Jackson Park
Jackson Park
4
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
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Neighborhood: Woodlawn
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.0
24 reviews
Excellent
7
Very good
9
Average
6
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Richard M
Lithgow, Australia87 contributions
May 2019 • Solo
Not easy to get to by CTA - about 35 minutes walk from Cottage Grove on the green line. I think the statue is well worth the effort. Also an interesting walk on the south side of Chicago through "Leroy Brown" territory. The statue faces east and is best photographed in the morning.
Written May 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Taylor B
Chicago, IL8,751 contributions
Nov 2014 • Couples
Visitors quickly learn that the Museum of Science and Industry, located at South Lake Shore Drive at 55th Street on the northern edge of Jackson Park, is housed in what was the Palace of Fine Arts during the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, one of the grandest of all World's Fairs. What they usually miss, as reported by former Tribune travel writer Alan Solomon in his interesting "Best Kept Secrets of Chicago" article, is the one-third scale replica of Daniel Chester French's monumental sculpture, "Statue of the Republic," honoring America on the 400th anniversary of Columbus' voyage. The original, which stood 65 feet tall, dominated the fair's basin but was destroyed in an 1896 fire. French's replica--covered in gold leaf like the original but 24 feet tall--was dedicated in Jackson Park at the corner of Hayes and Richards Drives. Unlike the plaster original, the replica is bronze. In case you haven't heard of Daniel Chester French, he crafted the famous Abraham Lincoln sculpture in the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. As for Jackson Park, it is a 500-acre park on Chicago's South Side. located at 6401 South Stony Island in the Woodlawn community area. It extends into the South Shore and Hyde Park community areas, bordering Lake Michigan. It was named for President Andrew Jackson. It is part of a 1,055-acre tract of land that was created in 1869 and included Washington Park and the Midway Plaisance at the University of Chicago. In 1890, Chicago won the honor of hosting the World's Columbian Exposition and Jackson Park was selected as its site. Famed architects Frederick Law Olmstead and Daniel H. Burnham laid out the fairgrounds. A team of architects and sculptors created "White City," a group of plaster buildings and artworks in Beaux-Arts style. The historic World's Fair opened on May 1, 1893. After it closed six months later, the site was transformed back into parkland. Jackson Park featured the first public golf course west of the Allegheny Mountains, opening in 1899. The Palace of Fine Arts, now the Museum of Science and Industry, is the only surviving structure. The only other relic from the fair still in the same location is The Osaka Garden, a Japanese strolling garden. It was reconstructed on its original site on the Wooded Island after being vandalized during World War II. By itself, the Wooded Island is considered one of "150 great places in Illinois" by the American Institute of Architects. During the summer, the 63rd Street beach and the adjacent Lake Michigan is a destination for beachgoers. Jackson Park is home to over two dozen species of birds. In recent years, the state and city have spent millions of dollars to revitalize the lagoons and Osaka gardens. The lagoons have become a very popular fishing spot. The Chicago Lakefront Trail, an 18-mile multi-use path that runs through Lincoln Park, Grant Park, Burnham Park and Jackson Park, is popular with cyclists and joggers. And there is speculation that Jackson Park could be the future home of the Barack Obama Presidential Library.
Written December 31, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Samantha B
15 contributions
Mar 2018 • Solo
This park was once home to the World Exposition and is an important piece of Chicago's history, however, it is not treated like it. There was trash everywhere, and parts closed for construction, that looks like it had clearly been forgotten about. It was barren and very disappointing. It was obvious by the overgrown shrubs and unruly plant beds that this park is not well maintained or cared about, which is a shame.
It is also important to note that this park is not in the best part of town, so be mindful when traveling there.
It is also important to note that this park is not in the best part of town, so be mindful when traveling there.
Written March 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HelenaGuerra
Washington DC, DC14,513 contributions
May 2013 • Couples
This garden is great, but the fact that it is quite dodgy at night and even evening make it a tad less desirable. The japanese garden is an oasis in the city, really peaceful and quiet. Recommend coming here if you went to the science and industry museum and you have an hour.
Written December 13, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alex B
Providence, RI728 contributions
Sep 2019 • Solo
If you’re a casual traveler who is staying in the Loop and doesn’t have major preferences about what you see in the city, I would actually say Jackson Park probably isn’t worth the trip. I made the half-hour bus ride down to the park because I’m a history buff, and Jackson Park is historically significant as the fairgrounds of the famed 1893 World’s Exhibition. While this was once the hub of international cultural exchange, today there really isn’t anything there in the park itself to do besides stroll around. Local habitat restoration is underway, particularly on the Wooded Island (which I walked around on), and while it’s important to have good habitat in an urban area, it makes the park look unkempt and neglected. Finally, the South Side of Chicago does have a bad reputation, and as a solo traveler there were a couple times I walked by people sitting on benches in shaded areas and felt a little uneasy. If you do decide to see the park, bring a friend and definitely visit in daylight, and be sure to see the Palace of Fine Arts Building and the Japanese Garden, the only two extant relics of the World’s Fair. You can have a perfectly fulfilling visit to Chicago without seeing Jackson Park, though.
