Chicago is home to countless amazing places that can't be beat.With so many wonderful attractions around the city, it can be hard to decide where to go. This list of our 12 top attractions will blow your mind with their beauty and opportunities for adventure.
1. Maggie Daley Park (337 E Randolph Street)
Located in the Loop right along Lake Michigan, this somewhat hidden park contains 20 acres of fun sights and activities. You can even ice skate here during winter! It is part of Grant Park, which is considered Chicago's front yard.
2. South Garden at the Art Institute (111 S Michigan Avenue)
This beautiful place is kept so by the top art museum in the city. This lovely oasis located downtown in Grant Park is surely one of the most amazing spots in Chicago. It is a magical place to sit and relax amongst the trees.
3. Shedd Aquarium (1200 S Lake Shore Drive)
Since 1930, this has been a top attraction for locals and tourists alike. Guests get to see dolphin shows, penguins, seals, turtles, stingrays, and more fish, frogs, and other aquatic creatures than you can even imagine.
4. The Field Museum of Natural History (1400 S Lake Shore Drive)
Learn all about ancient civilizations at this popular city attraction. History lovers can't help but spend all day at this massive collection of artifacts.
5. The Adler Planetarium (1300 S Lake Shore Drive)
Learn all about the sky right above you at this interactive museum. By the end of your visit, you'll know all about constellations, eclipses, moon phases, and much more.
6. The Museum of Science and Industry (5700 S Lake Shore Drive)
Experiments abound at this interactive museum for kids (and adults) of all ages. Guests can learn about engineering, anatomy, weather, robots, and much more. You can't help but leave here a little bit smarter.
7. The 606 (Logan Square)
Spanning across a couple of neighborhoods, this fabulous project is a system of trails and parks that includes a 2.7-mile elevated track along the old Bloomingdale Line.
8. Lincoln Park Zoo (2001 N Clark Street)
This wonderful menagerie is the one of the only free zoos you'll find, and it's open every single day of the year. Locals and tourists alike come here in the summer to admire the animals and return in December for the ZooLights spectacular.
9. Millennium Park (201 E Randolph Street)
Of all the amazing places in Chicago, this is definitely one of the favorites. From Crown Fountain to Cloud Gate, this park contains some of the top tourist attractions in the whole city. There's rarely a moment when you'll see this center of activity empty.
10. The Magnificent Mile (N Michigan Avenue)
Chicago's premier shopping district is a fabulous area for more than one reason. In addition to high-end stores and excellent-quality finds, you'll also get to enjoy the city's astounding architecture.
11. Navy Pier (600 E Grand Avenue)
Not many people leave Chicago without visiting this wonderful attraction. There are many top-notch restaurants, carnival games and rides, as well as astounding views that can't be beat.
12. Garfield Park Conservatory (300 N Central Park Avenue)
Nature never looked as good as it does at this conservatory. Chicago is home to some truly amazing green spaces, but this might be the most gorgeous. It features several rooms with different types of plants, including succulents, ferns, and vegetation.
What other amazing places around Chicago deserve to be on this list? Share your favorite spots with us below!
Keep up your energy while you explore these wonderful city attractions with the eight most unique coffee shops in Chicago.
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