You may know Chicago as the Windy City. But its motto is actually Urbs in Horto - or 'City in a Garden.' And parks, large and small, abound in this surprisingly spacious city on Lake Michigan's shore. But none is quite like the Millennium Park, which was added to Chicago's long park list just this side of the new millennium (2004 to be exact – punctuality isn't big with Chicagoans). Less a park, more a 'new kind of town square', Millennium Park is a very 21st-century blend of art, open-spaces, dramatic vistas and engrossing events.
The omens weren't good, though. Originally intended to be a car park, the idea of instead turning this space into an innovative millennial attraction was bold. But it also led to cost overruns and delays. The end result, however, is a vision that's all a new age park should be – dramatic, interactive sculptures, amazing venues and wonderfully creative gardens. Some say it's the most important thing to have happened to Chicago since 1893's World's Columbian Exposition – which defined the city for the 20th century.
Most visitors to Millennium Park arrive on foot – crossing North Michigan Ave from the bustle of down-town’s Loop – and head straight for the 'Bean'. This gigantic reflective sculpture, supposedly inspired by a bead of mercury, is shaped a little like a legume. It is three-storeys high and is made from 110 tons of highly polished steel. You can step up to, around and underneath the Cloud Gate (to give it its proper name) for an amazing experience, and some bizarre reflections.
That silvery ultra-modern theme is carried across to the next-door attraction of Jay Pritzker Pavilion, the park's music venue. Over-arched by great silver plates, and criss-crossed by a trellis of rods, you can sit here and watch any number of performances – from classical to jazz to rock to fusions of all three. A more studied performance is given by the Crown Fountain, around 100 metres west.
These twin black obelisks are unique 15-metre displays, which project images while cascading with water – the play between these two elements is a sight to behold. And Millennium Park doesn't forget it’s a park (albeit with a twist) – the hectare of rolling grass plain of the Lurie Garden, studded with herbs and trees, is in fact the world's largest green roof.
