Top Places to Visit In & Around Chicago

 Chicago is a great travel destination for many reasons. It is known for its eclectic neighborhoods, stunning architecture, delicious food, vibrant comedy scene, loyal sports fans, and rich history. 

I've been living and traveling in/around the windy city for the past few years and these are some of the top attractions in Chicago IMO:

- The Art Institute of Chicago: One of the largest and oldest art museums in the US, with a collection of over 300,000 works, including masterpieces by Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso, and more. It includes artworks from various periods and cultures. as well as sculptures, photographs, and textiles.

- Navy Pier: A popular waterfront destination that features a Ferris wheel, a carousel, an IMAX theater, a children's museum, and many restaurants and shops. It is a 1.5-kilometer-long pier that offers entertainment, dining, shopping, and cultural attractions. You can ride the Centennial Wheel, watch a show at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, visit the Children’s Museum, or take a boat tour from the pier to get gorgeous views of the Chicago skyline.

- Millennium Park and Cloud Gate: This is a 24.5-acre park that features iconic public art, such as the Cloud Gate (also known as the Bean), the Crown Fountain, and the Jay Pritzker Pavilion. The Bean is definitely my favorite part and also the main attraction here. People love taking distorted pictures of themselves and the city skyline reflected through the stainless steel structure that mirrors everything. You can also enjoy free concerts, festivals, and ice skating (during winter) in the park.

- The Magnificent Mile: A stretch of North Michigan Avenue that is home to some of the best shopping, dining, and entertainment options in the city. It is a section of North Michigan Avenue that runs from the Chicago River to Oak Street. It is one of the most famous and popular shopping destinations in the world, with more than 460 stores, ranging from high-end boutiques like Gucci and Burberry to pocket-friendly department stores like Macy’s and Nordstrom. You can also find many restaurants, hotels, museums, and landmarks along the way, such as the Chicago Water Tower, the Wrigley Building, and the Tribune Tower. You can also enjoy the festive atmosphere and the stunning views of the city and the lake.

- Skydeck on Willis Tower: The Willis Tower (previously known as the Sears Tower) is the tallest building in Chicago and the second-tallest in the US, with a height of 442 meters. You can visit the Skydeck on the 103rd floor, which has a glass balcony that extends 1.3 meters from the building and offers panoramic views of the city and beyond. You can also step onto the glass skydeck and take some creative selfies which I have seen most people like to do along with the pictures of the panoramic views.

- Buckingham Fountain: Buckingham Fountain is the centerpiece of Grant Park and one of the largest fountains in the world. The fountain has a stunning design inspired by the Palace of Versailles in France and features four sets of sea horses that represent the four states bordering Lake Michigan. The fountain also puts on a spectacular show every hour, with water jets reaching up to 150 feet and colorful lights and music at night.

- Lincoln Park Zoo: The Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the oldest and most popular zoos in the US, with over 1,000 animals from around the world. You can see lions, gorillas, polar bears, penguins, flamingos, and more, as well as enjoy the nature boardwalk, the farm-in-the-zoo, and the seasonal lights festival. It is a free and historic zoo that features more than 200 species of animals. You can also enjoy various events and programs, such as Spring Egg-Stravaganza, The Chicago Rat Hole Mystery, and Teen Program Applications.

- Garfield Park: Garfield Park is a scenic and diverse neighborhood in the heart of the city, with a sprawling park, a conservatory, and a community plaza. It is one of the oldest and largest parks in Chicago. You can enjoy the nature, art, and history of the park, as well as various recreational and cultural facilities. If you are looking for some peace and quiet, then head to the conservatory. It has eight indoor display houses and twelve acres of outdoor gardens, featuring a variety of plants from around the world. Garfield Park is a great place to relax and unwind in the city. 

