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ThreeSides, Lake Michigan does count or at least I hope so. How can we forget the obvious?
The lake category? Chicago is not only on a bigger better "lake" but beaches much closer to downtown that beat out both. The beaches from downtown Boston are further out compared to Chicago's despite being on the coast. Why waste time driving when you can actually walk to the beach from your condo with a better view of a bigger "skyline" and "waterfront".
Now Minneapolis may have more small lakes but are no match for Chicago's Lake Michigan. It's one thing if Minneapolis were one of the great lakes cities like Chicago, Milwaukee, Cleveland etc. but it's not. Cities would kill to have this near their downtown. Downtown beach cities like Miami Beach, Honolulu and Chicago are lucky to have this within walking distance.
Here are some photos I shot personally.
Chicago has one lake, that is its only lake for a long way out. You won't find any significant other small, medium, or large lakes for a pretty large distance, meaning that there isn't any small recreational beaches, trails by a lake, fishing piers, easy casual and quiet sailing, swimming, inexpensive lakefront property, basically all of the things people love about lakes. Lake Michigan does not serve the city as a lake, it serves the city as a sea or ocean, and functions recreationally like one also. Minneapolis beats Chicago in the "lake category", Chicago beats Minneapolis in the "sea/ocean" category.
Plus, lake Michigan isn't exactly the cleanest lake in the world, considering it is the only major body of water (except for the rivers, which are just as bad) in the Chicago area. Any runoff pollution heads right to the lake. Not something I'd like to swim in. Lake Calhoun or Harriet or Nokomis or Hiawatha or Cedar or Wirth in Minneapolis? Yes, I'd be fine.
Chicago has one lake, that is its only lake for a long way out. You won't find any significant other small, medium, or large lakes for a pretty large distance, meaning that there isn't any small recreational beaches, trails by a lake, fishing piers, easy casual and quiet sailing, swimming, inexpensive lakefront property, basically all of the things people love about lakes. Lake Michigan does not serve the city as a lake, it serves the city as a sea or ocean, and functions recreationally like one also. Minneapolis beats Chicago in the "lake category", Chicago beats Minneapolis in the "sea/ocean" category.
Plus, lake Michigan isn't exactly the cleanest lake in the world, considering it is the only major body of water (except for the rivers, which are just as bad) in the Chicago area. Any runoff pollution heads right to the lake. Not something I'd like to swim in. Lake Calhoun or Harriet or Nokomis or Hiawatha or Cedar or Wirth in Minneapolis? Yes, I'd be fine.
I see what you're saying, but there will be people who are really into the "sea/ocean" category and would prefer it over the traditional lake.
I agree there needs to be much stronger enforcement of environmental laws for the Great Lakes and their tributaries.
Anyhow, answer's probably NYC. Large portions of the city are reserved greenspace. Long Island has some beautiful beaches (though it would have been nice if even more of Long Island and its greenspaces were preserved). There's the Hudson Valley and pretty good proximity to the Poconos, the Catskills, and the Berkshires.
Chicago has one lake, that is its only lake for a long way out. You won't find any significant other small, medium, or large lakes for a pretty large distance, meaning that there isn't any small recreational beaches, trails by a lake, fishing piers, easy casual and quiet sailing, swimming, inexpensive lakefront property, basically all of the things people love about lakes. Lake Michigan does not serve the city as a lake, it serves the city as a sea or ocean, and functions recreationally like one also. Minneapolis beats Chicago in the "lake category", Chicago beats Minneapolis in the "sea/ocean" category.
Plus, lake Michigan isn't exactly the cleanest lake in the world, considering it is the only major body of water (except for the rivers, which are just as bad) in the Chicago area. Any runoff pollution heads right to the lake. Not something I'd like to swim in. Lake Calhoun or Harriet or Nokomis or Hiawatha or Cedar or Wirth in Minneapolis? Yes, I'd be fine.
You're in denial that Lake Michigan is a "lake" because Minneapolis isn't a great lakes city. Let me know when Lake Michigan actually changes it's name to Michigan Sea containing only salt water then I'll believe you.
Anyhow, answer's probably NYC. Large portions of the city are reserved greenspace. Long Island has some beautiful beaches (though it would have been nice if even more of Long Island and its greenspaces were preserved). There's the Hudson Valley and pretty good proximity to the Poconos, the Catskills, and the Berkshires.
Based on my travels if we are including the metro area then NYC due to having Long Island, Central Park and the Catskills to the north would give it an edge with the exception of Chicago's downtown waterfront beaches and Navy Pier that Manhattan lacks.
Based on my travels if we are including the metro area then NYC due to having Long Island, Central Park and the Catskills to the north would give it an edge with the exception of Chicago's downtown waterfront beaches and Navy Pier that Manhattan lacks.
Yeah, if it wasn't clear with my initial post I'm talking of including metro area and beyond, not just city limits.
Chicago has one lake, that is its only lake for a long way out.
Then what do you call Lake Geneva, Delavan Lake, Lake Como, Powers Lake, Elizabeth Lake, and Lake Mary (among several others)?
I spent majority of my childhood in Chicagoland in those areas. Lake Geneva is great, awesome picnic and park sort of place. In Walworth County, Wisconsin you'll find an ample number of Chicagoans enjoying horse back riding or relaxing near the three big lakes with their families. Also what about LaSalle Lake? The idea that Chicagoland is lacking in lakes is absurd, yeah compared to Minneapolis sure.
Chicagoland doesn't really have an outdoorsy culture (thankfully) and it's scenery isn't up there with a lot of the other choices.
New York has the best scenery of them all. The areas around Kingston are magnificent, if I was into nature, I'd know where to go. New York has everything in it's metropolis, with the exception of a desert it seems.
I forgot that Lake Michigan was indoors. The thread title clearly states "...nature scenery/ activities." Lake Michigan qualifies for both.
I understand but isn't Lincoln Park a neighborhood?
Btw, I was married at the Fourth Presbyterian on Michigan Ave and my in-laws live 49 floors above Saks, so I am very familiar with Chicago. The lakefront is unparalleled for city beauty, but there really isn't much beyond that except great golf opportunities.
I understand but isn't Lincoln Park a neighborhood?
Btw, I was married at the Fourth Presbyterian on Michigan Ave and my in-laws live 49 floors above Saks, so I am very familiar with Chicago. The lakefront is unparalleled for city beauty, but there really isn't much beyond that except great golf opportunities.
Yes, Lincoln Park is a neighborhood named after the park adjacent to it: Lincoln Park, the green space. The free zoo, as we called it, is located at Lincoln Park.
Well, you're not going to be able to climb or sky down a mountain. Certainly, one can water ski, fish, play volleyball, etc. I don't know where he went. However, I grew up with a guy that used to go camping/ hiking quite a bit, in Chicagoland.
Let's make a list of outdoor activities. Is walking the dog an outdoor activity? Let's define what is and what is not an outdoor activity. Scenery is self-explanatory.
Yes, Lincoln Park is a neighborhood named after the park adjacent to it: Lincoln Park, the green space. The free zoo, as we called it, is located at Lincoln Park.
Well, you're not going to be able to climb or sky down a mountain. Certainly, one can water ski, fish, play volleyball, etc. I don't know where he went. However, I grew up with a guy that used to go camping/ hiking quite a bit, in Chicagoland.
Let's make a list of outdoor activities. Is walking the dog an outdoor activity? Let's define what is and what is not an outdoor activity. Scenery is self-explanatory.
I've gone to at least three Butterfly Balls at Peggy Notabaert. Beautiful park.
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The thread title clearly states "...nature scenery/ activities." Lake Michigan qualifies for both.
