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Chicago, IL

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Buckingham Fountain

4.5 (420 reviews)
Closed • 8:00 am - 11:00 pm

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Ana T.

It was fun to come see this fountain. There were chairs available too for people to sit and enjoy the light show. The light show runs for twenty minutes every hour. There is also public restroom close by.

Claire S.

An iconic Chicago landmark! The nicely manicured garden and grounds with Chicago skylines in the background for the majestic fountain is such a great spot to take in the view. We made a point to visit Buckingham Fountain again on this trip as well and it's just as impressive as I remembered.

Dave T.

Iconic Chicago spot to visit while in town. Beautiful fountain located in Grant Park. As I watched the fountain all I could think of is the beginning theme of married with children...lol. Another free attraction to see

Ariel W.

If you are vising Chicago, this is one of the not to be missed iconic landmarks. The Buckingham Fountain is managed by the Chicago Park District is one of largest fountains in the world. It features impressive water displays and stunning architecture in the beautiful setting of Grant Park. The Buckingham Fountain was built at a cost of $750,00 and it was dedicated on August 12, 1927. Philanthropist Kate Buckingham donated the funds for the fountain as a tribute to her brother, Clarence who was an art collector of Japanese prints. Kate collected medieval sculpture, tapestries, and decorative arts. In addition to the Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain she also donated a statue honoring Alexander Hamilton in Lincoln Park and her family's art collection to the Art Institute of Chicago. Clarence Buckingham had been a governing member and a trustee of the Art Institute and Kate was influenced by his association with the institution. The Buckingham Fountain was designed by architect Edward H. Bennett in a classic Art Deco style out of pink marble. The sculptural elements were created by French artist Marcel Loyau. The fountain resembles a rococo style wedding cake and was inspired by the Bassin de Latone and modeled on the Latona Fountain at the Palace of Versailles in France. The fountain symbolizes the vastness of Lake Michigan, with four groups of bronze seahorses representing the four states bordering the lake: Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. The fountain is able to propel 14,000 gallons of water per minute. At night the fountain comes alive with lights and dancing water jets. The fountain is known for being featured in the opening of the television show, Married with Children. The Buckingham Fountain stands as a symbol of Kate Buckingham's philanthropic generosity and her love for her brother and the City of Chicago. Enjoy a picnic one one of the well maintained lawns and seating areas near the fountain where you are to create a lasting memory in the heart of Chicago. I will always treasure my visit.

Wendy F.

Large and beautiful fountain for all to enjoy and see. There's a few benches surrounding it so you can take a moment and enjoy the scenery. You can look out at the lake from here as well and stroll around the roses. Stunning views!

Andrea U.

This is a prominent landmark in Grant Park & one of the largest fountains in the world, symbolizing the enormity of nearby Lake Michigan. It uses as much as 15,000 gallons of water per minute. While in operation, the Fountain produces a major water display for :20 on the hour. During the major display, a center jet shoots water 150 feet into the air. In 1927, the fountain was a gift from Kate Buckingham to honor her brother, it is a testament to their family's philanthropy. The fountain's design is in the Beaux-Arts style, with decorative details and bronze sculptures, particularly the four seahorses representing the states bordering Lake Michigan.

So neat!!!
Lisa L.

Still five stars. It's running today and it's very crowded. Great to see so many people enjoying it!

Nick G.

Stopped by Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park after seeing The Bean and Crown Fountain. The scale of it is impressive, with the water shooting high into the air and the city skyline as a backdrop. On a clear day it's a great place to sit for a bit, take photos, and enjoy the view. The fountain runs on a schedule, so catching the larger water displays adds to the experience. It's also lit up at night from what I heard, which makes it worth seeing more than once. Bathrooms are also available on site. A classic Chicago landmark that's easy to fit into a walk through the park.

Buckingham fountain
Roger M.

Wow - amazing fountain - I think more amazing that it fits right into the surroundings of the Chicago skyline - like it's so belongs here! All I gotta say is you gotta see it to really enjoy it. It was donated by Kate Buckingham, who the fountain is named after of course. Is in the shape of a wedding cake spouting and cascading waters all about. Per Wikipedia one of the largest fountains in the world so wiki can be wrong but it's a damn big big fountain in a darn big big big city.

Brad G.

It's a fountain! This reminds me of the grandiose fountain in Philly. I love it! The only difference is the lack of shade and park area. It sits right next to Grant/Millennium Park but it's well away from any trees. The fountain in Philly seems like it was built with every intention of constructing a park around it and having it hug the fountain. This place could be that but it's just wide open and sun baked. There are a few tree areas close by but you might as well be elsewhere because they don't make you feel like you're visiting the fountain. I was actually surprised by how empty it was around the fountain. It was in the mid-60s to mid-70s while we were in Chicago. It was perfect weather to be hanging out at the fountain but with little shade. Since this is further south in the park, I feel like it might not get noticed as much as Cloud Gate and things on the north side. Even without the shade, this is absolutely a spot worth trekking to.

