Buckingham Fountain, Chicago (must see)

Situated at the very heart of the city's bustling downtown business district, Grant Park boasts an exquisite centerpiece. This fountain, one of the largest in the world, was generously presented to Chicago by the philanthropic Kate Sturges Buckingham in honor of her brother. Both siblings were passionate art collectors, as their family had amassed wealth through a grain elevator business.

Crafted in the classical Fine Arts style, this fountain is a sculptural masterpiece resembling a three-tiered wedding cake, adorned with intricate pink-marble seashell motifs, whimsical water-spouting fish, and four bronze sculptures of sea horses, symbolizing the four states surrounding Lake Michigan. Its construction in 1927 drew inspiration from a fountain in Versailles, though it is about twice the size.

For the most captivating experience, visit the fountain from early May to mid-October when it dazzles with elaborate nighttime illumination, casting vibrant hues upon its waters. Stay a while, and you'll be treated to a spectacular show that occurs every hour on the hour, with the central water jet soaring an impressive 150 feet into the sky.

Tip:
Notable statues in close proximity are also worth your attention. Just west of the fountain, across Columbus Avenue, you'll find the seated Lincoln statue, positioned atop a pedestal, surveying the park. Created by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, this statue was unveiled in 1926 and exudes a more subdued presence. Along Congress Parkway near Michigan Avenue, you'll encounter The Bowman and the Spearman, a remarkable pair of 17-foot-tall bronze Indian warriors sculpted by Ivan Mestrovic.