Chicago's Millennium Park Walking Tour
Chicago's Millennium Park Walking Tour
Wondering about the best Millennium Park attractions before you visit?
This self-guided walking tour takes you past The Bean, dancing fountains, and hidden gardens, all with the stories behind them playing automatically as you walk.
Along the way you'll discover:
- Millennium Monument at Wrigley Square
- Cloud Gate, better known as "The Bean"
- Crown Fountain
- Nichols Bridgeway and the Art Institute of Chicago
- Lurie Garden
- Clarence F. Buckingham Memorial Fountain
- Maggie Daley Park
- Queen's Landing
What will you see? Here are the tour highlights
- Cloud Gate ("The Bean")
Anish Kapoor's giant mirrored sculpture, made from 168 stainless steel plates and weighing about 110 tons.
- Crown Fountain
Jaume Plensa's playful fountain featuring the faces of over a thousand real Chicagoans.
- Lurie Garden
A living garden of more than 240 perennial species, honoring Chicago's motto "City in a Garden."
- Nichols Bridgeway
A sweeping footbridge by architect Renzo Piano, connecting the park to the Art Institute of Chicago's Modern Wing.
- Clarence F. Buckingham Memorial Fountain
A grand Art Deco fountain inspired by Versailles, shooting water 150 feet into the air.
- Maggie Daley Park
Named for Chicago's beloved First Lady, a joyful park built for kids to play, learn, and grow.
- Millennium Monument at Wrigley Square
A tribute to the founders who each gave at least a million dollars to help build the park.
- Queen's Landing
The lakefront spot where Queen Elizabeth II stepped ashore in Chicago in 1959.
FAQ's
- How long does the Millennium Park walking tour take?
Most visitors complete the full route in about one to one and a half hours, longer if you linger at the fountains and gardens.
- Does this tour work offline?
Yes. Download the tour before you go and it works completely offline, with no data connection required.
- Are there any admission fees on this tour?
No. Millennium Park and every stop on this tour are completely free. The only nearby paid attraction is the Art Institute of Chicago, visible from Nichols Bridgeway.
- Is this tour good for kids?
Yes. Cloud Gate, Crown Fountain, and Maggie Daley Park are all favorites with families and kids of every age.
- How much walking is involved?
The route covers under a mile through Millennium Park, all on paved paths.
- What is the story behind Cloud Gate?
The tour shares how "The Bean" was built for the park's 2004 opening and became one of Chicago's most beloved landmarks, along with fun facts about its size and engineering.
Where does the tour start and end?
It starts at the Millennium Park Welcome Center and ends at Queen's Landing on the lakefront.
Can I pause the tour to explore the fountains and gardens?
Yes. The tour is designed to pause naturally at each stop so you can take photos, cool off at Crown Fountain, or just enjoy the park before continuing.
Is Millennium Park free to visit?
Yes, the park and every landmark on this tour, including Cloud Gate and Buckingham Fountain, are free and open to the public.
What is the best time of year to visit Millennium Park?
Summer brings the fountains and gardens to life, while winter transforms McCormick Tribune Plaza into an ice rink, so the park has something special in every season.
