Chicago attractions listed by popularity
Chicago is a showcase of 20th century high-rise architecture. The Sears Tower, for a long time the tallest tower in the world is just one of the many examples.
Cloud Gate is a modern public sculpture officially unveiled in May 2006 at Millennium Park. Thanks to its reflective material and intriguing shape it became one of the most photographed attractions in Chicago.
The Buckingham Fountain is one of Chicago's best known sights, and rightly so. It is a beautiful fountain, especially at night when it is illuminated with constantly changing colors.
The Magnificent Mile is Chicago's most fashionable street. The avenue is bordered by many great skyscrapers, including the John Hancock Tower and Wrigley building.
One of the most famous skyscrapers in Chicago is the John Hancock Center. The 100-story tower was built in 1969. The innovative structural design by Fazlur Kahn results in a visually imposing tower.
The Old Water Tower was built in 1869. It is one of the few buildings that survived the Great Chicago Fire. The tower was selected as the first American Water Landmark.
Grant Park is Chicago's most centrally located park, located between Michigan Avenue and Lake Michigan. The main attraction in Grant Park is the Buckingham Fountain, built in 1927.
The Wrigley building was the first of a series of landmarks constructed at the southern end of the Magnificent Mile. It was built as the headquarters of the Wrigley company, the manufacturer of chewing gum.
The Chicago river flows through the heart of the city and is bordered with remarkable skyscrapers. A sightseeing boat trip on the Chicago river is a great way to view the many buildings along the river.
The Tribune Tower is one of the magnificent buildings bordering Chicago's Magnificent Mile. The Neo-Gothic tower has a collection of famous stones - including a moon rock.
The Crown fountain is a modern fountain, unveiled in 2004 in Chicago's Millennium Park. The fountain consists of two glass towers illuminated by LED displays that show faces of Chicagoans.
The Field Museum is considered one of the finest natural history museums in the world. Its collection - started in 1893 for the World's Columbian Exposition - boasts the most complete T. rex ever unearthed.
The area known as the Prairie Avenue Historic District was once “the” place to live in Chicago, home to some of the city's richest inhabitants. A number of their grand residences survived demolition.
Chicago's modern Millennium Park is one of the coolest city parks you'll ever see. It features an outdoor concert venue as well as a modern fountain, a large sculpture and several gardens.
Marina City consists of two identical cylindrical towers, located near the Chicago river. It is a complex conceived as a city in a city, offering recreation facilities, banks, theater, etc.
The Shedd Aquarium's most spectacular exhibit is the Oceanarium, a 3 million gallon aquarium with among others beluga whales and Pacific white-sided dolphins.
Oak Street Beach is one of more than 20 beaches along Chicago's lakefront. The beach - artificially created in 1890 - is located near the fashionable Gold Coast neighborhood.
When the Merchandise Mart was constructed in 1931, it was the building with the largest floor area in the world. It held this title until 1941 when the Pentagon building in Washington, DC was completed.
Chicago's grand railway station was built in 1925 after twelve years of construction. The building's large waiting room, known as the 'Great Hall', evokes the golden era of railroads.
Lincoln Park Zoo, founded in 1968, is the oldest free public zoo in the US. You'll find hundreds of animal species including polar bears, giraffes, bears, lions and gorillas.
Chicago's most acclaimed postmodern skyscraper was built in 1983, joining several other landmark buildings bordering the Chicago River on Wacker Drive. The building makes the most of its awkwardly sized plot.
Michigan Avenue Bridge is the most famous of Chicago's many bridges. The bascule bridge was built between 1917 and 1920, connecting South and North Michigan Avenue across the Chicago river.
The Museum of Science and Industry is housed in a magnificent Beaux-Arts building designed as the Palace of Fine Arts for the 1893 World Columbian Exposition.
Built in 1921 during the Golden Age of entertainment, the Chicago Theatre was the first of its kind and paved the way for many other marvelous theatres that came after it.
When this tower was built in 1968 it was the tallest apartment building in the world. Its undulating glass facade and its location near the lake make it stand out from the many other skyscrapers in the city.
Printers Row is a historic district in Chicago's South Loop. During the late 19th and early 20th century this area just north of South Street Station formed the heart of the city's printing industry.
