For residents of Optima® communities in Chicago, the city offers countless opportunities to immerse in architecture, design, and cultural life. But sometimes the most rewarding experiences come not from towering skylines or bustling streets, but from stepping into spaces that embrace tranquility and the natural world. The Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool in Lincoln Park is one such treasure—a Prairie-style oasis that feels worlds away from the city, yet lies just a short trip from Optima Lakeview® and Optima Signature®.

A Prairie Vision in the Heart of Chicago
Designed in the 1930s by Alfred Caldwell, a landscape architect deeply influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright and the Prairie School, the Lily Pool is a masterwork of naturalistic design. Caldwell’s goal was to capture the spirit of the Midwestern prairie, weaving together native plants, winding stone paths, a serene lagoon, and intimate pavilions into a seamless whole.

For Optima® residents who value architectural beauty, the Lily Pool resonates on multiple levels—it is at once a work of design genius, a feat of ecological restoration, and a peaceful retreat that aligns with the same principles of harmony between people and place that inspire our own communities.

From Decline to Restoration
Like many historic landscapes, the Lily Pool endured decades of neglect before being meticulously restored in 2002 by the Chicago Park District and the Lincoln Park Conservancy. Today, it is listed as a National Historic Landmark and thrives as both an ecological haven and a cultural gem. Its revival mirrors a philosophy we share at Optima®: that thoughtful design and stewardship can breathe new life into spaces, transforming them into enduring sources of inspiration and connection.

An Immersive Experience for Every Season
Visiting the Lily Pool is an experience that changes with the seasons—an idea Optima® residents will appreciate, as our own buildings are designed to celebrate natural light and seasonal rhythms.

• In spring, wildflowers bloom along the winding paths.
• Summer brings a spectacle of lilies floating across the lagoon.
• Autumn sets the surrounding trees ablaze with color.
• Even in winter, the stark beauty of stone and still water offers a contemplative retreat.

For visitors, the Lily Pool is a perfect destination for a morning meditation, an afternoon sketching session, or a weekend walk with family and friends. It is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with more than 200 species spotted throughout the year—a reminder of the rich biodiversity that exists right in the heart of the city.

Community, Culture, and Reflection
Beyond its natural beauty, the Lily Pool provides opportunities to connect with Chicago’s broader cultural community. The Lincoln Park Conservancy offers guided tours that enrich an afternoon visit with history and insight, while volunteer programs invite city-dwellers to play an active role in its stewardship.

For Optima® residents, engaging with places like the Lily Pool extends the experience of living in our communities—spaces where design fosters connection, health, and well-being. Just as our buildings integrate lush green courtyards, rooftop gardens, and tranquil common areas, the Lily Pool provides another venue for reflection, inspiration, and community.

An Enduring Legacy
Alfred Caldwell once envisioned his Lily Pool as a “spiritual place,” and nearly a century later, it still fulfills that purpose. And with the Lily Pool’s reopening, it offers a beautiful escape and a powerful reminder that great design—whether in a home, a building, or a public garden—has the ability to transform the way we live.

Click here for more information about hours, access, and events.

When the air turns crisp and the light gets that late-afternoon gold, Skokie Lagoons becomes an easy, close-to-home escape for Optima Verdana® residents. Tucked just north of Chicago, the lagoons stretch across 894 acres between Winnetka, Northfield, and Glencoe, with the Forest Preserves of Cook County maintaining the network. This series of seven interlinked lagoons, carved out of the Skokie River floodplain in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, was designed both as flood control and as a public recreation haven. Today, it remains one of the most beloved green spaces on the North Shore—a carefully engineered landscape that feels entirely natural.

Extending across 894 acres, Skokie Lagoons are a prime destination for water exploration, featuring public boat access, canoe and kayak rentals, fishing, biking and hiking trails and picnic areas. It’s the kind of fall outing that feels restorative without a lot of logistics: a calm paddle, mirror-smooth water for photos, and frequent bird cameos—all within a short drive or bike ride.

Why Fall Works Here
Autumn brings cooler temps, gentler winds, and glassier water, which makes the lagoons perfect for relaxed, beginner-friendly paddling. The site itself is a tranquil network of pools, channels, and islands—so you can choose a short meander or string together a longer loop without ever feeling exposed to big water.

Getting on the Water
Launch at the Tower Road Boat Launch, where the Forest Preserves’ concession typically offers seasonal canoe and kayak rentals (life vests included). If you don’t own a boat—or you’re hosting friends—rentals keep things spontaneous; just check current hours before you go.

