The Millennium park is a large open area right on Michigan Ave (aka the "Miracle Mile") directly in the heart of the city. It is a short walk (a block or so) to the fantastic Art Institute. During the warmer part of the year is when the park really shines. While everyone remembers "The Bean" I really enjoy the video towers on a warm day. These two three-story "Crown Fountain" towers seem very strange and modern, as they simply show huge videos of human faces looking out onto a shallow pool of water. During a hot day you will see hundreds of happy kids (and adults) walking on the black marble pool area (this keeps the cool water warmer) and laughing. But if you are visiting have patience! About every five minutes you will see the faces on the video wall smile a sly smile (at which point all the kids will scream and run over to the faces) and then the faces will purse their lips. Out pours a huge stream of water onto the kids. This water is cold and the kids (many in their street clothes) will jostle for a place. After the stream dies down they will all run up against the wall and a huge wall of water will spill out over the tops of the towers! This will happen like clock work over and over. It's a gas to watch. I have eaten a number of lunches here and am always surprised at how many tourists will sit and watch for a minute or two and then leave, wondering what the big deal is about. Soon after they leave the faces will spray the kids. So my advice is sit back and watch the fun -- heck, take off your shoes and walk in the water! The Bean is a wonder to see, but frankly the mixing of races and ages at the fountains is where Chicago just shines. Bring a towel for your kids.