nature

Nature in Chicago

Chicago offers more green space and nature than its dense skyline might suggest. Millennium Park anchors the lakefront experience, with the Lurie Garden showcasing native prairie plantings steps from downtown. The BP Bridge winds pedestrians through that landscape. Lincoln Park Zoo and Brookfield Zoo Chicago bring wildlife into the urban fabric, while quieter spots like Navajo Park, AIDS Garden Chicago, and the historic Bohemian National Cemetery offer calmer retreats. The Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain sits at the edge of Grant Park, and the Ravinia Festival grounds to the north blend open-air performance with parkland setting.

8 places · Chicago, United States · Editorially curated

Bohemian National Cemetery
Wikimedia Commons
Bohemian National Cemetery
Chicago
historylocal gems
The Bohemian National Cemetery, located in northern Chicago on Pulaski Road, is one of the most significant burial grounds of the Czech and Slovak immigrant community in the United States. Founded in 1877, it served as the final resting place for generations of Bohemian immigrants who shaped Chicago's neighborhoods during the great waves of European migration. The sprawling grounds are filled with elaborately carved monuments, family mausoleums, and statues that reflect both the craftsmanship and cultural pride of this community. Politicians, artists, tradespeople, and laborers all rest here side by side. Today the cemetery functions as an open-air museum of Bohemian-American heritage and attracts genealogists, historians, and curious visitors from around the world.
BP Bridge
Wikimedia Commons
BP Bridge
Chicago
architectureculturelocal gems
The BP Pedestrian Bridge in Chicago's Loop is more than a walkway — it's architecture you can stroll through. Designed by Pritzker Prize-winner Frank Gehry alongside the adjacent Jay Pritzker Pavilion, the bridge opened with the rest of Millennium Park on 16 July 2004. It arcs gently over Columbus Drive, linking Daley Bicentennial Plaza to Millennium Park on a slightly curving ramp. Its most striking feature is the snaking stainless-steel cladding that shifts from silver to copper tones depending on the light. The gentle gradient makes it fully accessible, and the leisurely crossing offers unobstructed views of Grant Park and the city skyline — making it one of Chicago's most pleasant short walks.
Brookfield Zoo Chicago
Wikimedia Commons
Brookfield Zoo Chicago
Chicago
family outingslocal gemsknowledge
Brookfield Zoo in Brookfield, a suburb of Chicago, is one of the most important zoos in the United States. Spread across more than 57 hectares, it is home to over 424 animals in more than 280 species — from big cats and marine mammals to reptiles and tropical birds. Founded in 1921 and opened in 1934, the zoo was a pioneer of modern zoo design, adopting moats instead of cages early on to create more natural habitats. Beyond the animal experience, the sprawling park with themed areas and special exhibitions offers a rich programme for families, school groups, and nature enthusiasts. Free admission to the outdoor areas makes it an attractive destination for spontaneous visits.
Canal Street Railroad Bridge
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Canal Street Railroad Bridge
Chicago
architecturehistoryknowledge
The Canal Street Railroad Bridge, also known as the Pennsylvania Railroad Bridge, spans the south branch of the Chicago River and stands as a rare witness to Chicago's early railroad era. Built in 1914, its 1,500-ton main span was the heaviest lift bridge in the United States at the time of its completion. As the only lift bridge of its kind over the Chicago River, it remains a singular feat of engineering. Designated a Chicago Landmark in 2007, it is no longer in active rail service but offers enthusiasts of Chicago's infrastructure history a remarkable glimpse into the city's industrial past.
Chicago Pile-1 Site A
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Chicago Pile-1 Site A
Chicago
culturehistory
Hidden in the Red Gate Woods nature reserve south of Chicago, Site A is one of the most consequential — and least visited — historic sites in the world. This is where the radioactive remains of Chicago Pile-1, 2, and 3 are buried: the world's first nuclear reactors, built as part of the Manhattan Project. On December 2, 1942, Enrico Fermi achieved the first self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction using Chicago Pile-1 beneath the stands at Stagg Field, University of Chicago. The reactors were later relocated here and eventually entombed underground. A modest commemorative plaque marks the spot, which remains under US Department of Energy oversight and carries a low residual radiation signature. A genuinely eerie place to stand and contemplate a turning point in history.
Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain
Wikimedia Commons
Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain
Chicago
architectureculturefamily outings+1
Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park is one of Chicago's most recognisable landmarks and is considered one of the world's largest decorative fountains. Dedicated in 1927 in honour of Kate Sturges Buckingham, it was designed by architect Edward H. Bennett inspired by the Latona Fountain at Versailles. The central water column shoots up to 46 metres into the air, surrounded by four symbolic sea horses. From May to October, the fountain is illuminated each evening and puts on an hourly water and light show — a spectacle that draws thousands of visitors. Set within the expansive Grant Park right on the shores of Lake Michigan, it offers one of Chicago's finest urban views.
Lincoln Park Zoo Chicago
Wikimedia Commons
Lincoln Park Zoo Chicago
Chicago
historyfamily outings
Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago was founded in 1868 and is one of the oldest zoos in the United States. The 14-hectare site sits within Lincoln Park on Lake Michigan and is one of the few zoos in the world offering free admission. The zoo holds AZA accreditation and since 2019 also accreditation as an arboretum. Highlights include the Regenstein African Journey, the rainforest house, and a children's farm area. It is a popular destination for families and Chicago residents year-round.
Lurie Garden
Wikimedia Commons
Lurie Garden
Chicago
local gems
Lurie Garden is a 2.5-acre garden at the southern end of Chicago's Millennium Park. Designed by landscape architect Kathryn Gustafson, garden designer Piet Oudolf and artist Robert Israel, it opened in July 2004. It sits atop one of the world's largest green roofs, seven meters above an underground parking garage. Oudolf's signature blend of perennial plants, native prairie grasses and bulbs creates an ever-changing seasonal tapestry. A bright shoulder and a dark shoulder represent Chicago's journey from wild prairie to great city.