From Tower Road, ease into the nearest lagoon and hug the shoreline. Narrow channels reward slow travel: tree canopies reflect like stained glass in the water, and you’ll spot turtles sunning on half-submerged logs. If you prefer to stay put, choose a quiet cove, drift, and watch the scene change color as clouds move—fall’s version of a meditation session. Pack a thermos, a light layer, and a dry bag for your phone or camera, then let the route unfold intuitively. (If you’re biking from Optima Verdana®, lock up at the launch and keep essentials minimal.)

Bird-Watching, Made Easy
You don’t need to be an expert to enjoy the migration show. In fall, the lagoons are known for warblers, thrushes, and flycatchers moving through the treetops, while the edges host herons and egrets. Scan snags for kingfishers and look up occasionally—raptors like osprey cruise the corridor this time of year. Bring compact binoculars if you have them; otherwise, use the paddle-pause-listen method and let the birds reveal themselves.

Comfort, Safety, and good Etiquette
Dress for “cold start, warm finish”: a lightweight base, a fleece or sweater, and a wind-blocking layer you can shed. Even on easy water, wear your PFD (personal flotation device), keep phones in a zip bag, and give anglers wide space along the banks. Rentals include required safety gear; private boats should follow Forest Preserves rules and avoid disturbing wildlife or sensitive shoreline.

Make it an Optima Verdana® Day
The beauty of a Lagoons outing is how naturally it fits Optima Verdana® living. Prep a simple picnic in your light-filled kitchen, then roll out for a late-morning paddle and a slow shoreline stroll. On your return, a stop in downtown Wilmette for coffee turns the micro-adventure into a full fall ritual. Back home, warm up in the sauna or curl up with a book by the window—you’ve had your dose of nature, close to home.

When Scottsdale’s mornings turn crisp and the light softens, fall becomes planting season—a chance for Optima Sonoran Village®, Optima Kierland Apartments®, and Optima McDowell Mountain® residents to refresh outdoor spaces with containers that look effortless now and carry color, texture, and bloom well into winter. With the Sonoran Desert as your muse, the goal is simple: plant smart, water less, and design for year-round enjoyment.

Why Fall is the Moment
Cooler nights and mild days help roots establish before the brief winter chill, so plants settle in with less stress and less water. And as autumn continues, you’ll also benefit from gentler sun angles and calmer afternoon heat, which means new plantings transition quickly.

Choose the Right Cast
When planning for your planting, think in three roles—structure, spark, and spill—to build sculptural, modern containers that offer clean lines.

• Structure (architectural forms): dwarf agaves (Agave ‘Blue Glow’), red yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora), aloe hybrids (winter bloomers), golden barrel cactus (Echinocactus grusonii), deer grass (Muhlenbergia rigens).
• Spark (seasonal color + pollinator value): autumn sage (Salvia greggii), Parry’s penstemon (Penstemon parryi), angelita daisy (Tetraneuris acaulis), blackfoot daisy (Melampodium leucanthum), damianita (Chrysactinia mexicana), Spanish lavender (‘Goodwin Creek’).
• Spill (edge-softening): trailing rosemary, blue chalk sticks (Senecio serpens), trailing lantana (use sparingly—can frost-nip but rebounds), ice plant (Delosperma).

Herbs that Love Our Winter
Fall is prime time for a small culinary pot—rosemary, thyme, oregano, and sage stay fragrant through winter, need little water, and elevate weeknight cooking. Tuck a chiltepin pepper into a sunny corner if you like a quick hit of heat; it’s compact and handsome in containers.

Design like a Desert Modernist
Choose a tight palette—charcoal, terracotta, or weathered steel—to echo Optima’s materiality. Cluster containers in odd numbers, mixing heights for rhythm without clutter. A 1–2″ topdress of decomposed granite or black lava rock sharpens the silhouette, moderates soil temperature, and reduces evaporation.

Container (and Soil) Essentials
Use pots with generous drainage and a fast-draining cactus/succulent mix amended with pumice or perlite. Containers dry out faster than ground soil; the trick is deep, infrequent watering: saturate, then let the top few inches dry before watering again. Self-watering inserts work for herbs; architectural succulents prefer classic drainage. On higher floors, wind can wick moisture—grouping pots creates a microclimate and visual cohesion.

Sun, Shade, and Microclimates
Most desert natives want full morning sun and light afternoon shade. On south- and west-facing terraces, place heat-tolerant structure plants forward and nestle bloomers behind them. In cooler snaps, pull aloe and tender succulents closer to a wall or column that radiates stored heat.

Frost-smart Strategy
Scottsdale’s occasional frost arrives fast and leaves quickly. Keep a lightweight frost cloth or old bedsheet on hand for one-night cold snaps, and consider rolling caddies for larger pots. Many choices above are frost-tolerant; aloes appreciate a bit of protection on the coldest nights, especially in exposed containers.

