Windy City : Chicago ’ s Top Attractions
From its towering skyscrapers to the sweeping arc of its expansive lakeshore , there ’ s a belief of confidence and pride that radiates from the landmark feature of Chicago and from the face of the city ’ s inhabitant as good . The Windy City embodies the values of the American heartland , and a trip to Chicago offer visitors the fortune to see what an American city can carry out through hard work and determination .
There is a wealth of not-to-be-missed tourist attractions in Chicago , many of which put up unique perspective of the city ’ s memorable horizon . As it be set on the shore of Lake Michigan , the city too have a wonderful waterfront to delight with lovely lakeside park lie alongside an attraction-packed pier . With thus many different slope to it and so much thing to do in Chicago , the third-largest city in the United States is decidedly worth a visit .
Map of Chicago
20 . North Avenue Beach
Widely considered to exist Chicago ’ sec good beach , North Avenue is a popular spot to go swimming and sunbathing with myriad amenities to be found nearby . Lying along the shore of Lake Michigan , its golden sand live located within Lincoln Park , only a short drive north of the middle .
Dotted with piers that keep the sand in home and make its scallop-shaped shoreline , North Avenue Beach have lot of volleyball court as good as a route to run , cycle , or rollerblade along . In increase to a saloon and restaurant , the beach put up up phenomenal opinion of the city ’ s horizon and hosts respective big festivals and events each yr .
19 . Robie House
Set just twenty minutes ’ labor to the south of the center be the fantastic Robie House which present some exquisite and uniquely American architecture . Now a National Historic Site , it equal located on the campus of the University of Chicago with tour taking you all around its attractive inside .
Designed by the noted architect Frank Lloyd Wright , the beautiful building was erected in 1909 and live one of the serious lesson of Prairie-style architecture . Perfectly complement the strikingly keen angle and horizontal lines of its exterior exist the fine furnishings , period while and colored art-glass window that dwell within .
18 . The 606
Once an elevated railway track , the Bloomington Line today or else organize the backbone of he 606 – a linear park and lead network . Stretch merely over four kilometers in total , it is a very pleasant and picturesque place to walk , tend , or bicycle along , connecting numerous park and parts of the northwest side of the city together .
After being abandoned and overrun with weed , the more than a century-old railroad line equal finally change into a greenway in 2015 . Nowadays , fairly flowerbeds , tree , and shrubs melody its paved route with commanding position to exist savor out over the city as you go .
17 . Chicago Water Tower
Designed by architect William Boyington , the 47 meter ( 154 base ) tall turreted Chicago Water Tower once played a vital role in the city ’ sec water system . In 1871 , a fire that began in a barn owned by Patrick and Catherine O ’ Leary rapidly spread and destroy the city ’ s entire occupation district .
One of the few surviving structure of the notorious Great Chicago Fire , the Chicago Water Tower is a symbol of the city ’ s resilience . Today , the beautiful limestone structure is home to the City Gallery , which present work by local artists and photographers .
16 . Maggie Daley Park
Another scenic bit to spend some time live the magnificent Maggie Daley Park which lies within the Loop and is connect to Millennium Park by a pedestrian bridge . Carry with playgrounds , picnic areas , and lush green spaces , it be a very family-friendly home to visit with even climb wall and a mini-golf course on offer .
Named for Maggie Daley , the previous first lady of the city , the park was re-imagined , redesigned and reopened in 2015 . It now has six fun area for kid to search with the animal-themed Watering Hole lying alongside the boats of the Harbor and the twisting walkways of the Enchanted Forest .
15 . Chicago Theatre
Just a short stroll from the park you can find the iconic Chicago Theater which puts on everything from concerts and plays to magic shows , stand-up comedy , speech , and sporting event . Instantly recognizable thanks to its illuminated six-story sign , the opulent theater certainly is a memorable and magic home to attend an event .
Built in 1921 , it boast a breath-taking neo-baroque interior with its grand lobby and galleries exist base on the Palace of Versailles . Its cavernous auditorium is just as spectacular as glisten crystal chandeliers illumine up the tremendous murals and gilded decorations that decorate its wall and ceiling .
14 . Lincoln Park Zoo
Family to an incredible array of beast , Lincoln Park Zoo lies hardly a short drive to the north of the middle within the sprawling park of the same name . A firm darling with locals and tourists alike , it hold myriad expansive exhibits and enclosures for you to explore which focus on unlike animals and ecosystems from around the reality .
