10 Best Views and Viewpoints of Chicago
Where to Take the Best Photos of Chicago?
There are so many contenders for the best view and viewpoint in Chicago that it’s impossible to pick just one. The city is known for its iconic skyline, with some of the Western Hemisphere’s tallest skyscrapers soaring upward from the shores of Lake Michigan.
From grassy lakefront parks and blooming gardens to stylish rooftop bars, the city’s viewpoints offer myriad ways to take in its striking urban panoramas. Ride the elevator up 103 floors to the Willis Tower Skydeck or escape from bustling downtown to admire the city’s silhouette from one of Chicago’s tranquil peninsula parks. Here are the best views and viewpoints in the Windy City.
1. Promontory Point
Free access to one of Chicago’s best views
Good for: Couples, Photo
Promontory Point offers one of the best vantage points for admiring downtown Chicago’s striking silhouette from afar. Located in Burnham Park on the South Side, the 12-acre peninsula stretches into Lake Michigan, providing unobstructed views from its grassy shores. Reach the park via the Lakefront Trail or the tunnel at the end of 55th Street.
Constructed in the 1930s to create more public recreational space, the Point remains a popular spot for a morning jog or an evening gathering around its cozy fire pits. In the warmer months, locals come here for a dip in the brisk waters of the lake. Lay down a blanket on the shore and enjoy a peaceful afternoon with a view.
Location: 5491 S Dusable Lk Shr Dr, Chicago, IL 60615, USA
Open: Daily from 6 am to 11 pm
Phone: +1 312-742-5369
Promontory Point
2. Skydeck Chicago
A staggering panorama from the city’s tallest skyscraper
Good for: Photo, Adventure
Located on the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower, Skydeck Chicago is a glass-walled observation deck with spectacular views across Chicago and Lake Michigan. Its most thrilling attraction is the Ledge, a glass box extending more than 1 metre from the building with a dizzying view of the city some 400 metres below.
Formerly known as the Sears Tower, the Willis Tower was crowned the world’s tallest building for nearly 25 years and is still one of the tallest in the Western Hemisphere. On the clearest days, you can see up to 80 km in all directions on the Skydeck, from the sprawling cityscape to the shores of Michigan State.
Location: 233 S Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606, USA
Open: Daily from 9 am to 10 pm
Phone: +1 312-875-9447
Skydeck Chicago
3. Ping Tom Memorial Park
City views from the banks of the Chicago River
Good for: Families, Photo
Ping Tom Memorial Park is a green oasis on the Chicago River in Chinatown. The park stretches 17 acres along the riverside and offers a unique perspective of downtown, with skyscrapers rising over willow trees, a large red pagoda and the winding river.
Strolling the riverside paths, visitors will pass locals old and young practising Tai Chi and lounging on shady grasses. Head to the boathouse to rent a kayak and paddle around on the river. To access the park, take the red line to Chinatown or hop on the Chicago Water Taxi in the summer months. You’ll find the inconspicuous entrance in the curve where W 19th Street meets S Wells.
Location: 1700 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago, IL 60616, USA
Open: Daily from 6 am to 10 pm
Phone: +1 312-225-3121
Ping Tom Memorial Park
4. Milton Lee Olive Park
Sunrise over peaceful green lawns
Good for: Photo, Couples
Despite its location adjacent to Navy Pier, Milton Lee Olive Park is a relatively unknown gem of Chicago’s parkland. The grassy 10-acre park sits on a peninsula with views of the steel-and-glass architecture of downtown reflected on the shimmering surface of Lake Michigan. The space memorializes Milton L. Olive III, a Chicago native and the first African American to receive a Medal of Honor.
Stroll down a wide boulevard bordered by tall honey locust trees and weave around the park’s 5 fountains. A quiet, scenic spot any time of day, it’s at its most charming around sunrise and sunset.
Location: E Ohio St, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Open: Daily from 7 am to 8 pm
Phone: +1 312-744-6635
Milton Lee Olive Park
5. Northerly Island Park
Walking paths through the wetlands
Good for: Photo, Families
Northerly Island Park is a serene nature reserve on the shores of Lake Michigan, minutes from the South Loop. The park is threaded with walking and biking paths through restored wetlands against the backdrop of downtown Chicago stretching far along the horizon.
Home to herons, monarch butterflies and a host of other wildlife, the park feels a world away from the busy city. It shares its peninsula with 12th Street Beach, a serene swath of sand with excellent views of the lake and a stand selling cheesy Mexican street corn.
