The Buckingham Fountain, one of the largest in the world, is located at Columbus Drive (301 East) and Congress Parkway (500 South) in Grant Park. The fountain opened on May 26, 1927 and operates from mid April to mid October, depending on weather.

The fountain’s water capacity is 1.5 million gallons. Depending on wind conditions, major displays use approximately 14,100 gallons of water per minute conveyed through 134 jets. Water is re-circulated from the base pool after the basins are filled and not drawn from the outside except to replace losses from wind and evaporation.he bottom pool of the fountain is 280 feet in diameter, the lower basin is 103 feet, the middle basin is 60 feet and the upper basin is 24 feet. The lip of the upper basin is 25 feet above the water in the lower basin.

Navy Pier, located on Lake Michigan, just East of Chicago’s Downtown, Navy Pier has been a Chicago landmark since it first opened in 1916. Originally designed as both a shipping and recreational facility, the Pier also served as a military training site during two world wars, a venue for concerts and exhibitions, and the temporary home for a once-fledgling University of Illinois’ Chicago campus. Today, Navy Pier showcases a unique collection of restaurants and shops in addition to unequaled recreational and exhibition facilities.

The Family Pavilion is anchored by the 50,000-square-foot Chicago Children’s Museum and Navy Pier’s 440-seat IMAX Theater. It is also home to 40,000 square feet of exciting restaurants and retail shops. Just beyond, visitors discover the Crystal Gardens, a 32,000-square-foot indoor botanical park, which provides a year-round center for family activity and special receptions. The South Arcade is home to numerous shops, restaurants, and attractions, including Time Escape, Amazing Chicago, and Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

Navy Pier Park is an outdoor landscaped area which features attractions such as a permanent 150-foot-high Ferris wheel, a musical carousel, an old-fashioned swing ride and an 18-hole miniature golf course. Navy Pier Park also includes the 1,500-seat Skyline Stage, which features musical performances ranging from classical to pop, blues and jazz to eclectic, rock and reggae, as well as dance, theater, comedy and film. Dock Street runs the length of the Pier’s South Dock and is reserved for pedestrians, bicyclists and joggers. In season, four performance areas feature entertainment ranging from jugglers, mimes and stilt walkers to comedians, singers and musicians. Chicago’s dinner cruise ships continue to operate from Dock Street. And, on select summer evenings, fireworks entertain the Pier’s evening visitors.

Festival Hall serves exposition and special event needs, with more than 170,000 square feet of exhibit space, and also houses the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows, which is a permanent display of 150 stained glass windows housed in an 800-ft.-long series of galleries along the lower level terraces of Festival Hall. The East End of Navy Pier offers the city’s best view of the spectacular skyline and lakefront, and it is the perfect place for lunch or a sunset stroll.

Chicago Millennium Park is an award-winning center for art, music, architecture and landscape design. Millennium Park is a 24.5-acre park located in the heart of downtown Chicago and is bordered by Michigan Avenue to the west, Columbus Drive to the east, Randolph Street to the North and Monroe Street to the South. Since its opening in July 2004, Millennium Park has hosted millions of people, making it one of the most popular destinations in Chicago.

Among Millennium Park’s prominent features are the Frank Gehry-designed Jay Pritzker Pavilion , the most sophisticated outdoor concert venue of its kind in the United States; the interactive Crown Fountain by Jaume Plensa; the contemporary Lurie Garden designed by the team of Kathryn Gustafson, Piet Oudolf and Robert Israel; and Anish Kapoor’s hugely popular Cloud Gate sculpture on the AT&T Plaza.

The Merchandise Mart and the Apparel Center are havens for women’s and men’s fashion; there are also small independent boutiques such as En Vain, Clever Alice and Henry Beguelin that sell upscale apparel for men and women. The Merchandise Mart and the Apparel Center are havens for women’s and men’s fashion; there are also small independent boutiques such as En Vain, Clever Alice and Henry Beguelin that sell upscale apparel for men and women. One of the area’s landmarks is also a popular place to live; Marina City at 300 N. State Street at the Chicago River, watches over River North’s southern border.

River North is located north of the Loop, west of famed Michigan Avenue and south of Chicago Avenue, with the Chicago River as its boundary on the south and the west. River North got its start as an industrial area and later became a warehouse district. When the warehouses closed down in the 1970’s the large, empty buildings attracted various artists and writers looking for loft and studio space, thus creating a neighborhood that was artistic but also struggling. River North neighborhood has completely transformed from its simple beginnings. River North is now a chic, cultural hub filled with art galleries, antique stores, boutiques and of course urban professionals. Boasting Chicago’s highest concentration of restaurants, this small neighborhood has become a favorite destination for locals and tourists alike.

View Streeterville, Near North Real Estate Listings

Streeterville-Chicago, Illinois

Streeterville is one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the country. The north half of Streeterville, plus the adjacent Gold Coast neighborhood form the highest average wealth of any neighborhood cluster in Chicago and nationally this area is second only to the Upper East Side in Manhattan. It is a beautiful, vibrant community, home to the famous Magnificent Mile shopping of north Michigan Avenue, Navy Pier, and dozens of the most beautiful buildings and homes in any urban area of the United States.

