Top Rated Parks to Visit in West Chicago

"The list of great Chicago parks is long but we’d be remiss if we didn’t include: Washington Park, one of the cities biggest and best parks, which is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places; Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe; Ping Tom Memorial Park (originally a railroad yard) in Armour Square; the 55-acre Horner Park in Albany Park; Portage Park; Northerly Island, where many concerts are held in the summer; and Oz Park in Lincoln Park, a kid-friendly sculpture park featuring "The Wizard of Oz" creations."

"Photo courtesy of Choose Chicago photo courtesy of Ranvestel Photographic. Located just east of Millennium Park, the new park recently opened the ribbon ice rink this winter. The rest of the 25-acre park, which will feature a playground for kids and many picnic tables and benches, is slated to open in 2015."

"Maggie Daley Park is one of the most fun things to do in Chicago. It’s basically a gigantic, all-ages recreation area that resulted from the crazy visions of an architect who never said no to any idea. As a result, the park offers a million different amenities in delightfully clashing ways."

"Polk Bros Fountain and Plaza at the entrance of Navy Pier greets children with an exciting 12,500 square foot signature fountain (during warm weather) with more than 150 programmable jets that mimic the movements of waves, schools of fish and flocks of birds. While at the park, kids will have fun posing with the vibrant “Meet Me at the ‘P’” art installation."

"Located at the entry point of the Pier, I have a love/hate relationship with this fountain. I love how happy it makes my water-obsessed toddler but I hate how long it takes me to coax him into leaving. The 12,500 square foot fountain isn’t just a regular fountain."

"West Loop’s Union Park, located on 13.46 acres in the Near West community area, is the site for two of the city’s biggest music festivals: Pitchfork and North Coast Music Festival. The park has several large fields, often used for various outdoor sports. The history of Union Park is also quite remarkable—it’s the site of several political protests and demonstrations since the early 1900s, most notably the Great American Boycott and the 2006 Immigration Reform protests."

"Union Park is a 13.46-acres park created in 1853 and became well known between the 1920s and 50s for cultural and social events. Today, the park features a field house with a theater room with stage, and a building with a gym, fitness center, and locker rooms. Outside facilities include tennis courts, swimming pool, playgrounds, an athletic field, and more."

"At 280 acres, Big Marsh certainly lives up to its name, but this far southeast side public park—opened in 2016 in the Calumet Area Reserve—is still a relative secret to most locals. The park includes 45 acres of recreation areas designed specifically for mountain and BMX biking and casual trail riding. The rest (234 acres) is a nature preserve great for hiking and bird-watching."

"Whether you want to relax with a nature walk or go on an adventurous hike, this park is a great place to check out. Forty-five acres of the park are dedicated to more intense endeavors, such as hiking, adventure courses and off-course biking. The other 235 acres is devoted to more passive activities like bird-watching and nature walking."

"So come here for the pancakes, but stay for the Gallagher flashbacks. Plus the friendly staff is awesome, and will instantly make you feel like a regular. View this post on Instagram"

"Great service and an excellent environment; Logan square is a nice slice of heaven on earth. The employees and staff are always friendly and attentive, a..."

"The early bird not only gets the worm, it also gets the breakfast deal at Cozy Corner. Stop in between 6 a.m."

"Spoon presents a dazzling menu packed with delicious bites and full-blown meals in addition to seasonal specialties. And their B.Y.O.B option, a neat feature among some of the best restaurants in Chicago, allows you to choose your own beverage."

"Sandy Chen has been keeping Evanston well-sated with her Chinese cuisine for over 20 years. In addition to the expansive a la carte menu, she’s doing some specials for the Chinese New Year that are filled with auspiciously lucky foods like Spring Rolls and Dumplings (wealth), Peanuts (long life), Fish and Rice Cakes (increased prosperity), and Lychee (close family ties). You won’t want to miss those Seafood Pan-Fried Noodles (Happiness and Longevity)!"

"Chicagoans think Umai is so delicious, that within a few years, a second location opened. At both locations, the menu is large, from sushi and creative sushi rolls to beef tongue grilled over charcoal and of course, the foods of the hour, ramen and poke. If you are looking for something quick and filling, Katsu Kare, pork cutlets or shrimp tempura on Japanese curry over rice is a favorite Japanese college kids and businessmen."

"#umaichicago #japanesefood #eattheworld #chefstalk #foodandwine... Umai restaurant has been in the business for a while having been started by experienced Chef Mai in 2013. It has since then become a crowd favourite joint for the best traditional Japanese foods with a mix of modernity."

"A chic but warm South Loop spot, UMAI Japanese Kitchen & Sushi offers inventive sushi and globally influenced Japanese cuisine for relatively reasonable prices. The full menu is av..."

"This museum and memorial tells the story of Khmer Rouge and the Killing Field through multimedia displays, archives, narratives, and a collection of monumental and authentic artifacts. Guided tours are available so you can learn more about what happened during the Cambodian Civil War. Hours are subject to change, so they advise that you call prior to visiting (773-878-7090)."

"Located on the lakefront just south of Jackson Park, this park has 65 acres of green space and is home to the South Shore Cultural Center, originally built in 1095 as a country club. Today, the center is a historic landmark maintained by the Chicago Park District and offers a large variety of cultural programs, including classes for all ages in culinary arts, music, dance, and visual arts, as well as special events throughout the year. The parkland surrounding the center includes a golf course, acres of green grass dotted with shade trees, a beach, and the South Shore Nature Sanctuary."

"The South Shore Cultural Center is a great example of what the South Side has to offer. The sprawling landscape surrounding the center features manicured gardens, a golf course, nature paths, a butterfly garden, and picnic areas. Next to the former country club is a wild, overgrown nature preserve with a fire circle and views of Lake Michigan and the city."

"Located only a few minutes south from Hyde Park's Museum of Science & Industry, the South Shore Cultural Center has been an iconic structure in the neighborhood since 1905. Throughout the summer it focuses on rich programming that is free to all. Entertainment ranges from West African dance performances to live jazz or classical music."

"Navy Pier is a Chicago landmark and the perfect place to spend a day with a family—no matter what you're looking to do. Be sure to check out the "today's events" section of the Navy Pier website for a complete listing of the many unique current and upcoming events at the Pier. Kids will enjoy: Riding the 1920s style carousel at Navy Pier Park or a visit to the Chicago Children's Museum."

"Located at 800 E Grand Ave Chicago, IL 60611 is one of the most popular places in Chi-Town for residents and visitors, chances are high that you’ve been to Navy Pier a few times. Don’t discard it when you’re looking for ways to keep the Chicago children active. There’s plenty to do here, and as often as you may visit, there’s always something new to see."