If you find yourself in the Southwest side of Chicago, come visit McKinley Park. You can't even…read moretell you're in the city anymore because it's so calm and serene. Add to it all the lush greenery complete with a nearby lagoon and it's the ideal place for fun and relaxation. A friend of mine introduced me to this nice little oasis. It's the perfect stomping grounds for leisure and exercise. There are plenty of trails to partake in a walk, run, bike or rollerblade. This park is huge and there is plenty of space for outdoor picnic and sport. While walking with my friend, we came across folks taking part in tennis, soccer, basketball, baseball, football and fishing. There is something for everyone here and you can make an entire day out of it. They also have a large public outdoor pool with splash pad for the kids. Another plus is the plentiful street parking within the park's perimeter with a dedicated parking lot near the pool grounds. In the wintertime, I think they have an outdoor ice rink too. Check out McKinley park. It's a gem of a park in the city's southwest side.

we are only allowed 45 min to swim and the don't even give us the full 45 min . the kick is out…read morealmost 10 min before the time is up. I believe we should have the full 45 min then we wait 15 for them to open again for 45 min. as I asked why we getting out early they because people take long to get dressed. like that not my fault

It's a great park district and I love their pre-k program as well as the tumbling and arts & craft…read moretime for the little ones. It's a clean facility and the people who run it are great! It's wonderful park and play ground too. It has a lot of fun and safe swings and slides and climbing walls for the kids to play on and there are plenty of benches to for parents to chill.

This park is not bad for younger kids. They have a few swings and a little obstacle course type…read moreplay area with slides. A big field for them to run around and maybe kick a ball or fly a kite around. They have a water area that they can play at in the summertime. Overall, it's pretty clean and safe. From there website (a little more about the park) Located in the Bridgeport Community, Wilson CC Park totals [.14] acres and features a converted bath house building, meeting rooms and a gymnasium. Park-goers can play basketball and volleyball at the facility. Afterschool sports programs are offered throughout the school year, and in the summer youth attend the Park District's popular six-week day camp. In addition to programs, Wilson Park hosts fun special events throughout the year for the whole family, such as holiday activities like pictures with the Easter Bunny.

We have now been to Big Marsh Park twice and absolutely love it! We are always looking for places…read moreto hike outdoors surrounded by natural wild space near Chicago, and here is a Park with miles and miles of pathways right in the city! If you like to hike outdoors, head over to Big Marsh Park today! Once a terribly polluted area of Chicago due to steel factories and industrial waste, Big Marsh Park has undergone extensive reclamation and restoration work to be the gorgeous natural wild space it is today! However, the park does not hide its past. Signs and relics of industrial destruction are left as reminders of what can happen when human industry is left unfettered without environmental regulation. Also, fishing and swimming are not allowed in the water. In addition to miles and miles of beautiful pathways for walking, hiking, and biking, Big Marsh Park also has massive mountain biking pathways, biking parks, and skate parks. Plenty for kids to come and have outdoor fun! There are plenty of spaces for picnics and outdoor crafts. Furthermore, there is a gorgeous museum that tells the story of the area, past, present, and future. It is new, informative, and clean. The bathrooms are green-designed and very nice. There is plenty of parking for visitors and public buses that come to the park. It is hard to get to with pot-hole infested roads, but well worth the trek! If you like the outdoors, learning history about Chicago, and exercise, head over to Big Marsh Park today!

I'm a veteran mountain biker and a suburban dad so I was skeptical of a city bike park. The area is…read moreforeign to me and looked pretty industrial especially the landfill within a stones throw from the park. Boy howdy was I surprised. The City of Chicago has created an oasis for bikers, hikers and skateboarding, but mostly biking. The park has a nice sized pump track, some short but we'll thought out single track and enough features to challenge most riders. My son and I had a great time and most definitely will return.

Fantastic neighborhood park for South Loop Elementary School, so be mindful of the time of day if…read moreyou plan to visit

I just discovered the name of this park and thought I would review it because they participate in…read moreChicago's movies in the park!! How awesome! I love it when they have events in my neighborhood. I don't think the South Loop gets enough attention so I love that they are playing movies here. Unfortunately there is only one movie event at this park, but still its a good start! This park has a playground and is attached to an elementary school. A great place to play, walk the dog, and just hang out. Looking forward to next years movie playing here! http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/events/movies/

The way the surrounding park is set up is a bit odd. There's only one entrance and the rest is…read morefenced off (which google maps didn't seem to understand); it has this kind of exclusive vibe and yet signs say it's open to the public, so I somewhat awkwardly walked in, passing a golf course, a magisterial building hosting some fancy reception, a picnic area hosting some considerably less fancy gatherings, a small beach, and finally a small stretch of trail which circles through a bird-filled woodland. It's much like Montrose Point on the north side of the city, but smaller and less accessible. Having said that, the birds were signing and the views were quite splendid, so far be it from me to dissuade anyone from going.

