It’s not surprising that Chicago is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the whole country. Many of the Chicago museums rank among the best in the world, there are a number of beautiful parks here and some of the most friendly people. It may be hard for tourists to decide which Chicago attractions are worth checking out since there is so much to see and do in the city. Whether you’re a tourist or a local you will definitely find something interesting in our list of the best Chicago attractions.
Downtown
Downtown is the center of Chicago’s governmental, cultural, commercial, and financial institutions and the location of most of the city’s skyscrapers and the famous Grant Park. Many of the financial institutions of the city, such as the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and the CBOT, are situated within a section of downtown known as “The Loop”. It is a five-block by eight-block area of city streets that is surrounded by the rail tracks. Local people largely use the term “The Loop” to refer to the entire downtown area of the city as well. The central area includes the Near West Side, the Near South Side, and, the Near North Side as well as the Loop itself. These areas incorporate many famous museums, skyscrapers, a lot of restaurants, shopping centers, a stadium for the Chicago Bears, some parks, convention facilities, and beaches.
The Loop
One of Chicago’s 77 designated community areas is called The Loop. It is the main business district of the city and is the central section of Downtown Chicago. The Loop is the second-largest commercial business district in North America and home to Chicago’s commercial core. It contains regional offices and the headquarters of various global and national businesses, retail establishments, restaurants, theaters, and hotels along with many of Chicago’s most well-known attractions. There you will find Chicago’s City Hall, the seat of Cook County, as well as countless offices of different levels of government along with consulates of foreign nations. Here in the Loop, right at the crossing of Madison Street and State Street, is the birthplace of Chicago’s street grid addresses, which was established in 1909. The biggest part of Grant Park’s 319 acres (1.29 km2) is located in the eastern section of the community area. The Loop community area is bordered on the west and north by the Chicago River, on the south by Roosevelt Road, and on the east by Lake Michigan. The commercial core though has noticeably expanded into adjacent community areas.
Millennium Park
The best-known part of the larger Grant Park is Millennium Park. It is located in downtown Chicago and bounded by Columbus Drive to the east, Michigan Avenue to the west, Monroe Street to the south, and Randolph Street to the north. In its center is a 110-ton sculpture named Cloud Gate. The sculpture was inspired by liquid mercury and features a polished, mirror-like stainless steel surface, which reflects all its surroundings, including the sky, buildings, and the tourists who walk through the central arch. Another popular attraction in Millennium Park is the Crown Fountain, which is a captivating modern interpretation of the ancient gargoyle that gives the impression of water streaming from the mouths of displayed images of Chicago citizens. Some other beloved things to do here include watching a performance at the famous Jay Pritzker Pavilion, a fascinating outdoor concert venue, or visiting Lurie Garden, which is always open to the tourists at no cost all year.
Chicago Riverwalk and Lakefront Trail
The Chicago River runs parallel to the lakeshore right through the heart of the city and is best known for its staggering number of movable bridges. There are eighteen bridges in just two miles, and each one has the ability to allow large boats to pass under it. The McCormick Bridgehouse and Chicago River Museum allows tourists to take an up-close look at the intricate mechanisms of one of the city’s most famous bridges. There you can actually see the gears work as it moves. The Riverwalk offers great many dining options and hosts a variety of special events throughout the year. You can also find a few cruises and river tours that leave from the Riverwalk.
The Lakefront Trail is fully-paved and offers gorgeous views of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan. It stretches 18 miles from Ardmore Street on the North Side to 71st Street on the South Side. It is free to enter for pedestrians and people-powered wheels and is full of gardens, parks, and recreation areas, along with beaches. Many of the city’s most popular attractions are located on the trail, including Lincoln Park, Navy Pier, and Soldier Field.
360 Chicago
360 Chicago is a tourist’s favorite observation deck on the 94th floor of the John Hancock Building. It is located in the John Hancock Center office building, which is easy to recognize by its dark metallic-looking exterior with a unique cross-braced steel design, that goes up the outside of the building. The massive glass-walled observation deck offers views that overlook the whole of Chicago’s skyline and beyond. If you are feeling adventurous then you will love the deck’s newest feature, “Tilt”. It gives the visitors a staggering view from more than 1,000 feet above the Magnificent Mile as they are leaning outward at a sizable angle to look straight down from the secure glass enclosure. In the rest of the building, you will find a variety of shops, apartments, and offices, as well as a vast multimedia exhibit situated on the first floor. It includes a lot of information about the city of Chicago as well as the construction of the John Hancock Building.
Michigan Avenue and the Magnificent Mile
Michigan Avenue is possibly one of the most appealing boulevards in America. The best-known section of Michigan Avenue is the city’s famous Magnificent Mile north of the Chicago River, with its numerous boutiques, galleries, and luxury shops. Some of the most popular attractions here include the Wrigley Building, John Hancock Center, and the Tribune Tower.
