As the weather improves and the trees start to change color, there are some lovely spots to visit in the city. My top recommendations include:
I highly recommend that you visit Jackson Park on the South Side, which straddles Hyde Park, Woodlawn and South Shore. Make sure to walk through the park to the south of the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, the site of the 1893 World’s Fair, and visit the Japanese Garden on Jackson Park’s Wooded Island featuring a waterfall and foot bridges. It is also referred to as the Garden of the Phoenix or the Osaka Garden. This garden was a gift from Japan during the 1893 World’s Fair. “The original pavilion had only a small garden, however, in the 1930s the newly formed Chicago Park District restored the pavilion and added a more extensive Japanese Garden. The garden has been revitalized several times throughout the 1900s, including a 1992 project that celebrated Chicago’s Sister City relationship with Osaka, Japan.” The cherry blossoms are supposed to be just stunning in the spring. I was there in early November three years ago and the fall colors were beautiful. I was so happy that I went back for a visit. 6300 S. Cornell Ave. There is a parking lot on the south side of the garden.
Located next to the Garden of the Phoenix is a piece of public art titled Skylanding that was designed by activist and artist Yoko Ono. Comprising 12 metallic pedals, the sculpture is meant to be a symbol of peace.
Another highlight of the same visit was Promontory Point. This is a man-made peninsula in Burnham Park that juts out into Lake Michigan. The Point was constructed from landfill in the 1930s. It is an amazing spot to visit for incredible views of the city skyline and lake. It sits on the east side of Hyde Park at 5491 S. Shore Drive. There is a parking lot for easy access at the corner of E. 55th St. and South Shore Dr. The focal point is the stone field house built in 1937.
One of the highlights for you to visit on the South Side is the South Shore Cultural Center which was previously the South Shore Country Club. Designed by the firm of Marshall and Fox, the Mediterranean-style club house was built in 1905. It was originally a lakefront retreat for Chicago’s most prominent families. In addition to the grand clubhouse, the grounds had private stables, a beach and golf course. Guests in the past included Jean Harlow, Will Rogers, and Amelia Earhart. The Chicago Park District purchased the 70-acre property after it ceased being a private club in 1975 and fully restored it. Also, in that year it was listed in the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. I have been there several times over the years for parties and events and am always impressed by the grandeur of the building. President Barack Obama and wife Michelle Obama had their wedding reception there in 1992.
The Cultural Center today hosts youth and teen programs plus community art, dance and music classes along with banquet facilities for weddings, receptions and meetings. The golf course is still very popular and now open to the public as are the beach picnic area, gardens and a nature sanctuary. The highlight of my recent visit on a beautiful October day was walking through the South Shore Nature Sanctuary which is a trail along Lake Michigan. There is a paid parking lot available on the property close to the sanctuary and beach. 7050 S. South Shore Dr.
A short distance away, in South Chicago, is another new find called Steelworkers Park at 87th and S. Lake Shore Dr. In 2002, the Chicago Park District acquired this 16.5-acre site to develop a new park. It was previously part of the US Steel South Works that opened in the late 1880s. Today it has been transformed into a park with natural areas, trees, walking paths and beautiful views of Lake Michigan. One of the highlights for me was seeing the historic concrete ore walls that flanked the former ship canals used to bring iron ore to the complex.
On the North Side in Lincoln Park, just outside the Lincoln Park Zoo, is the Lincoln Park Conservatory. The Conservatory is a conservatory and botanical garden located at 2391 North Stockton. Built between 1890 and 1895, it has a large selection of exotic plants and flowers from around the world in four display houses – The Palm House, Orchid House, Fern Room, and Show House. They have a lovely outdoor garden as well. I drove by a week ago and the flowers were gorgeous.
Just to the north of the Conservatory is a hidden garden named the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool. It was developed from 1936-38 and is an important example of Prairie School landscape architecture by Alfred Caldwell. It earned status as both a National Historic Landmark and a Chicago Historic Landmark. You can follow the stone walk encircling the pool and the pavilion. Frank Lloyd Wright’s influence can be seen in the organic architecture of the shelter or pavilion.
Across Fullerton Ave. is the 15-acre North Pond Nature Sanctuary which has a beautiful path to walk around.
One of the highlights of the Zoo is the Nature Boardwalk, a pond and garden with native plants, birds, frogs, fish, turtles, insects, and other wildlife. One of the highlights is the contemporary pavilion designed by well-known Chicago architect Jeanne Gang, and Studio Gang. I just heard her talk where she described that the design came from nature and that the purpose of the entire project was to improve the biodiversity and habitat of the South Pond of Lincoln Park. It has been very successful as there has been a huge increase in birds and mammals along with improved water quality.
Along Lake Michigan at 4400 N. Lake Shore Dr. is Montrose Beach. Fall is a perfect time to visit the beach and Montrose Harbor, the Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary and the Montrose Beach Dunes Natural Area. The views are really stunning. The Bird Sanctuary is a stopping point for food, shelter, and rest to migratory songbirds in Illinois during the spring, and again in the fall according to the In Your Own State newsletters. Among the migratory songbirds you may see are warblers, thrushes, and purple martins. You may also be able to spot woodpeckers and owls.
Opened in 2015 is the 606 Trail or Bloomingdale Trail which is Chicago's answer to New York City's Highline. The 2.7 mile recreational and cultural trail is the reinvention of a dormant elevated freight line that was closed for years. Going through Bucktown and Logan Square to Humboldt Park, it is perfect for walkers, runners or cyclists. Check the website for the map for access points and special events and art exhibitions, murals and more. There are some great restaurants along the way!
Approximately two miles southwest of Humboldt Park, is the Garfield Park Conservatory. "It is one of the largest and most stunning conservatories in the nation. Often referred to as "landscape art under glass," the Garfield Park Conservatory occupies two acres of public greenhouse space and 10 acres of outdoor gardens. Constructed between 1906 and 1907, and opened to the public in 1908, the Garfield Park Conservatory was designed by Jensen in collaboration with Prairie School architects Schmidt, Garden and Martin and the New York engineering firm of Hitchings and Company. It represented a unique collaboration of a prominent landscape architect with architects and engineers."
West of Roscoe Village at 3400 N. Rockwell is the Richard Clark Park which comprises nearly 19 acres of green space along the east bank of the Chicago River. The park's soccer fields and bike trails sit on land once occupied by the fondly remembered Riverview Amusement Park which operated from 1904 to 1967.
A highlight is the WMS Boathouse located in the park. This is a contemporary boathouse, operated by the Chicago Park District, that is a 22,620 sq. ft. rowing training and boat storage facility that offers canoe and kayak rentals and a public dock. It was also designed by Jeanne Gang and her firm, Studio Gang in Chicago. I recommend that you drive by if you are in the area!
I highly recommend that you visit Rockwell on the River at 3057 N. Rockwell St. Located in a former leather tannery, the historic buildings contain offices and event spaces along with tenants including Judson & Moore Distillery, Metropolis Coffee Co. and Soul & Smoke barbecue. You can have a great meal at Soul & Smoke and sit on the deck overlooking the river! There is also a marina on the Chicago River for kayak rentals from Wateriders Chicago KayakTours and Rentals and boats from the Chicago Boat Company.
We are very fortunate to have some wonderful places to explore on a beautiful fall day in the city!
Check out Globalphile.com for other local recommendations.
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