Jackson Park Wooded Island and Japanese garden

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Similar · Naperville Riverwalk

Photo: Michael Christensen · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

🥾 Hike · Chicago

1.5 hours · Free · No reservation needed

age fit

0–1 yr

★ 4.0

1–3 yrs

★ 4.0

3–5 yrs

★ 4.0

5–10 yrs

★ 4.0

🚗
About 45 min drive
From Naperville · Parking: Free parking on the east side of the MSI and along Hayes Dr; 15-minute walk from the Green Line / Metra Electric 55th-56th-57th station
🍼
Stroller-friendly
Flat surfaces — bring the stroller
🌳
Lots of shade
Great on sunny days · Good on cool days
⏱️
Typical visit: 1.5 hours
Best seasons: Spring · Summer · Fall

A little island left over from the 1893 World's Fair that goes quiet the moment you cross the bridge: the Garden of the Phoenix Japanese garden has stone lanterns, small bridges, and koi, more than 100 cherry trees bloom together in spring, and the island paths are some of the best bird watching in Chicago.

💡 Tips

Cherry blossoms peak from late April to early May, with bloom updates on the website. The gravel paths work with a stroller; pair it with the MSI next door or 57th Street Beach. No restrooms on the island.

What this place offers

✓bird watching

✓Japanese garden

✓cherry blossoms

✓lakeside

✓free

✓stroller friendly

✓next to MSI

Featured in these guides

This weekend's weather in Chicago

Forecast at the destination itself (coast and hills often differ from home)

☀️

Sat 10/17

Sunny · 37–58°F · 5% rain

☀️

Sun 10/18

Sunny · 48–63°F · 0% rain

Location

Chicago, Illinois

Jackson Park Wooded Island and Japanese garden

🥾 Hike · Chicago

What this place offers

Featured in these guides

This weekend's weather in Chicago

Location

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