- Chicago Theatre: The Chicago Theatre is a historic and iconic venue in the heart of downtown Chicago. It was built in 1921 and was designed in a neo-baroque style which is what makes its architecture so unique and beautiful. The Chicago Theatre is famous for its large marquee that features the city’s municipal device, a Y-shaped symbol that represents the forked Chicago River. The theatre hosts a variety of events, such as concerts, comedy shows, magic shows, speeches, and more. You can also take a guided tour of the theater and learn more about its history and architecture.

- Shedd Aquarium: This is one of the largest and most visited aquariums in the US, with over 32,000 animals from various aquatic habitats. You can see sharks, dolphins, penguins, sea otters, and more, as well as learn about conservation and research efforts. I loved the jellyfish displays. You can also take as many pictures as you want to your heart's content.

These are my top 10 and just some of the many places you can visit in Chicago. Depending on your interests, budget, and time, you can also check out other destinations that are a little away from the city as follows:

- The Chicago Botanical Garden: The Chicago Botanical Garden is a beautiful place to visit, especially if you love plants and nature. It has 27 spectacular gardens on 385 acres and features exhibitions, events, and educational programs. You can also enjoy the Orchid Show of Wonders, which runs from February to March, and showcases thousands of orchids in stunning displays. Admission to the garden is free, but you need to pay for parking and some special attractions. The Japanese Gardens is a very famous attraction. The Chicago Botanical Garden is about 37.6 kilometers or 23.4 miles away from Chicago by car. You can also take a train, bus, or taxi to get there. You can find more information on how to get to the Garden on their website.

- Wisconsin Dells: Dells is a popular tourist destination in Wisconsin, known for its water parks and scenic attractions. It is about 211 kilometers or 131 miles away from Chicago by car. You can also take a train, bus, or taxi to get there. You can visit the glacial-formed gorge that features sandstone formations and boat tours. You can also enjoy indoor and outdoor water parks, such as Noah’s Ark, Kalahari, and Mt. Olympus. The best time to visit with kids would be in summer since the amusement parks are open only during summer. But if you want to enjoy the more scenic part of it then you have to visit during Fall, it's the most beautiful and colorful destination near Chicago.

- Bahai Temple: A Bahai temple is a place of worship for the Bahai Faith, a religion that teaches the oneness of God, humanity, and religion. Bahai temples are also called Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, which means “Dawning-place of the remembrance of God” in Arabic. Bahai temples are open to people of all beliefs and have no clergy, rituals, or images. They are designed to have nine sides, which symbolize unity and completeness. The closest Bahai temple to Chicago is the Bahai House of Worship for North America, located in Wilmette, Illinois. It was completed in 1953 and is one of the oldest and largest Bahai temples. It has a dome that is 44 meters high and is surrounded by gardens and fountains. It offers daily devotional programs, presentations, and meditation sessions. 

- Swami Narayan Temple: A Swami Narayan temple is a Hindu temple that belongs to the Swaminarayan Sampradaya, a sect that follows the teachings of Swaminarayan, a yogi and ascetic who is believed to be a manifestation of Krishna. Swaminarayan built nine temples in India during his lifetime, and installed images of various Hindu deities in them. Today, there are over a thousand Swaminarayan temples around the world, which are known for their architecture and devotion. One of the closest Swaminarayan temples to Chicago is the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, located in Bartlett, Illinois. It is a traditional stone and marble temple that was inaugurated in 2004. It has a main shrine with five murtis, or sacred images, of Swaminarayan and his successors, as well as other shrines dedicated to Radha-Krishna, Shiva-Parvati, Sita-Rama, and Hanuman.

- Six Flags Great America: This is one of the biggest and best amusement parks in the Chicago region, with 17 roller coasters, a water park, and nine themed areas. You can enjoy thrilling rides like Goliath, Batman, and Superman, as well as family-friendly attractions like the Carousel and the Looney Tunes characters. You can easily spend a whole weekend here and it would still not be enough especially if you want to cover all the rides it has to offer and that too during crowded seasons like summer which is the only time it stays open.

These are my top 5 places to visit around Chicago. I hope you can enjoy them as much as I did. Have you visited Chicago before? What do you think of my recommendations? Let me know in the comments below.