Anything below 5 stars review is not true of this park. Great views. Wonderful experience. Will definitely be back hopefully in several weeks-months as a training run route. Points of interest are eastern beach, southern shore.

Great in the fall and winter when it’s nearly deserted, just you and the howling wind. There is an American Kestral that makes it’s home there. Always hangs out on one of the young oak trees in the protected natural area easily seen while on the path. Some paths closed during winter. Great views from the top of the hill of the entire island looking north across a beautiful skyline of the high rises. Parking is $2.00 all the way past the museum parking and right next to the park’s entrance. Just keep going until the road ends next to the old air traffic control tower used when it was Miegs Field. Better bird watching in very early mornings in the spring and fall. Otherwise it’s all gulls and water fowl, but that’s nice too.

Honestly, in my opinion one of the BEST views of the Skyline and the Navy Pier fireworks! The main park is a live concert venue in the summer, however the lake front paths right outside of the Planetarium are open to the public. Parking is very limited along the street here, especially in the summer on Wednesday and Saturday evenings for the fireworks. If you want to be able to park here and enjoy this SPECTACULAR view of our beautiful city then early arrival is strongly suggested. The fireworks start after 9pm, and I will arrive to this spot around 7pm to ensure a parking spot. It gets crowded quickly, but do not get discouraged; just keep driving around and keep your eyes peeled. Not everyone stays for the fireworks, so a watchful eye will easily spot vehicles leaving and can snatch up the parking spot. Parking is free but be extremely mindful of no parking, emergency lanes, and fire hydrants. Basically if it’s after 8pm, almost any visibly open spots will be fire hydrants and no parking. CPD actively patrols the area, especially before,during and after the fireworks. They generally do not disturb anyone looking to get a glimpse of the fireworks, but after as it gets closer to the 11pm closing time they will start pushing people towards the exit. If you’re looking for a fantastic view of the Navy Pier fireworks, as well as a spectacular view of the Chicago Skyline, this is a MUST visit!

Beautiful and excellent place to enjoy walking!! Who care the cold weather!

This is a great place for a peaceful walk / skate / bike; Very limited people . Walk till end if you are a explorer! Also if you get accustomed to walk on this trail you will see different colors every season, for it changes drastically with weather ; it’s a completely different place in winter.

Just an awesome place to walk bike and sight see beautiful views and nature city lake and peaceful

Beautiful scenery with lots to do in close proximity. Parking was a beast but we were able to find close valet parking for $35. Walked around for hours and enjoyed the aquarium, planetarium, and museum

Greatest place on earth not even exaggerating. Very special place to me I’ve spent whole days in this park i take all the people important to me here so they can see how gorgeous it is.

This place was amazing...we went fishing and hiking I felt so close to nature...The guides were so nice and knowledgeable

This is my favorite spot in all of Chicago. The beach there 12th st Beach is the best in Chicago. It's so relaxing, amazing history there too. Abundance of beach glass and old cool bricks too and by far the best view of Chicago skyline. Truly breathtaking spot

Northerly Island Park is a truly wonderful and captivating destination, offering a delightful escape close to Lake Michigan. The park provides a refreshing contrast to the bustling city, creating an uplifting atmosphere that makes it an ideal spot for photography enthusiasts. The proximity to Lake Michigan enhances the overall experience, providing a serene backdrop for visitors to enjoy. One of the standout features of Northerly Island Park is its commitment to community engagement, with a multitude of upcoming family and community events. I highly recommend checking their schedule and participating in these events for an even more enriching experience. The staff at Northerly Island Park contributes to the positive atmosphere, being consistently nice and pleasant to all visitors. Their welcoming demeanor adds to the overall appeal of the park, making it a destination that not only offers natural beauty but also a warm and friendly environment. In conclusion, Northerly Island Park is a gem for those seeking a peaceful retreat near Lake Michigan. Whether you're a photography enthusiast or simply looking for a serene escape from the city, this park, with its welcoming staff and diverse events, is definitely worth exploring.

Great place to take photos of the Chicago skyline. Great place to escape the crazy noise of urban life But in winter, it's cold as hell and windy enough to blow you into the not very welcoming water of Lake Michigan...

