Sears Tower
The tallest building in the United States and the world's 3rd tallest building is on Wacker Street in the Loop. It attracts over a million tourists a year to its skydeck for panoramic views of Chicago. It has 110 floors and is capable of swaying in the frequent and strong Chicago winds. An entry fee is payable and expect to queue, especially in high season.
John Hancock Center
This impressive building is a 1127 foot tall skyscraper completed in 1969 and named after the first person to sign the historic United States Declaration of Independence. It is the 3rd tallest building in Chicago.
The building is a combination of offices, shops, restaurants and residential apartments. The Signature lounge and restaurant on the 96th floor is one to put on your list. From the lounge you can take in the impressive night sky line while sipping a beer or two!
Magnificent Mile
This long stretch of North Michigan Avenue is where you will find over 900 shops including boutiques and world renowned designer brand names, fine dining, the John Hancock Building and the Historic Water Tower nearby.
Water Tower
This great and beautiful building is just over 150 feet tall and houses a tourist information office. It is one of the structures that survived the Chicago fire of 1871.
Michigan Avenue Bridge
The bridge itself is a bascule bridge and the area around it is a great spot to stroll around and take in the great architecture dissected by the river along Michigan Avenue.
The Wrigley Building has two towers, each are of different heights and were built in 1919 and 1924. It is made of 6 colours of white glazed terracotta and has a clock tower that is two stories high.
Opposite the the Wrigley building is the gothic Tribune Tower, home to the Chicago Tribune newspaper. The building was completed in 1925.
Navy Pier
Navy Pier is on the edge the city on Lake Michigan and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Chicago. There are a number of places to eat, plenty of shops and an amusement park with a popular 150 foot high Ferris wheel. The Chicago Children's Museum with educational exhibits for children is also located in the Pier. The views of Lake Michigan and the entire downtown city are excellent from Navy Pier.
The Loop
The financial hub of the city is known as the Loop and is approximately 1.5 squares mile in size. Since Chicago is the world centre for commodities, futures and options trading, there are numerous big corporations and companies with offices or office blocks in the Loop.
Millenium Park
The modern Millenium Park is one of the latest additions to Chicago and is over 23 acres in size for visitors to walk or cycle and view travelling exhibitions. There are also a few pieces of interesting modern art in Millenium Park including the Cloud Gate sculpture with it's interesting reflections!
Art Institute of Chicago
This world class art museum is flanked by Grant Park (with its Buckingham Fountain that lights up the summer night skies) and Millenium Park. The Art Institute of Chicago has masterpieces from around the world and has a number of pieces from China and Japan, Greece, Egypt and Rome.
Lincoln Park
The park is named after Abraham Lincoln and is one of Chicago's many lakefront parks where locals go running, walking or simply relax. In summer there is a fresh produce market here on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Lincoln Park Zoo has over 1600 animals to see with entrance to the zoo being free.
Old Town
The Old Town is a residential neighbourhood in central Chicago near Lincoln Park with tree lined streets of desirable houses and apartments and a few nice restaurants.
Wrigley Field
The home of the Chicago Cubs and a beautiful baseball stadium.
