There is no denying that Chicago is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
From its stunning skyline to its vast array of architectural marvels the Windy City has no shortage of things to see and do.
If you find yourself in Chicago be sure to check out some of these 10 must-see sights:
1.
The Bean
Cloud Gate also known affectionately as “The Bean” is a public sculpture by Anish Kapoor in Millennium Park Chicago.
The sculpture’s official title is Cloud Gate but it has been nicknamed “The Bean” because of its shape.
The sculpture is made up of 168 stainless steel plates welded together and its highly polished surface reflects and distorts the city skyline.
Visitors are able to walk underneath the sculpture’s 12-foot-high arch.
2.
The Chicago Theatre
The Chicago Theatre originally known as the Palace of Varieties is a historic theatre located on State Street in the Loop area of Chicago Illinois.
The theatre was designed by the architectural firm of Rapp and Rapp and opened its doors in 1921.
The theatre is considered to be one of the finest examples of the Chicago school of architecture and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
3.
The Art Institute of Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States.
The museum is located in Chicago’s Loop district and is home to a collection of over 300000 works of art.
The museum’s collection includes paintings sculptures photographs prints and drawings from around the world.
The Art Institute also houses a library with over 1.5 million volumes and a research center.
4.
Millennium Park
Millennium Park is a public park located in the Loop community area of Chicago Illinois.
The park was commissioned in 1997 and opened to the public in 2004.
The park is home to a number of public artworks including the Cloud Gate sculpture and the Crown Fountain.
Millennium Park also features a number of gardens including the Lurie Garden and the Wrigley Square.
5.
The Willis Tower
The Willis Tower formerly known as the Sears Tower is a skyscraper located in the Chicago Loop district of Chicago Illinois.
The building is 1451 feet tall and has 110 stories.
The Willis Tower is the second tallest building in the United States and the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.
The building is home to a number of businesses including Willis Group Holdings and United Airlines.
6.
Navy Pier
Navy Pier is a 3300-foot-long pier on the shoreline of Lake Michigan in Chicago Illinois.
The pier is located in the Streeterville neighborhood and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city.
Navy Pier is home to a number of attractions including the Chicago Children’s Museum the Shakespeare Theater and the Chicago Wheel.
The pier also features a number of restaurants shops and entertainment venues.
7.
The Chicago River
The Chicago River is a system of rivers and canals that flow through the city of Chicago Illinois.
The river is a major source of water for the city and is also used for recreation and transportation.
The river is home to a number of bridges including the iconic Chicago Bridge.
The river is also a popular destination for kayaking canoeing and fishing.
8.
Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is a baseball park located on the North Side of Chicago Illinois.
The park is home to the Chicago Cubs one of the most popular baseball teams in the world.
Wrigley Field is the second oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball and has a capacity of 41649.
The park is also home to a number of non-baseball events including concerts and football games.
9.
The Field Museum
The Field Museum is a natural history museum located in Chicago Illinois.
The museum is home to a collection of over 24 million specimens and objects.
The museum’s collections include fossils minerals plants animals and human cultural artifacts.
The Field Museum is also home to a research library with over 250000 volumes.
10.
The Chicago Skyline
The Chicago skyline is one of the most recognizable skylines in the world.
The skyline is home to a number of iconic buildings including the Willis Tower the John Hancock Center and the Sears Tower.
The skyline also features a number of parks and gardens including Millennium Park and Grant Park.