Chicago Neighborhoods: Millennium Park

Millennium Park is situated at the northern edge of Grant Park, and opened in 2004 to quickly become one of Chicago’s most popular attractions. The architecturally distinctive park hosts hundreds of free concerts and programs in Frank Gehry’s stunning Jay Pritzker Pavilion. Innovative pieces of public art, like Jaume Plensa’s Crown Fountain and Anish Kapoor’s Cloud Gate, are among Chicago’s most recognizable symbols. The Lurie Garden’s native prairie landscape comes alive in the summer, while an outdoor ice rink attracts thousands for free skating every winter.

There is magic at Millennium Park, but the level depends on how willing visitors are to interact with it. The attractions within this most unique 24.5-acre parcel of Chicago greenery are easily listed and impossible to miss: There’s the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, where the music happens outside. The Harris Theater for Dance and Music is the indoor theater.

Attractions

Architectural Point – Michigan/Madison

• Art & Architecture

From the intersection of Madison and Wabash, one can easily access the Michigan Avenue Historic drag and be surrounded by architectural relics of Chicago’s past, such as the Montgomery Ward Building (6 N. Michigan Ave., 1899), the intricate Willoughby Tower (8 S. Michigan Ave., 1929), the traditional gothic Chicago Athletic Association (12 S. Michigan Ave., 1893), as well as the Crown Fountain just across Michigan Avenue in Millennium Park.

Free Admission | N. Michigan Ave. & E. Madison Ave.

Architecture at Michigan and Randolph

• Art & Architecture

This densely packed intersection is filled with examples of the diverse and magnificent architecture and urban planning strategies present in Chicago. The “diamond-topped” Smurfit Stone Building (150 N. Michigan Ave.), the Chicago Cultural Center (78 E. Washington St.), the Aon Center (200 Upper Randolph Dr.), and Millennium Park are all accessible from this intersection.

Free Admission | N. Michigan Ave. & E. Randolph St.

Carbide and Carbon Building

• Art & Architecture

Built in 1929 by Daniel and Hubert Burnham, sons of Daniel Burnham, the 37-story Art Deco Carbide and Carbon Building is a dark green terra cotta building with gold accents.

Free Admission | 333 N. Michigan Ave.

Chicago Cultural Center

• Art & Architecture,
• Cultural Centers,
• Museums & Zoos,
• Music,
• Popular Attractions,
• Theater & Dance

The nation’s first free municipal cultural center, the Chicago Cultural Center is one of the city’s ten most popular attractions and is considered one of the most comprehensive arts showcases in the United States.

Free Admission | 78 E. Washington St | 312.744.6630

Cloud Gate in Millennium Park

• Art & Architecture,
• Music,
• Parks & Gardens,
• Popular Attractions,
• Theater & Dance

See yourself and a reflection of the city skyline in artist Anish Kapoor’s interactive sculpture that sits in the center of Millennium Park.

Free Admission | 201 E. Randolph St., between Michigan Ave and Columbus Ave | 312.742.1168

Crown Fountain in Millennium Park

• Art & Architecture,
• Fountains,
• Parks & Gardens,
• Popular Attractions

Become a kid again when you stand in front of artist Jaume Plensa’s 50-foot glass block towers of flowing water that project the video images of 1,000 different Chicagoans.

Free Admission | 201 E. Randolph St., between Michigan Ave and Columbus Ave | 312.742.1168

Harris Theater for Music and Dance

• Music,
• Theater & Dance

From September to May, the non-profit Harris Theater in Millennium Park partners with Chicago’s premiere performing arts and cultural institutions, bringing music and dance to the public.

205 E. Randolph St. | 312-334-7777

Haskell Building

• Art & Architecture

Located in Jewelers row, the Haskell building was designed by John Mills van Osdell, the city’s first accredited architect after the Chicago Fire.

Free Admission | 18 S. Wabash St.

Historic Michigan Boulevard District

• Historical Landmarks

Michigan Avenue is one of the world’s most-recognized one-sided streets;an incomparable backdrop to Grant Park and Lake Michigan. Michigan Avenue is the most enduring image of the Chicago skyline, the image of the city which most often represents Chicago to the rest of the world. The district strongly reflects the city’s development as a handsome lakefront metropolis during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Free Admission | S. Michigan Ave. & E. Congress Dr.

Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park

• Art & Architecture,
• Music,
• Parks & Gardens,
• Popular Attractions,
• Theater & Dance

The Jay Pritzker Pavilion outdoor concert venue at Millennium Park is home to the Grant Park Music Festival and other FREE concerts and events.

Free Admission | 201 E. Randolph St., between Michigan Ave and Columbus Ave | 312.742.1168

Lurie Garden at Millennium Park

• Art & Architecture,
• Parks & Gardens,
• Popular Attractions

Explore Millennium Park’s breathtaking Lurie Garden in all four seasons of the year designed by the team of Gustafson Guthrie Nichol, Piet Oudolf and Robert Israel.

