With over 180 years of history and architecture, Chicago has tons of unforgettable sights that are perfect for a photo opportunity or soaking in the ambiance and vibe of the city. With its iconic skyline and architecture that demonstrates the intense beauty of the city, there’s no other place quite like it. Whether you’re looking for places to soak up a view, get a few pictures, or unwind, check out these unforgettable sightsa round the Windy City.

The Bean

Image via Flickr by Franck_Michel
Located at AT&T Plaza at Millennium Park, the Chicago Bean, also known as Cloud Gate, is one of the city’s most-photographed sculptures and one of Chicago’s famous landmarks. Made of highly polished stainless steel plates, the Bean weighs 110 tons, stands 33 feet high, and stretches over 66 feet. A 12-foot arch allows guests to travel underneath the Bean, providing interesting picture ops. From a distance, the Bean reflects the beautiful skyscrapers surrounding the plaza, which is a sight to behold with a winter snow or a blue-sky summer day.

Willis Tower

Measuring in at 1,729 feet, Willis Tower is the second-tallest building in the country and the 14th-tallest in the world. The building has 108 floors, with the 103rd floor open to the public. This floor has the highest view of anywhere in the city, offering panoramic scenes that spread to the suburbs and over Lake Michigan.
The Ledge is one of the most interesting places to enjoy the view. Jutting out of the building, this glass-walled and glass-bottomed box hangs over 1,353 feet above the street below, providing a thrill to the adventure seeker. If you don’t have the fortitude to handle the Ledge, you can walk around the Skydeck for sweeping 360-degree views of the city.

Buckingham Fountain

Situated in the heart of Chicago’s famous Grant Park, Buckingham Fountain is ana llegorical fountain meant to symbolize Lake Michigan. While the symbolism is ani nteresting aspect, the rococo and Palace of Versailles-inspired fountain makes this Chicago landmark a place you can’t afford to miss. Constructed in 1927, it’s also one oft he biggest fountains in the world and the epicenter of the iconic Lollapalooza music festival, which attracts thousands of spectators each year.

Make sure to head to Chicago between April and October when the fountain is in operation. When it’s not, it’s still a cool place to visit, but it just doesn’t have the same effect.

Chicago Riverwalk

Spanning from Lake Shore Drive to Franklin Street, the Chicago Riverwalk is a pedestrian waterfront that invites guests to stroll along the banks of the Chicago River for shopping, dining, and scenic backdrops. Also known as the “second lakefront,” this nine-block stretch of the city showcases some of the city’s diverse architecture, as well as a boardwalk, jetty, and a water plaza. During St. Patrick’s Day, this area is also ground zero of the city’s famed parade and celebration, offering even moreo pportunities for pictures and people-watching.

From sculptures to parks to city skylines, Chicago has some of the best views and architecture in the world. Make sure to put these places on your itinerary to enjoy everything the city has to offer.

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Gretchen is a Best of the Net and Pushcart Prize-nominated poet and essayist from the Philippines, where she embraces life while managing bipolar disorder and ADHD. Her confessional pieces unpack the complexities of grief, healing, motherhood, love, and intersections, garnering recognition from the Greg Grummer Poetry Contest and Navigator's Travel Writing Competition.

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