Maggie Daley Park
Rate this placeNearby: Lakeshore East Park Pritzker Park
Last Updated: December 4, 2025
Maggie Daley Park is a popular recreational area located in the heart of downtown Chicago, Illinois.
°F
°F
mph
Wind
%
Humidity
Summary
The park, which opened in 2014, spans over 20 acres and offers a variety of activities for visitors of all ages.
One of the main attractions of Maggie Daley Park is the massive climbing wall, which stands at over 40 feet tall and features multiple routes for climbers of varying skill levels. The park also features an ice-skating ribbon, which is open during the winter months, as well as numerous playgrounds and sports facilities.
Other points of interest within the park include the Play Garden, a whimsical playground designed for young children, and the Fieldhouse, which houses a variety of fitness and sports programs. The park also offers stunning views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline.
Interesting facts about the park include that it was named after the late Maggie Daley, the wife of former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, and was designed by the same team responsible for New York City's High Line park. Additionally, the park was built on top of a former parking lot and rail yard.
The best time of year to visit Maggie Daley Park depends on the activities you're most interested in. Summer is the busiest time of year, with warm weather drawing crowds to the climbing wall, playgrounds, and other outdoor facilities. Winter visitors can enjoy ice skating on the ribbon, as well as special events like the annual Christkindlmarket. Spring and fall offer mild weather and fewer crowds, making them a good time to explore the park at a leisurely pace.
Weather Forecast
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
Lakeshore East Park
Pritzker Park
Chicago Riverwalk
River Esplanade Park
Ogden Plaza Park
Montrose Harbor
South Lagoon
Des Plaines River