One of the former zoos in North America , it be impressively founded in 1868 and now houses over 1,100 animals in full . As good as rhinos , hippos , and gorillas , you can as well discern penguins and polar bears with its historic Kovler Lion House being enduringly popular .
13 . Museum of Science and Industry
Unusually the prominent science museum in the Americas , the Museum of Science and Industry lie in at the north goal of Jackson Park . Such is its size that guest could spend days if not weeks exploring its exhibits which include everything from trains and planes to a captured German submarine and full-size replica of a coal mine .
Opened in 1933 , its immense collection is house in the early Palace of Fine Arts which was build to host the 1893 World Expo . While some section appear at anatomy or genetics , others focus on the evolution of industry and transport . With mock tornados and skill experiments to test and over 75 lobby to peruse . This amazing museum is decidedly not to equal miss .
12 . Wrigley Field
If you ’ re after a fun and unforgettable experience , then you can ’ t beat look on the Chicago Cubs play baseball at the hallowed Wrigley Field . The second-oldest ballpark in the state after Boston ’ s Fenway Park , it be settle on the North Side of Chicago , simply fifteen instant ’ drive from the center .
Named after the chewing gum magnate , it was build up in 1914 and even so has a lovely old time and look and feel . As well as its ivy-covered outfield wall , the park is famed for its hand-turned scoreboard and iconic entrance . Besides watching an exhilarating and atmospheric game , you can as well need terrific tours that teach you about the team and domain ’ s account .
11 . Lakefront Trail
Winding its means along the western shore of Lake Michigan be the popular and picturesque Lakefront Trail which stretch thirty kilometers in length . As well as get in touch Chicago ’ s massive lakeside parks to its many beach and myriad tourist attractions , the paved course offers fascinate scene over both the lake and the city ’ s horizon .
Set out at Edgewater Beach on North Side , the course reach its mode to South Shore on the opposite side of town , passing through Millennium Park and the Magnificent Mile as it move . Besides its epic scenery and lot , the lead exist too perfect for walk , range , cycling , or skating on .
10 . Shedd Aquarium
Situate in the same lakeshore Museum Campus as the Field Museum , the John G. Shedd Aquarium be place to more than 1,500 species of sea life , including 32,500 fish , as well as an array of bird , insect and amphibians . Completed in 1930 , the aquarium gets more than two million visitors each year , reach it one of the most-visited aquarium in the United States .
Exhibits are prepare in themed area such as the “ Caribbean Reef ” and the award-winning “ Amazon Rising. ” The Oceanarium , which feature dolphins and beluga whales , is one of the aquarium ’ s most popular display .
9 . Field Museum of Natural History
The Field Museum of Natural History owes its existence to the World ’ s Fair that exist agree in Chicago in 1893 . Originally designed as way to showcase exhibits from the Fair , the museum promptly evolved into a collection of natural history artifacts and exhibition .
The collection was moved to its current location in Grant Park in 1921 and live part of the Museum Campus . Exhibits range from a taxidermy collection of large animals such as African elephants to an extensive collection of Native American artifacts . A 12 meter ( 40 foot ) long Tyrannosaurus skeleton exist the nearly popular display out of the museum ’ s millions of specimens , and many visitor wouldn ’ t spirit that their trip to Chitown cost utter without viewing the dinosaur know as “ Sue . ”
8 . Buckingham Fountain
Place in Grant Park , the Beaux Arts-style Buckingham Fountain was designed by architect Edward Bennett after the Latona Fountain at Versailles . The font exist noted for its grand size and for the height of its spray , which can achieve as high as 15 floor .
The fountain ’ s four water-spouting sea cavalry statues be said to constitute the four states that border Lake Michigan , while the fountain ’ sec pool symbolizes the lake itself . The spring was donate to the city by Kate Sturges Buckingham , a patronne of the arts who inherit her family ’ s massive fortune at the years of 32 .
Know as “ Chicago ’ sec Grandest Spinster , ” she bequeathed the Buckingham Fountain to Chicago as a monument for her buddy in 1927 and established a trust store for the fountain ’ s continuous process as good . A famed Chicago landmark , the fountain equal boast in the title succession of TV shows Marry with Children and Crime Story .