No water
Trevor C.

Buckingham Fountain is absolutely stunning and a must-see in Chicago. The size, but unfortunately it was closed and empty for cleaning. Nonetheless the skyline backdrop make it the perfect photo spot. Whether you visit during the day or catch it lit up at night, it's a beautiful and iconic experience.

Kathleen A.

Finally rolled through Chicago when the fountain was on and it did not disappoint. Shooting high in the sky and spraying people down on a hot Chicago day. I think this fountain was worth the wait. Yeah, I grew up watching Married With Children so there was a certain nostalgia that came with the visit but that is fine by me! Reminded me of that episode where Kelly was on the trivia show but her brain was full and every nonsensical thing she learned pushed on eof the trivia answers out of her brain. What an episode!

View of the city from Buckingham Fountain.
Tim S.

I really wanted to see the "Married with Children" Fountain so I made my way down here. I paid for parking at the Millennium Garage and walked a couple blocks down here to see the fountain in action......or so I thought. I got there and see a sign that says it doesn't open until next weekend (May 10th, 2025). Lame! I was a week early. Still cool to see though, and the park its in would be an awesome place to hang out and walk in if it wasn't so cold outside.

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Reviews are largely positive. People highlight the iconic Chicago landmark, impressive water displays, and well-maintained grounds and views, with many noting its historical significance.

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1 year ago

Pretty tame for a prominent landmark. Nothing very special, but it's cool at the very least.

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Review Highlights - Buckingham Fountain

“Yes, this is the fountain we all remember from the opening credits of "Married With Children." I'm getting old.”

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Skydeck - NEVER FORGET (look closely)

Skydeck

3.5(962 reviews)
0.9 mi•The Loop

103 floors high…read more.. What a ride literally as we went up to the Skydeck in the Willis Tower and let me tell you it was SO much fun. What was once just an area where you can see all of Chicago is stunning though as a newbie I don't know what I'm looking at regardless of the maps and information it's a stunning view regardless but it's just a few for me personally. Then you move on to The Ledge as you creep on out four feet from the building's edge this is where the Expedited entry is absolutely worth it especially if you're on a time constraint because if you want pictures on the ledge the give you two minutes for any selfied you'd like to take and once it's up you move on and are able to take as many as you like but the general line is pretty long so you're able to get into the expedited line which is separate and very fast. We too various multiple shots and you must have the postcard to take the selfies and can purchase the pics they take once you leave but selfies here isn't so hard but the two minutes do go very fast so grab your pose and get out on the ledge. Thank you!

[Yelp Review #3,000! Wooo.]…read more I had such a ball at Skydeck. I purchased the CityPass, which came with expedited entry. We visited on Labor Day and purposefully chose the 8:30 AM timeslot (special hours that day) to be first in, as I assumed that the crowds would be extreme. Thanks to the CityPass, my boyfriend and I were the FIRST guests upstairs. Incredible. This allowed us to have a little extra time in the Ledge for pictures (no one ushered us along). Everything about Skydeck was just super cool. Other reviewers here have already done the honors of providing the specific building stats, so I'll spare y'all, but I will say: this is a must when visiting Chicago! You can't beat the views.

Photos
Skydeck - Use your phone flash!

Use your phone flash!

Skydeck - Read sign if it's not obvious.

Read sign if it's not obvious.

Skydeck - Our friend living his best life

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Our friend living his best life

Chicago Riverwalk - PS. Chicago I love you.

Chicago Riverwalk

4.6(274 reviews)
0.9 mi•The Loop

The Chicago Riverwalk was one of our favorite things to do in Chicago. It was also very convenient…read moreto reach from our hotel because we were on the Loop and our room faced the Riverwalk. We got some great photos! Be sure to put this fabulous and popular activity on your List of Things to Do. There are many wonderful restaurants, bars, shops, great architecture buildings, great views, as well as the river cruise boats to see as you walk along. There are benches along the way as well as people sitting stairs to rest. It is about a mile + to walk. The Chicago Riverwalk starts at Lake Michigan (near Lake Shore Drive) on the east and ends at Lake Street on the west. It takes between 20 to 30 minutes to walk it without any stopping.

Fun and festive, Chicago Riverwalk is an attraction you can miss when visiting. Hard to miss…read moreactually as it's about a mile long stretch along the Chicago River leading into Lake Michigan. Whether you're visiting the city or a resident, it's great for walks or jogs, people watching, relaxing at a nearby bench facing the water, grabbing a drink or some food, or to catch some live entertainment....the Chicago Riverwalk is a must on the bucket list to check out! As you stroll along, you'll see a variety of restaurants and bars and some stores. Plenty of relaxing corners and little play areas and art throughout. The vibe is elevated at night with spectacular views and lighting with the sights and sounds. Catch a boat tour with many being offered along the riverwalk.