Watering + Feeding, the Low-water Way
In fall, water weekly to establish (adjust for exposure), then ease off in winter—often every 10–14 days is plenty. Avoid frequent sips; roots want a thorough soak. Feed sparingly with a slow-release, low-nitrogen fertilizer at planting and skip mid-winter boosts.

Three foolproof combos:

1. Blue Glow agave + angelita daisy + blue chalk sticks — crisp geometry with sunny dots of bloom.
2. Red yucca + damianita + trailing rosemary — coral spikes in spring, golden cushions, and evergreen spill.
3. Aloe hybrid + autumn sage + ice plant — winter flowers for hummingbirds and a tidy, textural edge.

Life at Optima®, in Bloom
The best part of desert-smart planting is how seamlessly it fits Optima living: prep in your light-filled kitchen, step onto a shaded terrace for golden-hour watering, and enjoy color, fragrance, and visiting pollinators all winter long—with far less maintenance and water. If you’re new to container gardening, your Optima management team can share any community guidelines for plants and irrigation accessories. Then it’s just you, the view, and containers that carry the season forward—quietly, beautifully, and sustainably.

When autumn arrives in Scottsdale, the desert doesn’t burst into color so much as it exhales: cooler mornings, softer light, and extraordinary weather that practically insists you take your coffee outside. For residents of Optima Kierland Apartments®, Optima Sonoran Village®, and Optima McDowell Mountain® it’s the perfect season to bring Sonoran flavors into everyday cooking and casual gatherings. Here’s how four regional essentials can make your fall feel distinctly (and deliciously) desert.

Prickly Pear: bright, cool, and unmistakably Sonoran
Prickly pear (the vibrant magenta fruit of the cactus) brings tart-sweet freshness to fall. Stir a spoonful of prickly pear syrup into sparkling water with a squeeze of lime for a rooftop mocktail that looks like sunset in a glass. For dinner, whisk the syrup with olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of sea salt for a jewel-toned vinaigrette over arugula, citrus, and toasted pepitas. Hosting a small gathering in a residents’ lounge? Brush prickly pear glaze onto roasted chicken or cauliflower steaks for a glossy, subtly sweet finish that pairs beautifully with mesquite cornbread.

Chiltepin: the desert’s tiny burst of heat
Often called the “mother of all peppers,” chiltepin is a tiny, wild chili with a quick, clean heat that spikes then fades. Use it as a finishing note rather than a base—crushed over avocado toast, flicked onto pumpkin soup, or stirred into warm olive oil for a drizzle over flatbreads from your kitchen oven. For outdoor evenings, mix a pinch of ground chiltepin with flaky salt and lime zest to rim glasses for agua fresca or a margarita. Prefer sweet-heat? Steep a few chiltepin in honey, then drizzle over grilled peaches or a cheese board. Start sparingly; a few berries deliver plenty of personality.

Pumpkin, Sonoran Style
Yes, pumpkin belongs in the desert, too—especially when you lean into Southwestern pairings. Toss wedges of pumpkin (or kabocha) with olive oil, agave, and a whisper of chiltepin; roast until caramelized and finish with queso fresco and cilantro. For a cozy weeknight, fold pumpkin purée into black beans with cumin and garlic, then spoon onto tostadas and top with pepitas and quick-pickled onions. Hosting friends? Serve a silky pumpkin-mesquite soup—blend roasted pumpkin with sautéed onion and garlic, vegetable broth, a touch of mesquite flour, and finish with lime crema and toasted pepitas.

Bringing It Home—Optima®-Style
Fall at Optima® communities is all about effortless indoor-outdoor living. Prep in your sleek, light-filled kitchen; then carry the party to a shaded terrace for golden-hour bites, or down to the grilling courtyard for a casual cookout under the palms. Keep your pantry stocked with a few Sonoran staples—mesquite flour, prickly pear syrup, dried chiltepin, and pepitas—and you can pull together a seasonal spread at a moment’s notice. Add soft textiles, a lantern or two, and your favorite playlist, and you’ve created the kind of easy, convivial evening that defines autumn in Scottsdale: warm, modern, and grounded in place.

At Optima®, we believe great city living includes our four-legged family members. That’s why we’re always scouting experiences that make life with pets richer, easier and more fun—especially for residents of Optima Lakeview® and Optima Signature® in Chicago. If you’ve been looking for a low-stress, high-delight outing with your pup, the Canine Cruise aboard Chicago’s First Lady is a joyful way to see (and sniff) the city from a fresh perspective.

