Grant Park - Buckingham Fountain, Chicago

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This stunning fountain was donated to the city of Chicago by Kate Buckingham in memory of her brother, Clarence Buckingham. It was built in 1927. The fountain is in the centre of Grant Park, with proximity to Millennium Park.

The fountain is activated between 10am and 10pm from 1 April to 1 November each year. The fountain's impressive light and water display is from 9pm to 10pm.

The fountain contains (1.5 million US galloons /5700 litres) of water. During a display, over 14,000 US gallons per minute is pushed through the 133 jets. Buckingham Fountain is hence also one of the largest fountains in the world.

Trust me, this is not just a fountain. It is really nice! Seeing my pictures of the fountain is wonderful. Seeing the beautiful fountain by actually being there, is even better! :)

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Spend a most relaxing Chicago day at the big, beautiful Grant Park, right on Lake Michigan. It's one of the coolest places in Chicago...and, with its lakeside location, it's really true.

Walk, jog, bike, rollerblade, or just chill out in the sun with a good book. And make sure to admire the view. The lake on one side, the city skyline on the other, & all of that beautiful foliage in between. You can't beat it.

Grant Park also hosts many festivals, especially during the summer. The Blues Festival. Taste of Chicago. The Country Music Festival. Just to name a few. And, in 2006, Lollapallooza was held here. A busy place, this Grant Park.

A word of warning: certain festivals, especially Taste of Chicago are VERY popular. If you don't like crowds, you may want to keep that in mind. Taste happens for a week each summer.

That said, Grant Park is waiting for you!

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Take a walk through Grant Park to Buckingham Fountain, between Columbus and Lake Shore Drive. Take some beautiful photos here. While patterned on the fountain in Versailles, it is twice as big! The fountains run May through September. They vary in levels higher and lower at different times, and if you stand on the windy side, you will catch a nice shower! Lights up at night, too! Don't forget to throw in a penny and make a wish!

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Chicago really is a feast for the eyes, especially in the spring and summer. Fresh green parks surrounded by Chicago's amazing architecture make it, in my opinion, America's most visually beautiful city.

In the middle of Grant Park lies Buckingham Fountain, a visual and architectural delight in itself. From close-up or far away, it's an urban oasis, framed by green trees and tall buildings - especially the Aon Building, Chicago's 2nd tallest. Spend a few minutes admiring the beautifully engraved fountain itself, and just sit and relax. It's a special place, rather romantic too I'm sure (not that I would know of course heeheeee) - and it's right near the lakefront too.

By the way, if you're a TV fan, you may recognize Buckingham Fountain from the opening of the show "Married with Children", whose theme song was Sinatra's "Love and Marriage". In fact, you may end up singing it while you're there.

I'm not sure, but I believe this is the edge of the park which can be entered along the boulevard of arts, theaters and museums. It's been a while since I visited and so my memory is vague. I do recall looking out our hotel window and watching the whole waterfront project underway as well as major reconstruction going on in the park. Lovely big open spaces.

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The Buckingham Fountain, located in Grant Park, is one of Chicago's most popular attractions and one of the largest fountains in the world. It was opened in May of 1927. The four sea horses you see on its sides represent the four states that touch Lake Michigan: Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan.

The fountain operates from approximately April 1 to November 1 each year and runs from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm each day. Every hour on the hour for 20 minutes the fountain produces a major water display and the center jet shoots 150 feet into the air. At dusk, the fountain's hourly major water display is accompanied by lights and music.

The fountain's water capacity is 1.5 million gallons. Depending on wind conditions, major displays use approximately 14,100 gallons of recirculated water per minute conveyed through 134 jets. The fountain contains 820 lights.

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This is one of the oldest parks in the Midwest. Originally named Lake Park, it was set aside from development in 1835. Renamed Grant Park (for Civil War general U.S. Grant), it is a popular venue for musical and other festivals and activities.

While most recognizable from the opening credits of the comedy series Married With Children, most might be surprised to know that Buckingham Fountain is the largest in the world. Situated in Chicago's Grant Park, the fountain, which was designed by Jacques Lambert and modeled after Latona Fountain at Versailles, was donated to the city by Kate Buckingham in memory of her brother, Clarence Buckingham. Buckingham Fountain was dedicated on August 26, 1927. It was also the official starting point for the classic US highway Route 66 that ran to Los Angeles.

The fountain runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day from 11:30am to 9:00pm with a light and water display from 9:00pm to 10:00pm.

The fountain contains 1.5 million gallons of water. During a display, more than 14,000 gallons per minute is pushed through the 133 jets.

Buckingham Fountain is ideally located across the street from the lakefront and is a favorite amongst city-goers who want to relax and take in the beauty of this city.

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Okay, I'll admit I wanted to see this fountain because of the opening to "Married with Children" but seeing it in person I can now say that it's a beautiful fountain in a beautiful and well kept park!

The Buckingham Fountain area located in Grant Park offers a breathtaking view of the Chicago skyscrapers. The fountain itself is the centerpiece of Grant Park and is considered one of the finest fountains in the country. The fountain was built back in the late 1920's and was funded by philanthropist Kate Buckingham in memory of her brother. The fountain can be seen while driving on Lake Shore Drive and is within walking distance from Millenium Park and the Magnificent Mile. The best photographs of Chicago can be obtained here, so don't miss the excellent photograph opportunity.