What to see in Chicago in 1 day on your own – route, photo, description, map
The delightful city of Chicago, Illinois is a popular US city. It is located on the picturesque shore of Lake Michigan. The modern metropolis impresses its guests with numerous architectural and natural attractions. The technical and aesthetic achievements of the best architects and artists from all over the world are concentrated here. The city is famous for its luxurious landscaped parks, which are masterpieces of landscape art. The majestic and legendary skyscrapers amaze the eye with sparkling facades and original architectural solutions. The abundance of museums, theaters and galleries makes it possible to join the art, history and cultural traditions of the United States. Thus, it will not be difficult for curious tourists to decide what to see in Chicago in 1 day on their own.
Peggy Notebert Nature Museum
In Abraham Lincoln Park there is a wonderful interesting museum complex Peggy Notebert. Its exhibits are dedicated to the flora and fauna of Illinois and the Great Lakes region. This is one of the most visited institutions in the city. A wide variety of natural ecosystems is represented on an area of 2.5 hectares. The majestic pavilions recreate forests with a variety of shrubs, trees and ponds, where peaceful harmony and serene tranquility reign.
Here you can see an impressive number of insects, birds, reptiles, amphibians, amphibians, as well as snails and molluscs. Of particular interest to museum visitors is the butterfly exhibition. These amazing and delicate creatures amaze with their various shades of wings and exotic shapes. Hundreds of butterflies flutter over evergreens and artificial ponds.
Open every day from 9:00 to 17:00 (Monday-Friday) and from 10:00 to 17:00 (Saturday, Sunday). The ticket price is $9.
Lincoln Park Zoo
The Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the cozy and iconic places. The menagerie, founded in the 19th century, is located on the shores of Lake Michigan. On its territory of 49 acres, there are more than 1,000 species of various animals, birds and reptiles brought here from all over the world. Ideal conditions have been created for representatives of the fauna, as close as possible to their natural habitat.
Here, tourists can surprisingly quickly move from the stone jungle of the metropolis to a picturesque region with tropical forests, majestic trees, spacious reservoirs, mesmerizing waterfalls and shady alleys. Predators and herbivores freely roam the territories of well-groomed enclosures. Cheetahs, lions, tigers, panthers and jaguars lazily rest after dinner in the shade of trees or carefully examine the surroundings of their possessions, demonstrating a ferocious grin.
Zoo visitors can watch giraffes, hippos, bears, penguins, primates and many other wild animals. On the farm, guests will get acquainted with goats, horses, pigs and other domestic animals. It is impossible to pass by the greenhouse of the park. Pleasant impressions are guaranteed by a walk through the flowering garden with exotic plants, among which palm trees, ferns and orchids stand out. The zoo is completely free to visit. It welcomes guests all year round and every day from 10:00 to 17:00.
Historical Museum
Curious guests are advised to go to the Historical Museum. It is the city's oldest research institution and was founded in 1856. A rich collection of various objects and artifacts is on display for all to see. Museum visitors will be imbued with the historical past of the city and the state of Illinois.
The exposition is devoted to various stages of formation and development of the city. Here it will be interesting to learn about the Indians, colonialists, the abolition of slavery, a terrible fire and mafia families. The halls of the complex contain construction drawings of real-life buildings, costumes and textiles of the 19th century, glass, metal and ceramic crafts, advertising posters, vinyl discs, household items and much more. Some significant episodes from the life of the city are shown in the form of picturesque dioramas with excellent detailing of objects.
Among the valuable exhibits, the original box on which President Abraham Lincoln died, as well as a model of a rare car and a railway car, deserves attention. The exhibition is open daily from 9:30 to 16:30 (Monday, Wednesday-Saturday), from 12:00 to 17:00 (Sunday) and from 9:30 to 21:00 (Tuesday). Ticket price is $19.
Charnley Persky House Museum
Surrounded by grandiose skyscrapers, the prestigious Gold Coast quarter (“Gold Coast”) is located. This popular place in the city is famous for its historical mansions. Among them, the Charnley Persky House Museum, located on the cozy and calm Astor Street, deserves special attention. in 1892 under the guidance of the outstanding American architect Louis Sullivan, whose name is inextricably linked with the world history of the construction of the first high-rise buildings.
The Charnley Persky House Museum is a symmetrical rectangular building. The façade, lined with strict brickwork, is divided into three parts: the main entrance, a wooden balcony with columns and side sections with single casement windows. With a relatively modest appearance, the luxurious interior decoration of the premises noticeably contrasts.
Precious woods are used in the interior design. The numerous elements of the ornament amaze the imagination. The foyer consists of an internal atrium, along the perimeter of which there is a staircase to the upper floors. The rooms of the house are decorated with oak wall panels decorated with fine carvings. In the library you can see a magnificent fireplace made of African pink marble. On Wednesdays at 12:00, free guided tours are offered at the house-museum.
