While in operation, every hour on the hour for 20 minutes the Fountain produces a major water display and the center jet shoots 150 feet into the air. Beginning at dusk, every hour on the hour for 20 minutes the Fountain's major water display is accompanied by a major light and music display. The final display of the evening begins at 10:00 p.m.
The Fountain runs from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily, typically from April to mid-October, depending on weather. Times are subject to change when large events take place in or around Grant Park.
if you are near during the summer go see the spectacular light show every evening it is great long walk from train for little ones but worth it seemed to be very safe too lots of people around on summer nights
The fountain is as amazing in person as it is in pictures. Although the kids cannot really play in it, it is great to take pictures of the kids in front of it to send to out-of-town relatives because it is so world-famous. The kids ask a lot of questions about how it works, so at the very least, it can spark an interesting conversation with your kids. It's a great downtown attraction overall.
I took my son to Buckingham Fountain and it was so amazed. I have taken him every time I go downtown for something. The light show is so amazing sometimes we have gotten wet by the fountain by the direction of the wind.
My husband and I took our 10 y/o daugher and her friend downtown over night. We went to the fountain at about 10:00pm. It's still as awesome as ever! There's a light show to music, a spectacular view of the city and it's free!!! A must see if your visiting Chicago!!
I go to Buckingham Fountain at least once a month. I love to go at night when the fountain changes colors and when the fountain is going to the beat of th music!
Such a pretty place to let the kids run around and take some pictures. There's a little cart that sells icecream right there. It's so good. I suggest getting some of that
The water show is spectacular at night with the lights and music. My kids have usually just seen the fountain during the day and think it's pretty cool to watch how high the water goes in the air. It's nice and relaxing to stop and spend a little time enjoying the view. But little attention spans only last so long...
This is just very fun to look at. My daughter loves fountains right now. When you enter the city off of 290 and head straight in you will run right into the fountain which she always points out.
I would agree that it is a beautiful fountain, but what you see when you drive by is pretty much it. My husband was reading that it is controlled by operators in Texas, which we thought was interesting.
It is a beautiful fountain and worth visiting if you are already near there but don't go downtown just to visit the fountain. There is not much to do but look at it.
It's a great landmark, but there certainly isn't much to do beyond looking at it, and at night the lights are pretty. I wouldn't make it a destination, but if you were in the area, of there for the Taste of Chicago, give it a whirl. I have a beautiful picture from our wedding, so it is a "destination" for sure.
