Home / Engagement Locations / Chicago / Milton Lee Olive Park
Milton Lee Olive Park is constructed peninsula located near Navy Pier and Ohio Street Beach with a unique west facing skyline view. The Park offers a great combination of natural trees and city views. It’s a great option for engagement photos and wedding day portraits.
The photogenic highlight of Olive Park is the cantilevered deck that extends more than 20 feet out over Lake Michigan. With black granite benches and stainless steel railing the platform is a great place to take in the sunset. Additionally there is a section of honey locust trees that lead down the paved sidewalk. The wooded section near the Ohio Street entrance create a rare woodland feel in the middle of the city.
With expansive waterfront views the rest of the park is marked with a series of five circular fountains of various sizes that separate the park from the the Jardine Water Purification Plant. Because of the nature of the public works facility, cars and busses are not allowed to stay standing near the main gate.
Tree-lined sidewalks make for a nice contrast to the Chicago architectural background. The park is fenced and can occasionally be closed to visitors. Navy Pier Marina, the Ferris Wheel and Crystal Gardens are all visible to the West. Ohio Street Beach and the giant rock breakwall can also easily be accessed from the park.
LOCATION DETAILS
Address: 500 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60611
Neighborhood: Streeterville
Permit: Not Required
WHY WE LOVE IT
The view of the skyline with a couple "floating" over the water is one of the most epic Chicago engagement photos I get to make. Unlike the view from Adler or even North Ave. Beach, you're so close at Olive Park that it feels like you're part of the skyline - rather than a background element.
It's always great to be able to get multiple looks from one location and getting beach, skyline and trees is rare. At Olive Park you can have all three in the same photo!
The proximity to Navy Pier makes it a convenient spot for changing outfits between locations. Harry Carey's is also a good place to grab a drink before we start shooting.
