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    Lurie Garden

    4.7 (39 reviews)
    Open 6:00 am - 11:00 pm

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    Aesha E.

    Of all the surprises in Chicago, the Lurie Garden is up there near the top. I lived in Chicago for years--10? 11?--before I ever visited the Lurie Garden. I knew it existed, but it is so well hidden in Millennium Park that you could easily miss it or not know it's there. The garden is a 2+ acre native plant garden in the southeast corner of Millennium Park. It has an endowment to maintain its upkeep, and that benefactor is Ann Lurie. In fact, Lurie Garden is part of the largest green roof in the world, as it is over the parking structures below ground. In addition to the beautiful grasses, plants, and flowers, you'll find some wildlife here in the park as well. Butterflies and bees abound, and you'll also see a lot of birds. I saw two different birds just today when I walked over to the park on my lunch hour. I did not see the aggressive redwing blackbirds, thank goodness, as they have been dive-bombing people all along the lakefront. Either I didn't look sufficiently threatening or I stayed far enough away! If you visit the Pritzker Pavilion, the Art Institute, or Millennium Park in general, I think a stop here is a must. Taking the skybridge from Maggie Daley park, you simply need to take a left after stepping of the bridge and you'll be heading into the garden. There's lots of seating here and so much to see.

    Marc T.

    Had the chance to explore Lurie Garden on a Thursday afternoon. It was awesome to get lost in the flora of the park. Great monuments to see and the stark comparison from the business buildings to the season flowers there. It started to drizzle and get windy, so do wear layers to avoid getting a head cold. Beautiful place to unplug from your electronics.

    Garden
    Steve A.

    Another good thing in Grant Park is this cool garden. It also seems to be a maze. Lurie Garden is pretty fun to walk around in even if you don't like flowers and that kind of stuff. Easy to get lost. This is located near lots of other attractions so it's a fun way to get between these. It seems there's a lot of gardens around here. People thinking that would be correct about it. That's because there's a whole lot especially in Grant Park. Here is just one of the gardens. It's immediately close to the Grant Park Rose Garden and these kind of blend together. A difference between these is that this one has more than roses. There's so much color and then there's a maze too. Benches are throughout the garden in case you get tired trying to get out. The garden also has pretty good smells. Best time is in summer when the flowers have bloomed. It has quite a bit of flowers. This is a nice place for hanging out and wandering.

    Stunning downtown gardens!
    Meanole M.

    Visited this past August on a beautiful Chicago afternoon. I love urban gardens, and Lurie Garden was popping! Just outside downtown, the garden was an oasis in an incredibly busy part of town. Located steps away from Millennium Park and Cloud Gate, it was relatively empty when we visited. Millennium Park was packed on one side, and there were thousands of people at lollapalooza on the other side. We didn't get a chance to visit on our trip last week, but I'm sure as the weather gets colder, this part of town slows down a bit. As far as urban gardens go, this is one of the best I've had the pleasure of visiting.

    Ariel W.

    I found a secret garden in Chicago. Well maybe not so secret but it felt that way. The motto for the city of Chicago is Urbs in Horto, Latin for City in a Garden. You will actually find many gardens of various sizes throughout the city of Chicago. The Lurie Garden is a three acre garden located on the roof deck of the Millennium Park parking garage across the street from the Chicago Art Institute. It is one of the world's largest green roofs. Lightweight geofoam lies underneath the soil. The garage itself was built on top of a former railroad yard and parking lot. The garden is part of Millennium Park and is named after Ann H. Lurie who along with her husband Robert made a $10 million endowment gift from their foundation in order to maintain the garden. Opened on July 16, 2004, it was designed by GGN (Gustafson Guthrie Nichol), a Seattle based architecture firm and Robert Israel, a noted lighting and set designer who set the placement of the paths and designed the shape of the flower beds. The garden was built at a cost of 13.2 million dollars to celebrate the second millennium. Lurie Garden has won the Award of Excellence from the American Society of Landscape Architects. The garden is composed of perennials, bulbs, grasses, shrubs and trees. There are four main components to the garden, the shoulder hedge, the dark plate, the light plate, and the seam boardwalk. The garden is made of two plates separated by two hedges. The dark plate inspired by marsh ecologies and is made of shade loving plants represents Chicago's history. Look for ferns, shrubs, trees including black locusts, redbuds, and cherries. The light plate made of sun dependent perennials arranged in planting blocks. It represents Chicago's future and is reminiscent of the sunny open plains of the Midwest. Poet Carl Sandburg called Chicago "City of Big Shoulders" and the shoulders he referred to are represented by a 15 foot hedge that protects the garden on two sides setting apart the garden from the rest of Millennium Park. The diagonal seam boardwalk running through the garden represents the Lake Michigan seawall that divides Grant Park. Dutch gardener Piet Oudolf designed the flower beds in the garden using 26,000 perennial plants in 250 varieties native to the prairie. The garden has attracted several animal species, 27 species of birds, and butterflies and bees. The garden also has ornamental and prairie grasses. The garden does not use pesticides or fertilizers. For the most color, plan to visit June through fall. It is a four season garden that changes throughout the year so you can experience something different each season. Admission to the garden is free and it often hosts guided walks, lectures, demonstrations, and festivals. I love how this oasis of nature is framed by the skyscrapers of Chicago. It is definitely worth a visit if you are in the city.

