City: Chicago, IL

Category: Tours & Attractions

Description: More than 14,000 gallons of water per minute are pumped through 134 jets; 820 lights create a brilliant and ever-changing effect each warm-weather night; and every hour for 20 minutes from mid-April to mid-October (if the weather cooperates), a center jet shoots water 150 feet into the air. It’s these impressive numbers that add up to one beautiful Grant Park icon. Dedicated in 1927 and donated to the city by Kate Buckingham in honor of her late brother, the ornate marble and granite structure was designed by Edward H. Bennett (co-author of the Chicago Plan of 1909) who took his inspiration from the Latona Basin at Versailles. The four seahorse sculptures decorating its perimeter symbolize the states that border Lake Michigan (Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana). During winter, the fountain is turned off, but draped in dramatic white lights. Free. When in season, it’s in operation from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.