CHICAGO - 9 HOLES - FREE

CHICAGO
CITY MAP MINIGOLF

Chicago - 9 stops - par 28

This is Chicago. The map is the real city and the round is played on its real streets, where attractions like the Chicago Theatre are the holes. Skip is a local guide who knows the place. A quick 9-hole round covers 3.4 mi with a par of 28, using 88 portals to move the ball across town.

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HOW IT WORKS

01

Pick a city

The course is drawn on the real street grid, so the map you play is the map you walk.

02

Putt to the pin

Drag to aim, release to swing. Buildings bounce and water costs you a stroke.

03

Sightsee between strokes

Every hole ends at an attraction. Sink the putt, read the story, walk to the next tee.

THE CHICAGO ROUND - STOP BY STOP

HOLE 1 - PAR 3

Begin Route 66

You might expect a grand monument, but this is actually the beginning of a road. Established on November 11, 1926, Begin Route 66 marks the origin of a journey that once defined American travel. While the route itself was set in late 1926, the signage you can look for wasn't actually erected until the following year. It is a spot that represents the first step of a massive trip across the country. From here, the path stretched across the heart of the United States, crossing through several states before finally reaching the coast. I've seen plenty of tourists stop here to imagine the long drive ahead, and it is easy to see why this specific stretch of pavement holds such a legendary status in the city.

Wikidata · Wikipedia

HOLE 2 - PAR 4

Money Museum

The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago is one of twelve Federal Reserve Banks. Along with the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, it makes up the Federal Reserve System, which is the central bank of the United States. This specific bank serves the Seventh District, an area encompassing the state of Iowa, the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, southern Wisconsin, and the northern portions of Illinois and Indiana. Each Reserve Bank is tasked with monitoring economic conditions in its District, providing financial services to the U.S. government and depository institutions, and supervising bank holding companies and member banks. I've found that people are usually surprised by how much of the Midwest is covered by just one of these banks. Let me show you where the money moves.

Wikidata · Wikipedia

HOLE 3 - PAR 3

The Art Institute of Chicago

You can start by looking at the modern additions designed by architect Renzo Piano before heading inside. This is the Art Institute of Chicago, a private art museum located in Grant Park. Founded in 1879, it has grown into a major nonprofit organization that also functions as an educational institution for the public. Whether you are here for the galleries or the architecture, it is a central part of the city's cultural layout. I have seen plenty of folks stop here to take a break from the wind, and it is a great spot to get your bearings in the park. It is the kind of place where you can spend a whole day and still feel like you have only scratched the surface of what is inside the walls.

Wikidata · Wikipedia

HOLE 4 - PAR 3

Chicago Cultural Center

The Chicago Cultural Center is a Neoclassical library building located in the Loop. Designed by the architects Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge, the building's inception was in 1897. It is a Chicago Landmark and is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, the site is operated by Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. I find the heavy stone of this style makes for a very solid bank if you're trying to line up a tricky shot on the street. Whether you are visiting for the art or just passing through the neighborhood, it is one of the more striking sights in the center of the city.

Wikidata · Wikipedia

HOLE 5 - PAR 3

Illinois Holocaust Museum Presents Experience360

This is not just another gallery of artifacts; it is the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center. Located in Skokie, Illinois, near Chicago, this nonprofit organization focuses on a mission to preserve the legacy of the Holocaust. They do this by honoring the memories of victims and educating visitors in the service of combating indifference, prejudice, and hatred. I've noticed that the atmosphere here encourages a very specific kind of reflection. The center is guided by a founding principle to remember the past and transform the future, ensuring that the lessons of history are used to build a better tomorrow for everyone. Whether you are visiting for the first time or are a local, the museum provides a space to confront the darkest parts of human history to prevent them from repeating.

Wikidata · Wikipedia

HOLE 6 - PAR 3

Albert Ivar Goodman Theatre

The Albert Ivar Goodman Theatre occupies the landmark Harris and Selwyn Theaters property. It is a theatre building and a nonprofit organization that had its inception in 1925. As a professional theater company located in Chicago's Loop, it provides a dedicated space for the performing arts. You can pick out the architectural presence of the complex as you navigate the area, knowing it is Chicago's oldest active nonprofit theater organization. I have always found the energy around the Loop to be a great place for a stroll, and this spot is a central part of that atmosphere. Whether you are interested in the history of the building or the current productions, this site is a key landmark in the city's cultural center. It remains a primary destination for those looking to experience professional theater in the heart of the city.

