While Lincoln Park is a neighborhood in Chicago, it is also home to beautiful parks within the community and surrounding areas. During the summer, a great way to get outside is to visit a park and go for a walk while enjoying the beautiful scenery. Here are some parks that you will find around Lincoln Park, courtesy of Crème de la Crème of Lincoln Park (Chicago), IL. 

Lincoln Park

“Chicago desde el Lincoln Park” licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Flickr by Alberto Cabello Mayero 

You can’t be in the community of Lincoln Park without visiting Lincoln Park. The park lies on the lakefront of Lake Michigan and extends 1,188 acres. 

As the park is so large, there are lots of things to do while there. Some of the bigger attractions include the Lincoln Park Zoo, Theater on the Lake, and the Lincoln Park Conservatory. There is also the Chicago History Museum and the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. While there, be sure to visit the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool. It’s a quiet pond hidden within the park that has beautiful lily pads and a waterfall. 

Also in Lincoln Park, the North Pond is an excellent park to stop by and enjoy the 12.5 acres of native wetland, aquatic and prairie habitats. The pond is a popular stop for migratory wildlife, so you will surely see lots of birds when you visit the sanctuary. Besides birds, there are also local mammals, amphibians, insects, and reptiles that you can find in their natural habitats in the nature sanctuary.

While there are many attractions, there are also plenty of paths that you can walk in the park. The paths connect and take you through lightly treed green spaces right next to the shoreline. 

In 2009, the American Planning Association named Lincoln Park one of the Great Public Spaces in America because of its historic landmarks and world-class amenities. Within the park, you will find statues, including one of Abraham Lincoln. You will also find an archery range, various playing fields, and two beaches. Be sure to check out the website for a full description of everything you can do in Lincoln Park. 

Lincoln Park is open between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. daily. It is between 500-5700 N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. 

Oz Park

You can find Oz Park within the Lincoln Park community. It is unique because it celebrates the theme “The Wizard of Oz.” As you stroll through the park, you can enjoy the Emerald Garden, which is full of beautiful flowers. The park is also full of statues of characters such as Tin Man, Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion, Dorothy, and Toto. There is also a Dorothy-themed park available for children. 

Besides walking around the park, there are also tennis courts, basketball courts, and a ball field where you can enjoy some sports. This 14-acre park is definitely a great place to stop when looking for a new park to explore. 

Oz Park is at 2021 N. Burlington St., Chicago, and is open from 6 a.m. – 11 p.m. 

Millennium Park

Millennium Park is an excellent park in Chicago. There are lots of things to do and see within the park. For example, if you are interested in art, you can visit the Crown Fountain, an interactive video sculpture fountain, or Cloud Gate (The Bean), a famous statue in Chicago. Throughout the year, visitors can check out concerts and summer movies on the Great Lawn. 

Lurie Garden has won awards for its beautiful botanical landscaping. Throughout the year, perennials and bulbs are planted which showcase the diversity of native plants in the area. You can try a self-guided scavenger hunt through the garden the next time you visit. Other attractions that you can check out while at the park include Maggie Daley Park, a playland that reflects the spirit of “Alice in Wonderland” and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and the Ice Rink. 

Millennium Park is at 201 Randolph St., Chicago, and is open between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. daily. 

Northerly Island Park

This park is an island designed by a popular architect along the shoreline of Lake Michigan. Once the World Fair site in 1933, Northerly Island Park is now a nature sanctuary that lets visitors explore both natural and man-made environments. The 119-acre island is home to prairie grasslands, a 5-acre pond, and lots of paths that you can use to explore the island. Whether you want to view birds, native wildlife, or plants, there are many things to see. The island also has an emerging savannah that is home to plenty of wildlife. 

In addition to exploring the island, there are also youth nature programs offered, seasonal festivals, fishing, paddling, and camping. There is also a nature center that is open between 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on weekdays. Northerly Island Park is located at 1521 S. Linn White Drive, Chicago. 

Jackson Park

Jackson Park is a 551-acre park that includes Wooded Island, home to a Japanese Garden and vegetable and flower gardens. The area has around 160 cherry blossom trees that bloom each spring. If you are looking to take a beautiful walk, be sure to plan your trip for when the trees are in bloom. The park is still beautiful throughout the rest of the year and includes the Japanese Gardens. Within the gardens, you can visit the Ho-o-den (Phoenix Temple), and beautiful gardens that symbolize the mutual respect between Japan and the United States initiated in 1893. 

In addition to the Japanese Garden, Jackson Park is just off the water on Lake Michigan and includes a beach and lagoon that you can walk around. 

Jackson Park is located at 6401 S. Stony Island Ave and is open between 6 a.m.-9 a.m. 

Chicago is home to many parks which are full of beautiful paths, natural wildlife and ecosystems, and interesting things to do and explore. What is your favorite park to explore around Lincoln Park? We at Crème de la Crème of Lincoln Park (Chicago), IL, would love to hear from you! Which park should we visit next?