03/14/21 - This Bird & Butterfly Sanctuary is just another hidden gem that is part of Chicago's…read morelakefront. The sanctuary is located within the South Shore Cultural Club & is accessible to the public. There is a metered parking lot set back for public use and a beach adjacent to it. It's a beautiful little gem hidden where you can get away and reflect while enjoying nature. This morning I was rewarded w/a gorgeous sunrise in the lake. It's so peaceful & quite as you walk along the path by the lake and the rough the grasslands set aside for the birds. This morning I saw a pair of mallards, seagulls & a few geese flying by. So beautiful it's nice to come out early and see the sunrise & walk through a natural habit along the lake. Peace out.

This is one of the small little parks that pop up in a big city block. It is named after a beloved…read moreschool superintendent, at least that is what the sign said. It had tennis courts, baseball fields, bathrooms and a nice walking path. The park was dotted with SAHM and retired folks.

I go here two to three times a day to walk my grandaughter's dog, Shilow. Sometimes we just relax…read moreand I sit on one of the benches and he sits right next to me. This park is absolutely beautiful. I love the different trees but my favorite is the evergreens. And, I love that all the flowers and grass are native to the prairie land. There are two nature walkways enclosed by flowers and shrubs on the south and north side of the west end of the park. Walking through the winding paths brings me very close to nature. It makes me feel like I'm somewhere else.

Chill beach on the South Side that doesn't get too crowded. It certainly is one of the lesser known…read moreones. Oakwood Beach isn't as popular but that doesn't mean it's bad though. Has bathrooms. There's also spots for grilling. A place that honestly seems like a locals beach. It gets its name from being between the Oakland and Kenwood neighborhoods on the South Side. This is also called 41st Street Beach because that's the location of this. It's one of the city's newest beaches. This one actually hasn't been around that long, having only been open since 2010. Has concessions. There's a beach house with bathrooms and showers. Best way to get here is with a bicycle. It's located along the Lakefront Trail and it's a convenient stop. This is also kind of close to the Kenwood Metra station if wanting to use public transportation.

This is my most favorite beach in the city. Small and slow in traffic. I can't wait to spend as…read moremuch time as possible this summer. Walk. Ride a bike. Play some basketball l. Read a book. Listen to music. Take a nap - but not really cause it's still Chicago. Sit in complete silence and remain in awe of nature and its creation. You get the vibe.

Chicago I will always love you!…read more We have some of the most amazing conferences, festivals and shows. In my opinion, absolutely no other city can touch our food scene! Panda Fest had Chicago show up. I told myself to leave early. I know better. My bed held me hostage. When I arrived at 10:15a for my 10:00a timed entrance ticket, the line was wrapped around the block. I don't mind waiting in line for food. The line seemed to move along nicely or I could have been distracted talking to others in line. Either way, it was organized. The smells were amazing. I skipped breakfast in preparation for this. Once at the front, people are yelling to have your tickets visible on your phones and your bags open. Then you are handed a Chicago panda bear pin wearing a Cubs hat, holding a Chicago pizza slice. So cute. Then you are directed to the headband station, a panda bear with a Chicago pizza slice. So cute. Now for the food. My belly was like, "let's go"! My plan was two sweet, two savory and two drinks. I just kept eating. Lol. I had wagyu skewers topped with soy, garlic and onion sauce. Pork and beef dumplings with chili crisp. Lamb skewer with spicy chili powder. Spam musubi, a teriyaki meat pie. Purple yam ice cream, tanghulu, (candied fresh fruit). Passion fruit flavored sugar cane drink. Loved it! Coconut water vanilla ice cream drink. Everything that I ate, I really enjoyed. Belly full. There are plenty of children's activities; face painting, games and inflatables. So bring your babies. Definitely family friendly.

Wow, I hadn't been to Grant Park in over 20 years and the last was for the Taste of Chicago. Well…read moreafter almost 25 years, we went today and it was awesome! Great Friday night to go and Common was performing on the main stage! We are fans of his music so it was great to see him perform in his hometown!