Top Beautiful Gardens To Escape To In Chicago

Anish Kapoors Cloud Gate, popularly known as the Bean, is one of the iconic attractions in Chicago
Anish Kapoor's Cloud Gate, popularly known as the Bean, is one of the iconic attractions in Chicago | © lucky-photographer / Alamy Stock Photo
Mahwesh Fatima

In a city such as Chicago, many individuals are overwhelmed with day-to-day hustle and bustle and don’t get a chance to escape from their busy everyday lives. Luckily, Chicago has a vast variety of areas where individuals can take a moment to stop and recharge their minds. We’ve listed our top 10 stunning parks and beautiful gardens to visit.

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The Art Institute of Chicago South Garden

Located on the south side of the Art Institute of Chicago along Michigan Avenue, this simple and modern garden is uniquely built upon a parking garage. It is as peaceful as it is beautiful and includes an open courtyard with symmetrically placed trees surrounding it. The garden has a fantastically soothing ambiance, no matter what the weather may be.

The Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool is the ultimate escape destination. It has a specifically designed lily pool that was built in 1889, and still runs today. The garden was designed by the architect Alfred Caldwell, who took the opportunity to show off his expertise and create a symbolic vision of beauty.

Lurie Garden

Known for its vibrant colors and attractive essence, the Lurie Garden blooms with life even on the coldest of days. Built in 2004 and located at the southern end of Millennium Park, it is home to a wide variety of plants and flowers. The garden looks just as beautiful in the winter as it does in the summer, making it the ideal place to relax year round.

Promontory Point at Burnham Park

Memorial, Park

Watch the sun set from Promontory Point on the Lake Michigan shoreline

Along with offering one of the most beautiful views of the Chicago skyline, Promontory Point at Burnham Park is a quaint area where visitors can escape from the city’s noise. This park shares the same architect as the Caldwell Lily Pool, Alfred Caldwell, and he has created a similar serene and relaxing environment, but with a modern twist.

Garfield Park Conservatory

Park

© teve Skjold / Alamy Stock Photo

Garfield Park Conservatory is a tropical paradise. You almost feel as though you’ve been transported to a vivid, green rainforest away from the hustle and bustle of Chicago. The stages and installations change frequently, so you can visit again and again.

Grant Park Rose Garden

Within the sprawling urban Grant Park, you will find a beautiful Rose Garden hidden away. This ‘park within a park’ is the perfect spot to get away to. Most attractive in summer when the roses bloom, it also lies close to the picturesque Buckingham Fountain.

North Park Nature Center

Park, Natural Feature
North Park Nature Center offers a variety of woodland and prairie areas to experience. An abundant 46-acre preserve, the landscape is somewhat of a hidden gem in the city. The natural state of this park has been incredibly well preserved, with paths, gardens, and fields to explore.

Cancer Survivors’ Garden

Completed in 1996 and designed to be a celebration of life and hope, the Cancer Survivors’ Garden is one of the most peaceful places within the city area. With views over Lake Michigan, many visit the park for a quick break from their everyday hurry or to recharge and reflect.

Harold Washington Library’s Winter Garden

Library, Building
For many, the library is a peaceful escape where work can be more easily accomplished. Harold Washington Library’s 9th floor carries a stunning space that lets visitors have the best of a library and aesthetics of a beautiful garden flooded with natural light. Not only is this a place to clear your head, but it is also a vision of architectural beauty.

Northerly Island Park

Park
Northerly Island Park is a ‘man-made peninsula’ located along Chicago’s lakefront. Along with a beautiful natural area to enjoy, the park also provides a striking view of the city skyline and some of the best fishing in the area.

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