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Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain
Fountain
Grant Park, Chicago
The experts at Michelin Travel & Lifestyle and Chicago Park District recommend this place
"... and prepare to sing Love and Marriage in honor of Al Bundy and the iconic Married..."(5 Tips)
"Beautiful fountain, it's definitely a place to sightsee in Chicago!"(4 Tips)
"your pants a la Al Bundy!"(3 Tips)"great views of the sky by heading south to Buckingham Fountain."(14 Tips)
126 Tips and reviewsFilter:
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M Aldoss ♏May 20, 2015Don't miss the Fountain, if you are in Chicago !!! Beautiful, Romantic and Relaxing fountain. The sound of water and music is worth going. Highly Recommended 👍 👍 👍
Upvoted 5 hours ago- Fodor's TravelAugust 24, 2015The Navy Pier fireworks are synched with music, so if you want to get close enough to hear, watch from the pier. You can also catch great views of the sky by heading south to Buckingham Fountain.
Kathleen NemecSeptember 14, 2011Just know this is so very beautiful to see at night with your sweetheart! With the array of colors, it becomes a magnificent show. It is beautiful during the day too with the view of Lake Michigan.Upvoted Feb 22
Brett W.October 10, 2013From April through mid-October, it produces a 20-minute water show every hour, with the center jet shooting 150 feet (45.7 m) high. Designed by Edward H. Bennett, it was dedicated in 1927.Upvoted 2 weeks ago
alexis alcalaMarch 19, 2018It is a must see! It is a Chicago landmark and is one of the largest fountains in the world.
Melody LeggeJuly 23, 2015Just a beautiful place. Lovely to sit by on a lunch hour. Great place to get photos.
Kimmie OhhJuly 18, 2022Large, lovely fountain with a view! Come here at night to see it lit up and colored!Upvoted Feb 14
Lou Malnati's PizzeriaMay 13, 2013You can't visit Chicago and not go to Buckingham Fountain! Don't miss the regular water shows and evening color-light shows from April to October.
The fountain is on from spring to autumn, as long as it’s not freezing weather. It is decorated and lit up for the winter months.
Rob HavasyJune 24, 2017Practice your best Sinatra impression and prepare to sing Love and Marriage in honor of Al Bundy and the iconic Married With Children opening.- Eva GuadarramaMarch 14, 2016great place to visit when it's warm out. It's even cooler at night when the fountain lights up.
- Obadiah PoundageJune 13, 2012It was meant to represent Lake Michigan, but now it just represents Married With Children. Get a picture in front with your hands down your pants a la Al Bundy!
Angie OsmanskiAugust 13, 2015Have to visit if you are new to the city. All angles around this fountain are great!
Priya TungrusAugust 24, 2015The hourly water show is nothing more than an extra high jet of water. The fountain however is really pretty. No need to wait for the show!
Lina GonzoOctober 15, 2013I usually go out of my way to drive by and get a glimpse of this superb fountain.
Andrew CAugust 13, 2019Really beautiful, large fountain in the center of the parks district... right along the waterfront, too!!!
Austin WestermannFebruary 2, 2015After a run or a bike ride in the summer, stand near the fountain for a refreshing mist of cool water
ChadJune 29, 2023"Love and marriage, love and marriage, They go together like a horse and carriage, This I tell you, brother, You can't have one without the other"
FourthistoJuly 16, 2011East of the fountain and down steps there is an impressive flower garden. There's fresh herb in there somewhere, I can smell it! Don't think about walking in the garden tho, you'll get fined 2 hundo.
Gabo LugoJune 14, 2017Go at the blue hour (Google it), absolutely the best time to take incredible shots! Extra bonus if the sky is clear and there's full moon.
Rachel StarksMay 25, 2015This is a neat little piece of history. Just do a google search and you'll learn that this fountain is a beast!
Josh CurtissMay 15, 2017Lots of trees for hammocking. A dank water fountain. Art installations. What more could you ask for?
_February 17, 2015Supposedly at night there is a light show, but wouldn't know since it does not operate during the winter. Beautiful regardless.
- Rob HavasyJune 24, 2017It's a cool fountain in a big, open, and sunny (hot) place. There are places to eat right nearby if your starving but the food isn't great.
Mariana PantalenaAugust 7, 2016Beautiful, magnificent and grand fountain. Worth the visit and the picture time!
Jake SmithSeptember 25, 2012The fountain represents Lake Michigan, with each sea horse pair symbolizing the states of Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana, that border the lake.
C BaileyOctober 14, 2014Absolutely gorgeous. One of my favorite picture spots I saw on my weekend trip
Michelin Travel & LifestyleMarch 3, 2013Modeled on a fountain at the Palace of Versailles but nearly twice as large, it circulates 1.5 million gallons of water from Lake Michigan. – Green Guide Editor
Mary GazzeMay 28, 2010Favourite spot in Chicago. Beautiful old fountain built to rival those of Versailles. Come back for the night light and water show on the hour. It'll leave you breathless!
bunnieAugust 28, 2013We got there right when the water display went on! It spouts every hour on the hour for 20 minutes, 150 feet into the air.
Kristeena SarverMay 1, 2023Not as cool before they turn it on in May, but still a gorgeous view of the lake and the city from here
- It be great if there were solar power charging stations placed by the sitting benches #smartphones #laptops
Modern MagnateJuly 19, 2012Get your best Larenz Tate on with your date at one of the most romantic (outdoor) locations in Chicago! Read more
nicholas petersonMarch 22, 2016Cool place to see especially at night and for those who haven't been to Chicago before
StephenieJuly 8, 2012Beautiful fountain, perfect for picture taking or just for admiring the awesome water show!
mtnbkeAugust 20, 2010Terry is right! On the hour, the fountain shoots up extra high and you can run thru the mist! So refreshing on a hot summer day!
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Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain
301 S Columbus Dr (btwn Jackson Dr & Balbo Dr)
Chicago, IL 60601
United States
Chicago, IL 60601
United States
At: Grant Park
One of the largest fountains in the world, it runs from 8am - 10:45pm daily, from April to October, depending on weather. On May 26, 1927, the Fountain officially opened and was designed by Edward H. Bennett to represent Lake Michigan with 4 sea horses to symbolize the 4 states that border the lake.
Likely open (See when people check in)
People tend to check in during these times:
- Today
- 11:00 AM–6:00 PM
- Tue
- Noon–3:00 PM
- 5:00 PM–6:00 PM
- Wed
- 1:00 PM–6:00 PM
- Thu
- Noon–7:00 PM
- Fri
- 11:00 AM–9:00 PM
- Sat
- 10:00 AM–10:00 PM
- Sun
- 9:00 AM–9:00 PM
(312) 742-7529
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