The magnificent city of Chicago, Illinois, is a popular city in the USA. It is located on the picturesque shore of Lake Michigan. This modern metropolis amazes its guests with numerous architectural and natural attractions. Here are concentrated the technical and aesthetic achievements of the best architects and artists from around the world. The city is famous for its luxurious, well-maintained parks, which are masterpieces of landscape art. Majestic and legendary skyscrapers dazzle the eye with their shining facades and original architectural solutions. The abundance of museums, theaters, and galleries offers an opportunity to immerse oneself in the art, history, and cultural traditions of the USA. Thus, curious tourists will find it easy to decide what to see in Chicago in 1 day on their own.
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
In Abraham Lincoln Park, there is a wonderful and interesting museum complex named Peggy Notebaert. Its exhibits are dedicated to the flora and fauna of Illinois and the Great Lakes region. This is one of the most visited institutions in the city. Covering an area of 2.5 hectares, it showcases a wide variety of natural ecosystems. Majestic pavilions recreate forested areas with various shrubs, trees, and ponds, where tranquility and serene harmony reign.
Here you can see a significant number of insects, birds, reptiles, amphibians, mollusks, and snails. A special interest for museum visitors is the butterfly exhibit. These amazing and delicate creatures stun with their various wing shades and exotic forms. Hundreds of butterflies flutter over evergreen plants and artificial ponds.
Open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Monday-Friday) and from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Saturday, Sunday). The ticket price is $9.
Lincoln Park Zoo
The Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the cozy and iconic places. Founded in the 19th century, the zoo is located on the shores of Lake Michigan. Covering an area of 49 acres, it is home to over 1,000 species of various animals, birds, and reptiles brought here from all corners of the planet. Ideal conditions, closely resembling their natural habitats, have been created for the fauna representatives.
Here, tourists can quickly transfer from the concrete jungle of the metropolis to a picturesque place with tropical forests, majestic trees, spacious ponds, mesmerizing waterfalls, and shady alleys. Predators and herbivores freely roam the well-maintained enclosures. Cheetahs, lions, tigers, panthers, and jaguars lazily rest after lunch in the shade of trees or carefully survey their surroundings, demonstrating a fierce grin.
Zoo visitors can observe giraffes, hippos, bears, penguins, primates, and many other wild animals. On the farm, guests can meet goats, horses, pigs, and other domestic animals. The park’s greenhouse is not to be missed. A walk through the blooming garden with exotic plants, especially palms, ferns, and orchids, guarantees pleasant impressions. The zoo is free to visit. It is open year-round and daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Chicago History Museum
Curious guests are recommended to visit the Chicago History Museum. This is the oldest research institution in the city, founded in 1856. On public display is a rich collection of various items and artifacts. Museum visitors will immerse themselves in the historical past of the city and the state of Illinois.
The exhibition is dedicated to various stages of the city’s formation and development. Here, you can learn about Native Americans, colonists, the abolition of slavery, the great fire, and mafia families. The complex’s halls house construction drawings of actual buildings, 19th-century costumes and textiles, glass, metal, and ceramic crafts, advertising posters, vinyl records, household items, and much more. Some significant episodes from the city’s life are shown in the form of picturesque dioramas with excellent object detailing.
Among the valuable exhibits, attention is drawn to the authentic bed on which President Abraham Lincoln died, as well as a model of a vintage car and a railway carriage. The exhibition is open daily from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM (Monday, Wednesday-Saturday), from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM (Sunday), and from 9:30 AM to 9:00 PM (Tuesday). The ticket price is $19.
Charnley-Persky House Museum
Amidst grand skyscrapers lies the prestigious Gold Coast district. This popular part of the city is famous for its historic mansions. Among them, the Charnley-Persky House Museum, located on the cozy and quiet Astor Street, deserves special attention. This unique three-story building was erected in 1892 under the direction of the outstanding American architect Louis Sullivan, whose name is closely associated with the global history of skyscraper construction.
The Charnley-Persky House Museum is a symmetrical rectangular building. The facade, clad in strict brickwork, is divided into three parts: the main entrance, a wooden balcony with columns, and side sections with single casement windows. The relatively modest exterior contrasts noticeably with the luxurious interior.
Valuable wood species are used in the interior decoration. Numerous ornamental elements captivate the imagination. The foyer consists of an internal atrium, around which a staircase leads to the upper floors. The house’s rooms are adorned with oak wall panels decorated with fine carvings. In the library, you can see a magnificent fireplace made of African pink marble. Free guided tours are held in the house museum on Wednesdays at noon.
John Hancock Center
A landmark of the city is the famous American skyscraper—the John Hancock Center. This hundred-story architectural landmark was built in 1969. At the time of project development, the majestic structure was positioned as the tallest building in the world. Its height, along with two spires, reaches 457 meters. The skyscraper, named after statesman John Hancock, attracts tourists with its unusual appearance.
