Attractions in Chicago, Illinois
Chicago is home to over 2.7 million people. It’s the third-largest city in America and the biggest in the midwest. It is lined by urban beaches along Lake Michigan, and is the birthplace for the modern skyscraper. In 1871, a massive fire destroyed most of the city’s center. This left only a few structures.
Chicago was able to build one of America’s most beautiful and tallest skylines. Chicago has everything a sports lover needs. Catch the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. If you don’t like football, catch a Cubs, White Sox, White Sox, Chicago Fire or Bulls ball game. Chicago isn’t all about sports.
Chicago is a paradise for foodies with its world-class museums and architectural treasures, luxury shopping, and an extensive list of live music venues. You’ll find many things to do and plenty to eat in this area. Make sure to save some room for Chicago dogs and deep-dish pizza.
Also, read our article for the information about Places to visit in Chicago.
Millennium Park, Chicago
The heart of Chicago is the Millennium Park Campus. Visitors and locals alike come here to enjoy a picnic on the lawn, cool off in a fountain, and catch free movies and concerts throughout the year. There are so many things to do and see in Chicago that there is no end of them.
Few things you can enjoy there are:
1. Splash around in Crown Fountain
2. Take a selfie with The Bean
3. Find a moment of zen at Lurie Garden
4. Rock climb at Maggie Daley Park
5. Grab lunch at the Plaza at Park Grill
| Address: | Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60601 |
| Website: | Millennium Park |
The Magnificent Mile
The Magnificent Mile is a great avenue in Chicago and at the heart of everything that makes Chicago a global destination. The Magnificent Mile is one of the most popular destinations for dining, shopping and hospitality in the world.
With endless shopping, great entertainment, outstanding cuisine and breathtaking architecture, The Magnificent mile offers Chicagoans a unique city experience. The Magnificent Mile runs 13 blocks along North Michigan Avenue. It runs from the banks the Chicago River to south to Oak Street to north.
The Magnificent Mile district covers a whole mile starting at North Michigan Avenue. It is a stunning showcase of style and flavor, entertainment, and fun. It boasts more than 460 shops, 275 restaurants and 60 hotels, as well as unique entertainments and attractions that are stacked all along its length.
| Address: | 625 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 401, Chicago, IL 60611. |
| Website: | The Magnificent Mile |
Lincoln Park Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoo was established in 1868. It has evolved side-by-side with Chicago’s City since then. From swans and science to trading posts to metropolis. Just minutes from downtown Chicago, you can see majestic gorillas, playful meerkats, and roaring lions. Lincoln Park Zoo is open every day of the calendar year and is free to all.
Visitors can interact with chimpanzees and gorillas, as well as red wolves and howl with them. They can also peer into black bear dens, observe wild dogs and pygmy rhinos, and get a glimpse of Africa’s wildlife with wild dogs and pygmy hippos. Lincoln Park Zoo is home to hundreds species and offers a wide range of science and conservation programs.
Chicago’s Free Zoo is just minutes away from downtown Chicago, at Lake Shore Drive or Fullerton Parkway. Cannon Drive offers paid parking. CTA buses 151, 156 and 159 serve the zoo every day between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
| Address: | Cannon Dr. at Fullerton Parkway, Chicago IL 60614 |
| Website: | Lincoln Park Zoo |
Chicago Cultural Center
The Chicago Cultural Center is a popular attraction in Chicago. Thousands of people visit it every year because of its stunning beauty and free events. This landmark building houses two stunning stained-glass domes. It also hosts free music, dance, theater events, films and lectures.
The building, which was built in 1897 to be Chicago’s first central library, was intended to impress and show that Chicago had become a sophisticated metropolis. To create this architectural wonderland, the country’s most renowned architects and craftsmen used only the finest materials such as polished brass, rare imported marbles, polished brass, and mosaics made of Favrile, mother-of pearl, and colored stone.
The world’s largest stained-glass Tiffany dome, measuring 38 feet in diameter and containing approximately 30,000 glass pieces, is located on the south side. It was restored to its original glory in 2008 The dome is 40 feet in diameter and contains approximately 50,000 pieces of glass. It was designed by Healy & Millet.
The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs established the Chicago Cultural Center in 1991. It is the first and largest free municipal cultural venue. The Chicago Cultural Center hosts hundreds of artists, musicians, and performers each year. It is a place where the public can learn and enjoy the arts.
| Address: | 78 E Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602, United States |
| Website: | Chicago Cultural Center |
Garfield Park Conservatory
Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago is one of the most impressive and largest botanical conservatories in America. The Conservatory is often referred to as “landscape under glass” and features thousands of plant species in eight indoor display gardens.
Visitors can enjoy lush flora year-round and tropical temperatures indoors or over 10 acres of outdoor garden, nature play areas for children, and a water lilypond. We hope you have a great time at Garfield Park Conservatory, whether you are visiting for the escape from city life or to join us for upcoming programs or events.
| Address: | 300 N. Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL 60624 |
| Website: | Garfield Park Conservatory |
Buckingham Fountain
The Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain is one of the most impressive in the world. It can be found at Columbus Drive (301 East), and Congress Parkway (560 South) in Grant Park. It’s open daily from 8 a.m. until 11:00 p.m., usually from early May through mid October depending on the weather.
During special events in Grant Park, display times may change. The Fountain is in operation for 20 minutes each hour and produces a major water display. A center jet sprays water 150 feet high during the major display. Major displays start daily at 9:00 a.m., and continue every hour thereafter.
A spectacular light and music display is featured with the major display. It begins at dusk and continues for 20 minutes every hour. The final major display starts at 10:35 p.m. each evening.
| Address: | 301 S. Columbus Dr., Chicago, IL 60601 |
| Website: | Buckingham Fountain |
Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park covers 1,188.62 acres. It is located along the lakefront between Ohio Street Beach in Streeterville and northward to Ardmore Avenue, Edgewater. Lincoln Park’s Lincoln Park section is adjacent to the Lincoln Park neighborhood. It contains the Lincoln Park Zoo and Lincoln Park Conservatory.
Theatre on the Lake is a rowing canal. The Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool, North Pond Nature Sanctuary, Lincoln Park Archery Range (used Lincoln Park Archery Club & North Side Archery Club), North Avenue Beach, Oak Street Beach, many playing fields, and a prominent statue of General Grant. There are also numerous statues of Abraham Lincoln.
The American Planning Association’s 2010 National Planning Excellence, Leadership, and Achievement Awards recognize outstanding planning initiatives and individuals from the preceding year. APA selected Lincoln Park among the 2009 Great Public Spaces in America for its outstanding amenities, historic landmarks and buildings and the wide variety of activities it offers.
Lincoln Park is a result of a long-standing pledge by citizens and city leaders to preserve 1,200 acres of Chicago’s most important lakefront real property for the benefit of the public.
| Address: | 500-5700 N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60614 |
| Website: | Lincoln Park |
