Where to Touch Grass in Chicago

Every week, the City Cast Chicago team asks ourselves if it’s only Wednesday or already Wednesday. This week, it’s definitely the former. Here are spots to get outside, disconnect, and touch some grass.

Visit a Park

With 600 parks, Chicago is living up to its Latin motto “Urbs in Horto,” or “City in a Garden”. Some of our favorite sites are Palmisano Nature Park, where Mt. Bridgeport is great for flying kites, and Welles Park, where lots of Lincoln Square families are out playing or celebrating birthdays.

Head to the Water

Chicago has 26 miles of open lakefront, which means you can see birds at Montrose Bird Sanctuary in the morning and BBQ at Promontory Point in the afternoon. Plus, it’s not Lake Michigan or bust. Off Lake Calumet, Big Marsh Park has BMX biking and bird-watching. LaBagh Woods, on the North Branch of the Chicago River, offers hiking, picnicking, and more.

Seek Out Community

El Paseo Garden in Pilsen is a community hub for folks who want to do everything from picking their own produce to participating in a sound bath. In Englewood, the Peace Campus has a peace garden and nature playlot.

Conservatories Aren’t Just for the Winter

Tell us not we’re not alone in wishing we could bottle the air at Lincoln Park and Garfield Park conservatories? Find a bench, take a deep breath, and slow down.

Trek to the Burbs

Hop on the Metra and be prepared to spend a full day at Morton Arboretum in Lisle or the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe. Clear your head on paths in the west and north suburbs.

Find the Outdoors … Indoors

Walk through the butterfly garden at Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, or check out nature paintings from Claude Monet and Georgia O’Keefe at the Art Institute. And when you’re ready to reimmerse yourself in city life, ease back in with O’Keefe’s “My New Yorks” collection.