Wikidata · Wikipedia

HOLE 7 - PAR 3

Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater for Music and Dance

Joan and Irving Harris were the primary benefactors for this venue, which is why it bears their name. The Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater for Music and Dance is a theatre building located on Randolph Street in the Loop community area of Chicago. It had its inception in 2003 and functions as the indoor performing venue for Millennium Park. You can find it along the northern edge of the park in Cook County. Due to height restrictions related to Grant Park, the theater is largely underground. It is a nonprofit organization and provides a 1,499-seat space for the performing arts. I always think it's a bit of a magic trick how so much of the building is tucked away beneath the surface.

Wikidata · Wikipedia

HOLE 8 - PAR 3

Chicago Theatre

Look up at the baroque revival details of the facade before you take in the whole building. The Chicago Theatre, built in 1921, is both a theatre building and a movie theater. It is a Chicago Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Rapp and Rapp served as the architects for this site. While it has a long history in cinema, Madison Square Garden, Inc. now owns and operates the space as a performing arts venue with 3600 seats. It is one of those spots where the architecture tells you exactly how grand the experience inside is meant to be. I've seen plenty of shiny things in this city, but the scale of this place always catches my eye.

Wikidata · Wikipedia

HOLE 9 - PAR 3

Millennium Park

Established in 2004, Millennium Park is an urban park located in the Loop community area of Chicago, Illinois. Since it opened in July 2004, the space has become a massive draw for the public, recording 25 million annual visitors in 2017. I can show you the boundaries of the park, which is framed by Michigan Avenue, Randolph Street, Columbus Drive, and East Monroe Drive. The site covers a 24.5-acre section of northwestern Grant Park and is operated by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. It is a great spot to stretch your legs, though I usually spend my time watching the crowds from a safe distance up high.

Wikidata · Wikipedia

STOP 10

Studebaker Theater

This isn't a car dealership, though it shares a name with one. The Studebaker Theater is a building designed in the Art Nouveau architecture style. It is a Chicago Landmark and is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The theater is part of the Fine Arts Building, which was formerly known as the Studebaker Building. That 10-story edifice at 410 S Michigan Avenue was built for the Studebaker company in 1884–1885. Solon Spencer Beman served as the architect for both the theater and the main building. After its initial construction, the building underwent extensive remodeling in 1898. I've always found the detail in these old facades to be the best part of the neighborhood.

Wikidata · Wikipedia

OTHER COURSES

9 HOLES - PAR 29

Fayetteville

9 stops

Fayetteville is the setting for this round, where the map is the real city and the ball rolls across its actual streets. The holes are built from real attractions, beginning at the Walton Arts Center. This quick 9-hole round covers 3.6 mi with a par of 29. Skip is a local guide who knows every curb and crack in the pavement.

9 HOLES - PAR 30

Lincoln

9 stops

The ball finds the cup at the Statue of Abraham Lincoln in Lincoln. The map is the real city and the round is played on its real streets, using actual attractions as the holes. This quick 9-hole round covers 4.4 mi with a par of 30. Skip is a local guide who knows these sidewalks well, even the parts where the crumbs are best.

18 HOLES - PAR 55

Duluth

18 stops

This is Duluth. The map is the real city and the round is played on its actual streets, where the ball banks off the facades of real attractions like the SS William A. Irvin to reach the cup. Skip is a local guide who knows every nook and cranny of these sidewalks. It is a full round of 18 holes with a par of 55. The total walk covers 7.1 mi, though a pigeon can take a few shortcuts across the rooftops.

9 HOLES - PAR 29

Traverse City

9 stops

Traverse City is the setting for this quick nine-hole round. The map uses the actual city layout where the ball rolls across real streets and banks off the facades of attractions like the Wise Memorial Clock Tower. Skip knows every ledge and gutter in town. The walk covers 3.8 mi on a course with a par of 29.

9 HOLES - PAR 31

Grand Rapids

9 stops

Banking a ball off the glass and stone of the Van Andel Arena feels different than the soft edges of a park. This round takes place on the real streets of Grand Rapids, where the city map is the course and local attractions are the holes. It is a quick nine-hole round covering 4.4 mi. Skip knows every sidewalk and ledge in this town.

FAQ

Is it free to play?

Yes. Every course runs in the browser with no account and no install.

Do I need to be in the city?

No. The full round plays from anywhere. Walking the real route is a nice way to see the city, but it is not required.

Are the maps real?

Yes. The geometry comes from OpenStreetMap data, rendered chunky on purpose. Streets, water and parks sit where they really are.