Promontory Point

I walked to the Promontory Point yesterday (¹⁄₂₇) with my pet mouse, Sir Gustav Heinrich von Ericksson. I wore a pair of pink keds and a sundress. Gustav went naked (he’s into shock-​inducing performance art). We had a few challenges. First, the Parks Department does a lousy job of temperature control. I was rather chilly and Gustav nearly died. Second, there was no off-​leash area in which Gustav could practice his jousting. While the view was decent at 10pm, it was rather limited. Not the best park we’ve been to.

If you seen Chicago skyline many times then I would suggest checking out this park. Its a completely different angle that I haven’t seen before of the city. Could possibly in my top 3. The rocks are fun to climb and the people at this park are super nice. I had a great time and I will be visiting again!

I love the view of the city skyline! Definitely from a different angle than our usual. The park is beautiful and clean with a very diverse crowd of people! My kids loved climbing on the rocks!

Promontory Point is one of the best spots in the city to host a bbq, an impromptu picnic or just to relax after a long bike ride.
If it wasn’t for the frosty Chicago weather I would definitely as often as I can. The sunset is also gorgeous here.

Promontory Point is my family’s favorite go-​to spot for enjoying warm weather anywhere in Chicago, let alone our own neighborhood, and I’m not quite sure how it couldn’t be.
Where the South Side meets Lake Michigan just west of Lake Shore lies a peaceful haven for all of Hyde Park’s residents. This summer, I began walking my dog here every weekday morning just to start the day. Upon entering the park from the tunnel, an enormous and tastefully-​appointed water fountain greets you and your pup as it features three human water spouts up top and a forth at the bottom just atop a large bowl for your canine companion. When we’d arrive around 7 in the morning, the park itself is reasonably quiet yet not desolate as morning runners, dog-​walkers, cyclists, and yoga practitioners occupy their own place in the park. For us, we head straight to the waves after (admittedly ungracefully) mounting and dismounting the awkward stone steps down to the water.
This early in the morning, there might be three or less people in sight from where we sit. Just yesterday, an elderly woman meditated and journaled to our right and a few girls laid out to our left, all out of earshot.
To me, this is the perfect wake-​up routine if you can find a place for it in your schedule. And on the warmer weekends, my husband and I usually make the trek to lay out a blanket with olives, fruit, and spreads from Treasure Island. Each time, we’re greeted by other dog-​lovers and children who want to meet our dog, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Promontory Point is not only a treasure in the present but a place I know my heart will miss nostalgically should we ever leave Hyde Park. 5 stars.

On my last trip to Chicago, my gf and I wanted to do some unique things. Since we had both been recently, and done most of the touristy stuff in the past, she let me pick some lesser known gems.
To get here is no easy task without a car. But it was worth it. The water here is SOOOOO CLEAR. It’s not very populated so you can relax and just sit here and enjoy the views.

Our visit to Promotory Point included all sorts of fun:
— an engagement (we helped someone else get engaged)
— swimming in open water
— swimming in a rocky/​beachy area
— a lovely walk and convincing the person setting up for a wedding at the boat house (not actually sure what the building is called) to let us in to look around
It definitely had a broad range of fun.
All kidding aside (well, all of that was true), we had a great time. We managed to find parking and walked over toward the point. It was a nice day, a bit foggy but not too hot and we hadn’t ever been there, so we just walked around.
A few fun facts. the circles that people are using as fire pits… these are actually council circles (not sure of the exact name) originally used for meeting type things. Also useful as a fire pit or bbq spot.
Chicago engineers built the massive stone ‘steps’ to the water — which I’m apparently not tall enough to use without assistance as I’m not a giant…
The path and lawns are well groomed (not surprising since this is a wedding venue) and it’s not super busy, so you won’t get run over on the path by an overzealous biker. It had plenty of people, just not totally overcrowded like some areas of the path (I’m looking at you, North Ave!).
I will say that swimming here didn’t seem great for kids — there are huge, slippery rocks and once you’re in, it’s nice and sandy, but not really kid friendly in my opinion (probably why there were mostly adults in there). There is a beach over at 57^th near the MSI which was busy and looked nice.
We were walking and a family was waiting near a bench, obviously for something fun to happen since there were a bunch of roses and folks with cameras. Turns out there was an engagement in progress! We were asked to help by walking on the path and giving roses to the almost engaged girl. It was fun (I obviously snuck back around to see the actual proposal!). It was nice, some kids got in on the fun and I’m guessing the new bride-​to-​be must have figured out what was going on, but it was a cute touch if you like that sort of public proposal.
We checked out the building where George Lucas got married — really old and cool looking. I think it said it was built in the 20’s? I’m not sure where you’d park, but perhaps they have carts or something from the parking off of Lake Shore Drive?
All in all, a nice spot to visit.

This is probably the most beautiful place in the city. Perfect for an afternoon picnic, bike ride, swim, or game of croquet. Public bathrooms are available and fairly ok compared to what you might expect. It gets busy on the weekends, so go early to grab a fire pit!

We had our wedding at Promontory Point in May 2014 and it was beautiful!!! Dealing with the Chicago Park District was *fairly* painless, although there is a LOT of red tape to work through if you want to rent the space. But, it really is a stunning location.