The Art Institute of Chicago - both a school and a museum - is housed in a grand Beaux-Arts building, which opened just in time for the 1893 Columbian Exhibition. A modern extension was added in 2009.
Lincoln Park is a six miles (almost 10 km) long park bordering Michigan Lake. Chicago's largest park is home to a number of attractions, most notable of which are the Lincoln Park zoo and the Chicago History Museum.
This small, somewhat hidden garden located in Lincoln Park was designed in the 1930s by Alfred Caldwell, who added a picturesque prairie style pavilion and cascading waterfall to the lily pool.
Dearborn Street Station was one of six railway stations in Chicago. When the station became defunct in the seventies, the building was slated for demolition, but fortunately the station's headhouse was saved.
The 860-880 Lake Shore Drive Apartments were revolutionary at the time of construction in 1951. The apartments designed by Mies van der Rohe were the first to feature glass walls.
The James R. Thompson Center is a glass-enclosed steel complex built in 1985 to house government agencies of the state of Illinois. The design by Helmut Jahn was very controversial, polarizing public opinion.
Robie House is one of the world's most famous residences and marks the culmination of the Prairie Style, a style mostly defined by America's most renowned architect, Frank Lloyd Wright.
This 19th century building designed by Adler & Sullivan was multi-functional, with a hotel, theater and offices. Its magnificent theater, a specialty of the architectural firm, is especially noteworthy.
The 1896 Fisher Building is a fine example of an early skyscraper, following the principles of the Chicago School of Architecture. Originally an office tower, the building was converted into condominiums in 2001.
This 21-story office tower is home to the First United Methodist Church of Chicago. The tower is topped by an 8-story Gothic spire. It was Chicago's tallest building when it was completed in 1923.
Federal Center is a complex consisting of three administrative buildings in a sleek black modernist design. The tallest building in the complex is the 42-story-tall Kluczynski building.
The campus of the University of Chicago is home to a number of noteworthy historic and modern buildings. Besides architecture, there's also art to discover in the university's interesting museums.
Washington Square Park is the oldest park in Chicago and also one of its most pleasant. The park's nickname, Bughouse Square, refers its history as a place where orators would address the crowd.
Chicago attractions listed alphabetically
Chicago's most acclaimed postmodern skyscraper was built in 1983, joining several other landmark buildings bordering the Chicago River on Wacker Drive. The building makes the most of its awkwardly sized plot.
The 860-880 Lake Shore Drive Apartments were revolutionary at the time of construction in 1951. The apartments designed by Mies van der Rohe were the first to feature glass walls.
This small, somewhat hidden garden located in Lincoln Park was designed in the 1930s by Alfred Caldwell, who added a picturesque prairie style pavilion and cascading waterfall to the lily pool.
The Art Institute of Chicago - both a school and a museum - is housed in a grand Beaux-Arts building, which opened just in time for the 1893 Columbian Exhibition. A modern extension was added in 2009.
This 19th century building designed by Adler & Sullivan was multi-functional, with a hotel, theater and offices. Its magnificent theater, a specialty of the architectural firm, is especially noteworthy.
The Buckingham Fountain is one of Chicago's best known sights, and rightly so. It is a beautiful fountain, especially at night when it is illuminated with constantly changing colors.
The Chicago river flows through the heart of the city and is bordered with remarkable skyscrapers. A sightseeing boat trip on the Chicago river is a great way to view the many buildings along the river.
This 21-story office tower is home to the First United Methodist Church of Chicago. The tower is topped by an 8-story Gothic spire. It was Chicago's tallest building when it was completed in 1923.
Built in 1921 during the Golden Age of entertainment, the Chicago Theatre was the first of its kind and paved the way for many other marvelous theatres that came after it.
Cloud Gate is a modern public sculpture officially unveiled in May 2006 at Millennium Park. Thanks to its reflective material and intriguing shape it became one of the most photographed attractions in Chicago.
The Crown fountain is a modern fountain, unveiled in 2004 in Chicago's Millennium Park. The fountain consists of two glass towers illuminated by LED displays that show faces of Chicagoans.
Dearborn Street Station was one of six railway stations in Chicago. When the station became defunct in the seventies, the building was slated for demolition, but fortunately the station's headhouse was saved.
