Some landmarks whisper; Buckingham Fountain sings. Standing 24 feet tall in the middle of Grant Park, this massive pink Georgia marble fountain is one of the largest in the world — and when its water cannons fire every hour from May to October, the whole park stops to watch.
Modeled after a wedding cake and inspired by the fountains of Versailles, Buckingham shoots water 150 feet into the air while lights dance across the spray at dusk. It anchors Grant Park’s 300 acres of lawns, paths, and gardens, right on the lakefront with postcard views of the skyline. The fountain sits near the Columbus Drive entrance, an easy walk from the Art Institute and Millennium Park.
It’s a dream spot for photographers, romantics, and families letting the kids run free on the grass. Tip: catch the evening water-and-light show around dusk — arrive 15 minutes early to claim a bench facing west for the sunset, then stay for the illuminated display that starts as the light fades.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Junkyardsparkle
