Millennium Park
Millennium Park is a recreational and artistic urban development in the city of Chicago. Opened in 2004, this park spans over 99 square meters and features fountains, gardens, and monuments.
Millennium Park is home to one of the city’s most famous attractions: “The Bean.” Although its real name is Cloud Gate, it is popularly known as “The Bean” because of its distinctive bean-like shape.
If the weather is nice, it will be nearly impossible to get a photo where the sculpture isn’t crowded with people or where only you are visible—its polished, undulating surface reflects the nearby skyscrapers and distorts them, creating beautiful and fun images. If you want to avoid the crowds, it’s best to go in the morning.
Another attraction in this park is the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, designed by Canadian architect Frank Gehry, which can accommodate 7,000 people, spread out among the bleachers and the lawn in front of the stage.
Navy Pier
Navy Pier was once one of the largest piers in the world; however, in the late 19th century, with the Chicago World’s Fair, they decided to transform the pier into a major entertainment district. Today, Navy Pier is an amusement park featuring rides such as the Ferris wheel, flying chairs, and classic carnival games, but it also houses a bustling shopping area full of life and atmosphere. Instead of being bordered by the sea, it is surrounded by beautiful Lake Michigan.
It’s free and open all day. If you go in the afternoon, you can catch a magnificent sunset over the lake.
Willis Tower
Chicago wouldn’t be the same city without its skyscrapers, as Chicago is where the world’s first skyscraper was built, and today you can see more than 15 skyscrapers throughout the city.
The Willis Tower, also known as the Sears Tower, is Chicago’s tallest skyscraper, standing 443 meters tall with 110 floors. It was built in 1974 and was the world’s tallest building for many years until 1996. This 110-story building features an observation deck on the 103rd floor that captivates tourists.
The Willis Tower’s visitor center is the Skydeck, and it is one of Chicago’s top tourist attractions. Although admission may seem a bit pricey, the experience is truly amazing. However, it’s not recommended for travelers who suffer from vertigo, since the observation deck is located 412 meters above ground, is entirely made of glass, and on windy days, you can feel the entire building swaying. This floor allows visitors to stand on a transparent platform and watch the city unfold beneath their feet.
John Hancock Center
This is Chicago’s fourth-tallest skyscraper, with 100 floors and a height of 344 meters. This Chicago skyscraper is one of the most iconic, as its trapezoidal shape makes it recognizable from anywhere in the city. Additionally, the views of Lake Michigan from the newly created observatory are truly spectacular, and it’s quite interesting for both adults and children.
Inside this skyscraper, you can visit a restaurant with an incredible view of Chicago. The Signature Room is located on the 95th floor, where you can enjoy delicious food while taking in a breathtaking view of the entire city. The observatory (called 360° Chicago), which competes with the Willis Tower Skydeck, offers panoramic views of the city and four states, with a maximum visibility of over 120 kilometers. This observatory features Chicago’s only outdoor SkyWalk and also offers a free multimedia tour in six languages.
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