Amazing park for being next to the museum park. Locals and visitors please respect the rules and do not bring your dogs. There is a sign at the parking lot. There is restoration work being conducted and dogs destroy that effort and wildlife. Lastly, to the 4 people on dirt bikes, with the little green space in the city. It is best not to destroy what little prairie is left in the entire state. The air pollution and noise ruins being in a green space.

A nice place to go for a jog or a walk with great views of city. There were also a variety of birds including a crane while I was there. Great place to be at if you just want to take a little break from the city life.

Great place to enjoy peace and quiet with views of Chicago, lake and harbor.

One of my favorite views of Chicago minus all the large crowds and traffic. It’s the perfect place to sit and relax and soak up all the Chicago beauty.

This place is really cool. It’s beautiful and there aren’t a lot of people around so you can hog all that beauty for yourself. I don’t know what it is about the grassy hills but they just satisfy me on a soul deep level. Plus you can see the city from afar. I’m talking prime skyline. I hesitate to rate it so highly cause I don’t want it to start getting crowded but people looking for a beautiful park should check it out cause it’s too good to miss.

Absolutely beautiful. There's lots of fun history behind it too

Clean beach. Not too crowded with enough space to bring your own grill and have a family cook out. Kids had fun!

A fantastic oasis in the middle of the city. A perfect escape to take in the lake views and the unique vegetation.

The most amazing views to the city! Also, great for concerts when they come back one day. It feels dangerous in bad weather, but this is also a great way to experience a Chicago storm. :)

We haven't gone there for a while, but I remember the winter festival was fantastic, my daughter had her birthday party there. There's also a nice picnic area and some cool sculptures, great place to catch up with friends!

Great place to go and relax and just enjoy the sound of the waves and enjoy the breeze! A definite place to visit!

A quiet place, save for the hum and buzz of the local wildlife, and even with the engine noises of boats or helicopters...it's still possible to hear your own heart beat. A walkthrough can be done with a little bit of effort, and the views looking out into the middle horizon of the lake versus the sweeping skyline vista are worth the time.

Northerly Island is the perfect nature escape right on the lake in the city. The city has put in a walking/biking path, a pond and the natural flora and fauna of the region. Easy access via 12th street beach from the planetarium. Fantastic sunrises, sunsets and views of Chicago's skyline.

An oasis in the city. Secluded. Quiet. No dogs allowed. No restrooms.

Overall I think it’s a great park. I loved the natural habitat which has been created for the plants & birds native to Illinois. However it’s out of the way to visit even if you live in the neighborhood (South loop). It’s mostly accessible to the boat owners who are docked in the harbor. I think have the bike path connect to it would be great, give more people the opportunity to see it more often.

I love coming out here. It's a quiet place to come and get away from the city... while still being in the city. Definitely check it out and see the amazing views of the city and relaxing nature scene.

Cool venue. Too bad DMB was rained out when a storm ran through.

This is a fantastic park for a walk or jog and offers spectacular views of the city. There’s a marked trail. I came here in the middle of the winter, so the place looked dull. Cannot wait to be back in the summer for more greenery and activity!

A most beautiful and clean place where you can see the majestic Michigan Lake and the Chicago Skyline

I’ve been here a couple times but I was never in awe as I was last night when I visited here. I got such a feeling of peace and beauty. You have the beach, music venue, plenty of space to park and walk with your significant other. I saw others enjoying the view like I was and it just hit me different. I recommend going here alone with someone just wait till night time because the way the skyline hits in the dark words can’t describe!

It is so wonderful and beautiful here

Great park, great trail for bike or run, excellent progress over the last few years since its opening. Wish they'd bring back the 2hour parking lot increment. But still a gem in the city.

Such a quiet beautiful little nature reserve that has paved roads up and down the whole "island". I went on a bike ride through here and it was such an amazing get away. Not crowded at all like Lakeshore Drive is and you get beautiful hills and skyline views! Gunna definitely take more bike rides down here :)

The views on the southernmost point of the park are beautiful, especially closer to dusk!