Not only is holiday shopping on your list, but taking a holiday or New Year’s family photo is also a likely priority. Whether you send out a digital photo or a physical copy through the mail, make sure you snap the perfect picture with a great backdrop! Taking a picture in front of a known landmark or a beautiful landscape can definitely add a special touch to your cards. Here are a handful of special places to take a family photo in Chicago.
Garfield Park Conservatory
With two acres of indoor space and eight different rooms to choose from, Garfield Park Conservatory is a great place to snap some holiday pictures. You do need a media permit in order to take family holiday portraits, but those are easy to obtain through the Chicago Park District.
(Open November 24 to January 8)
Museum of Science and Industry
Chicago’s Museum of Science & Industry is another wonderful place to take holiday portraits with your family, especially during their Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light event. They boast a 45-foot Christmas tree, surrounded by multiple other trees representing the various cultures and holidays of the world. Steady hands are a must, as tripods aren’t allowed.
Humboldt Park
With 219 acres and home to a large, historic field house, inland beach, historic lagoons, formal gardens, a boathouse, and more, Humboldt Park offers a variety of scenic backdrops for your holiday pictures. The lagoon, bridge, and the park benches are popular settings for Chicago pictures, and the park boathouse provides a spot for a quick wardrobe change or to even grab a snack before the shoot!
BP Pedestrian Bridge near Maggie Daley Park
This bridge that connects Millennium Park with Maggie Daley Park has become a popular choice for family holiday portraits, as it’s known for its aesthetics, which beautifully display the autumnal colors of the trees leading to the art museum. If you can’t capture a great photo on the bridge, make your way to Maggie Daley Park, which offers a magnificent lakefront and recreation center, perfect for any family’s holiday pictures. To be safe, be sure to fill out both agreement forms here.
photo credit: A View on Cities
The Walnut Room
Located on the 7th floor of Macy’s on State Street, the Walnut Room is a popular place for families to have their holiday pictures taken. A 45-foot Christmas tree inside their elegant, 17,000-square-foot dining room makes the Walnut Room an ideal location for a holiday photoshoot. After the shoot, you can stay and warm up with some holiday favorites, such as chicken pot pie, French onion soup, or their signature key lime pie. Err on the earlier side, as the Walnut Room is a holiday tradition for many families and couples.
photo credit: Illinois SB Partners
