Top Things To See in Chicago

It's been decades since I've been to Chicago and I was pleasantly surprised by this trip. The last time I went was in the winter and my pants froze when I stepped off the plane. This time, in September, it was gorgeous weather and we were able to walk around and enjoy the sun.

View of the Chicago skyline from Milton Lee Olive Park.

Nearby is Navy Pier and the Centennial Wheel--$19.62 to ride.

Carousel in Navy Pier--$5.45 per ride.

The Crystal Garden in Navy Pier houses a 1-acre indoor botanical garden.

The Chicago Children's Museum is also in Navy Pier.

Just outside Navy Pier is a statue "Captain on the Helm," dedicated to "those courageous mariners who guided their ships through perilous waters, carrying cargo and people."

Another statue nearby is "WBEZ91.5Chicago," Chicago's NPR station.

The Tribune Tower--home to the Chicago Tribune until 2018, when the building was converted to condos.

The exterior of the building has a collection of famous building fragments embedded into the wall. Correspondents for the Chicago Tribune brought back rocks and bricks from a variety of historically important sites throughout the world. This one has an Aztec Ruin from New Mexico and a piece of the Mormon Temple in Salt Lake City. I thought you weren't supposed to take pieces of historical buildings and sights so not sure how the correspondents got away with it.

The Intercontinental Hotel across the street from the Tribune Tower. It was formerly the Medinah Athletic Club, commissioned by the Shriners. At the eighth floor, its Indiana limestone facade was decorated by three large relief carvings in ancient Assyrian style. Each frieze depicted a different scene in the order of constructing a building, with Contribution on the south wall, Wisdom represented on the west wall and Consecration on the north.

La Salle Street Bridge

The Riverwalk is a 1.25 mile walk along the south bank of the Chicago River. It extends from Lake Michigan to Lake Street.

We started the Riverwalk at La Salle Street. The Wells Street Bridge to the west raises for sailboats to pass.

Reid Murdoch Building on the north side of the river.

Next up are the Marina Towers (also known as the Corn Cob Towers) next to the Dearborn Street Bridge.

After the Bataan-Corregidor Memorial Bridge, you'll find the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial.

Nearby is the Heald Square Monument. It depicts George Washington and 2 financiers of the American Revolution.

Across the street is Thirty Five E Wacker, also known as the Jeweler's Building.

The Christian Science Reading Room is nearby.

Crossing DuSable Bridge, you'll see the Wrigley Building.

Father Time Clock at the Jeweler's Building, on the corner of East Wacker and Wabash Avenue.

The "L" or elevated train in the downtown area.

Marshall Field and Company was the world's 3rd largest store. It's been purchased by Macy's but fortunately still sells Frango mints.

The Cloud Gate (also known as The Bean) is located in Millennium Park.

The Crown Fountain is at the southwest end of the park. Two towers project video images of Chicago citizens.

Across from Millennium Park, go to Cindy's Rooftop to grab a drink with a view.

You'll get a rooftop view of Cloud Gate and Millennium Park. Off in the distance, you can see Adler Planetarium (zoom needed).

You'll find the beginning of Route 66 at the corner of Adams and Michigan Avenue, across from the Art Institute of Chicago.

The Art Institute of Chicago

You'll find the Paris Metra entrance to the Van Buren Station in Grant Park. It's slated to be removed to make way for ADA accessible entrances.

In Grant Park, you'll find a statue of Abraham Lincoln.

You'll also find Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park. It was donated by philanthropist Kate Buckingham in honor of her brother Clarence.

The fountain runs from 8 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily from early May through mid-October, depending on weather. The Fountain produces a major water display for 20 minutes every hour. A center jet shoots water to a height of 150 feet into the air. Major displays begin daily at 9:00 a.m. and continue every hour on the hour. Beginning at dusk, a light and music display accompanies the major display. The final display of the day begins at 10:35 p.m.

2022 09 01