One of Chicago's postcards

One of Chicago's postcards

North America

Chicago it’s a beautiful city. From aboveas we have already said here, it is possible to perceive the immensity of the Lago Michigan and the various skyscrapers that are in different parts of the city. But it is on the ground that there is one of the most beautiful and interesting places there: the Millenium Park.

A morning at Millennium Park

Millennium Park in Chicago (Photo: This World is Ours)

Millennium Park in Chicago (Photo: This World is Ours)

I was in Chicago in October, so the weather was already cold. Gone out hostel around 9 am with a blue sky and beautiful, chilling, but what really chilled was the cold of 3 degrees.

I was walking through Michigan Avenue under the sun to warm up until I saw what I was looking for: Millenium Park, which opened in 2004 and is a true open-air art museum.

Attractions

Crown Fountain

Crown Fountain at Millennium Park in Chicago (Photo: This World is Ours)

In the face, I saw Crown Fountaina fountain designed by Jaume Plensa and which in summer is used by residents to cool off.

There are two light towers, as if they were big screens, that alternate images of faces of residents or those born in Chicago (famous and anonymous) and release water, which reflects on the ground. Depending on the time of year, the fountain does not release water due to the cold. It is even possible to see the faces of stars like Oprah Winfrey and powerful as Barack Obama. But it was so cold and I was so afraid of getting my feet wet that I didn’t get very close to the water.Crown Fountain at Millennium Park in Chicago (Photo: This World is Ours)

Millennium Park in Chicago (Photo: This World is Ours)

Crown Fountain at Millennium Park in Chicago (Photo: This World is Ours)

Crown Fountain at Millennium Park in Chicago (Photo: This World is Ours)

Crown Fountain at Millennium Park in Chicago (Photo: This World is Ours)

Crown Fountain at Millennium Park in Chicago (Photo: This World is Ours)

Cloud Gate (The Bean)

Cloud Gate (The Bean) - Millenium Park - Chicago (Photo: This World is Ours)

A little ahead is one of Chicago’s symbols: “Beans”. The original name is ““Cloud Gate”but the sculpture is popularly known as “The Bean”, because of its format. Leaving aside the history and architecture, this sculpture pleasantly surprised me. I knew it was beautiful, but I didn’t imagine that I would spend half an hour admiring and having fun with the reflections of the buildings, the landscape and myself. I took several photos from all angles and didn’t miss the chance to see the beans from below. It’s so worth it!Cloud Gate (The Bean) - Millenium Park - Chicago (Photo: This World is Ours)

Cloud Gate (The Bean) - Millenium Park - Chicago (Photo: This World is Ours)

Cloud Gate (The Bean) - Millenium Park - Chicago (Photo: This World is Ours)

Cloud Gate (The Bean) - Millenium Park - Chicago (Photo: This World is Ours)

Cloud Gate (The Bean) - Millenium Park - Chicago (Photo: This World is Ours)

Cloud Gate (The Bean) - Millenium Park - Chicago (Photo: This World is Ours)

Cloud Gate (The Bean) - Millenium Park - Chicago (Photo: This World is Ours)

Returning to the story, the Cloud Gate was created by artist Anish Kapoor and built between 2004 and 2006. Composed of around 170 stainless steel plates, which is imperceptible from the outside, “The Bean” reflects the urbanism of the city, the sky and the trees of the park. A great place for children to have fun. And for older ones too.

The sculpture measures 10 by 20 by 13m and weighs more than 100 tons.

Cloud Gate (The Bean) - Millenium Park - Chicago (Photo: This World is Ours)

Cloud Gate (The Bean) - Millenium Park - Chicago (Photo: This World is Ours)

Cloud Gate (The Bean) - Millenium Park - Chicago (Photo: This World is Ours)

Cloud Gate (The Bean) - Millenium Park - Chicago (Photo: This World is Ours)

Cloud Gate (The Bean) - Millenium Park - Chicago (Photo: This World is Ours)

Cloud Gate (The Bean) - Millenium Park - Chicago (Photo: This World is Ours)

Cloud Gate (The Bean) - Millenium Park - Chicago (Photo: This World is Ours)

Cloud Gate (The Bean) - Millenium Park - Chicago (Photo: This World is Ours)

Cloud Gate (The Bean) - Millenium Park - Chicago (Photo: This World is Ours)

Other park highlights

O Millenium Park It is a place full of attractions, in addition to the “beans” and the fountain, it is worth walking through the gardens and discovering other points, such as the “Jay Pritzker Pavilion”, named after one of the heirs of Hyatt Hotels. This open-air theater serves as a stage for classical music, performing arts, rock and many other types of performances.Jay Pritzker Pavilion - Millenium Park - Chicago (Photo: This World is Ours)

Jay Pritzker Pavilion - Millenium Park - Chicago (Photo: This World is Ours)

Jay Pritzker Pavilion - Millenium Park - Chicago (Photo: This World is Ours)

Jay Pritzker Pavilion - Millenium Park - Chicago (Photo: This World is Ours)

Jay Pritzker Pavilion - Millenium Park - Chicago (Photo: This World is Ours)

There is still the BP Pedestrian Bridgeo Lurie Gardeno Harry Theater it’s at Wrigley Square. During the winter, there is a skating rink to entertain tourists and residents. In the park it is also possible to rent bicycles, participate in events and go to exhibitions.Millennium Park in Chicago (Photo: This World is Ours)

Millennium Park in Chicago (Photo: This World is Ours)

Millennium Park in Chicago (Photo: This World is Ours)

Millennium Park in Chicago (Photo: This World is Ours)

Millennium Park in Chicago (Photo: This World is Ours)

Millennium Park in Chicago (Photo: This World is Ours)

When in Chicago, set aside at least a few hours to explore Millenium Park, a beautiful and fun place for all ages.

MILLENIUM PARK
201 E. Randolph St., between Michigan Ave. & Columbus Ave. Chicago, IL 60602
See park map

Adolfo Nomelini

Journalist graduated from PUC-SP and postgraduate in Communication in Digital Media, he is passionate about music, coxinha, television, his glasses and the internet. He has worked with online content for more than 15 years and spends much of his time “throwing his body out into the world, walking everywhere and, according to the natural law of encounters, leaving and receiving something.”

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