Chicago, often called the “Windy City” as it is, is situated at the shores of Lake Michigan. It is well-known for its lively arts scene, several cultural attractions, excellent shopping, and interesting architecture.
The city enjoys a worldwide reputation as the focal point of 20th-century architecture and art, with architects such as Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright, and artists such as Picasso, Mirõ, Dubuffet, and Chagall leaving their mark. While in Chicago, you should visit a few must-see points that are characteristic of this city. Whether you are planning for a solo trip, family trip, or going on a business trip. Get packed, make alaska airlines booking online, and save up to 45% off on one-way & round trips on every flight when you book your ticket for your trips. To assist you, listed the best places you can see while in Chicago. Have a look below:
Table of Contents
Millennium Park
Millennium Park is part of the larger Grant Park, located in downtown Chicago, bordering Michigan Avenue to the west, Columbus Drive to the east, Randolph Street to the north, and Monroe Street to the south. Its centerpiece is the 110-ton sculptural name Cloud Gate, which has a mirror-polished stainless steel surface inspired by liquid mercury. It reflects its surroundings, including buildings, the sky, and tourists who pass through its central arch.
Museum of Science and Industry
The Museum of Science and Industry, which opened its doors in 1933 and is undoubtedly the most spectacular museum in Chicago, is located at the northern end of Jackson Park. Specifically, it is concerned with the application of natural rights to the advancement of technology and industry. The museum happens to be accredited as being the first in the United States to use the concept of “hands-on” exhibitions. Visitors are invited to engage with the hundreds of artifacts on display at the museum. MSI is home to both permanent and shifting exhibitions, as well as an Omnimax theatre.
Navy Pier
Navy Pier originally opened in 1916 as an entertainment and shipping facility but is now one of Chicago’s most popular tourist attractions. Today, Navy Pier consists of 50 acres of gardens, attractions, shops, restaurants, concert halls, and parks. Navy Pier Park has a 150-foot Ferris wheel and an antique carousel. Visitors can also watch a movie at the 3D Imax Theatre, watch actors performing classics at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, or visit the Crystal Gardens, a single-deck, six-story indoor botanical garden.
Art Institute of Chicago
This museum, which houses hundreds of thousands of pieces of art, is considered to be a world-class institution. Drawing on thousands of years of artistic practice, the collection includes artworks in a wide range of media such as painting and graphic art as well as photography and sculpture. Other media included include decorative arts, textiles, architectural designs, and more. The institute is well-known for its collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings, which includes works by Renoir (1879 Acrobats at Cirque Fernando), Georges Seurat (1884 Sunday Afternoon at La Grande Jatte), and Claude Monet (as well as many other Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artists).
Buckingham Fountain
Designed in the characteristic Art Deco style of the period, the central fountain is flanked by four seahorses that represent the four border states of Lake Michigan. From 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., the fountain gushes by an hour, shooting 15,000 gallons of water through nearly 200 nozzles per minute, creating an impressive display. After dark, the water show is accompanied by lights that you must see in the area in the evening. The Fountain is the focal point of Grant Park, a sprawling Chicago public space that includes many attractions and smaller parks such as Millennium Park, comparable to Central Park, one of New York’s top attractions.
360 Chicago
360 Chicago is an observation deck on the 94th floor of the John Hancock Building, easily recognizable by its dark metallic exterior and steel structure that runs along the exterior of the building. The large glass wall offers views of the Chicago skyline and more. More adventurous travelers will love the newest “Tilt” feature which provides visitors with a unique view from over 1,000 feet above the Magnificent Mile when tilted outward at an angle to look straight down from the glass case. The rest of the building houses various shops, offices, and apartments, as well as a multimedia display on the first floor that provides information about the city of Chicago and the construction of the John Hancock Building.
Willis Tower SkyDeck
Until 1996, when the Petronas Towers were built in Kuala Lumpur, the 110-story Sears Tower, now the Willis Tower, was the tallest office building in the world. Although there are some taller buildings now, the view is amazing. On a clear day, you can see 40 to 50 miles across four states and get a view of Chicago’s inspiring architecture. The Willis Tower lasted three years and was opened to the public in 1974. The building is 1,445 feet high and has an observation area called SkyDeck on the 103rd floor, 1,335 feet above the ground. A glass box with a glass floor, called a Ledge, exits the SkyDeck, where visitors can stand and look directly down onto the city below.
Lakefront Trail and Chicago Riverwalk
The Chicago River runs through the city center, parallel to the lakeshore, and is known for its amazing number of movable bridges. There are 18 bridges just two miles away, each of which has the capacity to pass large boats. The McCormick Bridgehouse and the Chicago River Museum take tourists to take a closer look at the mechanisms of one of the city’s most famous bridges, where you can actually watch the transmission work as it moves.
Conclusion
Visit the Chicago River River Cruise during the summer months. You don’t need to be an expert to appreciate the city’s stunning buildings and this 75-minute cruise is a great way to experience Chicago’s architecture and experience it. So, what are you waiting for? Plan and customize your USA vacation with AirlinesMap and explore the picturesque locations. Happy Vacations!
