Opened in 2004, the park is known for landscaping, architecture, and public entertainment spaces. The park is open daily and admission to the public is always free. Millennium Park is located ideally in downtown Chicago in the larger Grant Park. It is located on the northwest corner of Grant Park on Michigan Avenue and Randolph Drive. The park is 24.5 acres and is a series of plazas and pavilions; landscaping and gardens; and architecture and sculpture.



The centerpiece of Millennium Park is the Pritzker Music Pavilion. This stage is home to many acts throughout the summer season. The music you encounter at Millennium Park is diverse and there is something for everyone. The Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus offer many classical music shows. The orchestra presents works by many great composers including Beethoven, Brahms, Mendelssohn, and Tchaikovsky. Other than classical music, the park also hosts the annual Chicago Gospel Music Festival. For three full days the Pritzker Music Pavilion and Millennium Park are filled with gospel music from many different artists. Throughout the summer the park also offers concerts with styles including Latin music, fiddling, songs from Broadway, jazz, and ragtime. All of these concerts are offered free to the public most Wednesday through Sunday evenings in the summertime.

The park is also home to many architectural sculptings and structures. One of these is Crown Fountain which was designed by the Spanish artist Jaume Plansa. The fountain contains glass block towers that project the images of residents of Chicago with water flowing through to make it appear as if water is flowing out of the faces' mouths. Another sculpture is Cloud Gate which was designed by British artist Anish Kapoor. Cloud Gate is a 110 ton oval shaped sculpture made of highly polished steel plates that reflect the skyline of Chicago and the clouds above. The sculpture arches twelve feet high in the middle providing the "gate" of the Cloud Gate structure. Millennium Park is also home the Lurie Garden, a two and a half acre garden that showcases beautiful flowers, grasses, shrubs, and trees.

Though most of the attractions at Millennium Park would be best enjoyed in the summer months, the ice rink at the park offers entertainment in the winter months as well. The rink and plaza are located in a location that

gives the best views of Chicago's Michigan Avenue streetwall. As with all Millennium Park attractions, the ice rink is free but skate rental is available for $7.00.

All in all, Millennium Park is the place to head if you are looking for a simple, relaxing and of course, free, afternoon. Year round, Millennium Park offers amazing art and architecture, marvelous musical performances, and gorgeous gardens and landscaping throughout the park. Best of all, this interesting park is always good for those on a tight budged because everything about Millennium Park is always one hundred percent free.