8 Outdoor Gardens to Visit in Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, The Windy City, is a destination that is not always cheap or free. Luckily, there are plenty of outdoor spaces that welcome visitors year round and without any entry fees. If searching for the greener side of Chicago, here are some must visit urban parks, gardens and green spaces to visit throughout the year. 

This 385-acre green space is open everyday of the year with the best admission fee, free! The garden opened over 45 years ago and is home to over 27 gardens spread across nine islands, which includes six miles of lake shoreline. Besides admiring seasonal blooms, the garden features various historic architectural structures, some of which was built in the 1970's. The website features seasonal blooms and a guide on the various gardens to visit. The English Walled Garden is one of the most notable in the park.

No trip to Chicago is complete without visiting Millennium Park. Located in the heart of Chicago near the water, this urban concrete jungle of a park is open year round with various attractions and events. Most visit for the famous "Bean" sculpture, which showcases reflections of yourself and the city in the backdrop. The other popular landmark is the Crown Fountain where faces appear on an interactive video of pursed lips and water spurts out of the fountain. During the winter months, the McCormick Tribune Plaza transforms into an ice rink and the Christmas decoration produces the most beautiful winter wonderland atmosphere.  ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).