    Strolling through
    Dani N.

    Great little getaway from the hustle and bustle. Bring a book, find a little nook, and relax in this luscious city hideaway. I wouldn't say this is a "must see" Chicago spot, but it's attached to Millennium Park (where the bean is) so why not take a stroll through if you have a minute. It's very wide spread and has a nice variety of flowers, trees, bushes, etc. If you're into horticulture I'm sure you'll appreciate the seasonal plants and info graphics. Lurie Garden is free to roam and has security guards around the area to maintain safety and comfort. They do host events here every so often, though, so maybe check that schedule before making a long trek out to ensure it's open to the public on that day. I'd advise Ubering or walking rather than driving just due to heavy traffic in the area and lack of parking, though they do have paid garages and street options nearby. Ideal morning: Stroll down to Fairgrounds coffee and grab an oat milk latte. Take a walk through Millennium Park, meander through the gardens, get cozy on a bench and read a book!

    Tim S.

    Always a nice diversion after the Art Institute or walking back from the Barbour. Take a moment to treat your senses to the wonderful garden.

    Denise W.

    Wow its amazing that there is a nice garden in the middle of Downtown. Yes it is located inside the massive Millennium Park. A few steps to the Cloud Gate. Its not like a big garden that takes a long time to get through. It is small but it has some fabulous greens/plants to check out. Depending on the season, there are different flowers to enjoy. Great for pictures. Such beautiful scenery. Chicago people are so lucky.

    Ter L.

    Hands down, this garden was my favorite-EST part of my visit to MiLLennium Park. If you were to ask me personaLLy- there is no other pLace that is more beautifuL, reLaxing, simpLy fuLL of coLor & Life!! I couLd easiLy get Lost in the Lurie Garden for hours just taking photos and gawking over the beautifuL Chicago skyscrapers|skyLine. This is the perfect spot for anyone who needs a break from aLL the hustLe and bustLe. Grab some Lunch, escape in a reaLLy good book [or two], and have a romantic stroLL with your significant other. DefiniteLy a must visit.

    Grant A.

    I'm in Millennium park pretty often but hadn't seen the Lurie Gardens until this past weekend for the first time ever. It's not gigantic but it's serene you feel like you're still on the prairie even though you're in the downtown of a booming metropolis. It was foggy the day I was there yet still very worthwhile.

    Elaine L.

    I found this place through yelp & was so grateful! It was my favorite place along with the Chicago Art Institute when I visited Chicago in late Sep. This park is located between the Cloud Gate & the museum. I loved the boardwalk pathway, greens/ plants and the skyline. So peaceful & lovely.

    Kyle H.

    Lurie Garden is an oasis in Millennium Park, and in the City, itself. If you need a break from the tourists at the Bean, the Art Institute, or you're just wanting to connect with nature after work, Lurie can provide tranquility, stat. I like the focus on Illinois prairie plants, and the paths are secluded and quiet. Security guards do patrol, so you never feel unsafe. Except watch out for red-winged blackbirds, at times they do divebomb the unsuspecting! Dip your toes in the slow-running stream, I do believe it brings good luck. Or at least it's refreshing! Lurie needed it's own Yelp profile, because you can always Check-In, before Checking Out!

