Top Chicago Places to Visit with Damian
Hello, it is Damian and I live in Chicago since 2015! I created this list based on my own experience and I want to share some extra secret places in Chicago with you! The list includes a total of 28 places, some of them are super touristic but must-see places, there are some places that can’t be found easily and for sure you won’t see tourists there.
Enjoy! And don’t forget to check out the top coffee shops in Chicago and Chicago Travel Guide.
1. Cloud Gate
Location: Google Maps
Access: Free
But everyone is calling it “Bean” a famous piece of art by Anish Kapoor in Millennium Park. Most touristic place in Chicago, must-see as well as entire Millennium Park where you can find Christmas Tree in winter and do some skating.
I actually got the unique opportunity to take a photo of “Bean” where there was no one around!
2. Willis Tower
Location: Google Maps
Access: Website
Still called Sears Tower by most Chicagoans, is the tallest building in Chicago (442 m), it was the tollest build in the world for 25 years. It is worth visiting for “Skydeck” which is a glass box at 412 m! Tickets are $35 for adults ().
3. Shedd Aquarium
Location: Google Maps
Access: Website
Really interesting, but to be hosted it was smaller than I thought, it can be done in 1 – 1,5 hours, if you are interested in visiting you must see those photos I got a chance to take https://coffeewithdamian.com/blog/chicago-shedd-aquarium/
4. Field Museum
Location: Google Maps
Access: Website
History of nature, you can find more information here. I am not the biggest fan, but it really depends on personal preferences.
5. Museum of Science and Industry
Location: Google Maps
Access: Website
Located in Hyde Park one of the best Chicago Neighborhoods, in the museum you can even find a full-size U-505 a German submarine!
6. Wrigley Field
Location: Google Maps
Access: Tours
The stadium of the most beloved baseball team in Chicago has a lot of great bars and food places around it.
7. Michael Jordan Statue
Location: Google Maps
Access: Free
The best basketball player in history spent most of his career in the Chicago Bulls, visit his statue in his honor.
8. Apple Store Michigan Avenue
Location: Google Maps
Access: Free
What can I say, this building is a piece of art, cost $27 million, is for sale now for $170 million.
9. 360 Chicago
Location: Google Maps
Access: Website
Observatory located on 94th floor with the best possible view you can get in Chicago, all side of the world.
Tip!
Instead of being a ticket, you can make a reservation for dinner in a restaurant located on the 95th floor so you can see the entire Chicago and lake. Hope for good weather!
10. Adler Planetarium
Location: Google Maps
Access: Website
Got the biggest publicly accessible telescope in Chicago.
11. Navy Pier
Location: Google Maps
Access: Free
This is the most tourists place in Chicago, with many attractions like Crystal Gardens or Children’s museum.
12. Lincoln Park Zoo
Location: Google Maps
Access: Free
If you travel with kids, definitely worth going, entire Lincoln Park is a beautiful place where you can really relax and rest after exploring a busy city.
13. Chinatown
Location: Google Maps
Access: Free
Few buildings with Chines architecture, plus food that is unique for this neighborhood, worth visiting if you have extra time.
14. Bahá’í House of Worship
Location: Google Maps
Access: Free
Located in Evanston, the first town north of Chicago, a great piece of architecture.
15. Art Institute
Location: Google Maps
Access: Website
The biggest museum in Chicago, must-visit place, check their website for actual exhibits.
16. Green Mill
Location: Google Maps
Access: Website
A famous place opened in 1907, that is where Al Capone hung out. Remember that they only take cash and have no reservations. The place is kept in 60-70s style, no food only drinks, but great music and great dancing.
17. St. John Cantius Church
Location: Google Maps
Access: Website
One of the oldest churches in Chicago, and in my opinion most beautiful! Built in 1893 by Polish immigrants is home to thousands of parishioners in River West. They offer Latin Mass 7 days a week.
18. Glessner House
Location: Google Maps
Access: Website
A National Historic Landmark, Glessner House was designed by noted American architect Henry Hobson Richardson and completed in 1887. It remains an internationally-known architectural treasure in Chicago.
19. Adler Planetarium Skyline Walk
Location: Google Maps
Access: Free
The best view of the Chicago skyline can be seen from this place, a beautiful walk that can be taken from downtown, to Alder Planetarium. Used a lot by Chicagonian, less by tourists, really recommended, especially in summer, when you can make a picnic and relax.
20. North Avenue Beach
Location: Google Maps
Access: Free
Great view of Chicago and the most popular and longest beach in Chicago, a lot of volleyball tournaments during the summer, a great place to cooldown during hot days.
21. Buckingham Fountain
Location: Google Maps
Access: Free
The biggest fountain in Chicago, built in 1927, is one of the largest in the world. Running from May to mid-October depends on the weather. It shoots water 150-feet high every hour for 20 min. There is a final performance every day at 10:35 pm with lights and music.
22. The Chicago Theatre
Location: Google Maps
Access: Website
Built in 1921, the landmark of Chicago is located on North State Street in the Loop area. The capacity of 3600 people. Popular for photography in front of the building. One of the most iconic places in Chcicago.
23. Stony Island Arts Bank
Location: Google Maps
Access: Free
Interesting architecture, previously bank, located in Hyde Park. Today, the restored Stony Island Arts Bank provides the South Side of Chicago with 17,000 square feet of space for innovation in contemporary art and archival practice.
Top Secret Chicago Places to Visit
1. Multilevel streets
Location: Google Maps (Downtown Chicago)
Access: Free
Some of the streets in Chicago downtown got lower levels, even Michigan Avenue which is the main street going through the entire Chicago with most tourists on it, you can completely avoid people just by taking stairs down. Even people living in Chicago rarely use it. Lower levels are mainly used for track deliveries and car traffic, but most of them got sidewalks!
2. Pedway System
Location: Map (Downtown Chicago)
Access: Free
It is a system of underground tunnels between many buildings in Chicago. Even I didn’t have a chance to fully explore it but it is on my list. You can find bars and shops there!
source (https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/cdot/pedestrian/Pedway/PedwayMap2013.pdf)
3. Gate with number 23
Location: Google Maps
Access: Free
You can actually find the famous “23” gate, this is where Michael Jordan was living during his career in Chicago Bulls and long after.
4. Garden of Pheonix
Location: Google Maps
Access: Free
This garden symbolizes the mutual respect and friendship that Japan and the United States initiated more than 120 years ago. In 1893, on Jackson Park’s Wooded Island, the Japanese Government built the Ho-o-den [Phoenix Temple] as its pavilion for the World’s Columbian Exposition.
5. The Spice House
Location: Google Maps
Access: Free
I found this place when I was exploring Old Town. I was enchanted by the great interior design, the variety of spices from all over the world, and the quality of the products. A place worth visiting for anyone who wants to diversify their cooking.
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