There are many iconic places in Chicago. You see them on the news, featured in various publications, and in the backgrounds of all your photos. Anyone who has spent a good deal of time in Chicago will recognize each and every one of these 12 attractions and locations in the city.
Some of the most iconic spots are also some of the city’s most beautiful areas. Keep scrolling and see if you recognize all these places.
- The Chicago Skyway
Wikimedia Commons/Dwayne If you’ve done much driving in and out of the city, there’s a good chance you’ve come across this iconic greeter a time or two. Cars line up to pay a toll to take an expansive bridge across the river and enter Chicago.
- The Chicago Theatre
Wikipedia/Daniel Schwen The sign itself is a popular photo-taking attraction for tourists and locals alike. It literally screams Chicago. In the midst of the city’s theatre district, most Chicagoans have at least been by this famous place.
- Cloudgate
Public Domain Pictures/Petr Kratochvil Compared to many other attractions in the city, this is fairly new, yet it has quickly become one of the most iconic places in the city. While some don’t see the beauty in it or may find it to be just another tourist trap, it really is a work of art that celebrates Chicago.
- The Art Institute of Chicago
Flickr/calbeeb Maybe more popular than the museum itself are the lions that keep watch outside. These statues are green with age and stand like proud symbols of the city’s spirit.
- The Field Museum
Wikimedia Commons/Nikopoley Everyone knows this famous building. The pillars and stairs make it recognizable and distinguishable from any other museum in Chicago.
- The Adler Planetarium
Wikimedia Commons/TonyTheTiger Yet another iconic location at museum campus, this educational attraction is known for sitting out on a jut of land over Lake Michigan. This helps get you to a spot with less light pollution and more stars.
- Shedd Aquarium
Flickr/Michael Gray There’s no point talking about museum campus if you don’t mention this wildly popular place. From the moment you arrive, it’s a nautical-themed journey. Enjoy excellent views of Lake Michigan and the surrounding parks from here as well.
- The Museum of Science and Industry
Max Pixel Yes, another iconic museum, this waterside wonderland of learning is known for being picturesque. Just off Lake Shore Drive, it’s a familiar beauty to behold for any Chicagoan.
- Soldier Field
Flickr/Marco Verch The stadium where the Bears play is one of the most well-known stadiums in the country. Situated along the lake and just behind museum campus, it is a wonderful place that everyone recognizes instantly.
- Wrigley Field
Wikimedia Commons/Jeramey Jannene Chicagoans know their stadiums and none is more iconic than where the Cubs play. Baseball is certainly one of the most popular sports in our city (hence the two major teams), and we love to cheer them on in person.
- Buckingham Fountain
Flickr/FaceMePLS Nothing says Chicago like this amazing structure of metal, concrete, and shooting water. Anyone who has been here has a picture of this beautiful fountain. True Chicagoans know that the best time to visit is at night when the light show begins.
- Lincoln Park Pavilion
Flickr/John Zacherle This is a tricky one. Though not much of an attraction all its own, many love this intriguing piece of art for the photo opportunities it affords. If you’re not already, this is definitely one spot you want to get acquainted with.
These places are absolutely stunning. Check out 11 more amazing places in Chicago for taking pictures.
Wikimedia Commons/Dwayne
If you’ve done much driving in and out of the city, there’s a good chance you’ve come across this iconic greeter a time or two. Cars line up to pay a toll to take an expansive bridge across the river and enter Chicago.
Wikipedia/Daniel Schwen
The sign itself is a popular photo-taking attraction for tourists and locals alike. It literally screams Chicago. In the midst of the city’s theatre district, most Chicagoans have at least been by this famous place.
Public Domain Pictures/Petr Kratochvil
Compared to many other attractions in the city, this is fairly new, yet it has quickly become one of the most iconic places in the city. While some don’t see the beauty in it or may find it to be just another tourist trap, it really is a work of art that celebrates Chicago.
Flickr/calbeeb
Maybe more popular than the museum itself are the lions that keep watch outside. These statues are green with age and stand like proud symbols of the city’s spirit.
Wikimedia Commons/Nikopoley
Everyone knows this famous building. The pillars and stairs make it recognizable and distinguishable from any other museum in Chicago.
Wikimedia Commons/TonyTheTiger
Yet another iconic location at museum campus, this educational attraction is known for sitting out on a jut of land over Lake Michigan. This helps get you to a spot with less light pollution and more stars.
Flickr/Michael Gray
There’s no point talking about museum campus if you don’t mention this wildly popular place. From the moment you arrive, it’s a nautical-themed journey. Enjoy excellent views of Lake Michigan and the surrounding parks from here as well.
Max Pixel
Yes, another iconic museum, this waterside wonderland of learning is known for being picturesque. Just off Lake Shore Drive, it’s a familiar beauty to behold for any Chicagoan.
Flickr/Marco Verch
The stadium where the Bears play is one of the most well-known stadiums in the country. Situated along the lake and just behind museum campus, it is a wonderful place that everyone recognizes instantly.
Wikimedia Commons/Jeramey Jannene
Chicagoans know their stadiums and none is more iconic than where the Cubs play. Baseball is certainly one of the most popular sports in our city (hence the two major teams), and we love to cheer them on in person.
Flickr/FaceMePLS
Nothing says Chicago like this amazing structure of metal, concrete, and shooting water. Anyone who has been here has a picture of this beautiful fountain. True Chicagoans know that the best time to visit is at night when the light show begins.
Flickr/John Zacherle
This is a tricky one. Though not much of an attraction all its own, many love this intriguing piece of art for the photo opportunities it affords. If you’re not already, this is definitely one spot you want to get acquainted with.
Did you recognize all of these iconic places? Share with us which ones puzzled you.
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