Vietnam Veterans Fountain
Vietnam Veterans Fountain
4
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Neighbourhood: Downtown / The Loop
Often visitors' first stop in Chicago, The Loop is a good starting point to sample the city's energy and flavor. This central business district boasts Michelin-rated restaurants, upscale hotels, premier shopping, and enough arresting architecture to keep your camera busy for hours. You won’t find too many photo galleries of downtown Chicago without a shot of Millennium Park and Cloud Gate (“The Bean”), one of the most iconic landmarks in the city. A stunning skyline coupled with cultural attractions like the Art Institute of Chicago present a Downtown where work and play peacefully coexist.
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- State/Lake • 2 min walk
- Lake • 3 min walk
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4.0
42 reviews
Excellent
11
Very good
24
Average
7
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Irina
United States14,618 contributions
Nov 2024 • Solo
The Vietnam Veterans Fountain is the center point of The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, located on a plaza at the Chicago Riverwalk, on a lower level of 35 E Wacker Drive.
The memorial commemorates the veterans of Vietnam War, and on the waterwall of the fountain there are the names of 2,936 Illinois servicemen, who died in Vietnam War. The sculpture of The Vietnam Service Medal decorates the wall, and the words 'Chicago Remembers' are inscribed on the upper part of the wall. The corners of a rectangular, 14-jets fountain are decorated with flowers in planters.
Near the fountain, there's also a memorial wall with the logos of all branches of the armed services, who served in Vietnam, the memorial plaque with the historic info, and the date when the memorial was dedicated: November 11, 2005.
On the opposite side from the memorial wall there's a terraced lawn, and in the warm seasons there are many visitors, sitting on the benches and slopes of the lawn, with a good view of the fountain.
The whole memorial complex has a quiet, solemn feel about it, there are always visitors of all ages there, looking at the fountain, reading the names on the wall, and remembering the veterans of Vietnam War.
I was at the memorial several days ago, it was a gloomy and rainy day, but there were people at the memorial, standing near the fountain, reading the veterans' names ...
The memorial commemorates the veterans of Vietnam War, and on the waterwall of the fountain there are the names of 2,936 Illinois servicemen, who died in Vietnam War. The sculpture of The Vietnam Service Medal decorates the wall, and the words 'Chicago Remembers' are inscribed on the upper part of the wall. The corners of a rectangular, 14-jets fountain are decorated with flowers in planters.
Near the fountain, there's also a memorial wall with the logos of all branches of the armed services, who served in Vietnam, the memorial plaque with the historic info, and the date when the memorial was dedicated: November 11, 2005.
On the opposite side from the memorial wall there's a terraced lawn, and in the warm seasons there are many visitors, sitting on the benches and slopes of the lawn, with a good view of the fountain.
The whole memorial complex has a quiet, solemn feel about it, there are always visitors of all ages there, looking at the fountain, reading the names on the wall, and remembering the veterans of Vietnam War.
I was at the memorial several days ago, it was a gloomy and rainy day, but there were people at the memorial, standing near the fountain, reading the veterans' names ...
Written 14 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martin S
Cranford, NJ1,691 contributions
Jun 2019 • Solo
Walking the Riverwalk one day, I came across the Vietnam Veterans Foundation and the sign Chicago Remembers. These drew me to look more closely at the memorial.
The Fountain, plaques with names of the fallen and the overall setting and location made me feel good about how the city has honored these great people who gave their lives for our country.
I am glad I discovered this place and would recommend a visit.
The Fountain, plaques with names of the fallen and the overall setting and location made me feel good about how the city has honored these great people who gave their lives for our country.
I am glad I discovered this place and would recommend a visit.
Written 17 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
meezer3
Chicago, Illinois1,274 contributions
Aug 2012 • Couples
Tucked away on the lower level of the River walk just off of Michigan Ave, it offers a serene and lovely park like setting to remember those fallen heroes of the Vietnam War. A large black plaque engraved with the names of the people who lived in Illinois, that fought and died for us, is framed by a beauitful fountain.