Streeterville runs from the west side of Michigan Avenue on the west, to Lake Michigan on the east. The neighborhood’s southern border is the Chicago River (approx. 400 north) and the north edge is East Lake Shore Drive , which is 1000 north. South and Central Streeterville are bordered on the west by the River North Neighborhood, and North Streeterville is bordered on the west side by the Gold Coast neighborhood. The neighborhood is home to the famous Magnificent Mile shopping of north Michigan Avenue, Navy Pier, the John Hancock Building, Chicago’s Water Tower, great shopping, restaurants, parks, cultural attractions, fantastic high rise condominiums and cooperatives, world-class university and hospital campuses and wonderful Midwestern charm…all in an urban setting that is one of the most livable in the world.

Streeterville Condos, Streeterville Real Estate

Today, Streeterville Real Estate centers around luxury condominiums. The skyscrapers in Streeterville give buyers an opportunity to enjoy the scenic and peaceful views over Lake Michigan . The condos on average are at or near $1,000,000 but the energy, lifestyle and proximity to everything make it a mecca for prime real estate.

View Gold Coast, Near North Real Estate Listings

Gold Coast-Chicago, Illinois

The Gold Coast has long been the jewel of Chicago neighborhoods. The Gold Coast got its start in the late 1800’s as the Astor Street District. Today’s Gold Coast incorporates this original district and extends beyond it. Its boundaries are now defined as North Avenue and Division Street on the north, Lake Michigan on the east, Chicago Avenue on the south and Clark and Franklin Streets on the west.

The Gold Coast grew in popularity because of Lake Shore Drive . The influx of wealthy families has given the Gold coast reputation of having wealthy families, bringing up the status of the area and giving it a reputation as a neighborhood of influential citizens.

Gold Coast Condos, Gold Coast Real Estate

Today, Gold Coast Real Estate is comprised of mansions tucked away from LakeShore drive and high-rise apartment buildings all of which provide for quiet areas in an otherwise highly trafficked area and incredible scenery around the lake including old trees, plants etc. This area has homes exceeding the millions and is their for the buyer that is ready to cement their status among the cities elite.

Todays Gold Coast retains all of the prestige and reputation that it has enjoyed over the last century. Its name continues to signal wealth, and its inhabitants are intensely proud of the neighborhood in which they live.

View River North, Near North Side Real Estate Listings

River North-Chicago, Illinois

River North is bounded by Hubbard Street on the south, Chicago Avenue on the north, and the North Branch of the Chicago River on the east. Prices are climbing in this area and businesses keep moving in to bank on it. The high rises that are being built help to bring more people into the residential side of this Chicago neighborhood.

River North has become a very artistic neighborhood of Chicago . There are many galleries lining Superior and Huron Street that are a common attraction for both Chicago dwellers and visitors. River North is usually the first part of downtown Chicago that visitors see when heading towards the Magnificent Mile by way of Ohio Street. Rock and Roll McDonalds, Portillo’s, the Hard Rock Café Merchandise Mart, the worlds largest commercial building. You can also find entertainment at the House of Blues or Andy’s Jazz Club are some of the popular tourist sites in River North.

River North Condos, River North Real Estate

River North Real Estate has a lot of high rises in a great location of the city. Center to almost everything you can imagine. There has been a boom in development over the past 5-10 years that make this area very desirable for all groups, singles families etc. Prices range from 200,000 to 2 million depending on the area and amenities.

DINING IN RIVER NORTH

ENTERTAINMENT IN CHICAGO-RIVER NORTH

Shopping in River North

Merchandise Mart
222 Merchandise Mart Place

Schools in River North

View Lincoln Park Real Estate Listings

Lincoln Park-Chicago, Illinois

Lincoln Park is one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Chicago. Lincoln Park boasts beautiful homes, a great location and plenty of entertainment.. You can easily find everything you need without ever leaving the neighborhood. Much of the area is populated by young singles, including a number of college students, but there are also many young families and some established residents who have lived in Lincoln Park for years.

Bounded by North Avenue, Diversey Parkway, Ashland Avenue and Lake Michigan, the Chicago neighborhood of Lincoln Park is one of the city’s most popular areas, and one of its most well-known,  Once associated with hip young up-and-coming singles, Lincoln Park is now gaining a reputation as the ideal Chicago neighborhood to raise a family. Within just a few blocks of each other one can spend a day at the Lincoln Park Zoo, romp with the kids at Oz Park, visit the Lincoln Park Branch of the Chicago Public Library or any one of the many public offerings and activities Depaul University has to offer.

Lincoln Park Condos, Lincoln Park Real Estate

Lincoln Park homes are primarily small apartment buildings, with prices ranging from $200,000 to $2 million. Both rental and condominium buildings are available for new residents. Most of the buildings are only three or four stories high and one or two apartments wide, with more high rises near the lakefront. Rent for a one-bedroom is around $1000 per month, and 2 and 3-bedrooms around $1600. Many of the buildings have classic charm and a number have also been recently renovated. Lincoln Park is known for its row houses, which are several small buildings attached to each other along one block. These buildings tend to be the most expensive, but there are plenty of real estate options for those looking to rent for less.