We walked the outer path around the water. Some of it is paved but then it turns into a rock path…read morefor a while. There is a pavilion with some tables to sit & eat. We saw lots of different kinds of flowers. Several different butterfly species & few dragonflies. It took us about 25 minutes to walk around but we were stopping a lot so I could take pictures. If you're looking for a beautiful walk I definitely suggest going to Chicago Portage National Historic Site!

This is beautiful national historical land. It's located off the I-55 and Harlem Ave. Easy to…read moreaccess. It's for the education and enjoyment of the community and visitors. Very nice picnic area with tables. Many benches located throughout the area. Very nice Trails to enjoy for a healthy way to relax and enjoy nature. Beautiful statues and maps tell the history/timeline. Great place for the individual, couple, groups , children and animals as well. Wonderful spot to enjoy and soak up history.

Coming to Navy Pier in Chicago in summer? Cool off in the fountain at the start of the pier, in…read morePolk Brothers Park! We did :-) (Aug 2026)

This 13 acre green space serves as the entrance to Navy Pier. It is located at the west entrance to…read morethe pier. The park is a result of a gift by the Polk family, Chicago retailers who have made many gifts to the neighborhoods of Chicago. In 2014 they gave 20 million dollars to transform the park so it can offer art and cultural programs. it was the single largest gift ever made to Navy Pier. Many of the programs are paid for with grants from the Polk Bros. Foundation. In the summer, the highlight of the park is the plaza with a 12,500-square- foot fountain with more than 250 programmable jets that mimic the movements of waves, schools of fish, and flocks of birds. The fountain contains hundreds of LED lights. Kids can cool off by playing in the fountain. The Polk Bros Park Performance Lawns designed by landscape architect, James Corner Field Operations has two new performance spaces at the park's southern end that can host live cultural events. On Fridays in the summer, Wiggleworms is offered for children. Other events include Shakespeare in the Park, movies, sunset yoga, and live jazz. In the winter the park offers seasonal programs like a skating rink. Polk Bros. Park is also known for its beautiful views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline.

Egger's Grove is a Forest Preserve in Hegewisch. There aren't paved trails here--or at least the…read moreone we were on was not. There's no services here--you won't find nature center or anything, but there are lots of benches, some picnic areas, and bathrooms. Birding is a popular activity here. In fact, I was here for a program called Owl Prowl because it's starting to become a particularly good time of year to hear them (not see). I think it was the Great Horned Owl and the Screech Owl that we were on the prowl for. I learned that screech owls kind of sound like a horse when they neigh; that was unexpected. Eggers Grove has varying terrain and that is welcoming to birds that don't stop around here in other places, and it's a good place for migratory birds. I was here after dusk so I'd like to visit sometime when it is light out to see the area. It's popular for hiking. There is a humongous parking lot, so you shouldn't have a problem finding a place if you venture out here. Humongous parking lot so many spaces you can park here with your friends family your high school senior class.

Family and I always enjoy having a nature reserve this close to home. We go hiking there often…read more Wish they would put a platform by the small lake on the southeast side so it easier and more comfortable to view the migrating birds that stop there.

This is a gorgeous little park near the University of Illinois at Chicago. My son lives in the area…read moreand brought me here and it's a great little green oasis in the middle of the city. Lots of mature trees and shade and very tastefully laid out. Perfect for a nice walk or relaxing in the shade. Just walking through here is therapeutic!!

I wasn't much in the mood to run at any of my usual run spots within the city. However, while…read morebrowsing through my Yelp collection of run trails & paths the thought of running at Arrigo Park intrigued me because it was a new experience. The park was also a well needed breath of fresh air to get me outdoors for a workout. I advise you to pay attention to the signs before you park because there are certain times of the day & days when parking is authorized. Only vehicles with a zone 5 permit are exempted at any time. A good thing about the park is that you have a good visual of your vehicle as you are doing loops around whether it be walking or running. So if anything happens for example like you being ticketed or a boot being placed on your vehicle then you can handle the situation beforehand. The park has a peaceful yet classy like vibe and it certainly feels safe. In my opinion it has a similar vibe to Palmer Square which is a park located in Chicago neighborhood Logan Square except its path is paved rather than dirt. As for its features there aren't any features like a playground, baseball diamond, basketball or tennis court, however you can play football or soccer on the field which is as lengthy for those activities. It does have that vibe of being the perfect spot to throw a frisbee with friends or with a pet. The park used to have a statue of Christopher Columbus, but the statue was removed out of safety concerns after police clashed near the Grant Park statue with protesters who wanted to tear it down. I love the visual of Willis Tower which appears very close. Its appearance gives that reminder that you are in the city of Chicago which I personally can never get enough of. Four laps around on its paved path will put you at one mile. There is no actual direction posted if you are either walking or running. I say this because while on my run I was headed in the direction head on of those walking. I went with the direction that was comfortable for me, but as long as I wasn't in anyones way I saw no issues with it. If you are looking for a nice peaceful park on the Near Southwest Side of Chicago then look no further than Arrigo Park. I am quite positive that I will return now that I have gotten a feel of it. ~Blessings~ Thomas G

To better serve the growing population of Uptown, the City of Chicago's Bureau of Parks and…read moreRecreation created a small municipal playground in 1951. Named for the street on which it is located, Carmen Park was turned over to the Chicago Park District in 1959, along with more than 250 other properties. Re-planting the landscape and adding new playground equipment in the 1960s, the park district made further improvements in the early 1990s. It's well-shaded on a hot day, but a bit dark. Also, playlot wood chips take up the whole space, i.e., no grass.

