Millennium Park and Cloud Gate

Millennium Park is the centerpiece of Chicago's public spaces and one of the best free family destinations in any American city. Located in the heart of downtown along Michigan Avenue, the 24. 5-acre park transformed what was once an unsightly rail yard into a world-class collection of public art, gardens, performance spaces, and interactive features that give families reasons to visit in every season.

Cloud Gate — universally known as the Bean — is the park's iconic attraction and likely the most photographed piece of public art in the United States. This 110-ton stainless steel sculpture by artist Anish Kapoor reflects and distorts the Chicago skyline and everyone standing around it. Kids are endlessly fascinated by the mirror effect — they wave, dance, and make faces watching their reflections stretch and compress on the curved surface.

Walking underneath the Bean to see the omphalos (the concave underside) creates a kaleidoscopic tunnel of reflections. The sculpture is free to approach and touch, and kids instinctively reach out to press their hands against the polished surface.

Crown Fountain is the park's other must-visit for families, especially in summer. Two 50-foot glass brick towers face each other across a shallow reflecting pool, and LED displays on the towers project giant faces of Chicago residents. Periodically, water spouts from the pursed lips of the projected faces, cascading into the shallow pool below.

Kids lose their minds over this — they stand in front of the towers waiting for the water to shoot, sprint through the pool, and spend an hour completely soaked and completely happy. The fountain runs from late May through early October and is completely free.

Pritzker Pavilion is the park's outdoor concert venue, designed by Frank Gehry with his signature sculptural steel. During summer, free concerts happen here regularly — classical music, jazz, world music, and special events. Families spread blankets on the Great Lawn behind the fixed seating and picnic while listening to live music under the Chicago skyline.

The sound system is excellent, so even lawn seating has good audio. Check the Millennium Park events calendar for the schedule.

The Lurie Garden at the south end of the park is an overlooked gem for families who want a quieter space. This designed garden changes with the seasons and has a wooden boardwalk through perennial plantings. In spring and summer, butterflies and bees are active throughout the garden, and kids can learn about native plants.

It is a peaceful counterpoint to the energy of Cloud Gate and Crown Fountain.

In winter, the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink opens in front of Cloud Gate, and skating under the Bean with the Michigan Avenue skyline lit up is one of Chicago's most magical winter experiences. Ice skating admission is free — you only pay for skate rental ($16 per person) if you do not bring your own. The rink operates from November through March.

Millennium Park connects to Maggie Daley Park via the BP Pedestrian Bridge, a Gehry-designed walking bridge that crosses Columbus Drive. The combination of Millennium Park and Maggie Daley Park creates a massive free family zone in downtown Chicago. You can easily spend an entire afternoon going from Cloud Gate to Crown Fountain to the playground and climbing walls at Maggie Daley without spending a cent.

Practically, the park is in the center of Chicago's Loop, accessible by nearly every CTA train line and dozens of bus routes. The closest L stations are Washington/Wabash and Madison/Wabash. Underground parking is available in the Millennium Park Garage ($30-$40), but public transit is strongly recommended given downtown traffic.

Restrooms are available but can be hard to find — look for them near the Chase Promenade and the visitor center.