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URLhttps://www.rei.com/blog/climb/the-top-five-climbing-gyms-in-chicago
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Meta Title5 Best Rock Climbing Gyms & Walls in Chicago - Uncommon Path – An REI Co-op Publication
Meta DescriptionREI Outdoor School instructor AJ Velon shares some of the top rock climbing gyms and climbing walls in Chicago. See the full list.
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For a notably flat state, the Chicago metro area has quite the Napoleon complex. There’s “Highland” Park, Chicago “Heights,” Palos “Hills,” Park “Ridge,” and towering above them all, “Mount” Prospect. One glance at these townships, and you’d be forgiven for expecting a topographical electrocardiogram. The reality is significantly more horizontal. That means climbers have to head indoors to scramble up man-made walls. But as AJ Velon has discovered, Chicago is home to some of the country’s best facilities for belayers and boulderers alike. And perhaps even more importantly, the culture around the sport is thriving. “The climbing community in Chicago is really friendly and accepting,” says Velon, the senior instructor at REI’s Outdoor School . “It’s a safe haven. If someone is struggling, everyone on the ground is cheering them on. It doesn’t matter if they don’t know each other—people are open and friendly.” Outdoor recreation opportunities do exist within a short drive of the city: REI hosts top-roping  day trips to Devil’s Lake , there’s great bouldering in Governor Dodge State Park  in Wisconsin, and  Red River Gorge  in Kentucky (which Velon calls “the mecca for serious Chicago climbers”) is only eight hours away. But for those looking to stay in shape—especially during brutal Chicago winters—here are Velon’s top five gyms and climbing walls. First Ascent Locations: Arlington Heights (slated to open 2019), Avondale , Humboldt Park , the Loop , Uptown,  Peoria With walls up to 60 feet tall, First Ascent Avondale offers top rope, autobelay and lead climbing, along with bouldering. (Photo Courtesy: First Ascent) Facilities: First Ascent is the pioneering dedicated climbing gym in the city, marketing itself as a grassroots organization founded by Chicago climbers. Every location is slightly different: Humboldt Park, the Loop and Uptown are bouldering-only gyms, while Avondale offers autobelay, top rope, lead climbing and bouldering. The 30,000-square-foot Arlington Heights location, set to open in 2019, will feature top rope, lead climbing and bouldering. Across First Ascent’s gyms, wall heights rise as tall as 60 feet. Pricing: Day passes are $19 ($15 for students) and roped gear rental is packaged at $10. Memberships are $79 per month (or $869 for the year). Additional services: Yoga and fitness services, personal training, team building and workshops on everything from bachata dance to finger-injury prevention. What’s unique: Founded by Chicago climbers, First Ascent is the definition of homegrown— established to fill a gap in the market (which some Chicagoans had addressed by building DIY walls in their garages ). First Ascent’s “walls are textured, so you get that real rock sense when you’re climbing,” Velon says. “And their multiple locations around the city are super convenient.” Brooklyn Boulders Location : West Loop Photo Credit: Brooklyn Boulders Facilities: 25,000 square feet of bouldering, auto-belay, top-roping and lead climbing. Pricing: $25 for a day pass, $11 for full gear rentals, and $125 for monthly memberships ($1,250 for the year). They also offer a 30-day “Beginner to Badass” course for $199 with introductory classes, personal coaching, and access to studio classes and member events. Additional services: Competitive teams, outdoor field trips, an eight-session “ Climb Like A Girl ” female-led course, and co-working spaces with WiFi. What’s unique: Elaborate event programming in the form of concerts, competitions, panels and parties that might even include drag artists performing 50 feet in the air . Vertical Endeavors Locations: Glendale Heights Facilities: Three bouldering areas, 30 auto belays, and hundreds of routes on walls up to 30 feet tall. Pricing: $18 for a day pass; $5 each for shoe, harness, belay and chalk bag rentals. They host an “ On The House ” event (free for first-time visitors) starting at 6pm on the first Friday of each month, and they