Buckingham Fountain
Buckingham Fountain
4.5
8:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 11:00 PM
About
Chicago's landmark is considered one of America's finest fountains due to its Beaux-Arts-style landscape design, finely wrought bronze sculpture and innovative use of technology.
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Top ways to experience Buckingham Fountain
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Grant Park
How to get there
- Adams/Wabash • 9 min walk
- Harold Washington Library – State/Van Buren • 9 min walk
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See what travellers are saying
- TravelingSoccerLoonSaint Paul, Minnesota5,970 contributionsA Chicago Landmark. Beautiful at Night but Only Visit During the Warmer Months When the Fountain is WorkingA Chicago Landmark, the Buckingham Fountain located in Grant Park is beautiful. It is best experienced when it is illuminated at night during the summer months when the fountain is working. The water is turned off during most of the year and a visit here is not worthwhile during those times. The photo with the fountain and the Chicago Skyline in the background is stunning.Visited April 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 12 March 2024
- hockeyaw19Marlborough, Massachusetts677 contributionsMarried with Children Fountain - Al Bundy approvedPretty nice fountain set in the more southern portion of Millennium Park. We went in mid-may and the fountain was in full action and was nice to watch for a bit as we strolled the grounds. Note - there is not much shade in this area so you'll be sunblasted. It's also the fountain prominently displayed during the opening of Married with Children.Visited May 2024Travelled with familyWritten 8 June 2024
- doctorfoxtrotTaguig City, Philippines13,164 contributionsSimply WonderfulThe water display was quite elegant , extensive and a feast for the eyes . Adding to that was a nice backdrop of the city skyline . Located at Grant Park it was near Maggie and Millenium. Although it can be a tedious walk considering the humidity at that time. Be ready for taking nice photos.Visited June 2024Travelled with familyWritten 12 July 2024
- Meandering PandaNew Zealand14 contributionsPretty but not as good as expectedWe went in early July 2024 at 8pm on a weekeday. It was beautiful and we got some nice photos at sunset. But it was definitely not the "lots of lights and music" promised for this time of year, in fact there was no music at all. There were some coloured lights on the fountain, and at times the water went higher, but we were a bit disappointed it didn't match the extravagant description. We think it should be made really clear on websites and information available, if the super amazing light and music show only happens at certain dates and times during summer, to avoid disappointment for others in future.Visited July 2024Travelled with familyWritten 22 July 2024
- Eva TUnited Kingdom4,986 contributionsIt's beautifulWe did stay at nearby Congress Plaza Hotel and walked around this fountain several times during the day or night. It is really beautiful. The square around is big, there are several rikshaws waiting to offer a ride, mobile salesmen, etc. You can sit and watch how the water is shooting in the high in different levels or the wedding parties who who came to make a photo. It is must to visit place when in Chicago.Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 8 August 2024
- TheTraveler3313Toledo, Ohio771 contributionsICONIC; BeautifulIf you come to Chicago you have to come to Buckingham Fountain. The fountain is located in Grant Park, which is a short walk from Millennium Park. The fountain itself is iconic but so are the views of both the cityscape and Lake Michigan that are both visible from here.Visited August 2024Travelled with familyWritten 31 August 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
3,442 reviews
Excellent
2,007
Very good
1,064
Average
293
Poor
51
Terrible
27
tmazionsmith
Saint Paul, MN446 contributions
July 2021
This was my second visit; it was so much better than last time! I decided to go in the evening this time so that I could see the fountains lit up for the night. I didn't realize that the colors changed, so that was fun to see. I went on a Saturday night, and I was surprised that it wasn't overly crowded. I was able to get great photos without a ton of people in the way.
Written 22 July 2021
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.
travderose
55 contributions
Oct 2021
Built in 1927, this is actually one of the largest fountains in the world with 1.5 million gallons of water. It represents Lake Michigan with four sets of sea horses symbolizing the four states—Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana—that border the lake. The wedding cake style is supposed to mimic the Palace of Versailles. And three's a 20 minute water show at the top of each hour with the center jet shooting up vertically to 150 feet, and after dusk shows are choreographed with lights and music.
Buckingham Fountain is often mistaken for the beginning of Route 66, but it hadn't even been built yet when the route opened in 1926.
Buckingham Fountain is often mistaken for the beginning of Route 66, but it hadn't even been built yet when the route opened in 1926.
Written 23 October 2021
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.
elioboom
Hallandale Beach, FL34 contributions
Nov 2020 • Couples
As someone noted already, the fountain is not fountaining at the moment yet still is nice to go because of the surroundings. It’s just parks and more parks with a beautiful view of the skyline. You could also ‘hopped in’ into the lakefront trail and walk back by the shoreline.
