Northerly Island

Northerly Island Park is a 119-acre urban oasis located on a man-made peninsula along Lake Michigan in Chicago, Illinois. Connected to the city by Solidarity Drive, it is part of the Museum Campus and sits just east of Soldier Field. Originally envisioned in Chicago’s 1909 Plan by Daniel H. Burnham as one of a series of lakefront islands, Northerly Island became the only completed segment, hosting the 1933 Century of Progress World's Fair before later serving as the site of Meigs Field airport. Today, the area has been transformed into a natural sanctuary that balances urban and ecological elements.

The southern part of the park features a 40-acre nature preserve that includes prairie and savanna landscapes, a 5-acre lagoon, and walking and biking paths. This area is home to various wildlife, including migratory birds, herons, and monarch butterflies, which thrive in the environment supported by over 20,000 trees and shrubs. The preserve is also designed with ecological sensitivity, such as unlit paths to maintain a natural setting. The park’s trails offer visitors serene lakefront views and glimpses of the Chicago skyline.

Northerly Island provides a variety of recreational and cultural attractions. The Huntington Bank Pavilion, a seasonal outdoor concert venue located on the island, hosts major music and comedy acts and can accommodate up to 30,000 people. Additionally, visitors can enjoy the adjacent 12th Street Beach, which offers swimming, picnicking, a beach house with restrooms, and food concessions. For families, the Northerly Island Nature Play Space offers opportunities for imaginative play in a natural setting.

The park includes a visitor center and offers year-round programs such as guided nature tours, camping, fishing, paddling, and the popular Polar Adventure Days in winter. Public art installations and landmarks like the Adler Planetarium Sculptural Relief Panels add cultural depth to the experience. With its harmonious blend of nature, history, and urban leisure, Northerly Island Park serves as both a retreat for relaxation and an engaging destination for exploring Chicago’s natural and built environments.