have special discount days for homeschoolers and Scouts . Additional services: Climbing camps, competitive teams, yoga and fitness lessons. What’s unique: “It can be tougher to access from the city if you don’t have a car, but it’s great for people in the suburbs,” Velon says. Chicago Athletic Clubs Locations: Evanston, Lakeview, Lincoln Park (outdoor wall under renovation) Facilities: Evanston and Lakeview offer indoor walls with heights ranging from 40 to 65 feet, with top-roping and lead climbing available along dozens of routes ranging from 5.7 to 5.13 in difficulty. There are also three spacious bouldering grottos across the clubs with steep overhangs that offer difficult technical challenges. Pricing: $35 day passes for nonmembers ( first climb is free, however ). Additional services: CAC is primarily a fitness center, with classes running the gamut from pilates to boxing to pre- and post-natal yoga. What’s unique: “Before dedicated climbing gyms existed, this is where you would go,” Velon says. “They blazed the trail.” Chicago Parks Locations: Maggie Daley Park (downtown) and Steelworkers Park (South Chicago) The wall at Steelworkers Park tops out at 40 feet tall, with color-coded, modifiable routes that the Park District plans to change up every six months. (Photo Credit: Seth Putnam) Facilities: Bouldering and roped climbs are available at both locations; Maggie Daley, however, boasts 40-foot walls with 19,000 square feet of surface area that can support up to 100 climbers at a time. Pricing: Free (at Steelworkers ). At Maggie Daley, all first-time climbers must pass a certification course ($19 for top roping, $10 for bouldering). Find additional pricing and rental options here. Additional services: Playgrounds, history exhibits, and an ice-skating and rollerblading ribbon. What’s unique: Though other climbing walls exist at Broadway Armory and Harrison Park, the options at Maggie Daley and Steelworkers parks are the largest and most diverse. Then there are the views: Climb in the shadow of Chicago’s iconic skyline at Maggie Daley, or greet Lake Michigan with a fist pump on top of the ore wall at Steelworkers.
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There’s “Highland” Park, Chicago “Heights,” Palos “Hills,” Park “Ridge,” and towering above them all, “Mount” Prospect. One glance at these townships, and you’d be forgiven for expecting a topographical electrocardiogram. The reality is significantly more horizontal. That means climbers have to head indoors to scramble up man-made walls. But as AJ Velon has discovered, Chicago is home to some of the country’s best facilities for belayers and boulderers alike. And perhaps even more importantly, the *culture* around the sport is thriving. “The climbing community in Chicago is really friendly and accepting,” says Velon, the senior instructor at [REI’s Outdoor School](https://www.rei.com/events/p/us-il-chicago). “It’s a safe haven. If someone is struggling, everyone on the ground is cheering them on. It doesn’t matter if they don’t know each other—people are open and friendly.” Outdoor recreation opportunities do exist within a short drive of the city: REI hosts [top-roping day trips to Devil’s Lake](https://www.rei.com/events/p/us-il-chicago/a/climbing), there’s great bouldering in [Governor Dodge State Park](https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/govdodge/) in Wisconsin, and [Red River Gorge](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/dbnf/recarea/?recid=39458) in Kentucky (which Velon calls “the mecca for serious Chicago climbers”) is only eight hours away. But for those looking to stay in shape—especially during brutal Chicago winters—here are Velon’s top five gyms and climbing walls. #### [**First Ascent**](https://firstascentclimbing.com/) **Locations:** [Arlington Heights](https://firstascentclimbing.com/arlington-heights/) (slated to open 2019), [Avondale](https://firstascentclimbing.com/avondale/), [Humboldt Park](https://firstascentclimbing.com/humboldt-park/), [the Loop](https://firstascentclimbing.com/block-37/), [Uptown,](https://firstascentclimbing.com/uptown/) [Peoria](https://firstascentclimbing.com/peoria) ![](https://www.rei.