Northerly Island in Illinois

Northerly Island

Chicago has its very own slice of natural prairie grasslands right in the heart of downtown.

Guide Sections

Use Northerly Island's guide sections to understand how this stop fits into the larger park plan.

Point of Interest

Northerly Island Details

Difficulty

Low

Distance

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Estimated time

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Chicago has its very own slice of natural prairie grasslands right in the heart of downtown. It is located on a 119-acre man-man peninsula that looks as if it is floating in the middle of Lake Michigan. 11,000 shrubs and 400 trees were planted in the southern part of the park, which invites an array of wildlife to visit. Herons, monarch butterflies, and over 150 other native plants and animals currently reside on the peninsula. There are several cycling and walking paths that wind around the grasslands and savannahs. You will also have a great opportunity to see many of the animals wading, feeding, or paddling near the 5-acre pond that sits in the middle of the wildlife area.