    Jon L.

    Lurie Garden is a flower garden located at Millennium Park and across the street from the Art Institute of Chicago. What is striking about this garden is how well manicured this garden is and how the surrounding skyline really accentuates the beauty of it. The garden is full of different types of lowers, though there is no description signage on them. It feels like a peaceful oasis considering the garden is surrounded by skyscraper buildings. And makes for a nice place to stroll through while you are visiting Millennium Park. The Cloud Bean and Crown Fountain are more interesting aesthetically and visually. But if you are looking for a place to enjoy natural beauty at Millennium Park, check out Lurie Garden for its nice flower garden.

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    13 years ago

    Super pretty with the landscaping. Great place to cool feet in water off boardwalk. A place to go sit and relax while keeping cool.

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    11 years ago

    Stumbled upon this garden. Not crowded and a great little place to getaway from the neighboring more populated attractions.

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    Ask the Community - Lurie Garden

    Review Highlights - Lurie Garden

    Millennium Park was packed on one side, and there were thousands of people at lollapalooza on the other side.

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    Canopy by Hilton Chicago Central Loop - Guest room

    Canopy by Hilton Chicago Central Loop

    4.1(44 reviews)
    0.7 miThe Loop

    Good location, the room was spacious and comfortable, had all the basic necessities. The food from…read morethe cafe was great and the chef is fast considering it's a small kitchen. The rest of the staff however seemed to be annoyed anytime anything was asked of them, from the front desk to bartenders The woman at the front desk and she was rude and dismissive. I got there early so I knew the room wouldn't be ready but asked just in case. She said no rooms were available without checking. Ok, asked if I could leave my bags and she looked like she didn't want to deal with it. Came back again hours later and she still had the same attitude. During afternoon & evening hours you need to order food from the bartenders and they're also not very happy to take the time to do this. Both times different people were annoyed and even forgot to add something to my order. It got to the point where I purposely minimized any interactions with staff. I now see other reviews have similar experiences so not sure if it's this specific location or why the staff was so upset being at work.

    We decided to stay here for our first Chicago trip. Upon entering the hotel, the lobby was very…read moreclean and inviting. Checking in was super easy and Anisa was very helpful with answering my questions and letting me know what the hotel offers. The room itself was beautiful. I felt like a VIP when I saw the words "Welcome Kaitlyn" on the TV. The pictures advertised upon booking are very accurate. The hotel is very close to train stations and numerous bus routes making it easy to get around, even without a car. I personally chose this hotel because it was part of the Amex Hotel Collection. I highly recommend this hotel whether you are an Amex cardholder or not. I would definitely stay here again.

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    Canopy by Hilton Chicago Central Loop - Guest room

    Guest room

    Canopy by Hilton Chicago Central Loop - Guest room

    Guest room

    Canopy by Hilton Chicago Central Loop - Guest room

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    Heritage Green Park - Old St. Pat's, across the street.

    Heritage Green Park

    3.6(9 reviews)
    1.1 miWest Loop, Near West Side

    Every park isn't that great while also not being that bad, just average. Heritage Green Park is…read moresuch one. It doesn't have much going on, just green space. For some people, that's all they need though so it's not a bad thing to have. There's lots of room for dogs to run around, and humans to chill and relax. Bare bones park is a description of it, almost. It actually does have some things in it. There's a few benches and paths. Green space is the main thing about it. Lots of it and quite a few trees. As far as playgrounds, there aren't any. The most interesting thing about it is a statue. It's called "Grainne." This was a gift by Galway, a city in Ireland. Chicago has lots of Irish heritage. This is a statue that certainly makes sense. Good park to hang out for a bit. It's nothing really that interesting but it's good to get out. There's a few benches for sitting and a few paths for walking.

    I've driven by this park countless times; I used to pass it nearly daily when I had my old job. I'm…read morehonestly not sure I ever noticed it, though, before I stopped at Old St. Pat's this week. It's known as a "passive park", because it has no programming, playground, or any facilities besides some benches. The most notable feature of the park is a large sculpture at the southwest entrance called Grainne, which commemorates the Sister Cities relationship between Chicago and Galway, Ireland. The name is somewhat odd, and was developed by the park's advisory group. It's said to reflect the peoples of various heritage that have called the area home, as it was a gathering place for lots of new immigrants in Chicago. "Green" is in homage to the old-timey town greens that were the original parks. I wandered through simply because I was surprised it was here, but it wasn't much of a park. I liked the sculpture quite a lot. If one lived nearby this would be an ok place to stop if you wanted a minimal amount of green space, but otherwise there are better parks in the city.

