Last Updated on October 10, 2024 by Alice Benny
My parents are Chicago natives, and I grew up in the near west suburbs. I was blessed to visit all the museums, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, and Lincoln Park Zoo regularly. We went to Chicago all the time — up Sears Tower, to hang out at the beach, to Soldier Field to watch the Bears, to Comisky Park to cheer on the White Sox, and to spend time at Buckingham Fountain.
For summer camp and school field trips, we’d go on Wendella Boat Rides, to the Art Institute, Field Museum, Museum of Natural History, and more. I got married at the University Club and attended work galas at the Shedd Aquarium, Planetarium, and more. In my twenties and early thirties, I lived in Chicago proper (Lincoln Park, Lakeview, and Gold Coast). I went to Cubs games and rollerbladed along Lake Michigan. I consider myself a Chicagoan true and true. There’s nothing like Chicago!
Chicago Skyline ~ Best Views In Chicago is one of the best way to really see Chicago, to really appreciate it, is to see it from a distance. The views of this Windy City are truly breathtaking. The windy city by night is definitely the most iconic view of Chicago.
Chicago Skyline ~ Chicago’s Architecture
Chicago is also known as the world-famous Chicago Architecture and the Magnificent Mile. It’s home to some of the tallest buildings in North America including the Willis Tower, Trump International Hotel & Tower, and the John Hancock Center.
There are many different things you can do here like visiting Navy Pier, taking a boat ride on the Lakefront Trail, or going for a bike ride at Millennium Park. All these places will give visitors to Chicago a true experience that they won’t forget anytime soon.
Chicago has so much more than just these beautiful skyline views. There are over 800 restaurants here where you’re sure to find something that suits your taste. Visitors to the city will love its unique museums and art galleries. A few must-visit attractions include The Art Institute Of Chicago, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Grant Park Conservatory Garden, and McCormick Place Convention Center.
For shopping lovers, there are two major department stores that attract shoppers from all over the world: Macy’s (formerly Marshall Field’s which have been around since 1858). Also, both the Magnificent Mile and River North offer many boutiques and shops.
But if you want to get off the beaten path, head over to Oak Street Beach located near Greektown and Southport beaches. Here you’ll find an outdoor movie screen showing free movies every Sunday and live music on select Thursdays. If you happen to visit during the warm summer months, plan to visit Lincoln Park Zoo with its amazing animals, Botanic Gardens and the zoo itself. But don’t leave without seeing the Buckingham Fountain and Adler Planetarium.
Chicago’s Architecture
Chicago Architecture is what makes Chicago unique and special. It’s where you can get the most amazing skyline, cityscape or landscape views in the whole world. You don’t need to go out your front door to see some of the greatest architecture in the United States. You’re probably already seeing some of the things we’ve included on our list!
Whether you’re looking for panoramic views of the Magnificent Mile Shopping District, Downtown Chicago, Lake Michigan, Navy Pier, the Willis Tower, the Art Deco skyscrapers, Trump Tower, the Sears Tower (now called Willis Tower but those of us who grew up in Chicago are still reluctant to call it Willis Tower!), the John Hancock Center, the famous Tribune Building, Grant Park, Buckingham Fountain, The Bean, Wrigley Field, Soldier Field, The Art Institute, Burnham Harbor or even the new Barack Obama Presidential Library.
Marina City
Marina City, located right next to downtown, offers amazing water views across Lake Michigan and great access to public transportation. Marina City was designed by architect William Le Baron Jenney and opened its doors in 1965 under developer Robert Moses. A series of waterfront parks called “the park district” now sit along Lake Michigan and offer lots of beautiful places to relax and enjoy nature while enjoying fabulous views of the lake and downtown.
Museum Campus
Museum Campus consists of 13 different museums operated by the museum of modern art, and is the perfect place for students and travelers looking for culture, education, and fun in one place.
The Art Institute of Chicago
This huge museum boasts some amazing collections including works by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Rembrandt and many others who contributed to history. Located at the heart of the Loop, it presents exhibitions of modern paintings, sculptures and decorative arts featuring well-known artists of the past century such as Monet, Cezanne, Matisse, Rothko, Warhol and De Kooning among others. (My husband and I are lifetime members of the Art Institute!)
