Lurie Garden, Chicago

Located just south of the expansive Great Lawn, the 2.5-acre Lurie Garden represents a bold departure from conventional garden design and the natural landscape ideals popularized by Frederick Law Olmsted in the late 19th century. Instead, it embraces the use of 130 native plant species to craft a lush and tranquil prairie oasis in the heart of the city. This collaborative creation by Kathryn Gustafson of Seattle, Piet Oudolf of the Netherlands, and Robert Israel of Los Angeles features a striking 15-foot-tall "shoulder hedge" at its center, dramatically illuminated—a tribute to Carl Sandburg's depiction of Chicago as the "stormy, husky, brawling, City of the Big Shoulders."

Meanwhile, The Seam boardwalk traces the historical contours of the lake's retaining walls, effectively separating the Dark Plate (representing the marshy past with shade-loving plant varieties and a mix of trees creating a canopy), from the Light Plate, characterized by sun-loving perennials and controlled natural elements.

For those interested in exploring Lurie Garden and its diverse plant life more intimately, guided tours are available on Sundays from mid-May through September. These tours depart from the BP Bridge every fifteen minutes, starting at 10am and concluding at 1pm.

Why You Should Visit:
A splendid instance of an urban garden adorned with native flora, offering a tranquil ambiance set against the backdrop of amazing and distinctive skyscrapers. It maintains a manageable size and is designed for easy navigation. Notably, Green Roofs for Healthy Cities has officially recognized this park as "the largest green roof in the world".

Tip:
Don't miss the opportunity to rejuvenate your feet on a scorching day by dipping them in the refreshing stream!