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2019/03/First-Ascent-Avondale-02.jpg?resize=1024%2C686) With walls up to 60 feet tall, First Ascent Avondale offers top rope, autobelay and lead climbing, along with bouldering. (Photo Courtesy: First Ascent) **Facilities:** First Ascent is the pioneering dedicated climbing gym in the city, marketing itself as a grassroots organization founded by Chicago climbers. Every location is slightly different: Humboldt Park, the Loop and Uptown are bouldering-only gyms, while Avondale offers autobelay, top rope, lead climbing and bouldering. The 30,000-square-foot Arlington Heights location, set to open in 2019, will feature top rope, lead climbing and bouldering. Across First Ascent’s gyms, wall heights rise as tall as 60 feet. [**Pricing:**](https://firstascentclimbing.com/avondale/pricing/) Day passes are \$19 (\$15 for students) and roped gear rental is packaged at \$10. Memberships are \$79 per month (or \$869 for the year). **Additional services:** Yoga and fitness services, personal training, team building and workshops on everything from bachata dance to finger-injury prevention. **What’s unique:** Founded by Chicago climbers, First Ascent is the definition of homegrown—[established to fill a gap in the market (which some Chicagoans had addressed by building DIY walls in their garages](https://vimeo.com/135268682)). First Ascent’s “walls are textured, so you get that real rock sense when you’re climbing,” Velon says. “And their multiple locations around the city are super convenient.” #### [**Brooklyn Boulders**](https://brooklynboulders.com/chicago/) **Location***:* West Loop ![Climber at Brooklyn Boulders in Chicago ](https://www.rei.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2019/03/Chicago_2.jpg?resize=1024%2C683) Photo Credit: Brooklyn Boulders **Facilities:** 25,000 square feet of bouldering, auto-belay, top-roping and lead climbing. [**Pricing:**](https://brooklynboulders.com/chicago/pricing/) \$25 for a day pass, \$11 for full gear rentals, and \$125 for monthly memberships (\$1,250 for the year). They also offer a 30-day “Beginner to Badass” course for \$199 with introductory classes, personal coaching, and access to studio classes and member events. **Additional services:** Competitive teams, outdoor field trips, an eight-session “[Climb Like A Girl](https://brooklynboulders.com/climb-like-a-girl/)” female-led course, and co-working spaces with WiFi. **What’s unique:** Elaborate [event programming](https://brooklynboulders.com/chicago/events/) in the form of concerts, competitions, panels and parties that might even include [drag artists performing 50 feet in the air](https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/out-to-climb/Slideshow/49942500/49942505). #### [**Vertical Endeavors**](https://www.verticalendeavors.com/visit-us/hours-locations/glendale-heights-il/) **Locations:** Glendale Heights **Facilities:** Three bouldering areas, 30 auto belays, and hundreds of routes on walls up to 30 feet tall. [**Pricing:**](https://www.verticalendeavors.com/visit-us/pricing/) \$18 for a day pass; \$5 each for shoe, harness, belay and chalk bag rentals. They host an “[On The House](https://www.verticalendeavors.com/on-the-house/)” event (free for first-time visitors) starting at 6pm on the first Friday of each month, and they have special discount days for [homeschoolers and Scouts](https://www.verticalendeavors.com/programs/discount-days/). **Additional services:** Climbing camps, competitive teams, yoga and fitness lessons. **What’s unique:** “It can be tougher to access from the city if you don’t have a car, but it’s great for people in the suburbs,” Velon says. #### [**Chicago Athletic Clubs**](https://www.chicagoathleticclubs.com/services/climbing/) **Locations:** Evanston, Lakeview, Lincoln Park (outdoor wall under renovation) **Facilities:** Evanston and Lakeview offer indoor walls with heights ranging from 40 to 65 feet, with top-roping and lead climbing available along dozens of routes ranging from 5.7 to 5.13 in difficulty. There are also three spacious bouldering grottos across the clubs with steep overhangs that offer difficult technical challenges. **Pricing:** \$35 day passes for nonmembers ([first climb is free, however](https://www.chicagoathleticclubs.com/guest-pass-climbing)). **Additional services:** CAC is primarily a fitness center, with classes running the gamut from pilates to boxing to pre- and post-natal yoga. **What’s unique:** “Before dedicated climbing gyms existed, this is where you would go,” Velon says. “They blazed the trail.” #### **Chicago Parks** **Locations:** Maggie Daley Park (downtown) and Steelworkers Park (South Chicago) ![Steelworkers Park climbing wall](https://www.rei.