Written November 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jmccar45
Evanston, IL3 contributions
Sep 2017 • Couples
I had never been to Jackson Park and was interesting in seeing the Wooded Island and the Animal Bridge. To get to the north bridge to the Wooded Island you need to walk in from the West side. Park along Stony Island or the Midway Plaisance and head East. First we tried to park on the East side by the Museum Shores Yacht club (Science Drive off of LSD) there was plenty of parking there but the walk to Wooded Island is blocked off by a fence. They are still doing some cleanup in that area, so park on the West side. We did not try and walk in from the south end of the Island - that might be another good way to get to it. The Garden of the Phoenix was lovely and very well maintained. Skylanding, Yoko Ono's sculpture was also beautiful. We were able to listen in on a docent giving a tour to a student group and it was interesting to hear the story about it. There was no signage that it was Skylanding but it was only installed about 6 months ago so hopefully that will happen in the future. We also went to the south end of the park to see Animal Bridge which is where LSD crosses over the inlet to the Jackson Park inner harbor, right before E Marquette Drive. This bridge was designed in 1903 by my great-grandfather, Peter J. Weber. It was nicely renovated and re-dedicated in 2003. We parked in the non-motorized boat launch parking lot off of E Hayes drive and took the walking path south that runs along the West side of LSD. There was not much path left but it was a short walk along the grass. It was nice to finally see the bridge in person, a few of the animal heads are covered in ivy but the center ones are easily viewed. Hopefully this south end of the park will get some attention soon in terms of its walking path and landscaping. Don't miss the Statue of the Republic - beautiful and nicely maintained.
Part of the enjoyment was meeting other people in the park that were also there for the first time or the first time in many years. We also met a local resident that was so welcoming and willing to share some of the history and took great pride in the park.
Part of the enjoyment was meeting other people in the park that were also there for the first time or the first time in many years. We also met a local resident that was so welcoming and willing to share some of the history and took great pride in the park.
Written September 24, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christopher H
Dallas, TX219 contributions
Jul 2016 • Solo
This park has so much potential as the site of the White City at the World Exposition. It could probably be one of the most beautiful places in Chicago - if the city would let us enjoy it.
The Wooded Island with the Osaka Garden is completely closed and has been for nearly a year and a half. Even the grounds around it have fell into horrible states of disrepair. There is even a bridge that is completely fenced off and looks like it has been turned into a makeshift landfill.
As you walk around what was once a beautiful green space, you are in shock as to how the city has let it decline. The so-called "renovations" have been allegedly happening for over a year now and it still looks like a deforested prison camp with all of the fences, trash and demolished trees and flowers. The landscape maintenance here is the poorest I have ever seen in a park.
I don't think they tell you that the Osaka Garden is closed on the Park District website or even that it is under "renovation." So keep all of this in mind if you are thinking of going there.
The Wooded Island with the Osaka Garden is completely closed and has been for nearly a year and a half. Even the grounds around it have fell into horrible states of disrepair. There is even a bridge that is completely fenced off and looks like it has been turned into a makeshift landfill.
As you walk around what was once a beautiful green space, you are in shock as to how the city has let it decline. The so-called "renovations" have been allegedly happening for over a year now and it still looks like a deforested prison camp with all of the fences, trash and demolished trees and flowers. The landscape maintenance here is the poorest I have ever seen in a park.
I don't think they tell you that the Osaka Garden is closed on the Park District website or even that it is under "renovation." So keep all of this in mind if you are thinking of going there.
Written July 16, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andy W
North Palm Beach, FL265 contributions
May 2015 • Couples
A massive park that once was the site of the famous White City of the World Exposition. One can literally get lost here. It is wild or groomed depending on your desire. A true gem in the Hyde Park area. You must also check out the nearby Promontory Point that has one of the most amazing views of the Chicago skyline. Like Philadelphia, Chicago has some amazing little discussed park land.
Written May 6, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Taylor B
Chicago, IL8,751 contributions
Sep 2018
Jackson Park was first developed in 1893 as the host site for the World's Columbian Exposition, or the Chicago World's Fair. In a six-month period, it drew millions of people to the Chicago lakefront. Today, the event is memorialized by the Statue of the Republic, a replica 1/3 the size of the original, and the Museum of Science and Industry, the only surviving "palace" in the park from the World's Fair era, and a Japanese Garden. Jackson Park, located at 6401 South Stony Island Avenue in the Woodlawn community on Chicago's South Side, covers 542.89 acres and extends into the Hyde Park and South Shore neighborhoods. Bordering on Lake Michigan, it is named after Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States. The park, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, includes woodland trails, two walking trails, two basketball courts, playing fields, a beach, an 18-hole golf course and a boat harbor. It is the potential future site of the Barack Obama Presidential Center and Library. Connected to Washington Park by the University of Chicago's Midway Plaisance and to Grant Park by Burnham Park, Jackson Park is home to two dozen species of birds. The 63rd Street beach is a popular destination for sun-bathers. The golf course, which opened in 1900, was the first public golf course in the Midwest.
Written September 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matt P
Gainesville, VA1,389 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
Jackson Park is right next to the Museum of Science and Industry. Garden of the Phoenix was lovely and very well maintained. Skylanding, Yoko Ono's sculpture was also beautiful. Don't miss the Statue of the Republic - beautiful and nicely maintained.
Written August 19, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Claim your listingJackson Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Jackson Park
- Hotels near Jackson Park:
- (1.04 mi) Sophy-Hyde Park
- (0.64 mi) The Study at University of Chicago
- (1.04 mi) Hyatt Place Chicago-South/University Medical Center
- (7.48 mi) Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago
- (7.39 mi) LondonHouse Chicago, Curio Collection by Hilton
- Restaurants near Jackson Park:
- (0.68 mi) Medici on 57th
- (0.37 mi) Finnigan's Ice Cream Parlor
- (0.43 mi) Build Coffee
- (0.55 mi) Salonica
- (0.43 mi) Leon's Barbecue and Grill
- Attractions near Jackson Park:
- (0.33 mi) Museum of Science and Industry
- (0.23 mi) Jackson Bark - Dog Park
- (0.81 mi) Oriental Institute Museum
- (0.71 mi) Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House
- (1.05 mi) Chicago Private Tours
Jackson Park Information
Excellent Reviews | 7 |
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Very Good Reviews | 9 |
Jackson Park Photos | 25 |