John Hancock Center
The visiting card is the famous American skyscraper – the John Hancock Center. The hundred-story architectural landmark was erected in 1969. At the time of the development of the project, the majestic building positioned itself as the tallest building in the world. Its height, together with two spiers, reaches 457 meters. The skyscraper, named after the statesman John Hancock, attracts the attention of tourists with its unusual appearance.
It has a conical shape. The facade is lined with aluminum diagonal and vertical panels with glass railings. The peculiarity of the unusual design of the tower is that its width gradually decreases from the base to the top. The building houses offices, shops, residential apartments, restaurants and parking lots.
The skyscraper is popular among numerous tourists. On the 94th floor there is an observation platform with a fascinating attraction. Those wishing to enjoy breathtaking panoramic views are invited to stand on a special glazed platform, which smoothly leans forward at an angle of 30 degrees.
Modern Art Museum
It is one of the most interesting cultural institutions, which presents pictorial works of art, creative sculptures and original performances. Masterpieces of avant-garde art evoke a wide range of emotions from admiration and approval to condemnation and contradiction.
The collection offers an opportunity not only to get acquainted with the work of contemporary artists, but also to rethink the cultural and social values of today. The exposition is located in the original building, built of limestone, metal and glass. The rather gloomy facade of the building is compensated by the magnificent interior decoration. Spacious pavilions and corridors are filled with sunlight. Whimsical spiral staircases provide access to various galleries.
The halls show objects of modern painting in the style of surrealism, pop art and minimalism, as well as staged photographs, intricate figures from various objects, installations and videos. The museum is open daily, except Monday, from 10:00 to 17:00 and until 20:00 (Tuesdays).
Cathedral of the Holy Name
An expressive monument of the neo-Gothic architectural style is the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Name. It was erected in 1875 on the site of two churches that burned down in the Great Chicago Fire. The height of the building is 46 meters. The light facade of the basilica is decorated with a rose window, an arched portal and lancet window openings. The main entrance is a massive bronze door, which opens with a light touch of the hand. The cathedral can accommodate about 2,000 people at a time.
The interior decoration is dominated by bronze sculptures of biblical characters. The spacious main hall of the cathedral is decorated with an arched arcade with massive columns, a vaulted ceiling and incomparable colored stained-glass windows. The altar is made of red granite with bas-reliefs. On the walls of the altar part of the temple you can see picturesque panels depicting the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, as well as the apostles Paul and Peter. The liturgy in the cathedral is accompanied by the playing of a grandiose organ consisting of over 5,000 pipes.
In the central part of Downtown, one of the popular and famous attractions of the city is located – the Naval Pier. To date, the former berth of military ships and the training center for US Navy SEALs does not fulfill its direct functional purpose. It has become a platform for outdoor activities and exciting walks for guests and residents.
A huge number of attractions, cozy cafes, restaurants, shops, exhibition centers, theaters and various cultural and entertainment institutions are concentrated here. The embankment offers an amazing view of the water surface of Lake Michigan and majestic skyscrapers. The high-rise building of the futuristic shape of the Lake Point Tower attracts attention. This is a prestigious residential complex with its own infrastructure.
The territory adjacent to the pier is a park area decorated with a fountain, art objects and sculptural compositions. Lovers of natural beauty will appreciate the variety of exotic plants in the botanical garden. A lot of palm trees are planted under the roof of a glazed six-story building. The hallmark of the pier is a 45-meter-high Ferris wheel.
Chicago Riverwalk
A walk along the banks of the Chicago Riverwalk leaves an indelible impression. This is an ennobled multi-kilometer pedestrian boulevard piercing the central quarters of the city. From here you can enjoy breathtaking views of the grandiose architectural ensemble. High-rise buildings amaze with their majesty and fantastic beauty. The embankment has terraces for sunbathers, sports grounds and cozy green areas for a relaxing holiday.
There are 18 bridges across the river, each of which has the ability to pass cruise boats and fairly large ships. Equipped embankment offers a large number of entertainment. During the walk, tourists will have the opportunity to relax in one of the many street cafes and satisfy their hunger with gastronomic delights of local cuisine. Walking can be replaced by a water excursion on a river taxi.
Viewpoint 360
It is impossible to imagine seeing the sights without going up to the 94th floor of the legendary John Hancock Center skyscraper, where one of the best and most popular observation decks in the United States is located. From a bird's eye view, an impressive view of Lake Michigan, the waterfront, the center of the metropolis and its environs will appear.
Panoramic glass provides excellent 360-degree visibility. Delight is caused by numerous skyscrapers, which are masterpieces of modern architectural thought. Just before sunset, visitors to the observation deck can see a unique spectacle of how colorful illuminations light up on the facades of grandiose buildings in the rays of the setting sun. Evening shining Chicago will not leave anyone indifferent.
For thrill-seekers, the Tilt attraction is available. Its essence lies in the fact that a specialized glass platform with the help of hydraulic cylinders tilts tourists down by 30 degrees. A person literally hangs in the air at an altitude of more than 300 meters. The ticket price is $22. The observation deck is open every day from 9:00 to 23:00.
