No matter how long I have been in Chicago, I am still amazed by how vast the city looks from a distance. The Chicago skyline is a marvel to behold day or night. If you are new to the city, like I was, and looking for the best spots to see the Chicago skyline, here are my top places to view it.
1. Outside Alder Planetarium
At the Adler Planetarium, you can see the stars and the skyline. This spot is close to the Shedd Aquarium and Museum Island, so parking is plentiful nearby. It’s a great location because you can see a completely unobstructed view of the city.
I remember the first time I saw the Alder Planetarium. My goal was to photograph the sunrise, as many Chicago photographers do. I wake up extra early to drive down to the city. There was one problem I just remembered: I needed to check the weather. It is icy outside. The kind of cold that chills to the bone. My recommendation is not to go on cold days because the wind chill by the lake will not put you in any mood to take photos.
Nevertheless, I pulled into the street parking, which was free before 7 a.m. on Sundays, and got my camera gear ready. I moved quickly, grabbed a few shots, then ran back to the car. Seeing the skyline at sunrise for the first time was breathtaking.
Since then, I have been back to this spot several times- never as cold as the first time.
2. North Avenue Beach
In the summer, North Avenue Beach is full of visitors soaking up the sun, playing volleyball, and dipping their toes into Lake Michigan. Myself being one of those visitors. Last summer, I discovered how incredible North Avenue Beach is. It’s the ideal place to walk or dive into Lake Michigan.
North Avenue Beach is close to the Gold Coast and Michigan Avenue. It is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Fridays before Memorial Day through Labor Day.
3. Lincoln Park Zoo
The Lincoln Park Zoo is home to nearly 200 different animals and is completely free to the public. You can visit the polar bears and penguins and see fantastic views of the city skyline, but before you get there, stop by the nature walk. One of my favorite city skyline views is along the Lincoln Park Zoo Nature Walk.
4. Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary
Before it got shut down, I participated in Friday Swim Club. Every Friday, the Friday Swim Club jumps into Lake Michigan before work. It takes place at Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary. You can walk, run, or just sit and enjoy the view with waves crashing below. This is one place you can see the views that makes you feel like you are not in the city anymore. Montrose Beach is both peaceful and picturesque, with some of the best views of the Chicago city skyline. You are a little further away but I find it to be very peaceful- especially in the morning.
5. Navy Pier
Navy Pier is famous for its iconic Ferris wheel, which offers views of the Chicago skyline. Even if heights aren’t your thing, the Pier is a fantastic spot to enjoy ground-level city views. It’s also a popular place for special moments—like proposals! In fact, my cousin got engaged there, and I had the honor of capturing the moment on camera.
6. Cindy’s Rooftop Bar
If you visit Chicago, especially in the summer, rooftop bars are a great way to see the city skyline and grab a cocktail. Unlike other cocktail bars, Cindy’s Rooftop offers a great view of both the Bean and the city skyline. If you want a drink near Millennium Park, this is the ideal spot.
7. The Willis Tower (4th floor & Skydeck)
The first time I visited the Willis Tower, I found a hidden gem. Not knowing where the line for the Willis Tower Skydeck began, I took the elevator to the fourth floor. The space has lounge chairs and tables, 360-degree views of the skyscraper, and is always empty, making it a perfect spot to have lunch or to relax and enjoy the scenery.
The Skydeck is where you can enjoy some of the best bird’s-eye views of Chicago. The first time I visited, I didn’t have time to wait in line for the primary Skydeck experience, which usually requires purchasing tickets in advance.
8.) The Wrigley Building
This is the spot you see on everyone’s Instagram. The Wrigley Building is a stunning spot to view the Chicago skyline, offering a perfect blend of iconic architecture and the Riverwalk. This is one of my favorite spots to take wedding photos. See my full gallery here. If you are worried about the crowds. Don’t be. If you want a great photo, you just have to wait your turn.
9.) North Rose Garden
The North Rose Garden is my best-kept secret for taking beautiful wedding photos in the city with minimal crowds. This garden is perfect if you want some Instagram photos in the city. Crowds are minimal, and the city views are incredible.
10.) Top of the Art Institute of Chicago
If you are making a stop by the Art Institute of Chicago on your visit to Chicago, don’t miss out on the rooftop views. My mom and I made the stop on our visit to The Perfect Itinerary for a Mother-Daughter Day Trip to Chicago.
11.) Ping Tom Park in Chinatown
Ping Tom Park in Chinatown, Chicago, offers some of the most stunning views of the city skyline, making it a favorite destination for locals and visitors alike. Nestled along the Chicago River, the park features beautifully landscaped gardens, a striking pagoda-style pavilion, and serene walking paths that perfectly frame the cityscape, especially at sunset. Not only that, but it is home to some of the best food in the city.
12.) Chicago Riverwalk
If you are looking for those truly iconic images of Chicago’s architecture, the Riverwalk is perfect. You can grab a glass of wine and take in a few views.
13.) Starbucks Reserve
The largest Starbucks in the country happens to be in Chicago. This giant Starbucks, also known as the Starbucks Reserve, has four floors. If you get a window view the Starbucks Reserve has some of the best views of Michigan Ave.
14.) Milton Lee Olive Park
Milton Lee Olive Park offers unparalleled views of the city’s iconic skyline. Just north of Navy Pier along the lakefront, the park offers a serene escape from the bustling city, with expansive lawns, shaded walking paths, and fountains.
Its unique vantage point lets visitors see the skyline reflected in the tranquil waters of Lake Michigan, creating a picturesque, almost cinematic scene. The park’s design, with its open spaces and thoughtfully placed benches, invites you to linger and take in the panoramic views of towering skyscrapers like the Hancock Center and the Willis Tower.
15.) Top floors of the Merchandise Mart
You can’t miss the Merchandise Mart while walking past the Chicago Riverwalk. It is a gigantic Art Deco building built in the 1930s. Many interior design stores operate out of the building. This photo below was taken inside the building but outside you can see the views of the river as well.
16.) Monroe Harbor at Shedd Aquarium
The Shedd Aquarium is one of the largest aquariums in the United States. It has over 25,000 fish, marine mammals, birds, snakes, amphibians, and insects. While the Shedd Aquarium is a great place to visit, just outside the aquarium, it offers some of the best views of Lake Michigan and the city behind it.
17.) 18th Street bridge
Spanning the South Branch of the Chicago River, this bridge offers a unique, elevated perspective that frames the iconic skyscrapers against the river’s reflective surface. Its location near Pilsen and Chinatown reflects the vibrant culture of the surrounding neighborhoods.
As you walk or bike across, the unobstructed views of landmarks like the Willis Tower and the river’s winding path provide a dramatic and awe-inspiring experience, especially during sunrise or sunset.
18.) Oak Street Beach
One of Chicago’s best features is its architecture and beaches. Play beach volleyball or lounge by the shore and get some of the city’s best views.
19.) London House Rooftop
No list of the best places to see the Chicago skyline would be complete without London House. London House Rooftop Bar is one of Chicago’s most iconic rooftops. They offer an ideal vantage point for seeing both the river and the city buildings.
20.) Cerise rooftop bar
The cerise rooftop bar has some incredible views of the city’s architecture. You can grab a drink, or in my case, sherbet ice cream, and take in the stunning views.
I hope you enjoy the architecture and grand skyscrapers as much as I do. Let me know in the comments below your favorite places to see the Chicago skyline.
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