Chicago is an absolute must-see and there’s a good reason for it. Chicago was voted the second most beautiful city in the world (after Prague) in 2021. If you enjoy fine dining, shopping and soaking up history then this is the city for you. Chicago offers a variety of attractions that are not to be missed.
The Bean
Formerly known as “Cloud Gate”, is the sculpture that resides as the centerpiece in Millenium Park. The sculpture was designed by Indian-born British artist Anish Kapoor and is made up of 168 stainless steel plates welded together. The stainless steel is polished so the seams are undetectable to the human eye. The arch is 3.7 meters tall and as a visitor, you can easily walk underneath. The bean is completely reflective and was modeled to resemble the form of liquid mercury. Its reflection distorts the Chicago city skyline.
Navy Pier
This is Chicago’s second most visited attraction. The 3,300-foot-long pier covers the shoreline of Lake Michigan. The pier draws two million visitors annually and has many attractions on offer. Wine and dine in the many restaurants the pier has on offer, from all American classics such as Chicago deep-dish pizza to desserts such as the infamous Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. You can even sail down Lake Michigan and take in the sights of the city by boat. There are many cruises available to tourists and is one of the best ways to learn and marvel at the scenery.
Art Institute Chicago
If you’re an art lover then a trip to the Art Institute of Chicago is worth the visit. From ancient Egyptian exhibits to the works of William Morris. The museum is located across from Millennium Park and Lake Michigan. The museum is packed with a variety of interesting works from Van Gogh, Matisse, and Pablo Picasso.
John Hancock center
This is a 100-story skyscraper located right in the heart of Chicago city, on the notable Michigan Avenue otherwise known as the Magnificent Mile. Within the building, on the 94th floor, you can marvel at the stunning sights of the windy city. The 360-degree observation deck is a brilliant attraction you don’t want to miss. Observe the city from 1,000 feet above. There is even a bar, appropriately named Bar 94, where you can stop and have a drink at. Happy hour gets a whole new meaning from up here!
Walk on the glass ledge at Willis Tower!
This building is even taller than the John Hancock Building. Standing at over 108 stories, equating to 1450 feet tall. The tower was completed in 1974 and has surpassed the height of the World Trade Center in New York City. It was the tallest building in the western hemisphere for 41 years until it eventually was surpassed by both the One World Trade Center in 2013 and eventually the Central Park Tower in 2022.
Walk on the glass ledge, 4.3 feet out from the sky deck. The floor and walls are see-through glass and give the illusion that you are walking on air. This is a perfect photo opportunity and is an absolute must-do. Walk 1, 353 feet over the city skyline and take in the stunning views for yourself.
Deep dish pizza
The signature dish of Chicago is available in nearly every Italian restaurant you see. There are many places you can sample the delicious deep dish crust pizza, a local favorite being Pequod’s Pizza. This restaurant may look unassuming on the outside but it’s the most rewarded pizza in Chicago. The prices are extremely affordable and would make a wonderful evening out for everyone at your vacation party.
Shop on the magnificent mile
The magnificent mile is a plethora of restaurants, shops, and things to do. The magnificent mile has 450 retailers and 275 restaurants. There are also many hotels located on this strip and would be an ideal place to stay for anyone visiting in the name of retail therapy. It isn’t all just shopping and dining, there is brilliant nightlife to experience where. Clubs and comedy shows are very popular here and there is even a public mural, with artwork by Nick Cave and Bob Faust.
Grant park
This park is located between the downtown Chicago Loop and Millenium Park. This 319-acre park is home to some of Chicago’s most famous landmarks. These landmarks include the famous Institute of Art and the field museum of natural history. The park is also home to the famous Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain. The fountain is the park’s centerpiece and was built in 1927. You can even pick up a bite to eat here at the famous Congress pizza restaurant, located to the west of the park. The park has multiple attractions to enjoy and offers unforgettable days out for all.
Wrigley field
The famous stadium was built in 1914 and is home to the Chicago Cubs. It has been the cub’s home for over a century and is located in North Chicago. Whether you decide to take in a game or just want to step inside the stadium, there are guided tours conducted by the stadium itself. You can walk around the gigantic 41,072-seater venue and soak up the history that comes along with it.
Shedd Aquarium
This aquarium has been open since 1930. It is located on Lake Michigan and is home to 32,000 aquatic animals. It was named a historic landmark and is home to many different species. Pay a visit to the aquarium and see the bluegills, beluga whales, alligators, and snapping turtles. There are many events held here and even spread into the community. You can get involved in river planting and woodland restoration projects.
