Photo Blog Millennium Park

Photo Blog of Millennium Park in Chicago

So, since I just blogged about my day at Boston's Millennium Park in West Roxbury, it's time to do that photo blog of the big Millennium Park, in Chicago. The more I think about it, the more it's becoming one of my favorite places in the world. These photos might tell you why:


This is the entrance from Michigan Avenue. No big whoop. A little beguiling, actually, considering what's inside.


This is the Elysium, a traditional fixture in Ancient Greece. It's a nod to the past, before you see the rest of the park, which is a giant embrace of the future. I included the skyscraper in the background because it's so very Chicago. It seems there's always a skyscraper in the background of everything in Chicago.



I loved this sculpture but forgot to get its name. Next to it, by the same artist, is a really ugly stupid sculpture lamely called "Johnny Appleseed." It was a lazy hunk of rusted metal slapped together and called art. This piece, on the otherhand, is an elegant sculpture. It looks different from every angle: left, right, front, back. I even went underneath it.


Next was the amphitheatre with a remarkable structure for lighting and bringing sound to the "cheap seats in the back". I took this photo from the bench at the end of the lawn area. The stage is bordered by a sculpture that looks like silver metal ribbons.

After I took the photo, I saw one of the many security guards. This woman, like all the other guards, gets around the park on a Segue.


In a nod to traditional city parks, Millennium also has a large garden section. There's wild flowers, evergreens, and this long waterway, which park-goers have turned into a wishing well.


After walking around this area, I finally came to the piece d' existence of Millennium Park. I can't remember the formal name for this structure, but it's informally and affectionately called "The Bean."

I have no idea why I was so obsessed with it, but I wasn't alone. This is it from afar. Next is close. Notice the "Adventures in Babysitting" building behind it.

When I got closer, I, like all those around me, became bewitched by the infinite refractions of images. I took lots of pics, but here's the "neat-o-est".

Then this one from the street side with the skyline across it.

After that, it was time to go. I went out the back way, instead of the way I came in. That was a good decision on my part, because it means I got to cross this bridge, which reminded me of the Wizard of Oz, to Grant Park.