Located in the northwest corner of Chicago's Millennium Park in the Loop area, Crown Fountain is a captivating interactive work of public art and video sculpture designed by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa. Opened in July 2004, this $17 million installation features a shallow, black granite reflecting pool positioned between two 50-foot tall glass brick towers. The towers utilize light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to project digital video clips of diverse local Chicago residents on their inward-facing sides.
Designed with universal accessibility in mind, the sculpture explores Plensa's artistic themes of dualism, light, and water. From May to October, water intermittently cascades down the towers and spouts from nozzles aligned with the projected subjects' puckered mouths, mimicking classic gargoyle fountains. While the video displays continue during Chicago's colder winters, the summer season transforms the reflecting pool into a wildly popular public play area where visitors of all ages splash, slide, and cool off.
Whether you visit to admire its innovative architectural integration of light and video or to capture photographs of its famous squirting faces, this public landmark offers an engaging, socially relevant escape right in the heart of the city.
What to see at Crown Fountain
- Pair of 50-foot glass brick towers featuring LED digital video displays of local Chicagoans
- Shallow black granite reflecting pool designed for public interaction and playing
- Water spouts engineered to stream directly from the displayed subjects' mouths
- Unique video technology showcasing dualism, light, and winter-ready visual displays
- Highly accessible public art feature located inside Millennium Park
Visiting tips
Plan your visit between May and October if you want to experience the active water spouts, splash in the reflecting pool, and beat the summer heat.
How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Summer afternoons
How to get there & what’s nearby
Crown Fountain is easy to reach on Chicago’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Buckingham Fountain and Chicago Theatre. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Chicago travel guide.
See the full Chicago travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.