Chicago Skyline
Chicago Skyline
5
Tours & experiences
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Top ways to experience Chicago Skyline
The area
Neighborhood: 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
3,063 within 3 miles
Attractions
1,005 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
746 reviews
Excellent
644
Very good
92
Average
8
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Megan Stephenson
Chicago, IL2 contributions
May 2021
It's free to walk around the Loop and Lake Shore Trail to see the skyline. Depending on the weather conditions you might need to change up your path. There are tours you can take that will tell you information, but of course those are more expensive. Put on some good walking shoes and bring your camera.
Written May 30, 2021
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, NC1,311 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 March 31, 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.
Munir D
Toronto, Canada704 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
We saw the Chicago skyline from the Sky Walk toll bridge yesterday. The skyline is amongst the best in the world. The Willis Tower stands out and the buildings, from far, look like they have been assembled.
I have been to Chicago twice before and do recollect having gone up the Willis Tower (then known as Sears Tower) to view the city from top.
The city’s skyline is amongst the best in the world. Also try to see the skyline after it is dark -simply stunning.
Munir D.
I have been to Chicago twice before and do recollect having gone up the Willis Tower (then known as Sears Tower) to view the city from top.
The city’s skyline is amongst the best in the world. Also try to see the skyline after it is dark -simply stunning.
Munir D.
Written July 22, 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.
Heiner Schwutke
Rochester, MI22 contributions
Sep 2022
If you have ever visited a modern city, you will definitely miss that Chicago's skyscraper illumination at night is non existent. This was a big disappointment. We had expected that Chicago might match Asian cities with their vibrant, colorful, animated buildings illumination at night. Chicago does not offer anything like this. Trump had promised to bring infrastructure , airport, cities into the 21st century to match foreign cities. Obviously it didn't happen. Must be better for the environment to save the energy, which is a good thing.
Written September 7, 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.
Grover R
Pensacola, FL22,266 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 May 18, 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.
Jay Boyle
Fairfield, IA286 contributions
Jun 2019
Chicago is a big city with small town charm. It's beautiful, buildings, museums, lakeside and great chefs too. The gem of the Midwest, this city is a must to see and experience especially in warmer months: late spring, summer and early fall. The people are warm and genuine.
Written March 1, 2020
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.
Bill B
Bel Air, MD19,107 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 October 23, 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.
TravelingSoccerLoon
Saint Paul, MN5,971 contributions
Apr 2023 • Friends
Chicago has arguably the best skyline in the country. Sorry NYC, I love you and your skyline is more impressive from the sheer number of skyscrapers, but Chicago's architecture is more beautiful and interesting and its location along the shores of Lake Michigan adds to the appeal. So many iconic buildings including the Willis (Sears) Tower, John Hancock Center, Wrigley Building, Chicago Board of Trade, Tribune Tower and many more. Best views are from Grant Park or Millennium Park and along the Lakeshore. Taking a boat tour on the Chicago River is also a great way to experience the city's architecture.
Written March 13, 2024
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.
TERRAvelista
London, UK18,505 contributions
Jul 2022
My first visit downtown, delayed for such a long time and how great my thoughtful other half decided to visit it on such a hot day July the 4th weekend.
Just like in London, Paris, Dubai or Singapore, the architects put lots of thought into designing the buildings that form the skyline and I learned even more from our tour guide when doing the Architectural tour with Wendella - detailing lots of interesting things about each building.
Most surely we will be back walking around and visiting just about everything.
Just like in London, Paris, Dubai or Singapore, the architects put lots of thought into designing the buildings that form the skyline and I learned even more from our tour guide when doing the Architectural tour with Wendella - detailing lots of interesting things about each building.
Most surely we will be back walking around and visiting just about everything.
Written July 7, 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.
CliveV - The Galloping Glutton.
Cape Town Central, South Africa474 contributions
Nov 2021
I must admit that this was my first visit to Chicago and honestly never expected the height and 'wow' factor of the buildings.
The Skyline is 'headed up by 8 buildings:
The Willis Tower. 108 stories, 442m / 1451 '
The Trump Tower & Hotel 1,388 (423) 98 Stories, 423m/1388'
The St. Regis Chicago. 101 stories, 363m / 1198'
NEMA (Chicago)
875 North Michigan Avenue.
Tribune Tower.
The Wrigley Building.
Aon Center.
James R. Thompson Center.
The Skyline is 'headed up by 8 buildings:
The Willis Tower. 108 stories, 442m / 1451 '
The Trump Tower & Hotel 1,388 (423) 98 Stories, 423m/1388'
The St. Regis Chicago. 101 stories, 363m / 1198'
NEMA (Chicago)
875 North Michigan Avenue.
Tribune Tower.
The Wrigley Building.
Aon Center.
James R. Thompson Center.
Written December 3, 2021
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.
What boat tour did you take? We are going late June and this sounds like a great idea!
Written June 5, 2018
Chicago First Lady Architecture Cruise. Wonderful tour!
Written June 7, 2018
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