
Maggie Daley Park, Chicago
Maggie Daley Park screams fun, and if you have kids, this park is likely to become their dream playground. Curbed by Millennium Park, within Grant Park’s campus, this sprawling 20-acre lakefront is a family-friendly paradise jam-packed with whimsical play spaces divided by appropriate age levels and inspired by classic children’s books.
To reach this lakeside oasis, all you need to do is take the BP Pedestrian Bridge from Millennium Park. The first thing you’ll notice is rollerbladers (or ice-skaters in the winter) gliding down a quarter-of-a-mile (40 km) Skating Ribbon meandering through trees, lawns and a 3-acre Play Garden. The latter is every child’s dream come true (think The Enchanted Forest with upside trees, the Slide Crater with a Tower Bridge to climb, and The Harbor where full-sized play boats nestle amongst the greenery). Also found within the park are a mirror maze, mega slide, mini golf, tennis, but above all, both literally and colloquially, the larger-than-life (19,000 square foot) rock-climbing park – the first of its kind in Chicago – with two enormous walls fit to take between 25 and 100 climbers at a time!
Regardless, whether you’re a total beginner or accomplished expert – there’s a surface fit for everyone. The area is split into three climbing types: bouldering, lead-harnessed and top rope. All this is completely free and, on top of that, you can treat yourself to some great views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago city skyline from 40 feet up! Just take your pick from any of the fun things you can do at Maggie Daley Park and enjoy a family-friendly workout!
To reach this lakeside oasis, all you need to do is take the BP Pedestrian Bridge from Millennium Park. The first thing you’ll notice is rollerbladers (or ice-skaters in the winter) gliding down a quarter-of-a-mile (40 km) Skating Ribbon meandering through trees, lawns and a 3-acre Play Garden. The latter is every child’s dream come true (think The Enchanted Forest with upside trees, the Slide Crater with a Tower Bridge to climb, and The Harbor where full-sized play boats nestle amongst the greenery). Also found within the park are a mirror maze, mega slide, mini golf, tennis, but above all, both literally and colloquially, the larger-than-life (19,000 square foot) rock-climbing park – the first of its kind in Chicago – with two enormous walls fit to take between 25 and 100 climbers at a time!
Regardless, whether you’re a total beginner or accomplished expert – there’s a surface fit for everyone. The area is split into three climbing types: bouldering, lead-harnessed and top rope. All this is completely free and, on top of that, you can treat yourself to some great views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago city skyline from 40 feet up! Just take your pick from any of the fun things you can do at Maggie Daley Park and enjoy a family-friendly workout!
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Chicago. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from iTunes 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.
Maggie Daley Park on Map
Sight Name: Maggie Daley Park
Sight Location: Chicago, USA (See walking tours in Chicago)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Chicago, USA (See walking tours in Chicago)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
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.
University of Chicago Walking Tour
Founded in 1890, the University of Chicago is among the world’s most prestigious educational institutions. As of 2020, the University’s 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’s 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
Set in the heart of Chicago’s 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
Chicago Introduction Walking Tour
Sitting on the shore of Lake Michigan in the U.S. State of Illinois, Chicago has had many nicknames throughout its history, including the Windy City, Chi-Town, Second City, and the City of the Big Shoulders referring to the numerous towers and high-risers that punctuate its skyline.
Prior to the Europeans, the area of today's Chicago was successively inhabited by various Native American... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Prior to the Europeans, the area of today's Chicago was successively inhabited by various Native American... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Chicago Navy Pier Walking Tour
Additional to scenic views of the lake, the boats, and the city skyline, the Navy Pier offers a variety of attractions on the waterfront – for kids as well as adults – that draw nearly ten million people annually, making this Chicago's most visited spot. Yes, some may see it as a “tourist trap”, but it is worth the time and money to spend some time here, so take this self-guided walk... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 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’s smallest neighborhoods geographically, it is big on character, colors, sights, sounds, and flavors. Here, you’ll 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
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 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’s great avenues – or Chicago’s 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: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Chicago Old Town Walking Tour
Settled in 1850 by German immigrants, Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood is a popular destination for locals and visitors who cater to the entertainment venues, restaurants, pubs, coffee shops and boutiques – all of which have turned an area once referred to as the “Cabbage Patch” 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
Start your Old Town walking... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Chicago Souvenirs: 15 Distinct Local Products to Bring Home
One of the most fascinating cities in the U.S., if not the whole world, Chicago has no shortage of things closely associated with it, often due to their direct origin (blues, gangstership, etc.), so one might literally be spoiled for choice as to what to choose as a "piece" of Chicago to...