Let me tell you about a fantastic small park located in Chicago’s Chinatown – Ping Tom Park. There are so many reasons you will want to visit it!
On a recent visit to see family in Chicago, my sister-in-law and her family took us explore Chinatown and Ping Tom Park. What wonderful places! We loved the high-energy vibe (and yummy food) in Chinatown. And, we were delighted by the park for many, many reasons.
Reasons to Visit Ping Tom Park
Located at 1700 S Wentworth in Chicago, Ping Tom Memorial Park is a delightful open space to unwind within the bustling confines of Chinatown.
Here are three of the most common reasons why people love this space.
Trainspotting
Train enthusiasts, take note! Ping Tom Park was once home to a large rail yard. To this day, it is still home to a number of busy rails. From the location of our picnic spot along the river, we were able to easily view three different train rails.
The Views
Bring your camera! No matter which direction you look, there are beautiful and interesting things to see and admire –beautiful architecture, winding trails, pretty nature spaces, gorgeous city skyline views, water reflections, and a variety of boats parading through on the river.
Great Photo Opportunities
It is no surprise that photographers flock to Ping Tom Park. During our short visit to Ping Tom Park, we saw several photoshoots underway – two separate wedding parties and multiple couples. In this small space, there is a wide variety of great photoshoot backgrounds. Under the train rails, there are a couple of brightly-colored wall murals, there are large boulders scattered about, there are winding trails lined with bright red railings, a pagoda-style pavillion, a boathouse… and, of course, the Chicago skyline in the distance. (I already mentioned that you should bring your camera, right?)
And More Reasons
In addition to the reasons listed above, here are a few more:
- Fun playground for kids
- Barrier-free and accessible trails
- Nature spaces of prairie-like grassland
Our Visit to Ping Tom Memorial Park
For our visit, we were able to find parking in a small pay lot located at 2155 S Wentworth.
TIP: Bring your parking slip with you. Some of the local businesses will validate your parking (resulting in a discounted rate).
We wandered through the business district of Chinatown. Our wanderings included a stop at Tous les Jours for some yummy baked goods.
With snacks in hand, we made our way to Ping Tom Park where we spread out picnic blankets under a couple of trees near the river. After our “dessert picnic,” we walked the trails, snagged some great pictures, admired the city skyline, and visited the playground.
Visit This Chicago Park Yourself
So, there you go! All the details and reasons you need to visit this hidden gem in Chicago’s Chinatown. Grab your camera, buy a snack, then head to Ping Tom Memorial Park to unwind in this beautiful setting.
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Sounds like fun! Thanks for sharing ❤️
This park is so cool! I have to get back to Chicago someday. I would love to explore Chinatown more, and I love the murals in this park. I’m adding it to my list!