Top 5 Must Visit Tourist Attractions in Chicago
Chicago is the largest city on Lake Michigan in Illinois, United States, widely famous for its versatile architecture and iconic tourist attractions. John Hancock Center of 1451 feet lies in the city’s heart and attracts people in large numbers every year. Moreover, it is home to incredible museums, including The Art Institute of Chicago, representing the rich historical and cultural heritage. Chicago’s windy city is renowned for vibrant art, several tourist attractions, and fantastic shopping sites.
Its classic architecture of the 20th century features legendary architects, including Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright. Visitors can also see the works of great artists like Chagall, Miro, Dubuffet, and Picasso in art galleries or museums. Game lovers can enjoy football in American clubs, baseball in the White Sox and Cubs, and basketball in the Chicago Bulls. In addition, numerous gorgeous golden beaches stretch along the city’s waterfront, offering the best summer getaway to beach lovers. The ideal time to visit the city is from April to May in the summers and between September and October in the fall season.
Here are the top five tourist attractions in Chicago worth exploring this year with friends or family.
1. Art Institute of Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago is a top-rated museum exhibiting hundreds and thousands of great artworks in downtown Chicago. It is the greatest museum in the world, showing a massive collection of artifacts dating back centuries ago. In addition, it also features a wide variety of historical stuff, including beautiful paintings, prints, decorative arts, sculpture, textiles, architectural sketches, and photography. The site is also famous for displaying post-impressionist and impressionist paintings of Georges Seurat and Claude Monet.
Shepley, Rutan, and Coolidge were responsible for designing the building in beaux-arts style for the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893. Later, several buildings were added over the past years, and today, the structure spreads up to 400,000 square feet. Art lovers will find the paintings of some great artists, including Bisa Butler, Hokusai, Julia Margaret Cameron, Gunther, and Ivan. On Thursdays, residents of the city can get free entries starting from 5:00 to 8:00 pm.
2. The Willis Tower SkyDeck
The Willis Tower SkyDeck is among the tallest office blocks in the world, offering jaw-dropping scenes from the top. Initially, it was the Petronas Towers constructed in 1996 in Kuala Lumpur, and today, it is a popular tourist attraction in Chicago. There are spectacular taller buildings from where you can see up to 40 to 50 miles over the four states. Visit the site on a visible day and get incredible glimpses of the fascinating architecture of the city.
It required three years to complete the tower’s construction, and after that, it was open for public visits in 1974. The total height of the building is 1453 feet, along with an observation area, which is known as the SkyDeck. It lies on the 103rd floor, 1353 feet from the ground level, and the glass floor is called the Ledge. If you are visiting the city for the first time, make sure to explore the Skydeck for a magical experience. However, you need to buy advance entry tickets to be a part of the exhibition and watch the short video on the structure’s history.
3. Buckingham Fountain
One of the best things to do in Chicago is watching the incredible water show at Buckingham Fountain, which is the world’s largest of its kind. It was built in 1927 as a contribution from the Buckingham family and designed in the Art Deco style. Four seashores representing Lake Michigan’s four bordering states surround the beautiful fountain. The opening hours of the site are from 8:00 am to 11:00 pm. Visitors can see approx 15,000 gallons of water from 200 nozzles every minute and appreciate the charming display. After the water show, the place is lit up with glittering lights in the evening, and it is the best thing to do in Chicago.
Major landmarks include Museum Campus, which is home to the Field Museum of Natural History, the Adler Planetarium, and the Shedd Aquarium. Tourists can also visit the grant park and enjoy plenty of recreational facilities and peaceful serene, and it also hosts great music and food festivals. Download the airline’s official app and book your Aeromexico tickets to your dream destination under a reasonable budget.
4. The Millennium Park
Millennium Park is a mega part of Grant Park, and it lies in downtown Chicago. The park’s main highlight is Cloud Gate, a 110-ton sculpture having a stainless steel surface influenced by the liquid mercury. The mirror-like structure bounces the reflection of the neighboring buildings, the skyline, and people moving across the site. The park is easily accessible and lies very close to the landmarks of Chicago. Shoppers will find numerous shopping stores to make trendy purchases.
Tourists can choose to stay here in the nearby hotels, offering top-notch amenities and a jaw-dropping view from the room. Crown Fountain is another impressive and the finest example of contemporary architecture, giving an impression of water flowing from citizen’s figures. Tourists can also be a part of an amazing music concert at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion or explore the Lurie Garden. The site also offers plenty of free activities, and you can check its official site for a complete events schedule.
5. Navy Pier
The Navy Pier is a popular amusement park also offering shipping facilities since its construction in 1916. Today, it is among the top-rated tourist attractions in Chicago, attracting people of all age groups in large numbers every year. The site is composed of 50 gardens, shops, restaurants, concert halls, lush green parks, and stunning attractions. The Ferris Wheel of 150 feet and an ancient carousel are the major highlights of the park.
You can watch a film at the 3D theater and live performances at the city’s Shakespeare theater. There are Crystal Gardens of one acre, six floors, and an indoor botanical garden within the site. If you are traveling here with your kids, take them to the Chicago Children’s Museum for a unique exposure. Navy Pier also hosts interactive festivals and events throughout the year, including the Chicago Festival in August. Cruise ships are convenient options to other landmarks of the city. Book your Frontier Airlines flights and explore the interactive exhibitions and incredible sightseeing sites in Chicago.
