Our City Expert's Tips

Buckingham Fountain is a real Chicago landmark; from here, you can take in a view of the skyline on one side and the lake on the other. From April through October, you can catch a water show every hour on the hour (columns of water shoot up 150 feet into the air). At night, the fountain is lit up with colored lights.

Must See
This makes a good after-dinner spot in the spring, summer, and early fall. The fountain is lit up from about 4pm until 11pm.

Cupid (Romantic)
The atmosphere created by the lit up fountains at night make this one of the most popular locations in Chicago for wedding proposals; whether you plan to pop the question or not, this is definitely a romantic place to spend an hour or so with your loved one.

Hotel Sax Tip
Grant Park's Buckingham Fountain, a Beaux Arts vision in Georgia pink marble embellished with four bronze seahorses, was presented to the city in 1927. It's still a show-stopper--and traffic stopper, as motorists on Lake Shore and Columbus Drives brake to enjoy the sight of its 150-foot plume of water, from May 1 (earlier if weather allows) till mid-October. Nearby beds of rosebushes add to the romantic aura on summer evenings, when the fountain is lit with 780 colored lights that interact with music recorded by the Grant Park Orchestra.

Tips From Other Travelers