Best Places to Watch the Sunset in Chicago
Chicago gets some truly epic sunsets, made even more beautiful by the lake. And of course, there’s no shortage of places to watch the sunset, thanks to the city’s 24 beaches and countless skyscrapers. If you’re wondering where to watch the sunset in Chicago, your main issue will be narrowing down your options. That’s why Skydeck Chicago has put together a handy list of the best places to see the sunset in Chicago.
Our Top Picks for Where to Watch the Sunset in Chicago
To help you narrow down the selection, we’ve put together a list of the top three best places to watch the sunset in Chicago. Our top picks include:
Lake Michigan Boat Cruise
There are dozens of boat tour companies with special sunset cruises along the coast of Lake Michigan. We also recommend Chicago River sunset cruises, as the river is flanked on either side by soaring skyscrapers, and it’s particularly beautiful to see the evening light break over the river and pour through downtown.
The Surrounding Steps of the Adler Planetarium
The Lakefront Trail wraps around the Adler Planetarium and Shedd Aquarium. Here, you’ll find a hilly lawn descending from the planetarium and aquarium to the Lakefront Trail, as well a long wall with stone steps. This spot provides what many believe to be the single most beautiful and comprehensive view of downtown Chicago and Lake Michigan at ground-level.
Navy Pier From the Ferris Wheel
This mile long pier is Chicago’s cleaner, more upscale Cony Island, and it provides a stunning view down the many canyons of downtown Chicago’s skyscrapers. For a particularly romantic evening, we recommend settling into one of the carriages of the Navy Pier Ferris Wheel for a gentle ride as you take in the breathtaking evening views of the city.
But the Best Place to See the Sunset in Chicago Is Skydeck
Of course, you can always head over to Skydeck Chicago and watch the sunset from “The Ledge” at the top of Willis Tower. At Skydeck, we offer a 360-degree view of all of Chicagoland, Lake Michigan, and four states. It’s one of the biggest views in the world, and it’s no overstatement to say that it is the best place to see the sunset in Chicago.
Just make sure you show up 45 minutes ahead of the sunset to make sure you have time to make your way up Willis Tower to the viewing area! You can use the Chicago SunriseSunset calendar to find out what time the sun is going to set! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out.