Millennium Park
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: (312) 742-5222
- Cross Street:
- Washington Street
- Directions:
- El stop: Brown Line to Madison; bus line: 3, 4, 6, 145, 147, 151
- Hours:
- Daily 6am-11pm
Editorial Review for Millennium Park – by Citysearch Editors
Overview
Spanning three square blocks of open lakefront space, the ambitious Millennium Park beautifies a former railroad track, surface parking and unused parkland. When first announced, the features were relatively modest. As more money was poured into the project, it took on a grand scale, including an outdoor music pavilion designed by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry.
Features
The Pritzker Pavilion, Gehry's structure, is the park's main bandshell with a stage similar in size to Symphony Center's. It seats 4,000 people in stadium seating and 7,000 on the lawn. The Harris Theater for Music and Dance seats 1,525 for all types of entertainment. Other features include a public sculpture by international artist Anish Kapoor, a two-and-a-half-acre year-round garden and a heated 300-space, indoor bicycle parking area will also house lockers, bike repair, showers and other amenities. A full-service restaurant and three-block-long promenade for temporary attractions are east of the McCormick Tribune ice rink.
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Insider Tips
ParkingUnderground parking is available directly beneath the park in three garages. The Millennium Park Garage is accessible from Columbus Drive between Randolph and Monroe streets.
Save MoneyThe Grant Park Orchestra holds free concerts at the state-of-the-art Pritzker Pavilion during the summer.
User Reviews for Millennium Park
11/27/2006 Posted by dhaneg2
Completed in 2004, Millennium Park, has consistently drawn visitors and Chicagoans since its’ opening to experience the outdoor art works, the Jay Pritzker concert pavilion, the BP bridge, a year-round terraced garden, the Harris theatre, an indoor bicycle park, a three-block long walkway, classic restaurant dining and ongoing park events. At 24.5 acres, there is much to see and do throughout the year, including the winter transformation of the McCormick Tribune Plaza into an outdoor ice rink. The art works include the interactive Crown Fountain by Jaume Plensa, largely popular with children during the summer months, Anish Kapoor’s Cloud Gate sculpture, drawing visitors of all ages for photo ops and other traveling works featured at the Boeing galleries. The popularity of these works has depended on their success as interactive works for all ages to enjoy, watch, participate and engage with. The works are not self-centered; Cloud Gate is reflective of the city, mirroring city goers, skyscrapers and the Chicago skyline and Crown Fountain exposes the diversity of Chicagoans and playfully interacts with humor and wit. For the serious viewer, one may experience the subtle expressions on the enormous, yet detailed faces of everyday citizens during their intimate individual sequences. Cloud Gate functions architecturally, allowing viewers to walk underneath and around it. With Mayor Daley’s major improvements on Chicago over the past decade, there is no comparison to be made to the majority of the New York waterfront, which has over the years, become grittier and less, enjoyable. Millennium Park is refreshing for those who have dealt with New York congestion and pollution; the park is clean, well-groomed and family friendly.
Pros: Free, Family-friendly, Parking
01/25/2005 Posted by rdipietro
It's hard to believe that several years ago, Chicago's award-winning Millennium Park was a nothing but weed-infested railroad tracks. The park attracts people in droves. The summer festivals and the winter skating keeps the area abuzz with happy activity. It doesn't cost ANYTHING to enjoy the beauty of the landscape architecture. The "Cloudgate" sculpture (Chicagoans call it The Bean) isn't at all impressive until you're right up next to it - that's when awe hits you. Can't describe - just go see it. And if you need to be cheered up, just go stand by the water walls in the summer and listen to the children laughing and squealing as they get drenched by the water spouts. It took alot longer than expected - but Millennium Park was definitely worth the wait!
Pros: Free, Lots of Activity, Great Restaurant
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