Chicago

City · Illinois, 🇺🇸 United States

Population 2,746,388

Area 606 km²

Time zone America/Chicago

Official website www.chicago.gov

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Featured Lists

Serge Melki / CC BY 2.0

Chicago's Absolute Essentials

Chicago’s core identity is defined by architectural landmarks like the 1921 Chicago Theatre, the massive Merchandise Mart, and the Beaux-Arts Union Station. The city’s scientific heritage is represented by the Shedd Aquarium’s 32,000 animals and the Adler Planetarium. Public art, including Marc Chagall’s Four Seasons mosaic and the untitled Picasso sculpture, sits alongside historic sports venues like Wrigley Field. This collection also features the centennial Navy Pier and the city's signature deep-dish pizza at Lou Malnati’s, highlighting the city's distinct blend of waterfront recreation, history, and culture.

18 places

Raymon Sutedjo-The / CC BY-SA 3.0

Chicago Architectural Landmarks

Chicago’s architectural landscape spans from early 20th-century engineering to bold modernism. This collection features historic structures like the 1922 Wells Street Bridge and the Strauss Trunnion bascule design of the St. Charles Air Line Bridge. Modern icons include the residential Lake Point Tower and the civic hubs of the Richard J. Daley Center and James R. Thompson Center. The ornate Chicago Theatre and the Georgian-style Lathrop House in the Gold Coast neighborhood showcase the city's diverse heritage.

7 places

Adam sk / CC BY-SA 3.0

Chicago Art & Culture

Chicago’s cultural landscape spans world-renowned institutions on the Museum Campus, like the 1930s Shedd Aquarium and the Adler Planetarium, to monumental public artworks in the Loop. Notable sculptures include Picasso’s untitled steel piece in Daley Plaza, Miró’s Chicago, and Marc Chagall’s Four Seasons mosaic. The city's performing arts history is anchored by the 1921 Chicago Theatre and the Civic Opera House. Specialized museums like the International Museum of Surgical Science and the National Hellenic Museum offer deep dives into medical history and Greek-American heritage.

15 places

Jacquie Pietro / CC-BY-SA

Chicago's Culinary Delights

Chicago’s food landscape spans from the deep-dish legacy of Lou Malnati’s to the historic Route 66 diner culture at Lou Mitchell’s. This collection features the legendary "cheezborgers" of Billy Goat Tavern and Rick Bayless’s celebrated Mexican cuisine at Frontera Grill. Visitors can find artisanal treats at Doughnut Vault, lakeside drinks at the Navy Pier Beer Garden, and a sports-centric atmosphere at Rizzo’s Bar & Inn near Wrigley Field. The list also highlights South Side staples like Leon's Barbeque Zone and convenient airport stops at O'Hare.

14 places

Leandro Neumann Ciuffo / CC BY 2.0

Chicago Parks and Beaches

Chicago’s lakefront and neighborhoods offer a diverse array of recreational spaces, ranging from the historic industrial remains at Steelworkers Park to the serene northern shores of Rogers Park. This collection features prominent beaches like Oak Street and Ohio Street, known for open-water swimming, alongside expansive inland sites such as the 580-acre William W. Powers State Recreation Area. Visitors can explore architectural landmarks, community-focused green spaces, and dedicated athletic facilities across the city.

15 places

Antoine Taveneaux / CC BY-SA 3.0

Chicago's Sacred Spaces

Chicago's religious history is documented in the stone and stained glass of its diverse houses of worship. This collection spans from the historic Old Saint Patrick Church, one of the few structures to survive the Great Chicago Fire, to the mid-century modern architecture of St. Peter’s in the Loop. It highlights the architectural legacy of Catholic parishes in neighborhoods like Lakeview and Gage Park alongside the vibrant community presence of Missionary Baptist churches across the city's South Side.

14 places