Millennium Park of Chicago is a perfect example of what human will is capable of doing, turning rail yards and parking lots into the world’s largest rooftop garden. Every year approx 25 million visitors visit the Millennium Park and it is placed among top ten tourist destinations in the United States of America.
Jay Pritzker Pavilion is the centerpiece of Millennium Park at Bandshell designed by Frank Gehry. The pavilion has 4,000 fixed seats plus additional lawn seating for 7,000. The Pritzker Pavilion is Grant Park’s outdoor performing arts venue for small events and complements Petrillo Music Shell, the park’s older and larger Bandshell. With interactive work of public art and video sculpture, The Crown fountain is 50 feet tall and use LEDs to display digital videos. The water operates from May to October depends upon weather conditions and water cascades down from the two towers and spouts through a nozzle on each tower’s front face.
Welcome to the world’s largest green roof spawned 2.5 acres, known as The Lurie Garden. It is a combination of perennials, bulbs, grasses, shrubs and trees. Chicago’s motto is “Urbs in Horto” Latin for “City in a Garden” Lurie garden fulfills the motto. If you are interested in ice skating then The McCormick Tribune PlazaIce Rink is the best place for you, if you are visiting this park in winters then you can ice skate in the rink. For the rest of the year this would be the Chicago’s largest al fresco dining facility. Dine in here at the 150-seat outdoor restaurant and enjoy the scenic views of the park, enjoy various culinary events and musical performances during its months of operation.
The Bean or Cloud Gate
The Bean or Cloud Gate is a true example of globalization and India’s great contribution to it. This Park sculpture was designed by Indian-born British artist Sir Anish Kapoor. His design was inspired by liquid mercury. Cloud Gate’s surface reflects the horizon and the skyline which distorts it from the outer side. There are many reflections and warps when you observe the masterpiece from various angles.
More than 30 artists submitted their designs, out of which Sir Anish Kapoor’s design was chosen.
Cloud Gate or The Bean was unveiled during the Millennium Park grand opening celebration in 2004 in its work in progress stage, after two years in 2006, its completed and dedicated.
How to get the most out of Millennium Park
Enter the park from Washington Avenue, you will come across Millennium Parkand Millennium Monument. click some pictures with it, then move ahead and cross boeing gallery north to witness Jay Pritzker Pavilion. Spend some time there and click photos. After this move towards the perfect selfie spot “Cloud Gate or The Bean”.
Lurie garden should be your fifth bump, enjoy the greenery here. Boeing gallery south would be your sixth place of attraction, enjoy the art installations here.
Do not miss the crown fountain, if you are travelling with kids then carry some swimming costume for them, they can enjoy playing in the water.