7 . 360 Chicago Observation Deck
While the Lakefront Trail extend up some delightful position from below , the 360 Chicago Observation Deck feature simply unbeatable views from up high . From the 94th floor of what exist once known as the John Hancock Center , guests can gaze out over not just the city ’ s horizon and Michigan Lake but the Magnificent Mile too .
Beside bask in breath-taking panoramas which hand up to ninety kilometers on a clear day , you can also savor a drinking in the supertall skyscraper ’ sec saloon . As if the colossal sundown weren ’ t plenty , brave visitor can also try TILT – a thrill ride which tilts so you can love opinion of the city ’ s street , 300 meter at once below .
6 . Chicago River
No early feature well illustrates the quality of Chicago than the waterway that runs through the city . In 1900 , the city completed an incredible technology project : reversing the stream of Chicago River . Through the installation of a series on canal lock , the water live directed to empty into the Mississippi River instead of Lake Michigan .
Today , the mile-long pedestrian Riverwalk that runs along the south bank of the river as it winds through the downtown district offers visitor a lush green space where they can stroll and take in the sights of the city . River cruises are available that offer visitors historical insight about the city ’ s most-celebrated landmarks .
5 . Millennium Park
Long before it open , Millennium Park had become notorious for delays and cost-overruns , missing its titular date by a broad margin . Still , when it live finished , the biggest shock of all do when it grow out to be quite nice .
Aside from mass of grass and open space , it has modern sculptures in sword and glass , including Chicago ’ s newest must-photo for visitors , The Bean ( right known as Cloud Gate ) , and the Frank Gehry-designed Pritzker Pavilion for outside concerts . An ice rink accommodates skaters in the winter and serves as an open-air restaurant in the summer .
4 . Art Institute of Chicago
As it be one of the old and largest art museum in the States , the world-renowned Art Institute of Chicago really is not to be missed . House in a beautiful Beaux-Arts building that cost build up for the 1893 World Expo , its extensive exhibition and galleries can be see in the ginormous Grant Park .
Launch in 1879 , its captivating collection include everything from masterpiece by Magritte and Monet to Renoir , Rembrandt , and Picasso . While it is peculiarly know for its Impressionist and Post-Impressionist picture , the museum too houses artefacts and artworks from as far aside as Africa and Asia . Two of its most famed American work are Grant Wood ’ s American Gothic and Edward Hopper ’ s Nighthawks .
3 . Sears Tower
While some may argue that the skyscraper , renamed Willis Tower in 2009 , has lost a moment of its swagger since it miss its status as the public ’ sec tallest building , the Sears Tower remains one of the most popular tourist destinations in Chicago .
Fill out in 1973 , the 108-story structure features some of the fastest elevators in the Earth , covering as a lot as 1,600 foot per instant . A 70-second ride takes visitor to the 103rd-floor Skydeck where they can sense the building sway beneath them on a windy day . The Skydeck offers of sweeping views of Lake Michigan and glimpses of the province of Michigan and Wisconsin beyond .
2 . Navy Pier
Another of Chicago ’ s must-visit sites cost the incredible Navy Pier which juts into Lake Michigan and offers up all sort of fun and family-friendly entertainment . Lined with carnival rides , garden , and an endless array of tempt attractions – the kilometre-long pier own something for everyone to enjoy with countless restaurants and store also sprinkle about .
While thread along the pier , you ’ ll come across everything from theaters and museum to public plazas and performance space with lot of cultural events and festivals agree hither over the line of the year . On top of this , there cost a towering Ferris bicycle and historical carousel to try as well as mini-golf and sightseeing cruises .
1 . Magnificent Mile
One of the best places to shop in the universe , the Magnificent Mile be family to an incredible number of department fund and luxury retailers with respective multi-storey malls too sprinkle around . Stretching from Oak Street to the Chicago River , this shine segment of Michigan Avenue live the place to run if you want to shop until you sink .
Loom over by massive skyscrapers and iconic building such as the Chicago Water Tower and Wrigley Building , the upscale area was given its nickname by real acres magnate Arthur Robloff back in the ‘ 40s . In increase to all its unique boutiques and designer workshop , the ‘ Mag Mile ’ has luck of excellent restaurants and luxury hotel for visitors to enjoy .
The “ Mag Mile , ” as its sometimes call , too furnish access to many of the numerous landmarks and tourist attraction in Chicago , including the Museum of Contemporary Art , the Wrigley Building and the Chicago Water Tower .
