Travelers And Locals Love Chicago's Fun, Beautiful Park, Especially In The Winter

With ice skating, Christmas markets, and even skiing, Chicago is considered one of the top winter destinations in the world. Despite being the third-biggest city in the United States, there are plenty of parks in the Windy City. One that locals and visitors enjoy most in the winter is Palmisano Park. Also known as Palmisano (Henry) Park, this perhaps lesser-known destination should find itself among the many fun free things to add to your Chicago bucket list. It is only 5 miles from the popular Chicago Riverwalk and 4 miles from the Fulton Market District. The 26.6 acres that make up Palmisano Park were once a limestone quarry and then a landfill before becoming this peaceful green space in the Bridgeport neighborhood.

If you visit Palmisano Park when the city is under a shiny blanket of snow, be sure to bring a sled. Mount Bridgeport is within Palmisano Park, and at 33 feet tall, sledding here is fun for all ages. Even if you don't have a sled, the wintery scenes and picture-perfect skyline views at Mount Bridgeport are definitely reminiscent of a beloved Christmas movie.

Enjoy more city views and Palmisano Park scenery by exploring its walking paths. These paths take you to the best areas, including its water features and meadows — perfect for birdwatching. Look for snow buntings, dark-eyed Juncos, American tree sparrows, or even the occasional owl. As you keep your eyes out for these feathered friends, you'll almost forget that you're in the sprawling metropolis of Chicago. Exploring will take you to the Stearns Quarry Fishing Pond, which transforms under the snow too. It may not become an ice rink, but it makes the winter sights feel even more tranquil. Henry Palmisano, who the park is named after, was an urban fishing advocate. So you'll see people fishing here often — even when the temperature starts to drop.

If you get too cold walking and sledding around Palmisano Park, duck into one of the cozy restaurants in the surrounding Bridgeport neighborhood. After all, Chicago is one of Gordon Ramsay's favorite cities. Get an Italian sandwich at the locally owned Nonna Soluri's Italian Deli, or visit the Taipei Cafe for Taiwanese staples. And you can always warm up with a coffee or hot coco from Ctrl Z Coffee.