Chicago Skyline
Chicago Skyline
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Top ways to experience Chicago Skyline
The area
Neighbourhood: Downtown / The Loop
Often visitors' first stop in Chicago, The Loop is a good starting point to sample the city's energy and flavor. This central business district boasts Michelin-rated restaurants, upscale hotels, premier shopping, and enough arresting architecture to keep your camera busy for hours. You won’t find too many photo galleries of downtown Chicago without a shot of Millennium Park and Cloud Gate (“The Bean”), one of the most iconic landmarks in the city. A stunning skyline coupled with cultural attractions like the Art Institute of Chicago present a Downtown where work and play peacefully coexist.
How to get there
- Adams/Wabash • 3 min walk
- Monroe • 4 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
3,059 within 5 kms
Attractions
571 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- 2BEis2SKICharlotte, North Carolina1,375 contributionsViews galoreI fly to Chicago regularly and there are so any great skyline views. My favorite isn't even on the ground but approaching Ohare from the east across Lake Michigan. Sitting on the left hand side of the plane (A, B, C side) you get amazing views of the entire waterfront area. Likewise, departing Ohare for the east is equally special if they take off west and loop around as then you see the city with the lake as a backdrop (again A, B, C side). Other great views are up close, coming down LakeShore from the North or from the Navy Pier or Millennium Park looking back west. They are all great views of this special city.Visited March 2023Travelled soloWritten 31 March 2023
- Grover RPensacola, Florida18,030 contributionsMost Amazing Skyline in the WorldFor the birthplace of the skyscraper, the skyline is perhaps one of the best attractions for the city. It is amazing to see so many incredibly tall buildings in so many different architectural styles. I had also thought the New York skyline was the most amazing in the world, but after my visit, I have to say Chicago. Additionally it is incredible to see it from so many different angles, the lakefront, the river, other buildings, even 30 miles away at Indiana Dunes National Park. Take the time to see the skyline while you are in Chicago. It is truly amazing.Visited June 2022Travelled as a coupleWritten 18 May 2023
- Bill BBel Air, Maryland8,088 contributionsSkyline photos are a favorite among friendsMy Chicago Skyline photos are a favorite among friends. The span of over 100 years of history represented by these magnificent structures is impressive. All have their own unique way to reflect the sun and sky, whether it be cut and polished stone, terra cotta, or glass. I enjoyed different vantage points ... the highways entering the city, upper level rooms and patios, and street and river level views upward. My photos are helpful in deciding which buildings would be good for further up-close tours and scrutiny.Visited October 2023Travelled soloWritten 23 October 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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743 reviews
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Bill B
Bel Air, MD8,088 contributions
Oct 2023 • Solo
My Chicago Skyline photos are a favorite among friends. The span of over 100 years of history represented by these magnificent structures is impressive. All have their own unique way to reflect the sun and sky, whether it be cut and polished stone, terra cotta, or glass. I enjoyed different vantage points ... the highways entering the city, upper level rooms and patios, and street and river level views upward. My photos are helpful in deciding which buildings would be good for further up-close tours and scrutiny.
Written 23 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BradJill
Hong Kong, China159,201 contributions
May 2023
Chicago has one of America's great skylines featuring some of the country's tallest and most famous skyscrapers like of the Willis Tower (formerly known as Sears Tower), John Hancock Centre, Tribute Tower, Wrigley Tower, Carbon and Carbide Tower amongst others.
Some good spots for viewing the Skyline include from the waters of Lake Michigan for the classic straight forward landscape view with no obstructions. You can find similar views near Adler Planetarium.
There are some neat close up skyline views (and reflections) from Millennium Park next to Cloud Gate as well as some good views of the skyline around Michigan Ave from the Chicago River (and boat cruise). The views from Navy Pier are not bad and while further away, the views from the bridge crossing the South Pond at Lincoln Park are pretty good as as well.
For eyes in the sky views of the Chicago Skyline, the SkyDeck at Willis Tower is hard to beat. Various city Sky bars provide additional opportunities to admire parts of the skyline as well.
