Chicago Sightseeing Favorites
Need to get a quick sense of the most fun and worthwhile sightseeing activities for women visitors in Chicago?
I’m here to help! In this section, you will find:
- Lipstick Getaways’ Chicago Sightseeing Favorites. The list and brief descriptions are on this page; all the details are on the next page.
- A For More Info section with the best resources for learning more about Chicago sightseeing. Handy for those of you who want to dig a little deeper.
LIPSTICK GETAWAYS’ CHICAGO SIGHTSEEING FAVORITES
I wanted to keep it simple for you, so here’s the “quick scan version.” All the details, including more in-depth descriptions, addresses, links, phone numbers, and directions are on the next page.
1. Some kind of architectural tour.
After most of downtown was destroyed by the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the rebuilding Chicago was fertile ground for original American architecture.
Chicago Architecture Foundation Offers a wide variety of walking tours all over the city, as well as 90-minute River Tours.
Chicagoline is another popular source for 90-minute river tours.
Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio in Oak Park offers guided tours of the home, studio, and historic neighborhood and self-guided audio tours.
2. A breathtaking city view
My recommendation: a drink-with-a-view from the Signature Lounge on the 96th floor of the John Hancock Center (Magnificent Mile). Also at the John Hancock is the 95th floor Signature Room restaurant (overpriced) and the 94th floor Hancock Observatory. (The John Hancock Center is also a great vantage point for viewing the Navy Pier fireworks.)
Another popular choice for a view is from the Sears Tower Skydeck (Loop).
3. Visit Millennium Park (Loop)
This grand and whimsical 24.5 acre urban park, located at the north end of Grant Park, opened in 2004 as a setting for art, architecture, music, landscape design. The famous Cloud Sculpture (”the Bean”) is delightful, as is the digitally-animated Crown Fountain.
4. Stroll down Astor Street (Gold Coast)
Just north of the bustling Mag Mile, this quiet, leafy historic residential street is lined with landmark mansions and townhomes in a variety of architectural styles. And if the weather is fine, don’t miss nearby Oak Street Beach. You can walk, jog, or bike on the winding path with amazing views of the lake and the skyscrapers.
5. Chicago Cultural Center
Opulent 1897 landmark with a lavish interior– including the world’s largest Tiffany stained-glass dome* — definitely worth at least a quick stop. In addition to free exhibits and programming, the Cultural Center is home to the city’s official Visitor Center where you can pick up tons of maps and info.
*You can see another spectacular Tiffany dome at the State Street location (fifth floor) of the legendary Marshall Field’s department store (now Macy’s, to the dismay of most locals).
SEE NEXT PAGE for all the details on Lipstick Getaways’ Chicago Sightseeing Favorites, above sightseeing activities, including addresses, directions, phone numbers, and links.
FOR MORE INFO
As promised, for those of you who want to do more research on your own, I’ll share my favorite Chicago Sightseeing resources. The links will take you straight to the Attractions page of each site. You’re welcome.
Websites
ChicagoTraveler.com
ChooseChicago.com
Chicago.Citysearch.com
Guidebooks
I recommend one of the Chicago Guides from Frommer’s — either the full-sized Complete (320 pages) or especially the pocket-sized Portable (181 pages). And for simplicity, I still like that Dummies Guides series. You can find these books on Amazon.com or at your local bookstore.DO YOU HAVE a Chicago Sightseeing Fave that you just can’t believe I left out?
Please share it with your LG girlfriends! You can leave a reply in the box below (you won’t see it right away … it comes to me first, I review and approve it, then it gets posted) or just send me a note at carol@lipstickgetaways.com.
p.s. Why did I leave out Navy Pier?
This 50 park with rides, exhibitions, entertainment, dining, and tour boats is very popular, especially with families. However … yawn … sorry, it doesn’t do anything for me. Too crowded and touristy, just not that interesting. (An exception — the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows is worthwhile.) The fireworks are cool, but you can view them from the John Hancock Center (see above).
However, here’s the link to the Navy Pier website so that you can decide for yourself.
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