It has a conical shape. The facade is clad in aluminum diagonal and vertical panels with glass railings. The unique feature of the tower’s design is that its width gradually decreases from the base to the top. The building houses offices, shops, residential apartments, restaurants, and parking lots.
The skyscraper is popular among numerous tourists. On the 94th floor is an observation deck with a fascinating attraction. Those wishing to enjoy breathtaking panoramic views are invited to stand on a special glass platform that gently tilts forward at a 30-degree angle.
Museum of Contemporary Art
The Museum of Contemporary Art is one of the most interesting cultural institutions, showcasing paintings, creative sculptures, and original performances. Avant-garde art masterpieces evoke a wide range of emotions from admiration and approval to condemnation and contradiction.
The collection offers an opportunity not only to get acquainted with the works of contemporary artists but also to rethink the cultural and social values of today. The exhibition is housed in an original building made of limestone, metal, and glass. The rather gloomy facade of the building is compensated by the magnificent interior. Spacious pavilions and corridors are filled with sunlight. Quirky spiral staircases provide access to various galleries.
The halls display objects of contemporary painting in the styles of surrealism, pop art, and minimalism, as well as staged photographs, intricate figures made from various objects, installations, and videos. The museum is open daily, except Monday, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and until 8:00 PM on Tuesdays.
Holy Name Cathedral
The Roman Catholic Holy Name Cathedral is an expressive monument of neo-Gothic architectural style. It was built in 1875 on the site of two churches destroyed in the Great Chicago Fire. The building’s height is 46 meters. The bright facade of the basilica is adorned with a rose window, an arched portal, and pointed window openings. The main entrance is a massive bronze door that opens with a light touch. The cathedral can accommodate about 2,000 people at once.
The interior is dominated by bronze sculptures of biblical characters. The spacious main hall of the cathedral is decorated with an arched arcade with massive columns, a vaulted ceiling, and stunning stained glass windows. The altar is made of red granite with bas-reliefs. On the walls of the altar part of the church, you can see picturesque panels depicting the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, as well as the apostles Paul and Peter. The liturgies in the cathedral are accompanied by the music of a grand organ consisting of over 5,000 pipes.
Navy Pier
In the central part of Downtown is one of the city’s popular and famous landmarks—the Navy Pier. Today, the former military ship dock and training center for the US Navy SEALs no longer serve their original purpose. It has become a venue for active recreation and exciting walks for guests and residents.
Here are concentrated a huge number of attractions, cozy cafes, restaurants, shops, exhibition complexes, theaters, and various cultural and entertainment institutions. The embankment offers a stunning view of the water surface of Lake Michigan and majestic skyscrapers. The high-rise building of the futuristic Lake Point Tower catches the eye. This is a prestigious residential complex with its own infrastructure.
The area adjacent to the pier is a park area decorated with a fountain, art objects, and sculptural compositions. Nature lovers will be delighted by the variety of exotic plants in the botanical garden. Many palm trees are planted under the roof of a six-story glass building. The pier’s landmark is a 45-meter-high Ferris wheel.
Chicago Riverwalk
Walking along the Chicago Riverwalk leaves an unforgettable impression. This landscaped multi-kilometer pedestrian boulevard runs through the city’s central quarters. From here, mesmerizing views of the grand architectural ensemble open up. The high-rise buildings impress with their grandeur and fantastic beauty. The embankment is equipped with terraces for sunbathers, sports grounds, and cozy green areas for peaceful relaxation.
Eighteen bridges span the river, each capable of accommodating cruise boats and fairly large ships. The landscaped promenade offers a wide range of entertainment. During the walk, tourists can take a break in one of the many street cafes and satisfy their hunger with gastronomic delights of local cuisine. A walking tour can be replaced with a water excursion on a river taxi.
360 Observation Deck
It is impossible to imagine getting to know the city’s landmarks without ascending to the 94th floor of the legendary John Hancock Center, where one of the best and most popular observation decks in the USA is located. From the bird’s-eye view, an impressive panorama of Lake Michigan, the embankment, the city center, and its surroundings unfolds.
Panoramic windows provide a magnificent 360-degree view. The numerous skyscrapers, masterpieces of modern architectural thought, evoke delight. Shortly before sunset, visitors to the observation deck can witness a unique spectacle as the facades of grand buildings light up with colorful illuminations in the rays of the setting sun. The evening shining Chicago will leave no one indifferent.
