Looking for ways to make the most of your time in the Windy City? A quick visit to the Loop will grant you access to many of the most famous places in Chicago. Whether you’re here in summer or winter, have all day or just an hour, you’ll get the iconic Chicago experience when you visit one or all five of these unforgettable Chicago spots, as well as others like the Buckingham Fountain.
WILLIS TOWER SKYDECK
Always a crowd-pleaser, WILLIS TOWER has even more to offer than meets the eye. Come for that phenomenal view (it spans 4 states if the air is clear) and stay to enjoy special Skydeck features like THE LEDGE, a glass box extending out from the side of the building that gives you a truly unique view of Chicago! This is ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR ATTRACTIONS IN THE WORLD ACCORDING TO TRIPADVISOR, and it’s easy to see why. It’s also worth exploring their dining options, family-friendly programming, and RENTING THE SKYDECK for your next event.
MILLENNIUM PARK
Chicago’s award-winning MILLENIUM PARK is a civic center with a lot to offer locals and tourists alike. This is where you’ll find Anish Kapoor’s Cloud Gate (also known as “THE BEAN“), a wide variety of engaging public art projects, dynamic landscape design, and outdoor fun for all seasons. Or cross BP Bridge, where you’ll find MAGGIE DALEY PARK on the other side of Columbus Drive. It’s packed with unique activities like a rock climbing wall, a state-of-the-art play garden, and an ice skating ribbon. After visiting Millenium and Maggie Daley, stop by one of many nearby architectural icons, like Willis Tower — just a 12-minute walk!
THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO
Founded in 1979, THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO is one of the country’s oldest and largest art museums. Come to check out a special exhibition, or get personal with seminal works from the permanent collection like Grant Wood’s American Gothic, Picasso’s The Old Guitarist, and Georges Seurat’s masterpiece of pointillism, A Sunday on La Grande Jatte. The museum is widely recognized for its cultural efforts, which is clear by its 1.5 million annual visitors.
CHICAGO RIVERWALK AND LAKEFRONT TRAIL
If the weather’s great and you have all day, the lakefront trail is the best place to see Chicago locals in action, and pass by some famous places to go in Chicago along the whole length of the city. The 8-MILE PAVED PATH that follows the Lake Michigan shoreline on the city’s eastern edge from Edgewater, Uptown, Lakeview, and LINCOLN PARK up north to the South Loop, Bronzeville and Hyde Park down south.
CHICAGO ARCHITECTURE RIVER CRUISE
Take a direct route to admire Chicago’s skyline — and dozens more famous places in Chicago. For the last 25 years, the Chicago Architecture Center has led RIVER CRUISES to share fascinating stories about more than 50 buildings along the CHICAGO RIVER. You’ll cover all three branches of the Chicago River, passing luminaries like the East Bank Club, the old Post Office Building, and the Willis Tower. With expertly trained docent volunteers leading the way, you’ll finish the tour with a solid overview of Chicago architecture and history. For a completely new perspective, check out the new Twilight River Cruise!
See More of Chicago From Skydeck!
Need help planning your ultimate day of touring famous places to go in Chicago? Don’t miss out on the most famous places to visit in Chicago! Contact us for travel tips, and find out what visitors are saying about Chicago’s best family events at the Skydeck.