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    Heritage Green Park
    Heritage Green Park
    Heritage Green Park

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    727 West Madison - resident lounge

    727 West Madison

    3.3(15 reviews)
    1.3 miGreektown, West Loop, Near West Side

    I just moved my brother into this complex over the weekend and it's absolutely gorgeous. It is…read morebeautifully decorated and has incredible amenities (gym with pelotons, yoga studio, pool, billiards room, golf simulator, herb garden, pet area, residents lounge, etc). Wish I could live there too!

    I lived here for 2.5 years through covid and have personally spent more than $100,000 on rent at…read moreBozzuto buildings. If you are 100% sure that you want to live in a high rise in West Loop despite the ubiquitous issues with new constructions, this is probably your best choice. Compared to Arkadia, where I lived for two years, many marginal improvements have been made. Compared to the 10 or so similar buildings in the area, 727 is usually going to come out on top. That said, quality of life is measurably worse than at a West Loop mid-rise apartment yet units here cost 10-20% more. I wish I backed out of my original lease in March 2020 and lived somewhere else. The bad: - The building is curved and all glass so you get a slightly better view in exchange for getting roasted by the sun every day. On most days, I had to adjust my late afternoon routine considering the extreme western sun exposure. In the summer, it was basically impossible to be in my bedroom for the few hours around the sunset, and working in the living room on sunny afternoons was awful. How there aren't dozens of other reviews complaining about this, I have no idea. - The shades in the bedroom are opaque, but they don't overlap the window frames at all so the room won't ever be dark. You end up with streaks of bright light ("light bleed") that will have a strobe light effect if your HVAC happens to blow onto your windows (mine did). I remedied this by liberally applying double-wide duct tape to my window frames. Again, how no other reviews mention this is baffling. - The HVAC is loud with a high decibel rating. I built a foam enclosure around my vent but it was still absurdly loud and I almost never slept through the night even with ear plugs. - The insulation is not good. If you like to sleep at 67 and work/live at 71, for most of the year you're going to be running your HVAC constantly, and within minutes of your HVAC clicking off you'll feel that something is "off." - Covid policies were pretty bogus with no rent credits for all amenities being closed or lease break forgiveness or clarity on how things were working, yet some residents were given special deals that were not advertised. - General sound insulation is bad. During my tour I was assured I would never hear my neighbors, but I heard noise from all three units within the first weekend that I moved in. You'll hear the dog upstairs prancing on the floor, and you'll be able to hear the morning alarm next door if the bedside table is anywhere close to the massive shared window frame, which offers no insulation whatsoever. Also, though not a big issue, the -05 floor plan is close enough to the trash chute that you can hear things tumbling down the chute. - Microwave vent hood is laughably underpowered considering there is a ~12,000 BTU burner on the stove. The good: - Management really cares, to the point that one time I was complaining about the building in a Facebook group and they took the time to reach out and seriously discuss my complaints. - Management takes noise complaints and animal behavior complaints VERY seriously. They *will* mandate that noisy untrained animals wear bark collars after repeated infractions. - Maintenance is very thorough and friendly, same with the front desk staff. - Exceptionally clean common areas. - Everywhere Wireless is an option for internet. - Four elevators that are fast and functional. - Apartments are visually striking (some with high ceilings) and with some of the best views in the city. - Moveable kitchen island, deep sinks, seriously powerful gas stovetop. - Generally, a more respectful and quiet group of residents (almost exclusively couples in their late 20s/early 30s) compared to "prestige" buildings in other neighborhoods. - Extreme value compared to similar buildings in SF, LA, NYC. - Assuming your workplace is within walking distance, this building offers enviable proximity to everything (except the blue line).

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    727 West Madison - Resident lounge

    Resident lounge

    727 West Madison - Nighttime view from the 39th floor

    Nighttime view from the 39th floor

    727 West Madison - Lobby

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    Lurie Garden - gardens - Updated May 2026

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