Photography - Ivan Andrejic
There’s so much to do in Chicago, you could stay forever and never see everything. The Loop is one of the most important central business districts on the globe. In addition to its dynamic architecture and buzzing atmosphere, the area has an incredible concentration of cultural institutions, urban park spaces, award-winning restaurants and a shopper’s paradise on State Street. Famous for its striking architecture, the Loop vaunts signature buildings by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Louis Henri Sullivan, as well as Aqua by modern day prodigy Jeanne Gang. The area hangout, Millennium Park, complements its surrounding with stunning architectural marvels of its own. The park’s crown jewels include a Frank Gehry-designed amphitheater and Cloud Gate, the landmark “Bean” that’s become an iconic symbol of Chicago. Nearby Maggie Daley Park and the Chicago Riverwalk are two new engaging outdoor spaces that embrace design — and fun! In addition to architectural marvels, Chicago’s cultural attractions also have a prevailing presence in the downtown Loop. The celebrated Theater District buzzes with Tony Award-winning shows and glittering marquees. The Chicago Cultural Center provides an incredible range of performance and visual arts, while the Art Institute of Chicago is widely considered to be one of the finest institutions of its kind in the world.
Just north of downtown Chicago, and nestled against the Lake Michigan shoreline, is the Gold Coast. As the name would imply, the area is one of the country’s most affluent neighborhoods. With streets that are lined with historic mansions and specialty boutiques, the Gold Coast is an intensely popular area for residents and visitors. Branching off of The Magnificent Mile is Oak Street, an upscale shopper’s dream. The retail revelry includes internationally recognized stores, swanky boutiques and rare, designer fashions. If carrying around loaded shopping bags makes you hungry, you can stop at one of the district’s many celebrated restaurants, including Michelin-starred winners and classic Chicago steakhouses. A day of shopping becomes a night of revelry on the neighborhood’s fabled Rush Street. Amongst the prestigious hotels and celebrated eateries, you will find a trove of booming nightlife hot spots
With so many stores you could spend days just shopping. The Magnificent Mile packs luxury boutiques, department stores and multi-story mega malls all into one eight-block stretch. And that’s not including the nearly 300 restaurants and 60 hotels that also make up this cosmopolitan downtown center. Beyond the glossy retail facades, however, lay incredible art and architecture, history and culture. Make sure to look both up and down as you meander the Magnificent Mile on Michigan Avenue between Oak Street and the Chicago River. Incredible bridges and a riverwalk right below street level offer unique views. And iconic buildings soar above including the Wrigley Building and Tribune Tower which anchor the south end and the John Hancock Center (Chicago’s fourth tallest building) to the north. The neighborhood’s most famous monuments, the Historic Water Tower and Pumping Station, are among the oldest structures in Chicago and stand as symbolic reminders of the city’s rebirth after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
The Magnificent Mile is full of important and historic buildings and hotels. One of the iconic historic building is Intercontinental hotel. Originally built in 1929 as the Medinah Athletic Club, a luxury men’s club for members of the Shrine organization, the club fell victim to the stock-market crash and was forced to close its doors in 1934. InterContinental Hotels bought the property in 1988, and immediately began renovations. A quarter of a billion dollars and 12 years later, this truly magnificent hotel was re-introduced to Chicago. Restoration work was guided by the original athletic club’s 1930 yearbook, the SCIMITAR, donated by a club member. Its black-and-white photographs were used to duplicate and restore entire rooms, right down to the detailing in draperies, carpets and murals. Today, each floor of the hotel represents a myriad of cultures and eras. The public areas available for viewing provide a glimpse of the rich history of the building. When the InterContinental Chicago opened its doors, it was presented as a gift to the city. Since then it has been the recipient of numerous awards for its architecture and design. The hotel’s guests have included international dignitaries, politicians and Hollywood celebrities.
With 25 acres of awe-inspiring landscape, breathtaking architecture and an iconic collection of public art, Millennium Park is Chicago’s premier green space. Millennium Park celebrated its 10th anniversary season in 2014 and continues to present dozens of free events and programs including art installations, outdoor concerts, films screenings, alfresco workouts and more. All year round, “The Bean” is an iconic draw for visitors and locals alike. Take a picture in front of Cloud Gate, the official name for the massive, stainless steel structure that’s become Chicago’s signature landmark. In its mirror-like surface you’ll see not only your own reflection but the downtown skyline. In the warmer months, spread out a blanket in front of the award-winning Pritzker Pavilion for a live performance. Cool off by splashing around in Millennium Park’s Crown Fountain, a shallow reflecting pool bookended by 50-foot towers. Grab food and drinks at the alfresco patio Park Grill, or burn off those calories during a Saturday morning workout on the Great Lawn.
