Where the Grass is Greener: The Best Parks in Chi-Town

For an added bit of aesthetic beauty, some of the Windy City's top parks sit along the shores of Lake Michigan. The best parks in Chicago also cater to a variety of people, including kids in search of entertainment, adults longing for a bit of peace and quiet—and outdoor enthusiasts of any age.

Burnham Park

The lakefront Burnham Park has 600 acres of both untamed and planned space. Reconnect with nature in the Burnham Wildlife Corridor, home to a bird and butterfly sanctuary. The adjacent 91-acre Northerly Island provides opportunities for hiking, bird watching and fishing. Test your skills at the 31st Street Skate Park or unwind at one of the park's multiple beaches. Make sure you visit the peninsular Promontory Point, which offers panoramas of the Chicago skyline.

Grant Park

Dubbed Chicago's "front yard," the loop-based Grant Park bustles with energy. Culture is alive at the 319-acre park, home to such renowned institutions as the Art Institute, the Field Museum of Natural History, the Shedd Aquarium and the Adler Planetarium. One of the lakefront park's most famous attractions is Buckingham Fountain, an ornate 1927 creation that offers a dancing water and light show from April through October.

Millenium Park

In the northwestern corner of Grant Park, Millennium Park offers both edgy artwork and traditional green space. Cool off in the Crown Fountain, a modern splash pad with water projecting from enormous video screens, or take a picture of your distorted image in Cloud Gate, the park's iconic steel sculpture. Gaze at the skyline from the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, home to many free concerts, or escape to the serenity of the Lurie Garden. Practice your double Axel during the winter at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink or enjoy an outdoor workout on the Great Lawn.

Indian Boundary Park

Indian Boundary Park, a cozy green space in Chicago's West Rogers Park neighborhood, offers plenty of activities for children, including a modest zoo and a whimsical playground equipped with tunnels and bridges. The park's splash pad comes in handy during warm weather. Sign up the whole family for performing arts lessons and craft workshops available at the on-site cultural center.

Jackson Park

Nestled along Lake Michigan in the neighborhood of Woodlawn, the 543-acre Jackson Park is home to the revered Museum of Science and Industry. Enjoy a peaceful respite in Wooded Island, pausing to tour the Garden of the Phoenix, a Japanese themed garden with pavilions, waterfalls and colorful cherry trees. Test your swing on the 18-hole golf course or enjoy an afternoon of sunbathing at the 63rd St. Beach.

Lincoln Park

Stretching across 1,208 acres, Lincoln Park includes such free attractions as the tropical plant-filled Lincoln Park Conservatory and the heralded Lincoln Park Zoo. Recreational adventures await at the archery range or the paddleboat-dotted rowing lagoon. During the winter, sledders fly down the snow-covered Cricket Hill. A miniature golf course and the lakeside Sydney R. Marovitz Golf Course offers 18 holes for teeing off. Finally, take in a play at the Theater on the Lake or purchase a ticket to visit to the Chicago History Museum.

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