This is a really nice little playlot. Clean, hidden, and safe.read more

If you want the stability of true suburban living without giving up your Chicago address, Norwood…read morePark is the definitive answer. What sets this Northwest Side gem apart is its rock-solid consistency... it's always been the real deal. You'll find solid, beautifully kept homes and a deep-rooted community where families proudly stay for generations. You don't find this kind of lasting quality in many city neighborhoods anymore. ​The best feature is the genuine, low-key charm. The local public schools are highly rated, and the overall safety and police presence are top-tier. The distinct street layout, which avoids the harsh city grid and features winding roads, contributes to a quiet, almost protected feel. That commitment to maintaining a true residential sanctuary is why it's considered the Gold Standard. ​For all that peace, you are absolutely not isolated. The Metra station is an absolute blessing for getting downtown fast, and the proximity to the Kennedy Expressway makes life easy for errands and travel. When you need a break, the area connects directly to the large, natural space of Caldwell Woods. Take a walk, grab a coffee at one of the enduring local spots, and remember that you found the perfect Chicago neighborhood... tried, true, and dependable.

Lake Michigan is a sight to see !!! So beautiful and majestic and calming again and again ! I love…read morecoming to the lake and just enjoying the scenery and views everytime I visit my daughter !!! Truly a blessing to see Gods nature and beauty !!

What a GREAT lake.....haha. After a few beers at neighborhood Chicago bars, we headed over to Lake…read moreMichigan for a long walk. It's beautiful! We were right off Lincoln Park, and there were lots of people out enjoying Lake Michigan. I'm not sure if the walkway we used along the lake was a part of Lincoln Park, but it was really nice. Perfectly paved for walking, running, or biking. The last time I was in this spot, it was cold and rainy. This early August evening was perfect! We walked around for about an hour and were ready for dinner. Will definitely visit Lake Michigan again.

This is a great race that visit some of the great west side parks that are [art of the Chicago…read moreBoulevard system. Much of the race runs along these boulevards visiting Humbolt, Garfield and Douglas Park. This is a different view than the Chicago Marathon. The 13.1 race has improved since its first running. It was great to see Carey Pinkowski starting us on and cheering a little before the half way mark. In 2025 it was great to see Ted Metellus in the finish line VIP area after he ran the race. The start was well organized and there was no trouble with crowding. The signage was a little misleading making you take a roundabout way of getting to the bag drop. Found water stations plentiful, course easy to follow and crowd and runner support great. The postrace activities were better than the Chicago Marathon's. The music and the party were great. The only trouble I had this year was not signing up before they closed the registration. I think it closed early because many signed up for the benefit of completing the distance classic and guaranteeing a Chicago Marathon bib the following year. It would be nice to allow bibs to Chicago marathon legacy runners.

I just had to register for Bank of America Chicago 13.1 being that the start/ finish line is in my…read moreneighborhood. In time we will see how much this event grows but the opportunity to run this inaugural event was hard to pass up. The course also runs through some of the parks on Chicago's West Side that I am very familiar with like Garfield Park, Humboldt Park, and Douglass Park. The health & wellness expo was held within the Roosevelt Collection Shops, a beautiful location in the south loop of Chicago. The expo was very organized with the main stations highlighted. With it being organized, it did not appear too congested in the process. The volunteers were very helpful and kind at this expo. Packet pick-up went smooth after I identified the corral letter sent via email. After that, I went to the booth section with that particular letter to pick-up my shirt and bib number. Prior to the day of the run, I smiled every time I looked at the t-shirt because it reminded me that this is an inaugural event. Running an inaugural event is something that nobody can take away from you. Starting in Garfield Park, the course ran through Garfield Park, Humboldt Park, and Lawndale neighborhoods. My favorite highlights along the course were of course seeing the Garfield Park Fieldhouse, running through a peaceful Humboldt Park, and seeing locals on their porches waving. I adored the older women nearby Garfield Park on their porches waving, cheering, and greeting us with "Good morning!" as we ran towards Lawndale neighborhood. It is a memory of this event that I will always remember and cherish. There were a decent number of spectators and supporters along the course. Most were there to cheer on their supported runner whether it be friends, family, or runners' part of their particular running club which were mostly from either Three Run Two, or Chicago Road Runners. The majority of the course was flat with a slight decline and incline mostly within the viaducts along the course, but nothing too excruciating. I have to say the rough parts for me where the mental games started were from mile 8 to 12. There was a lack of spectators in the majority of the area plus I felt a nagging pain in my left ankle at the time. The course had enough medical personnel and police officers along it. There were also plentiful water stations with a combination of Nuun Hydration followed by water! And both were identifiable! It warmed my heart seeing the 'Biofreeze' set-up along the course which I just had to run through; running through it helped ease the pain I felt in my left ankle. I would definitely run Bank of America Chicago 13.1 again because its presence brings positivity to Chicago's West Side, plus, I would love to see and be part of the event's growth in time. ~Blessings~   Thomas G