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