Millennium Park sits on space that was previously occupied by rail yards and parking lots. It doesn’t take a guided tour through Lurie Garden to see that it’s come a long way. Construction of Millennium Park began in 1998. Through a massive civic effort, generous private donations and six years of tireless work, it ceremoniously opened on July 16, 2004. The three day grand opening attracted 300,000 visitors and featured and inaugural concert from the Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus. Since then, the popularity and development of the area has contributed to Millennium Park’s becoming the second most popular tourist attraction in Illinois. Grant Park is the oldest park in Chicago and the centerpiece of Grant Park is the Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain, a gift from philanthropist Kate Sturges Buckingham. Constructed in 1927, the fountain is one of the largest of its kind with a center jet that streams water 150 feet in the air. The structure was designed by Chicago architect Edward Bennet who, along with French sculptor Marcel Loyau and engineer Jazques H. Lambert, built the fountain in the vein of the Latona Basin at Versailles. The fountain is made to represent Lake Michigan, with four pairs of Art Deco style sea horses that symbolize the four states that border Lake Michigan’s shoreline.
Chicago’s Navy Pier, which juts an entire six city blocks from the heart of downtown into Lake Michigan, is made up of an outdoor boardwalk adjacent to corridors of exhibits and attractions. More than 8 million people visit it every year. There are enticements for all ages, in every season. Of particular note: From spring through fall, dining and sightseeing cruises embark with the promise of breathtaking skyline views. Winter days are made for cozying up in the IMAX Theatre or romping in the Chicago Children’s Museum.
Willis Tower is the premier corporate office
building in Chicago, home to more than 100 companies including prominent law, insurance, transportation and financial services. The iconic building is the tallest in the Western Hemisphere, encompassing more than 4.5 million square feet, including its Skydeck and 103rd floor glass viewing platform, The Ledge, which attract more than 1.7 million visitors every year The Ledge transforms how visitors experience Chicago. At 1,353 feet up, The Ledge’s glass boxes extend out 4.3 feet from the skyscraper’s Skydeck on the 103rd floor, providing never-before-seen views of the city. The Ledge brings an exhilarating new experience to the tower. Opened in 1974, the Skydeck attracts more than 1.7 million visitors annually who enjoy views of up to 50 miles and four states. Now, The Ledge dares visitors to attempt a new Chicago experience: stand on The Ledge and feel the city from 103 floors over Wacker Drive and the Chicago River. The inspiration for The Ledge came from hundreds of forehead prints visitors left behind on Skydeck windows every week. From the memorable scene in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off to curious children going right up to the window, visitors are constantly trying to catch a glimpse below. Now they have a unique and unobstructed view of the city. An unmatched view is not all the Skydeck offers. From the moment visitors arrive they enjoy interactive and educational attractions that highlight the iconic building and celebrate Chicago’s sports, architecture, pop culture, history, food, music and people.
360 CHICAGO is an observation deck nestled on the 94th floor of the John Hancock Center. The Hancock is the fourth-tallest building in the city and is recognized for the distinctive X-shaped external bracing that has made it a Chicago architecture icon. The fun actually begins when you step into the elevators that whisk you up to 360 CHICAGO, reaching top speeds of 20.5 mph during the 39-second ride. From there you’ll step out onto the observation deck, where you’ll be awestruck by the floor-to-ceiling, 360-degree views of the city, Lake Michigan and up to four states. A good way to get your bearings is to check out one of the interactive touch screens that offer high-definition panoramic views of the city and include information on Chicago history, architecture, and culture (in seven different languages). The highlight of a visit to 360 CHICAGO is Tilt, the first observatory attraction of its kind in the world. Think of it as a huge steel-and-glass bay window that tilts forward, stopping at intervals of 15, 25 and 30 degrees, giving you a downward facing view of the city from 1,000 feet up in the sky. Tilt holds up to eight visitors at a time, standing in place and holding onto bars as they are hydraulically tilted forward. The entire breathtaking experience lasts 1 minute and 15 seconds. Afterward, grab a bite or a cocktail at 360 CHICAGO’s Architect’s Corner - Café & Bar. Snack on a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich or a scoop of creamy gelato. The cocktail menu includes fun Chicago-themed drinks, including The TILT: a yummy concoction of Malibu coconut rum, SKYY vodka, lemonade, and cranberry. On Thursday evenings catch Music in the Sky, when DJs spin tunes from 6-9pm. Just sit back and drink in the amazing view as Chicago transforms from sunny day to glittering night.