Photos
Chicago Riverwalk - 07.04.25 view of the Chicago River and the RiverWalk from Michigan Avenue Bridge

07.04.25 view of the Chicago River and the RiverWalk from Michigan Avenue Bridge

Chicago Riverwalk - Rainy day today

Rainy day today

Chicago Riverwalk - Wrigley and Tribune buildings.

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Wrigley and Tribune buildings.

Landmark Theatres - Inside theatre 5

Landmark Theatres

3.4(27 reviews)
18.1 mi

Can you turn the freaking air on? Maybe at least the fan to circulate air. If you want to watch a…read moremovie in great seats but hot stuffy air and warm and musty this is your place. I get times are tough but it makes for a miserable experience

When we were looking for a local cinema to see Ne Zha 2 for the second time, this time with English…read moredubbing, we were happy to find Landmark at the Glen! It replaced Arclight which was in a decline. The cinema had been renovated 2 years ago. It was a Thursday afternoon, and the cinema was pretty quiet. There were big kiosks for ticket purchases, and the process was quick and easy. We got a small bag (which was not too small) for $10 plus tax, a little pricy for popcorn, but it was good. The popcorn guy was friendly, and he also doubled as the guy to collect our ticket stubs, and informed us which cinema room to go to. We were there for the preview of the movie, and we got the entire cinema #5 to the 3 of us! While the lobby and hallways of the cinema was nice and cool, this room was a little too warm. We totally understood that they would not cool down an entire room when there was no audience inside. I went to talk to the popcorn guy about the air temperature issue, and he promised to have it adjusted. As I went back to the cinema room. We could feel that cool air started to come out, and it was comfortable for the rest of the showing. The chairs were big, clean, and comfortable. Sound and picture were great. The movie itself was enjoyable just like the first time, and the English dubbing was perfect. The entire cinema was very clean. I was especially pleased with their restrooms being spotless clean. There is a bar in the lobby, and across from it was the biggest poster I've ever seen in a cinema lobby, it was a colorful digital poster of Ne Zha 2, very appropriate for such a spectacular movie. When we left the cinema after seeing the movie, there was another guy at the hallway collecting ticket stubs, and there was obviously more audience coming in. We enjoyed this cinema experience very much, and would definitely return to see other movies in the future.

Photos
Landmark Theatres - Kiosks in the lobby

Kiosks in the lobby

Landmark Theatres - Inside theatre 5

Inside theatre 5

Landmark Theatres - Front doors

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Front doors

Cloud Gate - Cloud Gate ("The Bean")

Cloud Gate

4.6(1k reviews)
0.6 mi•The Loop

The Bean... All I…read moreknow is that I wanted to see it for myself...finally! Yes there is a reason for it being but call it whatever you want it was a fun experience especially to see it's glory in person with the group of friends from California as well gathered together and take different selfies and having me hold the bean and get right under it to see the various perspective was quite entertaining. As all of our various pics was fun my favorite was just taking the reflection of ourselves though doesn't even show the entire structure does give a hint of it and is definitely a conversation piece. Located in Millennium Park I could see a glimmer of it from across the street and was so excited you have no idea that had me know that I have arrived in Chicago. There there were other points of interest and events it was all that we had time for as this massive area is a lovely spot for whatever you choose to do was very much worth the visit and can't see myself not returning if ever in the area. Thank you!

It is "The Bean"? "Cloud Gate"? "Millennium Park", "Grainger Park"? Sheesh!…read more It doesn't matter what you call it, everyone will know and it is a place to go at least once when you're visiting Chicago. The locals visit this place as a picnic area; take the family, enjoy the view, enjoy the crowd, etc. The visitors go there because you have to go there at least once when you're in Chicago proper. Easy train and bus access. OK, here is the story- CLOUD GATE is the official name of this sculpture, nicknamed THE BEAN, and it is located in MILLENNIUM PARK, adjoining GRAINGER PARK.... so there! Go See! Go Enjoy! By the way, they have local eateries and fast food places there too; including a vendor who serves the infamous CHICAGO DOG So- Go there or be square!

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Cloud Gate - 07.04.25 touched the surface of The Bean... check!

07.04.25 touched the surface of The Bean... check!

Cloud Gate - 07.04.25 The Bean with Chicago's skyscrapers in the background and the clouds floating above

07.04.25 The Bean with Chicago's skyscrapers in the background and the clouds floating above

Cloud Gate - My wife, her parents, and me at the Bean.

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My wife, her parents, and me at the Bean.

Buckingham Fountain - landmarks - Updated October 2026

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