown Fountain to that too!
ReplyDeleteAll three are great reasons to visit the Windy City! Thanks for stopping by Bryna!
DeleteLove this park. If I ever make it to Chicago, it will be high on my list. Taking photos at The Bean looks like a lot of fun. Thanks for linking up last week. #TPThursday
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
DeleteI've visited Millennium Park but it was in the middle of the winter so I didn't get to walk on the lawn or visit the Pavillion. But I took many photos of Cloud Gate and the Crown Fountain!
ReplyDeleteI've seen some cool photos of Cloud Gate from winter but I've never seen the Crown Fountain at that time of year. This was my first summer visit and I really enjoyed it!
DeleteI have never been to Millennium Park, I am glad to have the useful information about this spot through your blog. After reading your experience with this destination I am excited to visit this place. I will plan after enjoying best 2 day trips from las vegas.
ReplyDelete