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2018/10/2018_P002_0917_REI_Steelworkers_2_Edit.jpg?resize=1024%2C683) The wall at Steelworkers Park tops out at 40 feet tall, with color-coded, modifiable routes that the Park District plans to change up every six months. (Photo Credit: Seth Putnam) **Facilities:** Bouldering and roped climbs are available at both locations; Maggie Daley, however, boasts 40-foot walls with 19,000 square feet of surface area that can support up to 100 climbers at a time. **Pricing:** Free (at [Steelworkers](https://www.rei.com/blog/climb/climbing-wall-opens-at-steelworkers-park)). At Maggie Daley, all first-time climbers must pass a certification course (\$19 for top roping, \$10 for bouldering). Find additional pricing and rental options [here.](https://maggiedaleypark.com/things-to-do-see/climbing-wall/climbing-wall-pricing/) **Additional services:** Playgrounds, history exhibits, and an ice-skating and rollerblading ribbon. **What’s unique:** Though other climbing walls exist at Broadway Armory and Harrison Park, the options at Maggie Daley and Steelworkers parks are the largest and most diverse. Then there are the views: Climb in the shadow of Chicago’s iconic skyline at Maggie Daley, or greet Lake Michigan with a fist pump on top of the ore wall at Steelworkers. ## Tags [Bouldering](https://www.rei.com/blog/tag/bouldering)[Chicago](https://www.rei.com/blog/tag/chicago)[Climbing](https://www.rei.com/blog/tag/climbing)[Midwest](https://www.rei.com/blog/tag/midwest) [![Seth Putnam](https://www.rei.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2018/07/Seth-Putnam_Bio.jpg?resize=150%2C150)](https://www.rei.com/blog/bio/seth-putnam "Read more stories by Seth Putnam") [Seth Putnam](https://www.rei.com/blog/bio/seth-putnam) Seth Putnam is a journalist, editor and print consultant based in Chicago. A graduate of the Missouri School of Journalism, he got his start as a hard-news reporter at a small daily newspaper in Mississippi and covered politics for the *Kansas City Star* before moving to the Windy City to freelance for regional and national magazines. He completed the John Muir Trail in 2017 and once swam among piranhas in the Amazon River. REI member since 2015. [Read More](https://www.rei.com/blog/bio/seth-putnam) ## 5 Comments ### [Cancel Reply](https://www.rei.com/blog/climb/the-top-five-climbing-gyms-in-chicago#respond) 1. Matt C [March 21, 2019](https://www.rei.com/blog/climb/the-top-five-climbing-gyms-in-chicago#comment-6741) It may just be the way the sentence reads, but I want to clarify that not all First Ascent locations have roped climbing. Of the four currently open in Chicago, only Avondale has ropes. [Reply](https://www.rei.com/blog/climb/the-top-five-climbing-gyms-in-chicago?replytocom=6741#comment-respond-public) - Michelle Flandreau [March 25, 2019](https://www.rei.com/blog/climb/the-top-five-climbing-gyms-in-chicago#comment-6792) Hi Matt, Thanks for the feedback. We’ve updated the sentence to make it more clear. Best, Michelle Editor, Co-op Journal [Reply](https://www.rei.com/blog/climb/the-top-five-climbing-gyms-in-chicago?replytocom=6792#comment-respond-public) 2. Allison Carmody [March 22, 2019](https://www.rei.com/blog/climb/the-top-five-climbing-gyms-in-chicago#comment-6743) I do want to point out an option for those in the northwest suburbs and that is North Wall in Crystal Lake. I climbed here for many years and they have even expanded their facilities. Great place to try climbing if your in the area (affordable too) [Reply](https://www.rei.com/blog/climb/the-top-five-climbing-gyms-in-chicago?replytocom=6743#comment-respond-public) 3. Daniel [March 26, 2019](https://www.rei.com/blog/climb/the-top-five-climbing-gyms-in-chicago#comment-6795) Brooklyn Boulders is Chicago’s “pioneering dedicated climbing gym.” It opened in the Fall of 2014 almost full year before FA. [Reply](https://www.rei.com/blog/climb/the-top-five-climbing-gyms-in-chicago?replytocom=6795#comment-respond-public) 4. peepee [December 19, 2019](https://www.rei.com/blog/climb/the-top-five-climbing-gyms-in-chicago#comment-11569) can i cry [Reply](https://www.rei.com/blog/climb/the-top-five-climbing-gyms-in-chicago?replytocom=11569#comment-respond-public) [![Return to Top](https://rei.github.io/cedar-icons/icons/wilderness.svg)Top](https://www.rei.com/blog/climb/the-top-five-climbing-gyms-in-chicago) ## Who we are Who we are At REI, we believe that a life outdoors is a life well lived. We've been sharing our passion for the outdoors since 1938. [Read our story](https://www.rei.com/about-rei) ## Become an REI Co-op Member Become an REI Co-op Member Anyone can join and everyone belongs. Benefits include great gear offers, special pricing on events and an annual Co-op Member Reward—for life. Join once, enjoy forever. 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Readable Markdown
