It was my first time visiting Chicago so naturally I wanted to see the Bean (or Cloud Gate), but unfortunately it was closed from the public during our visit. Millennium Park was still nice though – it's an inviting location with immediate access to the Lakefront and the Riverwalk and Lakefront trails. It's probably even prettier in the summer, although this time around we got to enjoy the quiet and peaceful park with not many visitors. Views of the skyline are great.

Millennium Park is a beautiful green space in downtown Chicago most known as the location of "The Bean" or more correctly named Cloud Gate. However, there is much more to the park including the Crown Fountain, Millennium Monument, the Lurie Botanical Garden and the Jay Pritzker Pavillion which is an amphitheater offering open air concerts throughout the summer months, many of them free to the public. It is also just a great place to wander, sit on a bench, people watch or view the stunning Chicago skyline. However, the park is also very busy with visitors as it seems that everyone who visits Chicago has to see The Bean. Visit early in the day to avoid the crowds. The park opens at 6am if you really want to get a special photo.

Took a walk down the Magnificent Mile and ended up at Millennium Park. I wanted to see the "Bean" but it and the immediate area around it was under construction. Not one to let something get in my way I did manage to get a good look at it and snap a decent photo. The rest of the park is a nice relaxed part of the city with many things to appreciate. We took a nice break at the Millennium Monument at one of the plentiful benches. The highlight though was the ice rink. Really nice spot for a free skate and it wasn't busy during the week. One just has to book a time online first. They have skate rentals there too. Decent skates for beginners with a molded boot but I encourage skaters to bring their own. The rink also provided a different perspective of the Bean as well.

It is crowded and a tourist thing, but that just makes it even more fun! Pick a spot get those cool reflecting photos, then move aside for someone else to get a spot. It is easily a 10min photo op but nothing much else.

The park is very nice, clean and organized and have that famous bean in it. It also has a big place for concerts. I went during a hot day in May but I think it even looks nicer in evenings

Classic spot for any visitor to Chicago. The beans are cool and the park around it is really beautiful. You can walk there for a good few hours and from there head to the fountain and to the museum island. Note: now in May/24 it is under renovation. I went there on 05/25/2024 and you can't get close to the beans, as it is under renovation (I don't know for how long).

The park is gorgeous, and there's always something going on - from concerts to food trucks to buskers, it was so fun to walk through. I went three different days during a trip and there was always something cool to see! That said, the one caution I have that people can, frankly, suck. One person who worked at the park told me I couldn't have my DSLR camera. They couldn't tell me why, or what the rule was, and expected compliance; which, I didn't give and there were no problems. Some tourists also have no concept of how much physical space they inhabit and can disrupt the experience.

The environment is very good for playing in the summer. There is a security check at the entrance of the park. It is a pity that the Silver Bean is under maintenance recently and I didn’t see it. The bridge leading to another park in the middle is one-way and you can’t go back once you go up. It takes about two hours to go around the whole park. It is more suitable for local Chicago families to come and relax on weekends. Outsiders are likely to come to the Silver Bean to take a photo and leave for a one-time visit. It is more suitable to insert it into a complete travel day and take a look along the way.

Quite a nice park in the heart of Chicago near Lake Michigan. The bean is here though under construction in late May when we went. They also have a concert/pavilion that had a kid friendly music festival going on while we were there for the surrounding school districts. Plenty of people watching, fountains, greenery, and art adjourn the park walking paths. There are also several bathroom facilities free to the public and clean. We felt quite safe the entire time we were there including later in the evening upwards of 9pm.

Visited: 06/07/2023 Wonderful park in Chicago with plenty to see and do. Really busy on a hot sunny day but to be expected. We saw the Jay Pritzker Pavillion, The Bean, and Millennium Monument. Lots of green spaces to enjoy and relax in. A nice park to visit when in Chicago.