Chicago Cultural Center
The Chicago Cultural Center hosts concerts, theatrical presentations, dance recitals, film festivals and other performances throughout the year. It’s home to the renowned Symphony Orchestra and its resident companies like the Steppenwolf Theater Company.
Chicago Botanic Garden
The Chicago Botanic Garden is an 11 acre botanical garden located on the north side of the University of Illinois campus. Its mission is to demonstrate how plants reflect their environment through climate change, evolution, creation, diversity and sustainability.
Grant Park
Grant Park is one of America’s largest urban parks and the pride of the people of Chicago. This is a truly magnificent park, and has wonderful sights and attractions. There is so much to see here: the zoo, the Art institute, Navy Pier, Millennium Park, Grant Park band shell, Buckingham Fountain and so much more. There are several golf courses in Chicago, but none can match the elegance and beauty of Old Orchard Course.
Located on 600 acres of land just outside Chicago lies the legendary course that has been ranked number eight in Golf Magazine’s 100 Greatest Courses in the World. The first hole is a par three where players have to hit from a tee box overlooking the lake and it is considered one of the most difficult holes in the sport. In fact all the holes are tough and will test any golfer’s game; they include the 10th which requires a drive around the island green into a small creek, the 17th and the 18th which is also a par five and features a large lake and a waterfall.
Chicago Architecture Tour
Already seen the view from the top? How about the view from the water? There are a number of boats and architecture tours that will give you the inside scoop on Chicago’s unique architectural history. From the ground up you will be able to see how some of Chicago’s most famous buildings fit into the landscape of the city. Whether it’s the view from the lake or on the Chicago River, both are sure to impress. But where is the best place to see it from?
Best Views In Chicago
We have collected the best locations to get that epic panorama view over Chicago. Trust us, you will not be disappointed to do these things in to do in Chicago.
Chicago Skyline from Willis Tower Skydeck
Standing 108 floors above the ground at the top of Willis Tower (Sears Tower), the Skydeck offers the most unique view of the city – from inside the building. Standing in a glass box extended just under four-and-a-half feet off the side of the third tallest building in the world is a breath taking experience. (They didn’t have this when I grew up!)
Another somewhat new addition is the five-story dining, retail, and entertainment space located at the base. This encompasses five stories. The area is called Catalog. It includes a deck and garden as well.
John Hancock Observatory
If you get to the John Hancock building before March 31 you will have an opportunity of a lifetime: the ability to ice skate at 1,000 feet inside a building while enjoying an awesome view of the Chicago Skyline! The view from there is amazing, but the view from the Lavazza Espression Café is even better. Serving a variety of coffees and wine and spirits, at night this is the ideal spot to relax and watch the skyline light up.
Buckingham Fountain at Grant Park
Inside the expanse of Grant Park, Buckingham Fountain creates one of the most well known symbols of Chicago. Shooting jets of water up to 150 feet into the air, the fountain is one of the largest of its kind in the world. Located in Grant Park the view is also well known as part of the opening for the television show, “Married with Children”.
Millennium Park
If you don’t know “The Bean”, you need to get to Millennium Park stat! Officially named “Cloud Gate,” this polished reflective sculpture in the heart of Millennium Park is a must see for those looking to grab an incredible view of the city skyline through a work of art.
Cubs Bleacher Seats
The view of the ivy covered walls from inside one of the oldest Major League Baseball stadiums in the country, Wrigley Field, is an amazing experience. The view from the rooftops across the street is even better. The Wrigley Rooftops give baseball fans the most extraordinary stadium experience. Above the field viewers get a birds eye view of the Wrigleyville neighborhood made famous by the city’s most loveable losers, the Chicago Cubs.
Oak Street Beach
Located just north of the Magnificent Mile the Oak Street Beach, on the shores of Lake Michigan on of the Great Lakes, provides a wonderful opportunity for a classic Chicago photo of the Drake Hotel Chicago. From the beach you can snap great shots of the downtown area and the city’s most famous street, Lake Shore Drive. If you don’t feel like going out of your way to get Best Views In Chicago over the city, there are some pretty neat Chicago condos where you can soak up the view without even having to step outside your door.
(photo credits: Campanero Rumbero – dielotr – b.jelonek – Vincent Desjardins)