Free Admission | 201 E. Randolph St., between Michigan Ave and Columbus Ave | 312.742.1168

McDonald’s Cycle Center in Millennium Park

• Sports & Recreation

Rent, repair or park your bike in a 300-space, heated indoor bicycle parking facility located in Millennium Park.

239 E. Randolph St. | 312-729-1000

Millennium Park

• Art & Architecture,
• Beaches & Pools,
• Music,
• Parks & Gardens,
• Popular Attractions,
• Theater & Dance

Millennium Park is an award-winning center for art, music, architecture and landscape design. The result of a unique partnership between the City of Chicago and the philanthropic community, the 24.5-acre park features the work of world-renowned architects, planners, artists and designers.

Free Admission | 201 E. Randolph St., between Michigan Ave and Columbus Ave | 312.742.1168

Dining

Park Grill and Café

• American (New)

Located within the friendly confines of Millennium Park, the Park Grill and the Park Café offer the opportunity to have an upscale or casual meal and still be in close proximity to the Pritzker Pavilion, the Bean, and the Crown Fountain.

11 N. Michigan Ave. | 312.521.PARK (7275)

Pastoral

• Food Retail: Specialty Food

Pastoral is a Europeanesque gourmet wine, cheese, and bread shop. All of their products are made by small producers, many of which are imported from Europe. Perfect for a picnic, you can choose your own items in the store or call 24-hours in advance and Pastoral will prepare a pre-packed picnic for two.

53 E. Lake St. | 312.658.1250

Pittsfield Café

• American (Traditional)

Classic diner located by the atrium in the Pittsfield building that offers the traditional American dishes.

55 E. Washington St. | 312.641.1806

Russian Tea Time

• Russian

Russian Tea Time serves cuisine from all parts of the former Soviet Union with specialties from the Central Asian, Slavic, Russian, and Jewish traditions in the region. Mahogany birch wood, brass samovars (ancient tea urns), modest but classy brass light fixtures, slightly-dimmed lights and heart-warming balalaika music create a very elegant and intimate atmosphere.

77 E. Adams St. | 312.360.0000

Sweetwater Tavern and Grille

• American (Traditional)

Sweetwater Tavern and Grille is a 200 seat restaurant that offers a warm and cozy atmosphere complimented by upscale tavern fare.

225 N. Michigan Ave. | 312.698.7111

Tavern at the Park

• American (New)

Voted favorite restaurant in Chicago for business dining by Crain’s readers, Tavern at the Park offers contemporary American cuisine with an Italian twist amidst great views of Millennium Park.

130 E. Randolph St. | 312.552.0070

The Gage

• Gastropubs

Located across the street from Millennium Park in a 120-year-old building designed by Holabird & Roche, The Gage takes traditional Irish pub-grub to a new level, providing a sophisticated dining experience.

24 S. Michigan Ave. | 312.372.4243

Shopping

Graham Crackers Comic Books

• Comic Books

This well-known Chicago comic book chain stocks all the popular comics and graphic novels in publication as well as some rare and classic issues. Of their eight locations, the downtown store holds their finest and most valuable collection.

77 E. Madison St. | 312.629.1810

Tours

Absolutely Chicago Segway Art and Architecture Tours

• Segway

This extraordinary tour is exciting and educational -learn about our city’s art installations, world-class architecture and architects while riding a segway. Glide along the lakefront, through the fragrant gardens of Grant and Millennium Parks, and view the statues, Buckingham Fountain, The Bean and more.

337 E Randolph St. | 312.552.5100

Absolutely Chicago Segway Fireworks Tours

• Segway

You have not seen Chicago until you have seen it at night. Enjoy Buckingham Fountain’s evening light show with the illuminated skyline as a backdrop. Glide along the lakefront to our secret spot for viewing the city’s fireworks. You decide what is more spectacular, the fireworks or the skyline in its evening splendor.

337 E. Randolph St. | 312.552.5100

Chicago Cultural Center Building Tours

• Walking

Gaze at the world’s largest Tiffany stained-glass dome, as well as beautifully ornate, multi-colored mosaics, marble and molding during guided architectural tours of the Chicago Cultural Center. Tours are presented Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 1:15pm.

Free Admission | 78 E. Washington St. | 312.744.6630

Chicago For Kids Audio Tour

• Audio & Self-Guided

Take an adventure to Chicago’s coolest places without ever leaving your home! The FREE Chicago for Kids Audio Tour will take kids on adventures throughout the city and features eight destinations, games and challenges that highlight the rich culture and history of Chicago.

Free Admission | 78 E. Washington St

Millennium Park Self-Guided Enhanced Audio Tour

• Audio & Self-Guided

Now you can explore the 24.5 acre Park with its creators as your guide, including architect Frank Gehry, and artists Anish Kapoor and Jaume Plensa.

Free Admission | 201 E. Randolph St. | 312.742.1168

Events

International Summer Screenings Program

• Film

Cinema/Chicago, in collaboration with the Chicago Cultural Center and international and cultural partners throughout the city, is pleased to host free public film screenings at the 7th Annual International Summer Screenings Program.

Free Admission | 78 E. Washington St., Claudia Cassidy Theater | 1-312-683-0121