Updated February 2025
You don’t have to venture far from the city to get outside and soak up some nature.
When life feels like a lot, you might just need to breathe in some fresh air and connect with nature to get your mind right. From Japanese gardens to breathtaking skyline views, there are tons of ways to enjoy the great outdoors in any of Chicago’s 570 public parks. We rounded up some of our favorites to help you narrow down which ones you want to explore first.
Photo via Facebook/Chicago Park District
6401 S. Stony Island Ave. - Jackson Park
Jackson Park is located along the lakeshore on the South Side of the city. The park is 600 acres wide and home to many outdoor activities including baseball and tennis. Enjoy breathtaking scenery at Garden of the Phoenix, an authentic Japanese garden located in the park’s east lagoon. The garden consists of a moon bridge, Shinto gate, traditional Japanese cherry trees, and an art piece from Yoko Ono.
Photo via Facebook/The 606
Wicker Park, Bucktown, Logan Square and Humboldt Park
What was once an old, abandoned railway is now a park and trail! The 606 spans 2.7 miles long and connects to four parks. The trail also features an observatory platform and many public art pieces. There are access points in four neighborhoods—Wicker Park, Bucktown, Logan Square and Humboldt Park—making it an easy find and a popular spot for many active Chicagoans.
Photo via Facebook/Chicago Park District
2700 S. Halsted St. - Bridgeport
Palmisano Park has gone from coral reefs to quarry to landfill to park. At this park, you’ll find a fishing pond, wetlands, preserved quarry walls, walking trails and more. There is also a giant hill, perfect for gazing over the park and all of its beauty.
Photo via Facebook/Humboldt Park
1440 N. Humboldt Blvd. - Humboldt Park
Discover the beauty of Humboldt Park, a whopping 197-acre park on the city’s West Side. Located in the heart of the Humboldt Park neighborhood, this park is perfect for winding down with some wholesome bird-watching. Explore the historic aspects of the park by checking out the famous boathouse, field house and lagoons.
Photo via Facebook/Chicago Park District
1200-5700 S. Lake Shore Dr. - Hyde Park
Located just south of Grant Park on Chicago’s lakefront, Burnham Park is the perfect place to take in spectacular views of the lake and skyline. This green space totals 653 acres and features a skate park, bird sanctuary, and Burnham Wildlife Corridor. The park was created to restore ecosystems by providing healthy, diverse habitats for Chicago native plants and animals.
Photo via Facebook/Chicago Park District
1301 W. 52nd St. - Back of the Yards
Explore all 60 acres of Chicago’s historic Sherman Park on the city’s South Side. A big, circular ring-like pond encompasses the whole park, so you will never be far from views of the water. This historic park offers multiple baseball fields, a tennis court, and a basketball court. If sports aren’t really your thing, you can walk, jog or bike the trail near the water.
Photo via Facebook/Chicago Park District
1700 S. Wentworth Ave. - Chinatown
For stunning views of the Chicago River, swing by Ping Tom Memorial Park in Chinatown. Just off the CTA Red Line, this park has become a cultural destination in the city. This space features a playground, bamboo gardens and a pagoda-style pavilion.
Photo via Facebook/Northerly Island Park
1521 S. Linn White Dr. - Near South Side
This park is a 119-acre, man-made peninsula with excellent spots for fishing and walking paths. This urban nature sanctuary has prairie grasslands, a five-acre pond and walking paths for wildlife watching. Northerly Island is also home to 12th Street Beach and Huntington Bank Pavilion.
Photo via Facebook/Graceland Cemetery and Arboretum
4001 N. Clark St. - Uptown
Although cemeteries can be eerie to some, this spot is anything but scary. Bring a blanket, your favorite book and pop a squat under one of the many honey locust trees for a relaxing day in the shade.
Photo via Facebook/Garfield Park Community Council
100 N. Central Park Ave. - East Garfield Park
All 184 acres of Garfield Park are sure to bring some peace and serenity into your day. The park offers athletic fields, a fishing lagoon, floral gardens and is home to the Garfield Park Conservatory.
Photo via Choose Chicago
500 N. Lake Shore Dr. - Streeterville
Designed in 1965 to commemorate a Vietnam veteran, Milton Lee Olive Park is a great place to take in the crisp, lake air. This park has paths for walking, running and biking, as well as grassy sections for recreational activities. Benches are placed throughout the park under tall honey locust trees to provide a place to sit in the shade for park-goers.
Photo via Facebook/The Art Institute of Chicago
229 S. Michigan Ave. - The Loop
The South Garden is a hidden gem in a not-so-hidden spot on Michigan Avenue in the loop. The garden is tucked away behind trees and fences next to the Art Institute. There is a lovely fountain and a unique, bronze sculpture called Fountain of the Great Lakes. The sculpture was created by Lorado Taft in 1913 and represents the five great lakes of the United States.
Photo via Facebook/Chicago Park District
11559 S. Stony Island Ave. - South Deering
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.
Looking for more ways to enjoy the outdoors this summer and fall? Use these guides to the best state parks, hiking and camping near Chicago!
