The Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park was recently named Best Sculpture Park by USA Today. Initial nominees were selected by the 10Best editors and a panel of experts. A popular vote determined Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park as the winner.
Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park and Visual Arts Gallery director and curator Jeff Stevenson said he was humbled by the overwhelming support. Stevenson said, “We’re grateful to all our friends, fans and followers of theNate who felt so compelled to tell our story and propel us to number one in the contest; it is truly an honor.”
Phoenix 1968 by Edvins Strautmanis
© Guy Rhodes
Housed on 100 acres of prairie landscape, the sculpture park at Governors State University in Chicago’s Southland is a collection of 30 master works of large-scale sculpture. The “museum in the prairie” is open 365 days a year and is free to the public. It was founded and is maintained through grants and donations from businesses and individuals.
Illinois Landscape, No. 5 1976 by John Henry
© Guy Rhodes
It also hosts programs to help connect visitors with art and nature. The education and outreach programs are focused on social justice and equity.
Falling Meteor 1976 by Jerry Peart
© Guy Rhodes
I always felt theNate is a hidden gem, and Stevenson agreed, stating, “It’s still this kind of unknown or discoverable place. A lot of people have not heard about it or have yet to visit it.” I visited theNate several times, and each time I find a new angle or sightline. The sculptures are beautiful up close, individually or viewed as a collection.
The next big event is June 19th for Juneteenth and Summer Solstice. On the longest day of the year, it will celebrate the longest social justice celebration for emancipated slaves. Previewing the event, Stevenson said, “TheNate will host what we hope will become an annual event, bringing together neighbors and friends to celebrate Juneteenth at the sculpture park in the midst of the monumental outdoor art with themes that connect to the holiday.”
Locals already love theNate, and now, because of the contest, travelers from all over are already making inquiries. About a half hour southwest of Chicago, it is definitely worth a side trip if you are in the area.
— John Wroblewski, online writer
Read This Next
The Spa at Terranea Debuts $4.5 Million Renovation
Daily
Jun 19, 2025
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Jun 19, 2025The Spa at Terranea Debuts $4.5 Million Renovation
Located at Terranea Resort, a 102-acre oceanfront resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, The Spa at Terranea recently completed a $4.5 million renovation of its facilities, led by RVD Associates, a Los Angeles-based, full-service interior design firm. The 50,000-square-foot spa boasts new décor throughout, a new entry and lobby, modernized lockers and bathrooms, refreshed treatment rooms and lounge areas, and a revitalization of the outdoor areas.
Sponsored Content
Three New Routes from TAP Air Portugal as Airline Celebrates 80 Years
TAP Air Portugal offers three new routes to Portugal: from Boston (BOS) to Porto (OPO), Los Angeles (LAX) to Lisbon (LIS) and San Francisco (SFO) to Terceira (TER) in the Azores.
Daily
Jun 18, 2025Don’t Miss These 5 Exceptional Museums in Budapest
There’s a magic to Budapest that’s hard to define. It may be the light or scents or even sounds — regardless, a great way to get a feel for this beautiful location is through its outstanding collection of museums. Here are a few to consider:
Daily
Jun 18, 2025A New Coastal Community Rises in the Dominican Republic
Real estate development firm BECCA and strategic architecture and planning partner GRITT teamed up for a new project, The Don Dom. This new gated residential complex is set to open in 2027 in the heart of Dominicus-Bayahibe, and aims to blend the ease of resort-style living with comfort and privacy.
Sponsored Content
Find Your Perfect Escape with Paradisus by Meliá — More Than Just All-Inclusive
Luxury travel today is about more than just beautiful accommodations — it’s about experiencing the destination. Paradisus by Meliá takes traditional all-inclusive resorts to the next level by offering indulgence with immersion, experiences and authenticity. Each resort is shaped by its location, local flavors and curated Destination Inclusive® experiences that bring you closer to the heart of the destination.
eFlyer Reviews
Jun 18, 2025W Costa Rica – Reserva Conchal Review
On Costa Rica’s north Pacific Coast, the tranquil, 150-room W Reserva Conchal is located in a 2,300-acre, government-protected wildlife preserve encapsulating much of the country’s incredible eco-diversity. Habitats include mangroves, estuaries and a tropical dry forest; these places are home to howler monkeys, coatis, iguanas, magpie-jays, and perhaps a jaguar... if you can tear yourself from your room, that is. My Spectacular Ocean Escape was exactly that, decked out in vibrant hues to mirror the expansive views of lush foliage and tropical flowers (and ocean beyond), while incorporating indigenous patterns of tico culture. Design details included a green leather headboard and free-form leather sofa, a blue and orange mural, and tropical hardwood furnishings and paneling. A surfboard was reimagined into a shelf for the coffee station in a clever nod to the region’s surfing culture. The massive bathroom’s oversized shower looks out onto the vegetation, and my balcony was the perfect nook to sip wine with a side of sunset.
Radisson Collection Debuts in France in Lyon
eFlyer News
Jun 18, 2025June 2025
Jun 18, 2025Immerse in a Blissful Haven of Wellness at AVA Resort Cancun and Its New Spa
It’s hard to imagine a mother’s trip with her adult daughter could get any better. We’d lounged by what’s likely the largest pool in Cancún — perhaps even on the Riviera Maya — sharing secrets and consummate laughter. We chose gluttonously from an array of 17 compelling bars and restaurants, each with its own theme, from Mexican to Italian to Japanese; practiced yoga atop a promontory hovering over the sea; and toasted sunsets with margaritas. But now, when pampering wellness calls, we spend the day in Mexico’s buzziest new spa: The SPA at AVA. Amazingly, while at the spa, things get yet more mother-daughter, bond-making sweet ... our trip’s absolute pièce de résistance.
Sponsored Content
Smarter Business Travel: 12 Tips from IHG Business Edge
For small- and mid-sized businesses, travel is often a necessary part of growth — helping to strengthen client relationships, explore new markets and attend key industry events. But with rising costs and limited resources, keeping business travel efficient and budget-friendly is more important than ever.
eFlyer Lead
Jun 18, 2025Anti-Tourism Protests Ramp Up in Europe
From firing water guns to forcing the Louvre to shut down, protests have escalated across Southern Europe in response to overtourism. Overtourism is a growing problem in popular destinations around the world, affecting the environment, cost of living, housing availability and the overall happiness of locals.
ShareThis