For thrill-seekers, the Tilt attraction is available. Its essence is that a specialized glass platform tilts tourists downward at a 30-degree angle using hydraulic cylinders. A person literally hangs in the air at a height of over 300 meters. The ticket price is $22. The observation deck is open daily from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
Chicago Cultural Center
The Chicago Cultural Center is hugely popular among guests and residents of the city. It is visited by about 800,000 people annually. Its public recognition is due to the fact that various art exhibitions, music concerts, festivals, theatrical performances, film screenings, and other events are held here regularly and for free.
The cultural center building itself, built in a neoclassical style with Renaissance decorative elements, deserves attention. Rows of darkened windows separated by Doric columns give the building a strict appearance. Free tours of the building’s halls are organized for tourists from Wednesday to Saturday. The interiors impress with their luxury.
Coffered ceilings, wall paintings, colorful mosaics with intricate patterns, carved cornices, bronze decorations, massive doors, and marble-clad walls—all this arouses genuine interest among visitors. The Preston Bradley Hall, where live music concerts are held, has unique acoustics. The highlight of this hall is a stained glass dome made up of 30,000 glass pieces.
Millennium Park
On the shores of Lake Michigan lies the magnificent public Millennium Park. This picturesque oasis, teeming with greenery, adjoins Chicago’s skyscrapers. It is one of the main attractions for tourists and locals, where you can have a pleasant time and relax from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis.
The park complex, the size of 14 football fields, is a model of landscape art. It harmoniously combines natural and sculptural installations, concert and theater venues, walking alleys, spacious lawns, and garden areas. Park visitors will find activities to their liking. Various festivals, concerts, and cultural entertainment events are constantly held here.
Among the whimsical art objects, the sculpture in the form of a giant mercury drop stands out. The figure, weighing 100 tons, is made of stainless metal plates, perfectly polished to a mirror shine. It will be interesting to see the unique and high-tech Crown Fountain. It consists of two fifteen-meter blocks with LED screens displaying the faces of residents. The image of a person’s head puckers its lips, and a stream of water flows from its mouth.
Between the screens is a pool. Tourists usually strive to see the Millennium Monument. These majestic Doric columns rise 12 meters high. Park visitors can sit on the large, perfectly manicured lawn and enjoy a break from the noise and bustle of the metropolis.
Buckingham Fountain
The landmark of Grant Park, occupying a vast green area of Downtown Chicago, is the grand Buckingham Fountain. It was opened in 1927. The daughter of one of Chicago’s philanthropists, Kate Buckingham, was involved in the construction of the water attraction. She wished to immortalize the memory of her brother.
The magnificent architectural monument impresses with its size. The main basin’s diameter is 84 meters. In the center stands a three-tiered structure made of pink marble. The fountain resembles a wedding cake, attracting numerous newlyweds who want to capture the moment of their special day against this backdrop.
Around the structure are sculptural compositions of sea horses. Buckingham Fountain has 134 jets, the highest of which shoots water up to 46 meters. At dusk, the fountain begins its light and music show, mesmerizing viewers. The colorful illumination is provided by over 800 colored spotlights installed underwater.
Shedd Aquarium
A self-guided tour may include a visit to the Shedd Aquarium, showcasing a wide variety of marine flora and fauna. The institution is housed in a monumental octagonal white marble building. The main entrance is adorned with a portico with a pediment and massive columns. The aquarium’s 4,000 m2 area consists of fascinating exhibits divided into thematic zones.
Admiring the exotic riches of the underwater kingdom provides a real escape for tourists. Visitors can enjoy an amazing journey through the tropical jungles of the Amazon River, as well as get acquainted with the ecosystem of the Caribbean coral reefs and various ocean dwellers. One of the exhibits is designed as a Filipino village, where sharks swim among colorful schools of fish in the aquarium.
In spacious tanks and pools, you can see dolphins, belugas, iguanas, sea lions, piranhas, rays, crocodiles, moray eels, octopuses, and many other creatures. The ticket price is $32.95. The aquarium is open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Monday-Friday) and until 6:00 PM (Saturday, Sunday).
Field Museum of Natural History
The Field Museum of Natural History offers tourists an exciting and educational experience. The exhibition is divided into geological, zoological, and anthropological collections. The museum houses more than 20 million unique finds and artifacts brought from all corners of the planet. These include minerals, precious stones, meteorites, stuffed wild animals, authentic ancient Egyptian tombs, and many other valuable exhibits.
The main financial resources for opening the exhibition and acquiring the collection were donated by businessman Marshall Field, after whom the museum is named. The institution’s pride is the world’s largest Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton. Its skull weighs more than 200 kilograms. It “smiles” hospitably at visitors with all 58 teeth.
Equally interesting are the skeletons of other dinosaurs from different eras. One of the complex’s exhibit halls is dedicated to the history of the New World’s indigenous people. Here, you can learn in detail about the life and culture of ancient Native American tribes. The entrance ticket price is $38. The museum is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
