Chicago Famous Architecture and Landmark Attractions

What’s Chicago without its unique architecture and landmarks? You can go for the seasonal architectural river cruises plying the Chicago River by contacting the Chicago Architecture Foundation for these excursions and walking tours. You can even bring home the embodiment of Chicago – models of downtown skyscrapers. Not to be missed landmarks include:

(1) Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, Sears Tower Skydeck and The Hancock Observatory for an awe-inspiring perspective of the city’s layout. Sears Tower Skydeck presents the best view and overview of Chicago – the highest observatory in Chicago where you can see 40 – 50 miles on a clear day. The Hancock Observatory on the other hand, is the only open-air Skywalk located in the heart of the Magnificent Mile. It is a one-stop Chicago experience where you can feel “The Windy City’ on Skywalk.

(2) Millennium Park, a 24.5 acre piece of land where unique public sculptures and architectures provide a distinct flavor celebrating Chicago. The park showcases world-class art, music, and architecture and landscape design. A day’s stroll provides you with a glimpse of the best of Chicago. While you wander around the park, you will surely not miss the Cloud Gate (aka The Bean) - a public sculpture by Anish Kapoor which provides an exceptional image of Chicago’s curved skyline when you face Cloud Gate and Lake Michigan. Other Chicago Tourism’s structural designs include the Crown Fountain which was implemented by Krueck and Sexton from the design concept of Jaume Plensa. The crown fountain is made up of two tall towers which display visual effects from LED images of Chicagoans’ faces, of course, with water spouting from their lips.

(3) Pritzker Pavilion at the Millennium Park is a distinct Frank Gehry design detailed with stainless steel bandshell. One of Chicago most known attractions, this hosts the classical Grant Park Music Festival concert series. Behind this pavilion’s stage is the Harris Theater for Music and Dance which includes the Chicago Opera Theater and Music of the Baroque. Gehry’s BP Bridge connects Millennium Park with Daley Bicentennial Plaza.

(4) Chicago Cultural Center, built in 1897 originally served as the Chicago Public Library. It now houses the city’s Visitor Information Center, galleries, and exhibit halls. This is now one of Chicago’s acclaimed landmarks, home of the arts with daily programs and exhibitions ranging from the performing and visual to literary arts. Even the ceiling of the Preston Bradley Hall includes a Tiffany glass dome.

(5) Navy Pier is guaranteed to entertain and bring out the child in you. The area includes a Ferris wheel, rock climbing wall, and an IMAX theater. This is where the locals and visitors from around the world converge to enjoy the thrills of a day on Lake Michigan. The Navy Pier has it all – from rides, restaurants, exhibitions, shopping, dining cruises and even tour boats. This is a family friendly attraction for all ages!

(6) Lincoln Park Zoo One of the last free zoos in the US, the zoo is home to over 1,000 mammals, reptiles, and birds. A uniquely Chicago feel where you get to walk in the world of wildlife in the shadow of skyscrapers, a natural, free oasis for generations of animal lovers where one can immerse in tropical rainforests, dry-thorn forests or spacious savannahs.

(7) Buckingham Fountain. Said to be one of the largest fountains in the world, it provides a 20-minute water display every hour – a beautifully animated display with music and choreography of colorful spotlights.