Yes, there is nothing quite like city living. But we all know that getting outside and getting that fresh air is just as important. Lucky for Chicagoans, both can be had with relative ease as the Illinois city is home to various public parks, gardens and even beaches all just a hop of a train ride away. But it begs the question: are Chicago’s green spaces one of the best? To find that out, Time Out quizzed 18,500 people from cities across the world to find the best green spaces on the planet. The results are in and Chicago, naturally, came out among the top.
According to the study, Chicago tied with South African capital city Cape Town for the 10th and 11th spot on Time Out's 20 best cities list, with an approval rating from 83-percent of residents from the U.S. The number one spot went to Medellín, Colombia, for its tropical climate and green corridors. Much closer to home, Boston nabbed the number 2 spot for its walkability and its garden spaces, including Boston Common, the oldest park in the country. Down Under, Sydney, Australia came in at number three for its nature offerings, including the country's mountainous and beachy regions.
It isn’t so surprising that Chicago received a top nod—the city's motto is "City in a Garden" after all. With over 600 green spaces found around the city, getting outside in Chicago ranges from a visit to the touristy Millennium Park to more secluded garden spaces. Afternoons by the water also abound in the city, thanks to sandy beaches that dot the shores of Lake Michigan. And there is nothing like the summertime tradition of watching movies in the park, now is there?
If your next vacation spot is contingent on touching grass, here is a list of places to put on your travel list. Get out there!
These are the 20 best cities in the world for green space and access to nature
1. Medellín, Colombia, 92 percent
2. Boston, US, 88 percent
3. Sydney, Australia, 87 percent
= London, UK, 87 percent
5. Austin, US, 86 percent
= Edinburgh, UK, 86 percent
= Melbourne, Australia, 86 percent
8. Denver, US, 84 percent
9. Abu Dhabi, UAE, 83 percent
= Cape Town, South Africa, 83 percent
= Chicago, US, 83 percent
12. San Francisco, US, 82 percent
= Stockholm, Sweden, 82 percent
14. Montreal, Canada, 81 percent
= Munich, Germany, 81 percent
16. Mumbai, India, 79 percent
17. Beijing, China, 78 percent
18. Zurich, Switzerland, 77 percent
= Ottawa, Canada, 77 percent
20. Brisbane, Australia, 76 percent