Best views in Chicago

Best views in Chicago

1. 
   SeeAttractionLoop

   The Skydeck

   Once the tallest building in the world, the Sears Tower (officially renamed the Willis Tower) now has to settle for second-highest in the Americas alone, behind New York City's One World Trade Center (and even those are after a semantic battle with Toronto and the CN Tower). The Hancock Observatory (see Near North) has a nicer view of the city, but the Sears Tower offers an incredible view of its own from "The Ledge", which lets visitors walk out in a transparent balcony suspended 1,353 feet above the street. To avoid the crowds, visit after 4PM.

   Apr-Sep 9AM-10PM, Oct-Mar 10AM-8PM; open every day of the year, including holidays·$22, $11 children; express line tickets $30 · Wheelchair accessible
2. 
   SeeViewpointNear North

   360 Chicago

   Hancock Observatory

   360-degree view from the 94th floor. Not quite as high as the Sears Tower Skydeck, but with a better view, and from January to March, an ice-skating rink! For drinks, see the Signature Room below.

   9AM-11PM·$22 adults (12 and over), $15 children (3-11) · Wheelchair accessible
3. 
   SeeNear South

   John G. Shedd Aquarium

   Home to a massive collection of marine life from throughout the world, among the very best you'll ever see. The Pacific Northwest-themed Oceanarium features otters, beluga whales, and a panoramic view of Lake Michigan, although you'll need to arrive extremely early for the (free) dolphin show. The terrific new Wild Reef exhibit offers floor-to-ceiling windows for an extraordinary view of a Philippine coral reef environment, complete with dozens of sharks.

   Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM, Sat Sun 9AM-6PM; July/August 8AM-6PM·Admission from $37.20 adults and $27.95 children, plus extra for special exhibits · Wheelchair accessible
4. 
   SeeNear South

   Northerly Island Park

   A 40-acre park on the southern portion of Northerly Island that opened in September 2015. The park features a nature trail, pedestrian/bike path, 5 acre lagoon and an excellent view of the Chicago skyline.

   6AM-11PM·Free
5. 
   SeeNear North

   Trump Tower

   1362 ft. The Trump Hotel and luxury residential building is both the newest member of the Chicago skyline, completed at the beginning of 2009, and the tallest after the Sears Tower — indeed, it is the fourth tallest in the United States. The Donald intended for it to be the tallest in the world, but decided to scale back following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The design features three prominent setbacks at the height of nearby buildings: the Wrigley Building, Marina City, and 330 N Wabash, which, combined with its singularly reflective exterior, allow this supertall to blend into the skyline, almost to the point where you could overlook it. As intended, the building reflects and interacts with the Chicago skyline, rather than imposing itself upon it with its great height. Regardless, you will not likely miss this building, and it's plenty interesting to examine — its asymmetric form ensures that you will see something quite different from any different vantage point.
6. 
   SeePublic artBridgeport-Chinatown

   Ping Tom Memorial Park

   A riverside park with a Chinese touch, including a riverside Chinese pavilion and a bamboo garden. On a clear day the park has nice southwest side views of the Chicago skyline. The park offers many summertime events from movie screenings to the very popular dragon boat races. Check the Chinatown Chamber of Commerce's website for details.

   Free entry
7. DoBeachBronzeville

   31st St Beach

   Margaret Burroughs Beach

   While small, 31st St Beach is one of the nicest places for a swim on the South Side. It's family-friendly, never crowded, and always has stunning views of the Chicago skyline.

   Summers: 9AM-9:30PM

8. 
   SeeLoop

   Metropolitan Correctional Center

   287 ft. While not very tall, this 1975 brutalist structure is one of the most distinctive and curious in the Chicago skyline. As its name suggests, it is a vertical prison skyscraper and its sharp triangular shape is designed to minimize the amount of time that it takes to patrol its corridors. Its prisoners have some of the prison world's best views as their exercise yard is on top of the roof, although the narrow slits serving as windows do not allow such nice views from the cells. The prison houses male and female convicts of all security levels, waiting for transport to the courthouse nearby.
9. 
   DoHyde Park

   Promontory Point Park

   The Point

   Promontory Point is a beautiful spot to take in the great skyline view, gaze off into the blue, watch summer fireworks, or take a swim in its submerged beach (north side of the point). (It's illegal, but everybody does it.) The Point was constructed under the depression era Works Progress Administration in the style of the Prairie School of park design.
10. 
    SeeBridgeport-Chinatown

    Saint Barbara Church

    Built in 1914 to house overflow from Saint Mary of Perpetual Help, in the so-called "Polish Cathedral Style." Dominates the Bridgeport skyline along with St Mary's.
11. EatNear North

    Kendall College Dining Room

    Fine dining, fantastic skyline views, very reasonable prices, all prepared by student chefs. Goose Island is out of the way, but there is a free parking lot. Some of Chicago's top chefs learned their trade at Kendall College, so expect to be in for a treat. Open only seasonally, so check the website in advance of your visit.

    Lunch: Mon-Fri noon-1:30PM; dinner: Tue-Fri 6-8PM, Sat 6-8:30PM·$20-30

12. DoChatham-South Shore

    Rainbow Beach

    One of the best and biggest beaches in Chicago, boasting a magnificent South Side view of the Chicago skyline, where, as of 2024, the first hour of parking is $2, although you may find adjacent street parking for free. Free outdoor movies are often held in the adjacent Rainbow Park.

    Summers (Memorial Day-Labor Day): 9AM-9:30PM·Free

13. DoChatham-South Shore

    South Shore Country Club

    Nine holes of golf maintained (somewhat) by the Chicago Park Administration. Great skyline views over Lake Michigan from the course.

    Sunrise-sunset·Weekdays $11, Weekends $12.50

14. EatBridgeport-Chinatown Not mapped

    Lawrence's Fisheries

    It's amazing that this place exists so close to downtown. It's fried fish heaven with frogs legs, $1.45 clam strips, fried oysters, scallops, and boiled shrimp. All that with views of the skyline, intriguing industrial and river bridge panoramas, and of a good sized hanging shark.

    24 hours·$2-12

15. SeeAttraction

    Doane Observatory

    1300 S Lake Shore Dr

16. SeeObservatory

    John Hancock Observatory

    675 N Michigan Ave

17. SeeViewpoint

    Lincoln Park Passerelle Viewpoint

18. DoSummit

    Mount Bridgeport

    "Mount Bridgeport" is a colloquial name.

19. SeeViewpoint

    North Overlook

20. DoSummit

    Soldier Field Sledding Hill

21. SeeViewpoint

    South Overlook

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Chicago (CC BY-SA 4.0). Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Place data from Overture Maps.