Chicago Outdoors

South Shore Tour - Chicago, IL

Grant Park - Clarence Buckingham Fountain

The Clarence Buckingham Fountain is the centerpiece of Grant Park in Chicago. This fountain is 25 feet tall and can propel water 150 feet high.

Chicago is the perfect vacation spot for the outdoor enthusiast. Visitors can enjoy the sprawling beaches and parks and the excitement of the outdoor attractions.

If this is your first time in Chicago, you may want to take a guided tour to get a view of the many attractions of the city before venturing off on your own. There are many tours available that will take you on a tour through the streets of this magnificent city. You can see the breathtaking skyscrapers, the sculptures and works of art that are to be found outside of the various business complexes and the breathtaking views of the beaches and parks. Try the South Shore Tour, the Inside Chicago Tour, or the North Side Chicago Tour.

Head off to Lake Michigan and follow the miles of jogging and bicycle trails along the waterfront. Along the trails, you'll find opportunities to grab a bite to eat, rent a bicycle, sit and people-watch, or take a dip in the lake. And sunbathers will love the beaches.  For a beautiful view of Lake Michigan, try a Chicago Spirit Cruise. On a lunch or dinner cruise, you'll have breathtaking views of the skyline, a great meal, plus entertainment and dancing afterwards.

Visit Grant Park, home to the breath-taking Buckingham fountain. The fountain is surrounded by bronze sculptures of sea horses and is made up of three layers with the fountain rising over 20 feet into the air. The park displays beautiful lawns, bridges and monuments. Grant Park is also the site of the recently renovated Soldiers Field, home to the Chicago Bears. The Joseph Petrillo Band Shell is host to evening concerts in the summer. Enjoy an outdoor picnic with the accompaniment of music at this popular spot in the city.

Jackson Park was originally named South Park in 1869 and was then changed to Jackson Park in 1881 to honor Andrew Jackson. The 1055-acre park features a fitness center, baseball diamond, golfing, tennis courts and walking and jogging and bicycling paths.

Navy Pier opened in 1916 and is a favorite for tourists and locals alike. You can find numerous attractions at the park including a Ferris wheel, carousel, miniature golf, a cliff climb, Chicago Children's Museum, Navy Pier IMAX Theatre as well as shopping and dining venues. You can take a dinner cruise from the Pier on boats such as the Spirit of Chicago or take a sightseeing cruise on one of the other tour boats.

Lincoln Park Zoo is home to hundreds of animals including penguins, bears, wolves, tigers, elephants and more. Located in Lincoln Park, on the near north side of Chicago, it's a great place to spend an hour--or all day. And to top it off, admission to the zoo is free, and is one of the few free zoos remaining in the country.

The gardens at Lincoln Park Conservatory reach their peak in September, so if you're visiting during that time of year, you definitely have to make this a stop on your itinerary. The conservatory consists of 4 acres with 19 propagating houses.

If you enjoy shopping in addition to the outdoors, take a walk down the Magnificent Mile on Michigan Avenue, where you can find some of Chicago's most elite stores. And if you get tired of walking, you can always rent a horse and carriage for a tour of the city--you'll find them stationed at several points just off Michigan Avenue (hint: look across from the street from the old Water Tower).