Ping Tom Memorial Park is a short walk from Chinatown’s main street and is a scenic escape with some of the best views of Chicago’s skyline. The park was once an abandoned rail yard named after Ping Tom, a civic leader who advocated for a park in Chinatown before he died in 1995.

The park features a bright red, pagoda-style structure, benches that line the river, a children’s playground, boathouses for kayak rentals during the summer, and a bridge that extends toward downtown Chicago — offering great views both day and night.

During the summer months, the Chicago Water Taxi stops here from downtown Chicago — a local hack to take a river cruise without paying the tourist price of one.

I love Ping Tom Memorial Park because it is hardly ever crowded and its 12 acres offer plenty of room for finding a bench for quiet contemplation or uninterrupted strolling with a friend.