What makes it such a hit? For starters, the cruise runs July through October on Saturdays and Sundays, and lasts a relaxed 90 minutes—plenty of time to take in skyline views without testing your dog’s attention span. Tickets start at $45 for general boarding, making it an easy add to your weekend plans. 

The experience is thoughtfully pet-forward. Your leashed companion is welcome from the moment you step on the Riverwalk dock, where you’ll find water bowls on board and open-air seating that guarantees everyone fresh breezes and unobstructed views. There’s also a full-service bar and snack bar for humans, plus well-appointed restrooms. (Pet parents with little ones in strollers will appreciate the free folded-stroller storage, too.) 

Once underway, the route highlights Chicago from river to lake with a lively narration that weaves together architecture, history and dog-friendly tidbits—a playful nod to the city’s storied built environment and lakefront culture. A special treat: you’ll pass through the Chicago Harbor Lock, feeling the vessel gently rise toward Lake Michigan and lower on the return—an engineering mini-thrill that’s as fascinating for first-timers as it is for lifelong Chicagoans. 

And because Chicago does seasonal joy so well, the cruise leans into autumn with a festive Howl-O-Ween Canine Cruise on the first two weekends of October. Expect pumpkin dog treats, a doggie costume contest and plenty of camera-ready moments (humans are encouraged to dress up, too). 

A few practical tips make the day seamless. Arrive 30 minutes before departure so your whole party—pups included—can board without a rush. Cruises sail rain or shine, and kids under 4 ride free, which turns this into a multi-generational outing when friends or family are in town. Sunglasses and a cap keep the sun off as you gaze up at the skyline; outdoor seating is general admission and guaranteed. 

For Optima Signature® residents in Streeterville, the Riverwalk boarding location is an easy neighborhood adventure; Optima Lakeview® residents can hop on the CTA or a quick rideshare and be on deck in no time. Either way, it’s the kind of city day we love—design, community and the great outdoors converging in one effortless experience. The ticket office and boarding are along the Chicago Riverwalk near Michigan Avenue, with clear wayfinding and ADA guidance provided online if you need a ramped route. 

Why this pairs so well with Optima’s pet-friendly culture: our communities are designed to support the rhythm of everyday life with dogs—from easy in-and-out to neighborhood walks and playtime. The Canine Cruise adds a celebratory layer to that routine: a chance to connect with your dog, your city and fellow pet lovers, all while soaking in Chicago’s epic skyline.

Ready to make a memory with your best friend? Grab a leash, pack a few treats and set sail—your dog just found their new favorite way to do architecture and lake views. Visit the First Lady website for details and tickets.

An Inspired Layout for Modern Living
One of the most sought-after apartment residence configurations in the 7220 Optima McDowell Mountain® rental building is the 2 Bedroom + Den—a floor plan that strikes the perfect balance between open-concept design and defined, purposeful spaces. Ideal for those working from home, hosting out-of-town guests, or simply craving flexibility, this layout offers over 1,600 square feet of beautifully designed interior living.

Key Features:

• Expansive great room with direct access to a private terrace, ideal for entertaining or relaxing against a desert sunset
• Spacious kitchen with a large island, quartz countertops, and high-end stainless steel appliances
• Primary suite with a walk-in closet and spa-like bath featuring a glass-enclosed shower
• Secondary bedroom tucked away for added privacy, perfect for guests or family
• A versatile den that easily functions as a home office, library, yoga nook, or creative studio
• Full-size washer and dryer, ample closet space, and smart home-ready tech throughout

This floor plan is the embodiment of Optima®’s design ethos: efficient yet expansive, modern yet warm, private yet connected. Whether you’re a couple, a young family, or a remote professional seeking serenity and space, the 2 Bedroom + Den delivers a flexible, elegant foundation for desert living.

The Optima McDowell Mountain® Lifestyle—In Every Apartment Layout
No matter which apartment residence layout you choose at 7220 Optima McDowell Mountain®, you’re embraced by the same extraordinary community experience. From thoughtfully curated amenities and beautifully landscaped indoor-outdoor spaces to resident programming that brings neighbors together, life at Optima McDowell Mountain® is defined by ease, connection, and well-being. Add to that signature Optima® service—responsive, professional, and detail-oriented—and you’ll find that every rental home here is more than a floor plan; it’s a seamless lifestyle where everyday living feels elevated.

This floor plan is the embodiment of Optima®’s design ethos: efficient yet expansive, modern yet warm, private yet connected. Whether you’re a couple, a young family, or a remote professional seeking serenity and space, the 2 Bedroom + Den delivers a flexible, elegant foundation for desert living.

Interested in renting? For availability, pricing, and virtual tours, visit our floor plans page.