Federal Center is a complex consisting of three administrative buildings in a sleek black modernist design. The tallest building in the complex is the 42-story-tall Kluczynski building.
The Field Museum is considered one of the finest natural history museums in the world. Its collection - started in 1893 for the World's Columbian Exposition - boasts the most complete T. rex ever unearthed.
The 1896 Fisher Building is a fine example of an early skyscraper, following the principles of the Chicago School of Architecture. Originally an office tower, the building was converted into condominiums in 2001.
Grant Park is Chicago's most centrally located park, located between Michigan Avenue and Lake Michigan. The main attraction in Grant Park is the Buckingham Fountain, built in 1927.
The James R. Thompson Center is a glass-enclosed steel complex built in 1985 to house government agencies of the state of Illinois. The design by Helmut Jahn was very controversial, polarizing public opinion.
One of the most famous skyscrapers in Chicago is the John Hancock Center. The 100-story tower was built in 1969. The innovative structural design by Fazlur Kahn results in a visually imposing tower.
When this tower was built in 1968 it was the tallest apartment building in the world. Its undulating glass facade and its location near the lake make it stand out from the many other skyscrapers in the city.
Lincoln Park is a six miles (almost 10 km) long park bordering Michigan Lake. Chicago's largest park is home to a number of attractions, most notable of which are the Lincoln Park zoo and the Chicago History Museum.
Lincoln Park Zoo, founded in 1968, is the oldest free public zoo in the US. You'll find hundreds of animal species including polar bears, giraffes, bears, lions and gorillas.
The Magnificent Mile is Chicago's most fashionable street. The avenue is bordered by many great skyscrapers, including the John Hancock Tower and Wrigley building.
Marina City consists of two identical cylindrical towers, located near the Chicago river. It is a complex conceived as a city in a city, offering recreation facilities, banks, theater, etc.
When the Merchandise Mart was constructed in 1931, it was the building with the largest floor area in the world. It held this title until 1941 when the Pentagon building in Washington, DC was completed.
Michigan Avenue Bridge is the most famous of Chicago's many bridges. The bascule bridge was built between 1917 and 1920, connecting South and North Michigan Avenue across the Chicago river.
Chicago's modern Millennium Park is one of the coolest city parks you'll ever see. It features an outdoor concert venue as well as a modern fountain, a large sculpture and several gardens.
The Museum of Science and Industry is housed in a magnificent Beaux-Arts building designed as the Palace of Fine Arts for the 1893 World Columbian Exposition.
Oak Street Beach is one of more than 20 beaches along Chicago's lakefront. The beach - artificially created in 1890 - is located near the fashionable Gold Coast neighborhood.
The Old Water Tower was built in 1869. It is one of the few buildings that survived the Great Chicago Fire. The tower was selected as the first American Water Landmark.
The area known as the Prairie Avenue Historic District was once “the” place to live in Chicago, home to some of the city's richest inhabitants. A number of their grand residences survived demolition.
Printers Row is a historic district in Chicago's South Loop. During the late 19th and early 20th century this area just north of South Street Station formed the heart of the city's printing industry.
Robie House is one of the world's most famous residences and marks the culmination of the Prairie Style, a style mostly defined by America's most renowned architect, Frank Lloyd Wright.
The Shedd Aquarium's most spectacular exhibit is the Oceanarium, a 3 million gallon aquarium with among others beluga whales and Pacific white-sided dolphins.
The Tribune Tower is one of the magnificent buildings bordering Chicago's Magnificent Mile. The Neo-Gothic tower has a collection of famous stones - including a moon rock.
Chicago's grand railway station was built in 1925 after twelve years of construction. The building's large waiting room, known as the 'Great Hall', evokes the golden era of railroads.
The campus of the University of Chicago is home to a number of noteworthy historic and modern buildings. Besides architecture, there's also art to discover in the university's interesting museums.
Washington Square Park is the oldest park in Chicago and also one of its most pleasant. The park's nickname, Bughouse Square, refers its history as a place where orators would address the crowd.
Chicago is a showcase of 20th century high-rise architecture. The Sears Tower, for a long time the tallest tower in the world is just one of the many examples.
The Wrigley building was the first of a series of landmarks constructed at the southern end of the Magnificent Mile. It was built as the headquarters of the Wrigley company, the manufacturer of chewing gum.