Chicago is the perfect destination for the eco-conscious traveller. Travel is a luxury, and when we don’t want to have a negative impact on the environment purely for the pleasure of a vacation, it’s important to carefully choose where you go. Chicago offers an amazing array of opportunities to have a truly green holiday that can benefit the environment when you visit some of the attractions. Spend your tourist dollars here and your money will help fund further research and projects that will help conservation and the protection of the environment.

Millennium Park

Millennium Park is truly an innovation.  With any city, it has to be about making an extra effort to combat pollution and this pushes that ethos to another level. The entire 25 acre green space of Millennium Park is actually a green roof above a large parking garage. What would have been an eyesore in the city has been transformed into one of its most beautiful outdoor spaces. The green roof not only adds to the beauty of the city, but it helps to reduce the energy used to cool and heat the garage below as green roofs are perfect for both keeping the heat out in the height of summer, and as an insulator, keeping the heat inside in winter.

Chicago Park District Conservatories

These two giant greenhouses are home to thousands of species of plants, many of which are very rare. You’ll find the larger of the two, the Garfield Park Conservatory on the south side of the city, and the Lincoln Park Conservatory over on the south side. Both conservatories offer several educational events and programs that you can attend as a family, to learn more about the natural world and conservation.

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The Green Museums

Another wonderful thing about Chicago is the Green Museums Initiative. Museums are brilliant places to visit when you’re on vacation, and when you’re in Chicago, you can have peace of mind that the museums you are visiting are all ecologically sound and are making sizeable efforts to ensure each museum is sustainable and environmentally friendly. The Green Museums Initiative was established back in 2005, with many local institutions joining together to improve their sustainability and make their business practices as eco-friendly as possible. Additionally, they have moved on to reach out and spread the green message through their exhibits and educational programmes. There are many museums in Chicago that are involved in the scheme, including all the top attractions such as the Adler Planetarium, the Shedd Aquarium, the Art Institute, Lincoln Park Zoo, The Field Museum and many more.

An Environmentally Friendly City Tour

City bus tours and exploring by car all add to the pollution levels of the city so this is something all green eco-tourists will want to avoid. However, there is an alternative and it’s altogether more fun too! Take a segway tour and you have the peace of mind that you’re not adding any pollution into the atmosphere. To book your green segway tour, visit our website today!

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