Buckingham Fountain, Chicago (must see)
Right in the thick of Chicago鈥檚 downtown grid, amid suits and skyscrapers, you鈥檒l find Grant Park showing off its true showstopper: one of the largest fountains in the world! And no, it's not just there to impress tourists. This aquatic giant was a lavish gift from Kate Sturges Buckingham, a 20th-century American art collector and philanthropist, who had some serious cash to splash thanks to her family's grain empire. She dedicated it to her brother, with whom she shared a deep love for art (and apparently, dramatic gestures).
What you get is less 鈥渟prinkler system鈥� and more 鈥渟culptural fever dream.鈥� Imagine a three-tiered marble wedding cake dressed in pink seashells, ringed with gleeful fish spraying water like it鈥檚 going out of style, and four bronze sea horses rearing back in dramatic flair 鈥� each repping one of the states touching Lake Michigan. It all came together in 1927, channeling Versailles vibes, only bigger. Because this is Chicago...
Now, if you want the full Buckingham Fountain experience, show up between May and October. That鈥檚 when the real magic happens 鈥� hourly water shows with lights that shimmer and shift like the fountain鈥檚 throwing its own rave. Stick around long enough, and you'll see the center jet shooting 150 feet into the air like it鈥檚 trying to signal the moon.
Tip break:
While here, don鈥檛 just stare at the spray. Head west across Columbus Drive and give a nod to the quietly dignified Lincoln statue 鈥� seated, reflective, and looking like he鈥檚 contemplating the next big speech. Sculpted by Augustus Saint-Gaudens in 1926, it鈥檚 the introvert to the fountain鈥檚 extrovert. Then swing by Congress Parkway near Michigan Avenue, where The Bowman and the Spearman strike a pose. These towering bronze Indian warriors aren鈥檛 just decorative鈥攖hey're 17 feet of pure stoic intensity.
What you get is less 鈥渟prinkler system鈥� and more 鈥渟culptural fever dream.鈥� Imagine a three-tiered marble wedding cake dressed in pink seashells, ringed with gleeful fish spraying water like it鈥檚 going out of style, and four bronze sea horses rearing back in dramatic flair 鈥� each repping one of the states touching Lake Michigan. It all came together in 1927, channeling Versailles vibes, only bigger. Because this is Chicago...
Now, if you want the full Buckingham Fountain experience, show up between May and October. That鈥檚 when the real magic happens 鈥� hourly water shows with lights that shimmer and shift like the fountain鈥檚 throwing its own rave. Stick around long enough, and you'll see the center jet shooting 150 feet into the air like it鈥檚 trying to signal the moon.
Tip break:
While here, don鈥檛 just stare at the spray. Head west across Columbus Drive and give a nod to the quietly dignified Lincoln statue 鈥� seated, reflective, and looking like he鈥檚 contemplating the next big speech. Sculpted by Augustus Saint-Gaudens in 1926, it鈥檚 the introvert to the fountain鈥檚 extrovert. Then swing by Congress Parkway near Michigan Avenue, where The Bowman and the Spearman strike a pose. These towering bronze Indian warriors aren鈥檛 just decorative鈥攖hey're 17 feet of pure stoic intensity.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Chicago. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Buckingham Fountain on Map
Sight Name: Buckingham Fountain
Sight Location: Chicago, USA (See walking tours in Chicago)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Chicago, USA (See walking tours in Chicago)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Chicago, Illinois
Create Your Own Walk in Chicago
Creating your own self-guided walk in Chicago is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Chicago Navy Pier Walking Tour
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Chicago Old Town Walking Tour
Settled in 1850 by German immigrants, Chicago鈥檚 Old Town neighborhood is a popular destination for locals and visitors who cater to the entertainment venues, restaurants, pubs, coffee shops and boutiques 鈥� all of which have turned an area once referred to as the 鈥淐abbage Patch鈥� into an attraction that rivals Navy Pier, Wrigley Field and the Magnificent Mile.
Start your Old Town walking... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Start your Old Town walking... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
University of Chicago Walking Tour
Founded in 1890, the University of Chicago is among the world鈥檚 most prestigious educational institutions. As of 2020, the University鈥檚 students, faculty and staff have included 100 Nobel laureates, giving it the fourth-most affiliated Nobel laureates of any university.
Set in the heart of Chicago鈥檚 famous eclectic neighborhood, Hyde Park, the campus is worth a visit as it offers a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Set in the heart of Chicago鈥檚 famous eclectic neighborhood, Hyde Park, the campus is worth a visit as it offers a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
The Magnificent Mile Walking Tour
The stretch of Michigan Avenue from the Chicago River to Lake Shore Drive, otherwise known as the Magnificent Mile, is regarded as one of the world鈥檚 great avenues 鈥� or Chicago鈥檚 version of Fifth Avenue. Take this self-guided walk to explore its whole stretch and surrounding area, featuring a wide selection of amazing stores/malls, world-known museums, restaurants and spectacular... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Millennium and Grant Parks Walking Tour
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Let鈥檚 start with the elder of the two 鈥� Grant Park,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Let鈥檚 start with the elder of the two 鈥� Grant Park,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Chicago Chinatown Walking Tour
Tucked away just south of the Loop, the Chinatown of Chicago was established in 1912 and is considered one of the best examples of American Chinatown. While it may be one of Chicago鈥檚 smallest neighborhoods geographically, it is big on character, colors, sights, sounds, and flavors. Here, you鈥檒l find a wide range of unique boutiques, specialty shops, religious sights, authentic Chinese... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
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