Plan to spend a few hours at this beautiful park. The flowers are always abundant. The Bean and the water/wall are a lot of fun. It's a nice park to bring a lunch, sit and people watch, or you could sit at the restaurant within and visit the shops after you've eaten. While there, don't forget to cross the main highway toward Lake Michigan and visit the Buckingham Fountain; it's absolutely beautiful. Bring your camera and enjoy!

Wonderful during the day, and at night. There are always locals and tourists around relaxing or taking photos of the centre pieces of the park - "the bean" (cloud gate) and the urban waterfalls... We visited in the Spring and the park was blooming while children played in the waters and my boyfriend and I tried to get as many different angles and frames as we could of the reflections in "the bean". At night, there are fewer people around and if you have a tripod or a very steady hand you can get some amazing shots of the city!

Millennium park will always be a special place in my heart. We were married by the Wrigley Pavillion and hosted our reception on the Pritzker stage (where the symphony plays) in May of 2007.

There are always interesting things to see whatever the season. With it's great downtown location it is easy to access from the doowntown hotels and shopping areas along Michigan Avenue. If you arrive during the spring, summer, or fall take a moment and get in a quick stroll. There are some places to dine in the park but I believe that there are much better options in the surrounding area. If your timing is good there may even be a free concert or a unique exhibit on display. If it is a warm day you can cool off by the fountains or in the shade of the gardens.

Brign your camera as there are many great places to capture a great photograph!

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.