Landmarks in Chicago

Chicago is a city full of landmarks, which is no surprise given its size and history! From the soaring skyscrapers to sprawling parks, Chicago is a city with plenty to do and see, for laid-back and tourist types alike.

For visitors who want the true tourist experience, a visit to the top of the world is key. One can take their pick between the Willis Tower Skydeck or the Observatory on the John Hancock Building’s 94th floor for sweeping views of the city from an exceptional height. Among the more down-to-earth landmarks, Chicago parks are excellent places to visit and wander in. Millennium Park, located right in the heart of the Chicago Loop, offers walking trails, live music in the outdoor pavilion designed by Frank Gehry, an outdoor ice skating rink in the winter, and one of Chicago’s most unique instances of public art, known fondly as “The Bean.”

Navy Pier is another of Chicago’s famed landmarks, and is home to more activities than a family could possibly do in a single day. Great for kids during the day, Navy Pier also offers a lively bar and restaurant scene, and excellent views of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan. For a different lake experience, North Avenue Beach is a hotbed for tanners and swimmers in the summer months.

And of course, one mustn’t forget the Chicago museums. Chicago is home to many world-class museums such as the Art Institute and Museum of Science and Industry. For history buffs, there’s the Old Water Tower on Chicago Avenue, a relic of Chicago’s past and the only standing building that wasn’t damaged in the Great Chicago Fire.

Landmarks in Chicago are not few and far between, and there is always plenty to see and learn about this great city. Whether sipping cocktails on top of the John Hancock Building or wandering the Lincoln Park Zoo, there are attractions in Chicago to suit just about everybody.