Written 21 November 2020
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.
TYPSUKR
Arlington, VA729 contributions
Aug 2022
On the tail end of our walking tour of the Loop, we wanted to finish up a little bit closer to the lake, and we kept walking towards some music that we were hearing in a nearby park. Little did we know that had stumbled across one of the largest fountains in the world, which at that moment, was in the middle of its hourly display. The highlight of this was the very-high central jet, along with an array of smaller jets flanking it. There were plenty of benches around the perimeter, and we treated ourselves to a memorable show.
Written 11 September 2022
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.
Emerald G
Saint Paul, MN89 contributions
June 2021
When my family was walking along the lakeshore, I took a detour inland to see this fountain. We read the Wikipedia page on the history of the fountain and then watched the water display. The fountain is quite impressive. There is small cafe next to it for snacks and drinks.
Written 9 July 2021
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.
John V
Westminster, CO676 contributions
May 2021
One of the most beautiful fountains in the US. It changes its performance regularly with different shots of water. You also can get a great view of the skyline. Afterwards, take a walk along Lake Michigan.
Written 2 June 2021
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.
Meandering Panda
New Zealand14 contributions
July 2024 • Family
We went in early July 2024 at 8pm on a weekeday. It was beautiful and we got some nice photos at sunset. But it was definitely not the "lots of lights and music" promised for this time of year, in fact there was no music at all. There were some coloured lights on the fountain, and at times the water went higher, but we were a bit disappointed it didn't match the extravagant description.
We think it should be made really clear on websites and information available, if the super amazing light and music show only happens at certain dates and times during summer, to avoid disappointment for others in future.
We think it should be made really clear on websites and information available, if the super amazing light and music show only happens at certain dates and times during summer, to avoid disappointment for others in future.
Written 23 July 2024
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.
hrobinson1114
Nashville, TN5,785 contributions
Aug 2023 • Solo
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.
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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Francis O
New York City, NY32 contributions
June 2020 • Couples
During the day or at night, Buckingham Fountain is beautiful. This historical landmark was Chicago #1 attraction before the “Bean” was built. Located in the middle of the parks, close to Lake Michigan, is still a must for any tourist.
Written 6 August 2020
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.
Ken D
Beavercreek, OH124 contributions
June 2019
On a previous trip in October 2017, we came to Buckingham Fountain to see it up close and found it being drained for the season! ARGH! We had seen it from a distance as we passed by on our Chicago Pizza Tour the day before in all its glory. This was a major reason we chose June for this trip. It is in-season for the fountain. The fountain is beautiful and enormous. It is definitely worth seeing and is just a couple blocks south of Cloud Gate (the Bean) which is the most visited site in Illinois. Hang out for a few minutes as the water pressure changes…
Written 7 February 2020
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.
Does anyone know if the fountain is running again for December??
Written 26 November 2022
Not sure; it gets pretty cold next to Lake Michigan and so ice would be an issue. Check with the city's park department web site to see what their plans this year are.
Written 27 November 2022
Is the fountain closed/stopped running for 2019?
Written 25 October 2019
I was there In June 2019 it was running. I’m not from Chicago but based on other answers it could be closed during winter months because of The Brutal Chicago Winter.
Written 25 October 2019
Is anyone able to advise when will the fountain be closing for the season as I will be arriving 17th October 2018 from Australia and was hoping to be able see this while it is still on.
Written 18 September 2018
For an answer that is solid, I would call the Public works Department. They can tell you when the water is turned off to prevent pipes from freezing. "cityofchicago" "." "org"
Written 18 September 2018
Is the water show going on this season regularly? I ask because i remember it was under repair a few years back and i want to make sure it is functioning now. Thanks.
Written 17 July 2018
It's on 8am -11pm w/ light show at dusk. I was there a few weeks ago it was back to regular operating hours.
Written 17 July 2018
Parking garages are not really close, but 10-15 mins walk you will find a couple of options.
Walking in Chicago is the best way to really feel the vibe of the city.
I remember that south Wabash there was a parking.
What I would recommend is to park close to the Millenium Park and walk all over to visit the area. Just avoid the rainy days !
Written 23 July 2016
Will the fountain be working in the month of October?
Written 26 June 2016
The fountain operates mid-April through mid-October from 8 am-11 pm, so it kind of depends on when, in October, you will be visiting.
Written 26 June 2016
It is too cold outside for the fountain to be on.
But there is still lots to do in March in Chicago.
Written 28 February 2015
If you travel in the warmer months, it's a must do on the list though not sure if it will be open in cooler climate as I visited in early Sept!
Written 1 March 2015
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