Beautiful and peaceful point in the city. Great for a pit stop or to read a book or just meditate and listen to the waves brush up against the rocks.
Bathroom and venue is also nearby.

This was the spot back in the day «80’s now a days no way would I be over there things gave really changed over the years it’s very different now.

One of the prettiest places in Chicago. I love it here. Very beautiful considering it is in the city. I like to come on the south side if I am looking for a more peaceful time and the North if I am looking to be more active. This was a nice and peaceful place to come at sunrise just to relax. I parked for free right by bar louie. If you want to be in the city but need a little bit of peace and quiet here is your place :) enjoy!

The best element I’ve ever seen here is the use of rickshaw taxi from the point to the parking lot.
Heated tent on the lake side makes this a huge spot.
So scenic and isolated from general traffic except for pedestrians on the lakefront.
Bring lots of fans in case of hot weather– no A/​C here.
Extra toiletries also go a long way here.

Since the time I was a child, I have always enjoyed coming to this part of the lake.
I always enjoy sitting on the rocks while drinking a beverage of my choice (that I snuck in the park) while taking in one of the best distant views of our gorgeous city skyline.
This is the place where me and my buddies during our late teen years and early 20s spent time chasing girls, playing truth or dare and BBQing during the summer months. Always a good time here for families, couples and excercising.
This is truly a must see spot for anyone that lives here as I hold it dear to my heart as one of the best places in the city

Best park to take in the views of the Chicago, skyline –both north and south– hands down.
I visited here on a warm sunny day last month and was extremely surprised to see how empty it was. All the better for me as I was hoping for a nice, quiet picnic with my better half, but I was surprised nonetheless.
I’m pretty sure I saw a few barbecue pits, so that’s definitely a plus. I didn’t see much litter scattered around either, for which I am incredibly grateful for.
I am besotted.

Great place to stop and rest if you’re riding the Lakefront Trail. I’ll often ride up from the northside and stop for some water and to look at the downtown skyline from the south. Very few people visit so it’s very peaceful.
It would also be a great place to picnic or just sit on the rocks reading a book or daydreaming.

Man, I love this place. It’s so peaceful and relaxing right now in the spring. My dog just loves it here. You can just sit and stare at the lake for hours. The view of the skyline is complete and is one of the best in Chicago.
If you haven’t been here, do yourself a favor, get out of the hustle and bustle of the city and go.
For the reviewer who mentioned safety concerns at night… yes, there can be random people and danger lurking at night… but where doesn’t that happen in Chicago? Be smart. Go in the day. If you go at night, go in a group and bring some flashlights. The park closes at 11pm, so don’t linger after closing time.
I went during the fireworks last year and we had a little run in with a drunk guy, but all was well. Just mind your own biz, stay aware of your surroundings, and you’ll be fine.

Yes, this is a beautiful park and really fabulous spot for a wedding, but in order to enjoy it you must get there first! It is not well-​marked and unbelievably confusing trying to figure out where to park and where to go if you’ve never been here before.
I was at the Point for a wedding, decked out in a long dress and heels. The last thing I wanted was to trek around in the grass trying to find the frickin wedding. I finally called the number on their website and was told to park in the lot across from Bar Louie. Without calling, I would have had to park and wander, in hopes I had the right place.
The lot across from Bar Louie is a pay to park lot. TIP: If you can snag a spot in front of the Flamingo (which houses Bar Louie) the parking is FREE. Hooray! Then you follow the viaduct under LSD and pop out in a lovely park along the lake… but where is the church? Veer left/​north and you’ll see a large building: CHURCH. You’ve made it! Phew.
Sidenote: my friends who cabbed it had a bear of a time getting cabs to show up and drive them to the reception. They said it cost $ 30 from Lincoln Park to the Point.
Long story short: GORGEOUS venue but unnecessarily hard to find/​poorly marked. Make sure you’re prepared to do some walking on uneven pavement to get there.

A rustic building down the lake shore, nestled on a piece of tree-​filled land jutting out into the water, full of breathtaking views of the landscape known as the Chicago skyline, and a view for miles out over Lake Michigan’s blue waters.
Dreamy! A true gem.
I now know why my friends had to wait over 2 years to get married here.

Want to do something that would make you feel really good about yourself? Go to Promontory Point, jump in the water and swim a few miles. It’s a great place for a good swim. Ask the fit old folks who seem to frequent this place mid afternoon on summer weekdays. They all seem to be in excellent shape. I swear I saw a 60 year old man sporting a six pack (abs, not beer).
At Promontory Point, unlike in an indoor pool, you will not be bumping into people. There is plenty of space for everybody. And you get the benefit of beautiful views of the Chicago sky-​scape.
Once done with your swim, pipe ladders make it easy for you to climb out of the water onto the deliciously warm rocks. These rocks radiate heat and will rapidly increase your core temperature. The only thing that might make you feel not quite as great is noticing that the old folks seem to be able to swim a whole lot further than you.
BTW, the above is only intended as a summer activity. The waters of Lake Michigan get a little chilly in the winter.