For a notably flat state, the Chicago metro area has quite the Napoleon complex. There’s “Highland” Park, Chicago “Heights,” Palos “Hills,” Park “Ridge,” and towering above them all, “Mount” Prospect. One glance at these townships, and you’d be forgiven for expecting a topographical electrocardiogram. The reality is significantly more horizontal. That means climbers have to head indoors to scramble up man-made walls. But as AJ Velon has discovered, Chicago is home to some of the country’s best facilities for belayers and boulderers alike. And perhaps even more importantly, the *culture* around the sport is thriving. “The climbing community in Chicago is really friendly and accepting,” says Velon, the senior instructor at [REI’s Outdoor School](https://www.rei.com/events/p/us-il-chicago). “It’s a safe haven. If someone is struggling, everyone on the ground is cheering them on. It doesn’t matter if they don’t know each other—people are open and friendly.” Outdoor recreation opportunities do exist within a short drive of the city: REI hosts [top-roping day trips to Devil’s Lake](https://www.rei.com/events/p/us-il-chicago/a/climbing), there’s great bouldering in [Governor Dodge State Park](https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/govdodge/) in Wisconsin, and [Red River Gorge](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/dbnf/recarea/?recid=39458) in Kentucky (which Velon calls “the mecca for serious Chicago climbers”) is only eight hours away. But for those looking to stay in shape—especially during brutal Chicago winters—here are Velon’s top five gyms and climbing walls. #### [**First Ascent**](https://firstascentclimbing.com/) **Locations:** [Arlington Heights](https://firstascentclimbing.com/arlington-heights/) (slated to open 2019), [Avondale](https://firstascentclimbing.com/avondale/), [Humboldt Park](https://firstascentclimbing.com/humboldt-park/), [the Loop](https://firstascentclimbing.com/block-37/), [Uptown,](https://firstascentclimbing.com/uptown/) [Peoria](https://firstascentclimbing.com/peoria) ![](https://www.rei.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2019/03/First-Ascent-Avondale-02.jpg?resize=1024%2C686) With walls up to 60 feet tall, First Ascent Avondale offers top rope, autobelay and lead climbing, along with bouldering. (Photo Courtesy: First Ascent) **Facilities:** First Ascent is the pioneering dedicated climbing gym in the city, marketing itself as a grassroots organization founded by Chicago climbers. Every location is slightly different: Humboldt Park, the Loop and Uptown are bouldering-only gyms, while Avondale offers autobelay, top rope, lead climbing and bouldering. The 30,000-square-foot Arlington Heights location, set to open in 2019, will feature top rope, lead climbing and bouldering. Across First Ascent’s gyms, wall heights rise as tall as 60 feet. [**Pricing:**](https://firstascentclimbing.com/avondale/pricing/) Day passes are \$19 (\$15 for students) and roped gear rental is packaged at \$10. Memberships are \$79 per month (or \$869 for the year). **Additional services:** Yoga and fitness services, personal training, team building and workshops on everything from bachata dance to finger-injury prevention. **What’s unique:** Founded by Chicago climbers, First Ascent is the definition of homegrown—[established to fill a gap in the market (which some Chicagoans had addressed by building DIY walls in their garages](https://vimeo.com/135268682)). First Ascent’s “walls are textured, so you get that real rock sense when you’re climbing,” Velon says. “And their multiple locations around the city are super convenient.” #### [**Brooklyn Boulders**](https://brooklynboulders.com/chicago/) **Location***:* West Loop ![Climber at Brooklyn Boulders in Chicago ](https://www.rei.