Chicago, Cook County, IL
Places to go in Chicago
37 scouted venues — the coffee shops, restaurants, parks, and hidden corners we think are worth your time.
Outdoors
Burnham (Daniel) Park
Sprawling green space with landscaping, tennis courts, a bike path & many sports fields.
1200-5700 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60615, USA
Outdoors
Busse Woods
Lakeside forest retreat offering an elk habitat, a biking trail, boat rentals & large picnic groves.
Rolling Meadows, IL 60008, USA
Outdoors
Catherine Chevalier Woods
This expansive tract features a variety of nature habitats, plus areas for picnicking & hiking.
N East River Rd, Chicago, IL 60634, USA
Outdoors
Chicago Botanic Garden
385 acres of landscaped gardens displaying millions of plants & flowers in a variety of settings.
1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL 60022, USA
Outdoors
Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area
Large preserve offers hiking & snowshoeing nature trails with diverse wildlife & a small farm area.
21950 N Riverwoods Rd, Riverwoods, IL 60015, USA
Outdoors
Forest Glen Woods
Nature & recreation area featuring paths amid woods & wildlife, plus a picnic pavilion.
5420 N Forest Glen Ave, Chicago, IL 60630, USA
Outdoors
Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve
Shoreline forest preserve with rolling terrain & trails for hiking, biking & cross-country skiing.
1275 Gilgare Ln, Lake Forest, IL 60045, USA
Outdoors
Garfield Park Conservatory
184-acre park with a swimming pool, fishing lagoon, athletic fields & tennis courts.
300 N Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL 60624, USA
Outdoors
Gompers (Samuel) Park
39-acre park on the Chicago River with an outdoor pool, playground, roller hockey rink & lagoon.
4222 W Foster Ave, Chicago, IL 60630, USA
Outdoors
Grant Park
312-acre centerpiece of Downtown housing some of the city's busiest attractions.
331 E. Randolph St N Columbus Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
Outdoors
Humboldt Park Beach
Small sandy patch popular for lake swimming, with lifeguards on duty & changing rooms nearby.
1400 N Humboldt Dr, Chicago, IL 60622, USA
Outdoors
Indian Boundary Park
Boasting a Tudor-style fieldhouse, this park also features a lagoon, playground & tennis courts.
2500 W Lunt Ave, Chicago, IL 60645, USA
Outdoors
Indiana Dunes State Park
Dune-lined park for hiking, swimming, fishing, cross-country skiing, birding & more, plus campsites.
1600 N 25 E, Chesterton, IN 46304, USA
Outdoors
Jackson Park
540-plus-acre city park featuring a beach, gardens & indoor/outdoor fitness facilities.
6401 S Stony Island Ave, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
Outdoors
LaBagh Woods
This wooded area is a popular spot for nature observation & offers trails & picnic areas.
West Foster Avenue, N Cicero Ave, Chicago, IL 60630, USA
Outdoors
Lakefront Trail - Fullerton - 2400 N
This 18-mile-long route features separate lanes for walkers & cyclists, plus views of Lake Michigan.
Lakefront Trl, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
Outdoors
Lakefront Trail - North Trailhead - Ardmore Ave - 5800 N
900 W Ardmore Ave, Chicago, IL 60660, USA
Outdoors
Lakeshore East Park
4-acre urban botanic garden featuring a playground, splash pad, dog park & lighted fountains.
450 E Benton Pl, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
Outdoors
Lincoln Park
Expansive outdoor urban refuge containing its own zoo, conservatory, theater, museums & playgrounds.
500-5700 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
Outdoors
Lincoln Park Conservatory
Thousands of exotic plants in an 1890 glass structure, plus outdoor gardens & fountains.
2391 N Stockton Dr, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
Outdoors
Maggie Daley Park
Popular recreational area with winter ice skating, a climbing wall & playground equipment.
337 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
Outdoors
Millennium Park
24.5-acre green space with a video display, the reflective "Bean" sculpture & an outdoor theater.
Chicago, IL 60602, USA
Outdoors
Milton Lee Olive Park
Secluded urban oasis on the water with city skyline views, serene paths & circular fountains.
E Ohio St, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Outdoors
North Park Village Nature Center
46-acre nature preserve with hiking trails, a birding area & a center with educational programs.
5801 N Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60646, USA