Best of Chicago - Land and River Architectural Tour

Chicago, IL

Chicago is a city of color and history. The largest city in the American Midwest, it sits on Lake Michigan. It is home to one of the world's tallest buildings, the Willis Tower, and many other amazing activities.

Adler Planetarium

With a famous, award-winning design, the Adler Planetarium, which sits right on the shores of Lake Michigan in Chicago, strives to inspire interest in the cosmos in its visitors. The Doane Observatory is located inside.

Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute is the 2nd-largest art museum in the US after the Met in New York. It houses pieces by renowned painters such as Van Gogh, Monet, and Cezanne, as well as an extensive collection of African-American art.

Chicago Symphony Center

This large complex is a comprehensive center for music study and performance. Inside, you will find Orchestra Hall, the main performance space; Buntrock Hall, a smaller chamber for rehearsal and performance; the Grainger Ballroom; and a restaurant.

Field Museum of Natural History

Chicago's Field Museum is one of the largest natural history museums in the world. It is home to Sue, the largest and most-complete T-rex skeleton ever found. Its collection contains more than 24 million specimens and reports.

Opening Hours: Mon - Sun 9:00am - 5:00pm, Last entry time is 4:00pm, closed on Christmas

Grant Park

Nicknamed "Chicago's front yard," Grant Park sits right on Chicago's waterfront. It is home to gardens, museums, live performance venues, several pieces of art, like a monument to Abraham Lincoln and the Agora, a collection of headless statues.

Lake Point Tower

The Lake Front Tower is a residential building in downtown Chicago. The only skyscraper east of Lake Shore Drive, it is set apart from the rest of the Chicago skyline. Many notable people have lived in the tower.

Opening Hours: Mon - Fri 8:30am - 5:00pm

Museum of Science and Industry

One of Chicago's most popular attractions by attendance, this is th largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere. Its attractions include a full-size replica coal mine, German subs from World War II, and the Apollo 8 spacecraft.

Opening Hours: Mon - Sun 9:30am - 4:00pm, Closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas

Navy Pier

Both a designated Chicago Landmark and a member of the US National Register of Historic Places, this is Chicago's most popular tourist spot. It is home to a small theme park and fairground, as well as a minigolf course.

Petrillo Music Shell

This outdoor amphitheater in Grant Park, Chicago, is a great venue for concerts during the warmer months. It hosts many of the city's annual music festivals, such as the hugely popular Lollapalooza.

Opening Hours: Sun - Thu 9:00am - 10:00pm, Fri - Sat 9:00am - 12:00pm

Shedd Aquarium

The Shedd Aquarium is home to more than 25,000 fish and other marine animals of more than 1500 species. It has been honored as both a National Historic Landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places.

Soldier Field

The home of the Chicago Bears, Soldier Field is the oldest stadium used by an NFL team, opened in 1924. Though it's original capacity could hold over 100,000 spectators, renovations over the years have brought it down to about 61,000.

South Commons

South Commons is an area of Chicago in which several apartment and condominium buildings have been built in recent years. It is prime real estate because of its exquisite views of Lake Michigan.