The only dislike I have is that it is hidden from the main concourse, so if you aren't actually looking for it you will miss it entirely.
The only dislike I have is that it is hidden from the main concourse, so if you aren't actually looking for it you will miss it entirely.
Written 28 August 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TeamWard
Nottingham, UK5,688 contributions
Jul 2019
Easily missed unless you know its there but location as part of the riverwalk, the Vietnam Veterans fountain is well worth your time to find and just think for a moment, nice tribute.
Written 13 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
timonntour
Chesapeake, VA538 contributions
Nov 2015 • Family
So glad to see the city of Chicago respecting the service of its citizens who fought in Vietnam. Stop along the river walk and give thanks to all who defended our country
Written 19 November 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wbullseye
Windermere, FL1,316 contributions
Aug 2013 • Solo
As the other post mentioned, the Vietnam memorial is located away from the main street along the river. I even had missed it the day prior while walking along the banks looking out towards the Navy Pier. However I would recommend spending a few minutes looking at the names and reflecting on the sacrifice those who served the Nation during the Vietnam War.
The backdrop of the memorial has a emblem above a wall with the names that had fallen by year. Along the ground is a timeline of key events of the war. The centerpiece of the memorial is a fountain. Be careful where you walk, as you will step into the fountain if you're not paying attention. There are terraced steps on one side of the memorial and the symbols of each of the branch's of the military as well as other services who took part in the conflict.
I would highly recommend visiting the memorial while in Chicago. I visited it at night and the memorial was nicely lit up. As it is along the river, you can walk along the boardwalk to other parts of the shoreline as well. The memorial is located right next to the stairs to the river off of N. State Street. Walk towards Wabash Avenue and you'll find the memorial plaza.
The backdrop of the memorial has a emblem above a wall with the names that had fallen by year. Along the ground is a timeline of key events of the war. The centerpiece of the memorial is a fountain. Be careful where you walk, as you will step into the fountain if you're not paying attention. There are terraced steps on one side of the memorial and the symbols of each of the branch's of the military as well as other services who took part in the conflict.
I would highly recommend visiting the memorial while in Chicago. I visited it at night and the memorial was nicely lit up. As it is along the river, you can walk along the boardwalk to other parts of the shoreline as well. The memorial is located right next to the stairs to the river off of N. State Street. Walk towards Wabash Avenue and you'll find the memorial plaza.
Written 2 September 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
StephenCross
Dublin, Ireland31,618 contributions
Sept 2024 • Solo
The Vietnam memorial sits on the River in downtown Chicago. It’s a nice memorial and you need to seek it out as it’s at water level.
Written 19 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brad
Hong Kong, China180,618 contributions
Apr 2023
The Vietnam Veterans Fountain is located along the Riverwalk just west of the Herald Square Monument. The monument is the work of American writer, artist and Vietnam Vet Gary Tillery (2005) and is dedicated to those who served in all branches of the armed forces during the war.
You will see a rectangular shaped pool and stone wall with the engraving Chicago Remembers above the list of names of those from the State of Illinois who died in the conflict. It is a fine memorial and tribute, worth spending a few minutes of your time while visiting the Riverwalk.
You will see a rectangular shaped pool and stone wall with the engraving Chicago Remembers above the list of names of those from the State of Illinois who died in the conflict. It is a fine memorial and tribute, worth spending a few minutes of your time while visiting the Riverwalk.
Written 6 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nicolas Rousseau
L'Assomption, Canada11 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
Nice place with some music. The place are calm and people are respectiful. A nice place to go with kids to take a break when you walk.
Written 2 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Taylor B
Chicago, IL8,458 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
There is a Vietnam War Memorial on the mall in Washington DC. And there is a Vietnam War Memorial in Chicago, along the Riverwalk promenade, overlooking the Chicago River, off North Michigan Avenue. Dedicated on November 11, 2005, it features a rectangular fountain basin and stone wall inscribed with the names of members of all branches of the armed services who died during the Vietnam War. The featured sculpture was created by Vietnam veteran Gary Tillery. it replaced an earlier Vietnam Memorial that was dedicated in 1982.
Written 3 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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