Great Lawn At The Field Museum
Rate this placeNearby: Daniel Webster Park Coliseum Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
The Great Lawn at the Field Museum in the state of Illinois is a beautiful outdoor space that offers visitors a chance to relax and enjoy stunning views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline.
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Summary
There are several reasons to visit the Great Lawn, including its natural beauty, the many points of interest that can be found throughout the area, and the fact that it is located in one of the most dynamic and exciting cities in the world.
Some of the most popular points of interest to see on the Great Lawn include the Field Museum itself, which is one of the premier natural history museums in the world, and the Buckingham Fountain, which is a beautiful fountain that has become one of the most iconic landmarks in the city of Chicago. Additionally, visitors can explore the many different gardens and other outdoor spaces that are located throughout the Great Lawn, including the Lurie Garden, the Crown Fountain, and the Art Institute of Chicago's South Garden.
Interesting facts about the Great Lawn include the fact that it covers more than 20 acres of land, making it one of the largest green spaces in the city of Chicago. Additionally, the Great Lawn is home to a number of different species of flora and fauna, including native species like the Eastern Bluebird and the Monarch Butterfly.
The best time of year to visit the Great Lawn is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and sunny and the many different outdoor spaces and attractions are all open for visitors to explore. However, the Great Lawn is a beautiful place to visit year-round, and visitors can enjoy stunning views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline no matter what time of year they choose to visit.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Daniel Webster Park
Coliseum Park
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Mary Richardson Jones Park
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South Lagoon
Montrose Harbor
Des Plaines River