Location: 1521 S Linn White Dr, Chicago, IL 60605, USA
Open: Daily from 6 am to 11 pm
Phone: +1 312-745-2910
Northerly Island Park
6. Hartigan Beach Park
Views of endless blue
Good for: Photo, Families, Couples
Hartigan Beach Park is a hidden gem on Chicago’s beautiful lakefront. A small neighbourhood beach where families come to picnic and friends gather in the evenings, it has a children’s playground and plenty of shady green space. The view from its shores is solely the blues of the sky and the lake as far as the eye can see.
Located on the North Side in Rogers Park, the beach offers a welcome escape from the noise and activity of the city. The shore is a mix of pebbles and sand, with clear waters and a lifeguard on duty in daylight hours. Sit back and relax as you watch the clouds roll in over the lake.
Location: 1050 W Albion Ave, Chicago, IL 60626, USA
Open: Daily from 6 am to 11 pm
Phone: +1 773-262-8605
Hartigan Beach Park
7. The 606
A ribbon of green through Chicago’s West Side
Good for: Families, Couples
Modelled after New York City’s famous High Line Park, the 606 is an urban greenway occupying an old rail line through Chicago’s West Side. The park connects the Logan Square, Humbolt Park and West Town neighbourhoods in a ribbon of landscaped recreational space frequented by joggers and cyclists.
At 4.3 km, the 606 is double the length of the High Line and was designed primarily for the locals. It offers a glimpse into the lives of city residents and a unique perspective on this cluster of northwest neighbourhoods from tree-lined paths 6 metres above street level.
Location: 1805 N Ridgeway Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, USA
Open: Daily from 6 am to 11 pm
Phone: +1 312-742-4622
The 606
8. Lurie Garden
The Loop’s not-so-secret garden
Good for: Photo, Families
Millennium Park’s Lurie Garden is a nod to Chicago’s transformation from marshland to metropolis. Protected by stocky 4.5-metre hedges, the delicate perennial garden is reminiscent of a prairie and houses native Midwestern species like aster and coneflowers. Its location in the South Loop gives it an up-close perspective on the city’s towering skyscrapers framed by seasonal blooms.
The 2.5-acre naturalistic garden is divided into 2 zones. The Light Plate is dry and sunny with many brightly coloured flowers, while the shady Dark Plate features muted tones. Step into Lurie Garden one afternoon and walk among the birds and butterflies for a break from the city beat.
Location: 220 E Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
Open: Daily from 8 am to 9 pm
Phone: +1 312-228-1004
Lurie Garden
9. IO Godfrey Rooftop Lounge
The evening glow of the city
Good for: Nightlife, Couples, Food
The IO Godfrey Rooftop Lounge at the Godfrey Hotel is a swanky rooftop lounge in River North with excellent downtown views. The expansive space has indoor and outdoor seating and is furnished with white leather sofas and booths that give a cozy-chic ambiance. It’s replete with a retractable roof so guests can soak up the sun and the scenery.
Cocktails and sushi platters are menu highlights, although the IO also has burgers and international bites. The best times to visit the lounge are arguably before and after the regular dinner hours: it offers a great weekday happy hour and the rooftop views after sundown are to die for.
Location: 127 W Huron St, Chicago, IL 60654, USA
Open: Monday–Thursday from 2 pm to midnight, Friday from noon to 2 am, Saturday from 11 am to 2 am, Sunday from 11 am to 10 pm
Phone: +1 312-374-1830
IO Godfrey Rooftop Lounge
10. Rooftop at Nobu Hotel
Japanese dining and cocktails on an open-air terrace
Good for: Nightlife, Couples, Food
The Rooftop at Nobu Hotel is one of the gems of Chicago’s Restaurant Row, a cluster of some of the city’s best eateries in the West Loop. The restaurant serves sushi and Japanese-Peruvian dishes alongside elegant cocktails against the backdrop of the downtown Chicago skyline.
An open-air terrace on the 11th floor of the hotel, the Rooftop’s atmosphere is understated and elegant, with low lighting and minimalist furnishings. Drinks include classic cocktails accented with Japanese flavours and an exclusive sake selection, while the concise dinner menu features sushi rolls, sashimi and fusion dishes like wagyu tacos.
Location: 155 N Peoria St 11th Floor, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
Open: Monday–Wednesday from 5 pm to 9.30 pm, Thursday from 5 pm to 10 pm, Friday from 5 pm to 11 pm, Saturday from 7.30 am to 3 pm and 5 pm to 11 pm, Sunday from 7.30 am to 3 pm and 5 pm to 9.30 pm
Phone: +1 312-779-8800
Rooftop at Nobu Hotel
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