Fountains in Chicago

THE 5 BEST Chicago Fountains

Fountains in Chicago

  • Traveller favourites
    Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
  • Traveller ranking
    Highest rated attractions on Tripadvisor, based on traveller reviews.
Types of Attractions
Sights & Landmarks
Sights & Landmarks
Traveller rating
Neighbourhoods
Good for
8 places sorted by traveller favourites

What travellers are saying

  • hrobinson1114
    Nashville, TN2,766 contributions
    I’ve been to Chicago several times, but always in the fall, so the fountain has always been turned off. I had high hopes going here, but it didn’t rate five stars.

    The fountain is open 8 AM to 11 PM, May through October. There is supposed to be a nighttime light and music show, but the night I went, it was just the regular lights. It’s supposed to be every hour on the hour, so I waited quite some time to no avail.

    It wasn’t five stars for me for the following reasons: no light and music show as promised, no benches or seating (maybe it was moved for lollapalooza, but doubtful), and there were tons of those annoying cycle rickshaws wrapped in neon lights. They just kept circling around the fountain blasting Miley Cyrus.

    This is a neat display, and is one of the largest fountains in the world, so it’s worth a visit, but the city could make it more hospitable to visitors with some seating and actually stick to the show schedule.
    Written 2 August 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Irina
    United States10,479 contributions
    Sine 2004, Crown Fountain, designed by the renowned Spanish artist Jaume Plensa, became one of the famous attractions in Millennium Park.

    The fountain has a unique, ultra modern design: the monitors of the two 50ft (15m) tall towers with LED screens project digital video images of real people -- citizen of Chicago. The portrait images of people change in timed intervals, and finally at the end of each appearance on the screen, a water spout comes from their mouths.

    Needless to say, that Crown Fountain is very popular with younger visitors -- kids jump and splash in the water of the flat, black-granite reflecting pool, play and run around, giggle and laugh -- having really great fun in summer! There are solid stone benches around the perimeter of the pool.

    The fountain is named after the sponsor of the project -- Lester Crown and his family.

    Crown Fountain is easy to find, it's located on the west side of the Millennium Park, near the corner of E Randolph and S Michigan Ave. The fountain is open during spring -- early fall months of the year: from May through October.

    Written 2 July 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • BradJill
    Hong Kong, China158,705 contributions
    The Vietnam Veterans Fountain is located along the Riverwalk just west of the Herald Square Monument. The monument is the work of American writer, artist and Vietnam Vet Gary Tillery (2005) and is dedicated to those who served in all branches of the armed forces during the war.

    You will see a rectangular shaped pool and stone wall with the engraving Chicago Remembers above the list of names of those from the State of Illinois who died in the conflict. It is a fine memorial and tribute, worth spending a few minutes of your time while visiting the Riverwalk.
    Written 6 May 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Jen Travels
    Detroit, MI5,726 contributions
    Stopped here as it seemed like an excellent end to our trip.

    It was.

    Very huge and stunning monument.

    Right off the road so easy to find, down the street from a college I believe, and along this big bend (curve).

    Nicely maintained it seemed, so different than from what I saw in other pics on here, showing green water.

    Partially paved/partially grass.

    No parking spaces, but you can park back some along the side of the road (no diagonal parking).

    Great view in the daytime.

    Written 2 June 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Cynthia K
    Westville, IN3,102 contributions
    This is a cool fountain we were able to see while on our boat tour. The docent said a few words about it. I took a couple of pictures. We didn't see the water shooting across the river, which was disappointing.
    Written 23 September 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Irina
    United States10,479 contributions
    Pioneer Court -- a 46000 sq. ft (4273.5 sq. m), granite paved, publicly and privately owned plaza -- has a very central location at 401 N Michigan Avenue; it is surrounded by historic buildings, landmarks, and attractive city sights: Tribune Tower, Wrigley Building, Michigan Avenue Bridge, Chicago River.

    In 2017, Apple Global Flagship Store (Apple Michigan Avenue) opened at Pioneer Court, also providing a direct, easy access to Chicago Riverwalk.

    Pioneer Court is a regular host of many cultural events in the city -- festivals, art displays, filming projects, weddings.

    From Pioneer Court the views of the city are spectacular. It is estimated, that daily about 22,000 people visit Pioneer Court -- a very famous and a very popular plaza in the city. Love it!
    Written 13 September 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Monica1124
    Chicago, IL146 contributions
    This picture with the fountain is Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park Chicago not Drexel Fountain. Drexel fountain is on the South side of Chicago near 55th and King Dr in Washington Park.
    Written 23 September 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • BradJill
    Hong Kong, China158,705 contributions
    There are quite a few statues scattered around Lincoln Park including Fountain Girl by sculptor George E. Wade just a short stroll from the Lincoln monument. This is a replica (2010) of the original that was first exhibited at the World's Columbian Exposition (1893) and installed here in Lincoln Park in 1921.

    The statue is a bronze of a young girl, barefoot holding out a pot of water, as if offering to those who may be of need when passing by. She stands on a small fountain basin which wasn't in use when viewed in April. According to the plaque on the side of the fountain, this monument is a tribute to Frances Willard (1839-98). It pays tribute to Frances Willard, the 19th-century educator, women's suffragist and President of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union (1879-98).
    Written 6 May 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Chicago