Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, Chicago is the most populous city in the state of Illinois and in Midwestern USA. It is a major destination for tourism with more than 55 million visitors visiting every year. We have been to this city a couple of times, although, the last time we visited the city was in 2005 and the pictures you see on this page are from that year.
- Willis Tower (Sears Tower)
- The Adler Planetarium
- Shedd Aquarium
- Buckingham Fountain
- Chicago Riverwalk and Lakefront Trail
- BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
- Lincoln Park
- The Rookery Building
- The Chicago Theater
- Millennium Park
- Museum of Science and Industry
- Michigan Avenue and the Magnificent Mile
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Stroll around Navy Pier
Willis Tower (Former Sears Tower) – For nearly 25 years after its completion, the Willis Tower, formerly known as the Sears Tower, held the title of tallest building in the world. In 1996, the Petronas Towers built in Kuala Lumpur took over as the tallest building. Standing 110 stories tall, its black aluminum and bronze-tinted glass exterior has become emblematic of Chicago. Although its record-breaking height has been surpassed several times over, it laid the foundation for the supertall buildings being built today.
Willis Tower, View from the top – The Willis Tower took three years to build and was opened to the public in 1974. The building is 1,453 feet tall with an observation area, called the Skydeck, on the 103rd floor, 1,353 feet above the ground. A glass box with a glass floor, known as the Ledge, juts out from the Skydeck, where visitors can stand and look directly down at the city below. The view from here is incredible and on a clear day you can see 40 to 50 miles over four states.
The Adler Planetarium – Founded in 1930 by local businessman Max Adler, this public museum is dedicated to astronomy and astrophysics. It was the first planetarium in United States and is located on the Lake Michigan. It is part of Chicago’s Museum Campus, which includes the Shedd Aquarium and the Field Museum. The architect of the building, Ernest A. Grunsfeld Jr., was awarded the gold medal of the Chicago chapter of the American Institute of Architects in 1931 for its design. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987.
Shedd Aquarium – This public aquarium opened on May 30, 1930, and is located on Lake Michigan. The aquarium contains 1,500 species, including fish, marine mammals, birds, snakes, amphibians, and insects. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987.
Buckingham Fountain – Located in the center of Grant Park, it is one of the largest fountains in the world. Exceptionally ornate looking, its design was inspired by the Latona Fountain at the Palace of Versailles. It is colorfully lighted in the night.
Chicago Riverwalk and Lakefront Trail – The Chicago Riverwalk is a 1.25 mile pedestrian path along the south bank of the Chicago River, offering a scenic and recreational space in downtown Chicago. It features restaurants, bars, public art, and access to various excursions and boat tours. The Riverwalk is free and open to the public daily and is accessible from various points along Wacker Drive.
Chicago Riverwalk, Nicholas J Melas Centennial Fountain – is located on Riverwalk and is known for its water cannon, which shoots a large arc of water across the river. It was dedicated in 1989, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir – is a traditional Hindu place of worship built by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, a denomination of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya within Hinduism led by Mahant Swami Maharaj. Opened on August 7, 2004, the mandir (temple) is the largest of its kind in Illinois and was constructed using hand-carved Italian marble and Turkish limestone. Inside the central shrine are the murtis(Sculptures) of Swaminarayan and Gunatitanand Swami, worshipped together as Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj, along with other deities and the lineage of BAPS spiritual leaders.
There are over 100 BAPS temples spread across 34 states in North America, with significant presence in New York, New Jersey, Texas, California, and Georgia, among others.
Note – You are not allowed to take pictures inside the temple
Lincoln Park – This picturesque neighborhood with manicured gardens, restaurants, shopping, and tons of lakefront green space, is a nature lover’s paradise. It is also home to one of the country’s oldest free zoos. One can spend an entire day here shopping, tasting, and exploring the neighborhood.
The Rookery Building – An office space that was designed by the renowned architectural firm Burnham and Root, and later renovated by Frank Lloyd Wright. It was designated a Chicago Landmark in 1972 after being added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. Originally completed in 1988, the Rookery is universally considered an architectural masterpiece.
The Chicago Theater – Originally known as Balaban and Katz Chicago Theatre, this building was built in 1921 and was designated National Register of Historic Places in 1979 and was listed as a Chicago Landmark in1983. The Chicago Theatre can seat 3600 people.
Millennium Park – This lakefront campus, located in the heart of downtown, is home to the iconic Cloud Gate statue (aka “The Bean”), interactive fountains, tranquil gardens, free events, public art, skating rinks, rock climbing, and plenty of green space.
Cloud Gate – Unveiled in 2005, this is famed artist Anish Kapoor’s first outdoor public sculpture in the United States, and one of the largest sculptures of its kind in the world. The city skyline is reflected on Cloud Gate’s shiny surfaces.
Museum of Science and Industry (or Kenneth C. Griffin Museum of Science and Industry) – is a private science museum adjacent to Lake Michigan and the University of Chicago campus. It opened in 1933 and was renamed for benefactor and financier Kenneth C. Griffin in 2024. Among the museum’s most notable exhibits are a full-size replica coal mine, German submarine U-505 captured during World War II, United Airlines Boeing 727 and more.
Michigan Avenue and the Magnificent Mile – is an upscale section of North Michigan Avenue, stretching about 1 mile from the Chicago River to Oak Street. It’s a major tourist destination known for its high-end shopping, dining, hotels, and entertainment. The 360 Chicago observation deck is also located on The Magnificent Mile.
Art Institute of Chicago – Founded in 1879, it is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States. You can explore thousands of artworks in the museum’s collection that spans centuries and every part of the globe. The collection encompasses more than 5,000 years of human expression from cultures around the world and contains more than 300,000 works of art in 11 curatorial departments, ranging from early Japanese prints to the art of the Byzantine Empire to contemporary American art.
Stroll around Navy Pier – You can walk the length of the pier, which is about half a mile long, and explore its many attractions. The pier itself is a pedestrian walkway offering views of the city and Lake Michigan. It is lined with shops, restaurants, and entertainment options, making it a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.