Chicago boasts 26 miles of shoreline, 26 free beaches and an 18.5-mile long bike path along the waterfront. While most cities build industrially all the way up to their respective lakefronts, Chicago’s remains an open playground to the public. The largest beach in Chicago is a favorite for dog lovers as it contains one of only a pair of Park District-run dog beaches. A fenced off section on the northern end of the Montrose Beach Dog Friendly Area is open to playful pups who are free to run without a leash once inside the contained area. The location’s beach house was designed by EV Buchsbaum and, unfortunately, lost the east wing to a fire in the 1950s. Although the east wing was never rebuilt, the house has been remodeled recently with a 3,000-square-foot patio deck and a full service restaurant. Chicago’s July 4th fireworks are held in three locations throughout the city, Montrose Beach hosts the procession for the City’s North Side.
Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo is a popular destination for tourists, and is also a local hangout. It’s an especially nice place to spend time when the weather’s nice and you want to enjoy the outdoors. The Lincoln Park Zoo is completely free and open to the public on any day of the week. You don’t even need to check in or get a ticket. Just walk on through the gates for a quick stroll or spend the entire day there. Take advantage of one of the only free zoos in the country. The zoo has fun and educational programs for children and adults, such as Sing Alongs or Garden Tours. You can even enjoy a glass of wine while learning about Puerto Rican parrots! The Lincoln Park Zoo was founded in 1868, which makes it one of the oldest zoos in all of North America. Originally constructed in 1879 and then rebuilt in 1969, the Kovler Seal Pool is one of the oldest and most popular of the Lincoln Park Zoo exhibits. Built in 1912, the Kovler Lion House stands as a handsome historic landmark in the heart of zoo grounds. And Café Brauer, located at the south end of the zoo, is housed inside of a landmark building from 1908.
The John G. Shedd Aquarium, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to public education and conservation, is known as “The World’s Aquarium.” Situated on Chicago’s lakefront, Shedd is home to 32,000 animals representing more than 1,500 species of fishes, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, birds and mammals from waters around the world. The aquarium’s mission is to spark compassion, curiosity and conservation for the aquatic animal world. Today, this educational goal has gained urgency as more species acquire endangered status. Shedd Aquarium is committed to a number of projects designed to preserve threatened or endangered aquatic species.
Chicago’s Field Museum, one of the world’s great museums, is a treasure trove of natural history for you to uncover.
Built to house the biological and anthropological collections assembled for the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893, the museum’s collection has grown to an astounding 24 million objects ranging from ancient mummies to exquisite gemstones, to endangered plants and animals. The landmark building presides proudly over Chicago’s lakefront museum campus and with 4.6 billion years under one roof, it’s your passport to travel around the world and back in time. A 40.5-foot T. rex leans forward as if ready to pounce... 58 teeth and a killer smile. Luckily for Field Museum visitors, the ancient skeleton hasn’t moved on its own in 67 million years. The world’s largest and most complete T. Rex ever found is just one of The Field’s extraordinary specimens on display.
The Museum of Science and Industry, one of the
largest science museums in the world is home to more than 400,000 square feet of hands-on exhibits designed to spark scientific inquiry and creativity. MSI, which opened in 1933, is housed in the only remaining building from the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. The museum’s Beaux Arts building was originally the expo’s Palace of Fine Arts and displayed works of art from around the world. Now through interactive exhibits, daily live science experiences and tours, and unique events for all ages, and 3D theater adventures in the five-story, domed Omnimax the inventive genius in you can explore the fascinating worlds of science, technology, medicine and engineering within the museum’s 14 acres of space.
Painted in inspiring architecture, bordered with vibrant gardens and accented with incredible works of public art – Chicago is a true masterpiece. A canvas for creativity. And, as a result, we have some of the most celebrated and extensive collections of publicly displayed, civic artwork.
Public art in Chicago is splashed on
surfaces all around the city: it covers train stations, rises tall on downtown skyscrapers and pops up on sidewalks, in office lobbies and along the lakefront. Discover works of public art in Chicago by masters like Picasso and Chagall, or see international street artists make their mark on districts like the Wabash Arts Corridor.
There are many ways to see Chicago’s architectural gems so find a tour that meets your style — you can explore either by foot, on wheels or even by boat. Be inspired by the captivating, visual art that is Chicago’s legendary architecture, and the exceptional architects who created this ever-changing, dynamic legacy for all to enjoy and admire. This comprehensive tour will navigate through the heart of the city on all three branches of the Chicago River while your professionally-trained architectural guide tells the story of more than 130 years of innovation in design, style and technique and why it is important today. Since 1935, generations of visitors and Chicagoans alike have made a Wendella Boat Tour a family tradition. Wendella boats, the original boat tour company in Chicago, has provided millions of visitors and commuters with an opportunity to experience the city in a unique way utilizing one of its greatest natural resources the Chicago River and Lake Michigan.