Top Tourist Attractions in Chicago
The Windy City is full of adventure and shopping. There’s always somewhere to go, something great to eat or a fabulous show to watch. Head to Oprah Winfrey’s hometown and make memories you will never forget. Here are the top tourist attractions in Chicago that you must see when you visit Illinois.
Willis Tower is one of the tallest buildings in the world. Formally called Sears Tower, many people think this building was designed for tourists to view the entire city. They are wrong. Willis Tower is actually a business building that houses many different offices. Tours can only be taken during regular business hours.
The John Hancock Building is the best place to go if you want a bird’s eye view of the entire city. Observe the city on the 94th floor and then have dinner or drinks in The Signature Room on the 95th floor. The John Hancock Building is open until 11 o’clock in the evening so you can see the beautiful city lights.
The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the best fine art museums in the Midwest. They own over 30 Monet paintings and have special exhibits all year round. Your visit will take at least 2 hours, but you’ll enjoy the knowledgeable staff. Be sure to take lots of pictures because, oddly enough, flash photography is welcomed at The Art Institute.
The Magnificent Mile is the place to shop. Michigan Avenue is full of top designer stores such as Chanel, Prada, Coach, and the Apple Store. If it is a known name brand, you’ll find the store along Michigan Avenue. People from all over the country come here just to shop. Most residents of Chicago shop here because of its convenience.
Wrigley Field is the home of the Chicago Cubs. Get your peanuts, popcorn and crackerjacks while you cheer on the home team at the second oldest ballpark in the nation. The bleacher seats are a great piece of baseball nostalgia that you will grow to love. Get tickets early because games at Wrigley are always sold out. If you didn't get tickets on time, try the US Cellular Field where the White Sox play. If baseball is not your favorite sport, Chicago has an areana for every sport. The Chicago Bears football team plays at Soldier Field. The Chicago Bulls play basketball and the Blackhawks play hockey at United Center.
Navy Pier is the perfect place to shop, eat and walk along Lake Michigan. During the summer, there are many outdoor activities for the family. Be sure to walk all the way to the end so you can look out over the lake. It’s a breathtaking view you won’t soon forget.
Millennium Park is a great place to walk during lunch or spend an afternoon watching the visitors. Cloud Gate, unofficially named The Bean, is becoming one of Chicago’s biggest attractions at Millennium Park. The stainless steel bean weighs over 110 pounds, is 66 feet long and 33 feet high.
Shedd Aquarium has almost 2 million visitors per year. It is one of the best aquariums in the nation. If you plan on going visiting all the sea creatures on display in Shedd Aquarium, make sure you arrive early. The lines to get in are always wrapped around the building.
Grant Park is where Shedd Aquarium is located. Known as Chicago's front yard, this park is also home to the Art Institute and the Field Museum of Natural History. This is the most beautiful park in all of Chicago and it has something for everyone, including baseball fields, walking paths, dog areas, playgrounds, skate parks and tennis courts.
The Museum of Science and Industry claims to be the biggest museum in the Northern Hemisphere. You can descend on a coal mining shaft, step inside one of America’s first diesel-electric streamlined passenger trains, see a real-time view of the planet earth and study the technology of farming. This interactive museum has many exhibits that are sure to entertain and educate you and your family.