| Chicago, the third most populous city in the | | | | fountain is a brilliant draw for tourists; |
| USA, is known by a number of names, among | | | | it's turned on every April, signaling the |
| which include "the Windy City", "Second City" | | | | onset of summer in Chicago, and remains on |
| and "City of Big Shoulders". While it may | | | | until early Fall. It still puts on |
| possess the image of a bustling, busy urban | | | | spectacular 20-minute fountain displays every |
| center, it is possible to get away from the | | | | hour between 8am and 11pm. Each display |
| rat race yet still remain in the city. | | | | involves 134 jets shooting approximately |
| Presently, Chicago possesses over 7,300 acres | | | | 14,100 gallons of water out per minute, with |
| of parkland which encloses 552 parks, 16 | | | | the center jet shooting 150 feet in the air. |
| lagoons and Chicago's iconic Buckingham | | | | This show is accompanied by a spectacular |
| Fountain, one of the world's largest | | | | light and music display, which beautifully |
| fountains.Located in Grant Park, the | | | | accentuates the Georgian pink marble |
| Buckingham Fountain was dedicated to the | | | | structure of the attraction.The area |
| people of Chicago in 1927, in memory of | | | | surrounding the Buckingham Fountain is |
| Clarence Buckingham who commissioned its | | | | teeming with pond life, including frogs, |
| creation. Clarence Buckingham was the late | | | | herons and dragonflies; the shrubs are |
| brother of Kate Buckingham, who worked | | | | frequently filled with migratory birds and |
| tirelessly to build a fountain which created | | | | the lush prairie region is graced with |
| the effect of "soft moonlight"; she tested a | | | | wildflowers and grasses native to the area. |
| variety of colors for glass filters and | | | | The Park District of Chicago is clearly a |
| various water currents in order to bestow a | | | | wonderful place to visit if you're staying in |
| mystical, ethereal feel upon the Buckingham | | | | the city, and is located within easy distance |
| Fountain. While the fountain was named after | | | | from Chicago's other main attractions such as |
| Clarence Buckingham, it was originally | | | | the Sears tower and the Merchandise Mart |
| designed by Edward H. Bennett, who modeled | | | | Mall. There are a selection of great hotels |
| his design on the Latona Fountain in King | | | | nearby, in which you can stay and be able to |
| Louis XIV's gardens at the Palace of | | | | take in Chicago's peaceful park district |
| Versailles. Bennett intended the fountain to | | | | whilst enjoying the luxuries of the big city, |
| represent Lake Michigan, with four sea horses | | | | including the world-famous luxury Conrad |
| created by Marcel Loyau to signify the four | | | | Hotel.Michael is a keen writer living in |
| states that border the Lake - Illinois, | | | | Edinburgh. |
| Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan.Today, the | | | | |