Some good spots for viewing the Skyline include from the waters of Lake Michigan for the classic straight forward landscape view with no obstructions. You can find similar views near Adler Planetarium.
There are some neat close up skyline views (and reflections) from Millennium Park next to Cloud Gate as well as some good views of the skyline around Michigan Ave from the Chicago River (and boat cruise). The views from Navy Pier are not bad and while further away, the views from the bridge crossing the South Pond at Lincoln Park are pretty good as as well.
For eyes in the sky views of the Chicago Skyline, the SkyDeck at Willis Tower is hard to beat. Various city Sky bars provide additional opportunities to admire parts of the skyline as well.
Written 30 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grover R
Pensacola, FL18,030 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
For the birthplace of the skyscraper, the skyline is perhaps one of the best attractions for the city. It is amazing to see so many incredibly tall buildings in so many different architectural styles. I had also thought the New York skyline was the most amazing in the world, but after my visit, I have to say Chicago. Additionally it is incredible to see it from so many different angles, the lakefront, the river, other buildings, even 30 miles away at Indiana Dunes National Park. Take the time to see the skyline while you are in Chicago. It is truly amazing.
Written 18 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eva
Bothell, WA163 contributions
Apr 2023
In my opinion, the best city skyline in the WORLD! over the years as buildings have been built, I love that the city keeps the overall look and feel of the city in its architecture. Not many cities do that. Truly iconic and timeless.
Written 16 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2BEis2SKI
Charlotte, NC1,375 contributions
Mar 2023 • Solo
I fly to Chicago regularly and there are so any great skyline views. My favorite isn't even on the ground but approaching Ohare from the east across Lake Michigan. Sitting on the left hand side of the plane (A, B, C side) you get amazing views of the entire waterfront area. Likewise, departing Ohare for the east is equally special if they take off west and loop around as then you see the city with the lake as a backdrop (again A, B, C side). Other great views are up close, coming down LakeShore from the North or from the Navy Pier or Millennium Park looking back west. They are all great views of this special city.
Written 31 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dbinhou7511
Houston, TX1,581 contributions
Dec 2022
Many places to view skyline and Chicago's iconic skyline. A better way to experience is to either take an architectural tour or river tour.
Written 29 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paulo G
Anadia, Portugal260 contributions
Nov 2022
This city has such an amazing skyline. The iconic buildings do not disapoint especially in the evening and when there is good weather.
Written 23 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Larry G
31 contributions
Nov 2022
A beautiful skyline - such interesting architecture and history; try to find a descriptor of the buildings - makes it much more interesting - for example, the champagne building!
Written 30 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FAY E
143 contributions
Nov 2022
I have traveled extensively. This skyline is top of the list in America. Nice to photograph even on a rainy day.
Written 8 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Terri P
Baltimore, MD235 contributions
Oct 2022
One of the best in the world. It is awe inspiring. A site that lingers. The best of all, you can take it in for free!
Written 29 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carol Lynn M
Merrick, NY38 contributions
What boat tour did you take? We are going late June and this sounds like a great idea!
Lisa J
Lansing, MI838 contributions
Chicago First Lady Architecture Cruise. Wonderful tour!
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Claim your listingCHICAGO SKYLINE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Chicago Skyline
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Chicago Skyline:
- Chicago Architecture River Cruise (From S$62.71)
- Chicago Premier Dinner Cruise on Lake Michigan (From S$201.17)
- Chicago Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours (From S$117.24)
- Chicago Small-Group City Tour with Optional Architecture River Cruise (From S$62.64)
- Chicago City Minibus Tour (From S$62.64)
- Hotels near Chicago Skyline:
- (0.05 km) University Club of Chicago
- (0.14 km) Chicago Athletic Association Hotel
- (0.22 km) Silversmith Hotel Chicago Downtown
- (0.16 km) Sonder Jewelers Row
- (0.20 km) Palmer House a Hilton Hotel
- Restaurants near Chicago Skyline:
- (0.04 km) Jollibee
- (0.04 km) Subway
- (0.06 km) Chick-fil-A
- (0.06 km) Hot Woks Cool Sushi
- (0.06 km) TE'AMO Millennium Park