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2019/03/Chicago_2.jpg?resize=1024%2C683) Photo Credit: Brooklyn Boulders **Facilities:** 25,000 square feet of bouldering, auto-belay, top-roping and lead climbing. [**Pricing:**](https://brooklynboulders.com/chicago/pricing/) \$25 for a day pass, \$11 for full gear rentals, and \$125 for monthly memberships (\$1,250 for the year). They also offer a 30-day “Beginner to Badass” course for \$199 with introductory classes, personal coaching, and access to studio classes and member events. **Additional services:** Competitive teams, outdoor field trips, an eight-session “[Climb Like A Girl](https://brooklynboulders.com/climb-like-a-girl/)” female-led course, and co-working spaces with WiFi. **What’s unique:** Elaborate [event programming](https://brooklynboulders.com/chicago/events/) in the form of concerts, competitions, panels and parties that might even include [drag artists performing 50 feet in the air](https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/out-to-climb/Slideshow/49942500/49942505). #### [**Vertical Endeavors**](https://www.verticalendeavors.com/visit-us/hours-locations/glendale-heights-il/) **Locations:** Glendale Heights **Facilities:** Three bouldering areas, 30 auto belays, and hundreds of routes on walls up to 30 feet tall. [**Pricing:**](https://www.verticalendeavors.com/visit-us/pricing/) \$18 for a day pass; \$5 each for shoe, harness, belay and chalk bag rentals. They host an “[On The House](https://www.verticalendeavors.com/on-the-house/)” event (free for first-time visitors) starting at 6pm on the first Friday of each month, and they have special discount days for [homeschoolers and Scouts](https://www.verticalendeavors.com/programs/discount-days/). **Additional services:** Climbing camps, competitive teams, yoga and fitness lessons. **What’s unique:** “It can be tougher to access from the city if you don’t have a car, but it’s great for people in the suburbs,” Velon says. #### [**Chicago Athletic Clubs**](https://www.chicagoathleticclubs.com/services/climbing/) **Locations:** Evanston, Lakeview, Lincoln Park (outdoor wall under renovation) **Facilities:** Evanston and Lakeview offer indoor walls with heights ranging from 40 to 65 feet, with top-roping and lead climbing available along dozens of routes ranging from 5.7 to 5.13 in difficulty. There are also three spacious bouldering grottos across the clubs with steep overhangs that offer difficult technical challenges. **Pricing:** \$35 day passes for nonmembers ([first climb is free, however](https://www.chicagoathleticclubs.com/guest-pass-climbing)). **Additional services:** CAC is primarily a fitness center, with classes running the gamut from pilates to boxing to pre- and post-natal yoga. **What’s unique:** “Before dedicated climbing gyms existed, this is where you would go,” Velon says. “They blazed the trail.” #### **Chicago Parks** **Locations:** Maggie Daley Park (downtown) and Steelworkers Park (South Chicago) ![Steelworkers Park climbing wall](https://www.rei.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2018/10/2018_P002_0917_REI_Steelworkers_2_Edit.jpg?resize=1024%2C683) The wall at Steelworkers Park tops out at 40 feet tall, with color-coded, modifiable routes that the Park District plans to change up every six months. (Photo Credit: Seth Putnam) **Facilities:** Bouldering and roped climbs are available at both locations; Maggie Daley, however, boasts 40-foot walls with 19,000 square feet of surface area that can support up to 100 climbers at a time. **Pricing:** Free (at [Steelworkers](https://www.rei.com/blog/climb/climbing-wall-opens-at-steelworkers-park)). At Maggie Daley, all first-time climbers must pass a certification course (\$19 for top roping, \$10 for bouldering). Find additional pricing and rental options [here.](https://maggiedaleypark.com/things-to-do-see/climbing-wall/climbing-wall-pricing/) **Additional services:** Playgrounds, history exhibits, and an ice-skating and rollerblading ribbon. **What’s unique:** Though other climbing walls exist at Broadway Armory and Harrison Park, the options at Maggie Daley and Steelworkers parks are the largest and most diverse. Then there are the views: Climb in the shadow of Chicago’s iconic skyline at Maggie Daley, or greet Lake Michigan with a fist pump on top of the ore wall at Steelworkers.
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