Few people know that there is a Lake Michigan island in Illinois. Full of fun things to do and see, this Midwest oasis is a must-visit if you love nature. Check it out:
Encompassing nearly 120 acres, Northerly Island in northern Illinois isn’t an actual island at all. This peninsula at the heart of Chicago’s Museum Campus juts out into Lake Michigan and is home to several unique features that even locals forget about.
Facebook/Northerly Island Park
The best part about this Lake Michigan island is that you can walk here. Of course, you can also get here by car or public transportation, but if you’re already visiting the museums, it is an easy walk from them.
Facebook/Northerly Island Park
In fact, the Adler Planetarium is just north of the island. Other attractions found at Museum Campus include the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Soldier Field, and McCormick Place.
Flickr/Marco Verch
Guests enjoy many fun nature activities on this Lake Michigan island. There are trails to stroll, and visitors often enjoy fishing.
Facebook/Northerly Island Park
If you love taking photos, you’ll go bonkers for the views here. Nowhere else can you find views of the Chicago skyline as pristine as from Northerly Island.
Facebook/Northerly Island Park
This hidden attraction also features a fieldhouse that is open select times throughout the year. Here the staff is available to provide tours and answer questions about this Lake Michigan island.
Facebook/Northerly Island Park The island is also home to Huntington Bank Pavilion where concerts are occasionally put on in the summer.
Opening in the 1930s, this unique manmade peninsula is one of many of Chicago’s green spaces that gives it its nickname “city in a garden.” There’s much more to the city than architecture, dangerous neighborhoods, and traffic.
Facebook/Northerly Island Park
For more information about Northerly Island, check out its page on the Chicago Park District’s website here or its Facebook page.
Facebook/Northerly Island Park
Flickr/Marco Verch
The island is also home to Huntington Bank Pavilion where concerts are occasionally put on in the summer.
This island isn’t the only tropical thing about Illinois. Check out these 11 Hawaiian-themed restaurants in the state for more summer fun.
If you’ve ever been to this Lake Michigan island we’d love to hear from you. Please share your experiences and photos with us below in the comments.
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