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Parks & Outdoors in Illinois

Lurie Garden

1. Lurie Garden

220 E Monroe St, Chicago, IL

A serene 2.5-acre garden in the heart of Millennium Park celebrating Chicago's transformation from marshland to modern city.

Parks & Outdoors Gardens
Millenium Park

2. Millenium Park

201 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL

Iconic public park home to Cloud Gate, outdoor art, and performances.

Parks & Outdoors City Parks
Grant Park

3. Grant Park

337 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL

Major downtown park cluster with fountains, art and skyline views.

Parks & Outdoors City Parks
Maggie Daley Park

4. Maggie Daley Park

337 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL

Expansive downtown park with gardens, winding paths, play spaces and skyline views.

Parks & Outdoors City Parks
Riverwalk

5. Riverwalk

22 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL

Scenic urban river promenade lined with views, dining and activity.

Parks & Outdoors Trail/Trailheads
Ohio Street Beach

6. Ohio Street Beach

600 N Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL

Compact urban beach near downtown, favored for swimming, lakefront lounging and dramatic skyline views.

Parks & Outdoors River/Lake Access
Oak Street Beach

7. Oak Street Beach

1000 N Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL

Classic downtown beach framed by high-rises, lakefront paths and some of Chicago’s best skyline views.

Parks & Outdoors River/Lake Access
North Avenue Beach

8. North Avenue Beach

1603 N Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL

Iconic Chicago beach known for skyline views, volleyball, lakefront energy and people watching.

Parks & Outdoors River/Lake Access
31st Street Beach

9. 31st Street Beach

3100 S Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL

Scenic harborfront beach with marina access, skyline views, walking paths and a relaxed waterfront setting.

Parks & Outdoors River/Lake Access
Foster Avenue Beach

10. Foster Avenue Beach

5200 S Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL

Spacious North Side beach known for sunsets, lakefront recreation, picnic areas and a laid-back local vibe.

Parks & Outdoors River/Lake Access
Montrose Beach

11. Montrose Beach

4400 N Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL

Expansive North Side beach popular for recreation, birding, boating access and a relaxed neighborhood feel.

Parks & Outdoors River/Lake Access
63rd Street Beach

12. 63rd Street Beach

6300 S Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL

Historic South Side beach offering broad sands, cultural history, lake access and beautiful open-water views.

Parks & Outdoors River/Lake Access
Route 66 Park

13. Route 66 Park

920 N Broadway St, Joliet, IL

Mini-park with benches, statues, and signs celebrating Route 66 history.

Parks & Outdoors City Parks
Lions Lake

14. Lions Lake

Dwight, Dwight, IL

Scenic lake and recreational area near Route 66, good for picnics and photos.

Parks & Outdoors City Parks
Chenoa Resting Area

15. Chenoa Resting Area

501 E Cemetery Ave, Chenoa, IL

Roadside stop with benches and interpretive signs for travelers.

Parks & Outdoors Picnic Areas
Route 66 Memory Lane

16. Route 66 Memory Lane

Parade Rd, Lexington, IL

Walking trail with Route 66 memorabilia and signs.

Parks & Outdoors Trail/Trailheads
Historic Rte 66 Trail

17. Historic Rte 66 Trail

Historic Rte 66 Trail, Towanda, IL

Walking trail on former Route 66 alignment with murals and signs.

Parks & Outdoors Trail/Trailheads
Sugar Grove Nature Center

18. Sugar Grove Nature Center

4532 N 725 East Rd, McLean, IL

Nature center with educational programs and trails.

Parks & Outdoors Trail/Trailheads
Funks Grove

19. Funks Grove

Funks Grove, McLean, IL

Historic maple grove and natural area on Route 66.

Parks & Outdoors Trail/Trailheads