Chicago Cultural Center
It is very popular among visitors and residents of the city. It is visited annually by about 800 thousand people. Public recognition is due to the fact that various art exhibitions, music concerts, festivals, theatrical performances, film screenings and other events are held in this institution completely free of charge and regularly.
The building of the cultural center itself, erected in a neoclassical style with decorative elements of the Renaissance, deserves attention. The outer rigor of the structure is given by rows of darkened windows, separated by Doric columns. From Wednesday to Saturday, free tours of the halls of the building are organized for tourists. The interiors of the premises amaze with their luxury.
Coffered ceilings, wall paintings, multi-colored mosaics with intricate patterns, carved cornices, bronze ornaments, massive doors, as well as walls lined with marble – all this arouses genuine interest among the audience. The huge Preston Bradley Hall, where live music concerts are held, is distinguished by its special acoustics. The highlight of this room is the stained-glass dome, which consists of 30,000 glass pieces.
Millennium Park
On the shores of Lake Michigan lies the magnificent public Millennium Park. A picturesque oasis, full of greenery of numerous plantations, is adjacent to the Chicago skyscrapers. This is one of the main places of attraction for tourists and local residents, where you can have a good time and relax from the bustle of the metropolis.
The park complex, the size of 14 football fields, is an example of landscape art. Its territory harmoniously combines natural and sculptural installations, concert and theater venues, walking alleys, spacious lawns and garden plots. Visitors to the park will find activities to their liking and taste. Various festivals, concerts and various entertainment cultural events are constantly held here.
Among the bizarre art objects, a sculpture in the form of a huge drop of mercury attracts interest. The figure, weighing 100 tons, is made of stainless metal plates, perfectly polished to a mirror finish. It will be interesting to see the unique and high-tech Crown Fountain. It consists of two fifteen-meter blocks with LED screens, which broadcast the faces of residents. The image of a man's head folds his lips and a stream of water beats out of his mouth.
Between the screens is a swimming pool. Tourists usually tend to see the Millennium Monument. These are majestic Doric columns rising up to 12 meters. Visitors to the park can sit on a large field covered with perfect grass and take a break from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis.
Buckingham fountain
The hallmark of Grant Park, which occupies a vast green area of Downtown Chicago, is the grandiose Buckingham Fountain. Its opening took place in 1927. The daughter of one of the Chicago patrons, Kate Buckingham, was involved in the construction of the water attraction. Thus she wished to perpetuate the memory of her brother.
A magnificent architectural monument impresses with its size. The diameter of the main pool is 84 meters. A three-level building made of pink marble rises in the center. The fountain looks like a wedding cake, which attracts numerous newlyweds who want to capture a moment of their solemn day against the backdrop of this attraction.
Around the structure are sculptural compositions of sea horses. There are 134 jets in Buckingham Fountain, the highest of which delivers water up to 46 meters. With the onset of dusk, the fountain begins its light and musical performance, captivating the audience. Colorful illumination is provided by more than 800 colored spotlights installed underwater.
Shedd Aquarium
A self-guided itinerary may include a visit to the Shedd Aquarium, which features a wide variety of marine life. The institution is located in a monumental octagonal building made of white marble. The main entrance is decorated with a portico with a pediment and massive columns. The territory of the aquarium with an area of 4,000 m2 consists of interesting expositions, divided into thematic zones.
Admiring the exotic riches of the underwater kingdom is a real outlet for tourists. Visitors will have an amazing journey through the tropical jungle of the Amazon River, as well as acquaintance with the Caribbean coral reef ecosystem and a variety of inhabitants of the ocean depths. At one of the exhibitions, the hall is decorated in the form of a Philippine village, where sharks splash among colorful schools of fish in an aquarium.
In spacious tanks and pools you can see dolphins, belugas, iguanas, fur seals, piranhas, rays, crocodiles, moray eels, octopus and many other creatures. The ticket price is $32.95. The aquarium is open from 9:00 to 17:00 (Monday-Friday) and until 18:00 (Saturday, Sunday).
Field Museum of Natural History
The Field Museum of Natural History provides an opportunity for tourists to have an exciting and informative time. The exposition is divided into geological, zoological and anthropological collections. The museum has collected more than 20 million unique finds and artifacts brought from all over the world. These are minerals, precious stones, meteorites, stuffed wild animals, authentic ancient Egyptian tombs and many other valuable exhibits.
The main financial resources for the opening of the exhibition and the acquisition of the collection were donated by businessman Marshall Field, in whose honor the Museum of Natural History bears its name. The pride of the institution is the world's largest Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton. His skull weighs over 200 kilograms. He hospitably “smiles” at visitors with all 58 teeth.
Of no less interest are the skeletons of other dinosaurs from different eras. One of the exhibition halls of the complex is dedicated to the history of the indigenous inhabitants of the New World. Here you can get acquainted in detail with the life and culture of the ancient Indian tribes. The entrance ticket costs $38. The museum is open every day from 9:00 to 17:00.