Chicago, on Lake Michigan in Illinois, is among the largest cities in the U.S. Famed for its bold architecture, it has a skyline punctuated by skyscrapers such as the iconic John Hancock Center, 1,451-ft. Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower) and the neo-Gothic Tribune Tower. The city is also renowned for its museums, including the Art Institute of Chicago with its noted Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works.
The Magnificent Mile and the Chicago Riverwalk let you experience Chicago from up close. You can get a great overview of the so-called “Windy City” from the thrilling observation lounges and decks in some of the city’s tallest buildings.
Here are some of the great things to do in Chicago, to help get you started.
Chicago Riverwalk
Before the flows of the Chicago River meet Lake Michigan, it runs through most of The Loop. One of the best ways to see the city from up close is the Chicago Riverwalk, a gentrified waterfront path through downtown, along the river’s south bank. Start your walks from Lake Shore Drive and up to Lake Street. Along the way, you have plenty of restaurants, park gardens, and bridges, where you can pause and take in the high-rise city views.
Location: Chicago Riverwalk, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
Open: Daily from 6 am to 11 pm
Phone: +1 877-300-6746
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Millenium Park
Enter Chicago’s great “front lawn” – Millenium Park. The public space is where you can find some of the city’s most iconic scenery. Stroll through the blooming perennial Lurie Gardens, which are enclosed by a 15-foot-high hedge. Admire art installations along the tree-lined Chase Promenade, with different exhibitions held throughout the year. A must-see is Cloud Gate, fondly nicknamed “The Bean” for its shape. This giant sculpture features a smoothly polished mirror-like stainless steel surface, reflecting the skyscraper scene around it.
Location: 201 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60602, USA
Open: Daily from 6 am to 11 pm
Phone: +1 312-742-1168
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Navy Pier
The Navy Pier is a great spot for families to head to on Chicago’s Michigan lakefront. The pier juts out for over 3,000 ft into the lake and is filled with green spaces, shops, exhibitions, and restaurants. One of the pier’s main features that also dominates its skyline is the Centennial Wheel. This Ferris wheel is open daily, but the coolest experience must be during the Navy Pier Summer Fireworks that display in sync to music over Lake Michigan every Wednesday and Saturday. Rides are from $16.
Location: Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Open: Daily from 10 am to 8 pm
Phone: +1 800-595-7437
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Shedd Aquarium
Shedd Aquarium features a great collection of aquatic displays, ranging from the flooded rainforests of South America to the tropical coral reefs of the Pacific. It’s right on the South Lake Shore, before Adler Planetarium on Northerly Island. Don’t miss the Abbot Oceanarium, where you can see beluga whales, dolphins, sea lions, and sea otters. Wednesday after-hours feature Jazzin at the Shedd, where you can enjoy jazz with wine.
Location: 1200 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605, USA
Open: Daily from 9 am to 6 pm
Phone: +1 312-939-2438
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Adler Planetarium
Founded in 1930, Adler Planetarium is a monumental science facility occupying the north-eastern tip of Chicago’s Northerly Island. It has a vintage charm with its prominent planetarium dome and Art Deco exterior embellished with bronze zodiac reliefs. From inside the dome, you can travel through the universe through the Grainger Sky Theater’s digital projection. Scenic offerings outside include the 12th Street Beach, the boat docks of Burnham Harbor, and ultimately, the Skyline Walk from where you can take in the best views of Chicago.
Location: 1300 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605, USA
Open: Daily from 9.30 am to 6 pm
Phone: +1 312-922-7827
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