Maggie Daley Park, Chicago

Maggie Daley Park is certainly not an average piece of greenery. This place is where a rolling landscape meets a playful imagination. The undulating terrain here creates a striking contrast to the neighboring Grant Park to the south, which keeps things prim and proper with its formal symmetry. Contrary to that, Maggie Daley breaks the mold with hills, curves, and meandering paths that feel more like a storybook than city grid. Moreover, this 27-acre wonderland has a secret: it鈥檚 all built atop a 4,000-car garage. Yep, those curious metal grates scattered across the lawns are none other than vintage 1970s air vents. So, basically, you鈥檙e strolling on Chicago鈥檚 most scenic green roof...

The heart of the park is a long, sloping 鈥渧alley鈥� stretching diagonally like it鈥檚 trying to escape to the lakefront. It鈥檚 a perfect spot for picnics, cloud-gazing, or pretending you鈥檙e in a shampoo commercial with the wind in your hair. This open expanse connects directly to the BP Pedestrian Bridge, so you can sashay in from Millennium Park with style. To the northwest, adrenaline gets its fix at the climbing wall and the skating ribbon 鈥� which ice skaters glide through in winter and scooter daredevils zoom around in summer. To the southeast, little adventurers get their own woodland kingdom in the kids鈥� play garden.

Nature and design flirt throughout the park 鈥� with massive tripod-style light masts standing tall like something out of a sci-fi forest. They鈥檙e meant to mimic moonlight, but currently, they look more like an "alien landing site." Maybe one day, when the trees grow taller, they鈥檒l blend in a bit more.

The abundance of free activities 鈥� rock climbing, mini golf, skating, rolling, strolling 鈥� is richly complemented by the jaw-dropping views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline from 40 feet up. It鈥檚 equal parts playground and postcard. So, go ahead. Wander. Climb. Glide. And try not to forget you're standing on a garage...

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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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Maggie Daley Park
Sight Location: Chicago, USA (See walking tours in Chicago)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Millennium and Grant Parks Walking Tour

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 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

Millennium and Grant Parks Walking Tour

The city of Chicago is renowned for its outdoor green spaces. One such 鈥渇orever free and open鈥� space, is called Grant Park and was established in 1844. In fact, upon foundation, it was called Lake Park, but was renamed in 1901 after the American Civil War General and United States President, Ulysses S. Grant.

Popularly referred to as 鈥淐hicago's front lawn,鈥� this lakefront park is... 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

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

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

Chicago Introduction Walking Tour

Chicago, perched on the shores of Lake Michigan in Illinois, is a city steeped in history and urban vibrancy. Known by numerous nicknames such as the Windy City and the City of Big Shoulders, it boasts a skyline marked by towering structures. The area of today's Chicago, initially inhabited by Native American tribes, saw its first European-settled reference as "Chicagou" in 1679, a... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles

View all walking tours in Chicago, Illinois

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