A 1.5 mile walk that you can take at a leisurely pace, Navy Pier in Chicago is famous for a number of reasons. It’s not only the gastronomic delights that adorn this stretch, it’s also the space for cultural enclaves that promote the city’s rich variety of nationalities as well, of course, as the home of the Centennial Wheel.

Ever since it first opened its doors in 1914, Wrigley Field has been the home of various Chicago baseball teams and since 1916, it has remained the home of the Chicago Cubs. Apart from the inspiring games played on the field, it is also iconic for its hand-operated scoreboard, which remains in use to this day and the ivy on the outfield brick walls.

The Chicago Cultural Center houses the city’s official reception venue and has welcomed presidents, royalty, diplomats, and community leaders. The architecture is absolutely exceptional and inside this Center, you’ll find two incredible glass-stained domes alongside ample art exhibitions in addition to public lectures, music events, theater performances, and more.

At 135 years old, Chicago’s Rookery Building is an incredible feat of architecture with an oriel staircase and stunning light court. It was built just after the Great Chicago Fire and was used as a temporary city hall. In 1970, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and just two years later, it became known as a significant Chicago Landmark.

Standing at 463-foot-tall, this 36-floor neo-Gothic skyscraper was the result of an architectural competition that saw it being built between 1923 and 1925. Home to a number of broadcasters and newsagents, it is also considered a Chicago Landmark. It has a total of 149 artifacts embedded in its street-level exterior.

Founded in 1879, the Art Institute of Chicago is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the world. It is based in the Art Institute of Chicago Building in Chicago’s Grant Park. It has a vast collection that is stewarded by 11 curatorial departments. Described as encyclopedic, it includes iconic works such as Georges Seurat’s A Sunday on La Grande Jatte and Pablo Picasso’s The Old Guitarist, among many other special works of art. It’s a grand place to visit for art lovers.

Founded in 1868, Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the most historic zoos in North America. It is also one of the only free admission zoos in the US. This 35-acre zoo is home to approximately 1,100 animals from around 200 species. It features dozens of exhibits, including those of arctic animals, such as polar bears and penguins, as well as animals native to the African continent, among many others.

As one of the largest and most stunning botanical conservatories in the nation, this Conservatory showcases thousands of plant species from around the world. Here is where you can enjoy the lush flora and tropical temperatures at eight indoor display gardens or more than 10 acres of outdoor gardens. There are also nature play spaces for children, a water lily pond, and so much more. It is the perfect location for those seeking to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Located in the heart of downtown Chicago, the lakeside campus of Millennium Park is home to the iconic Cloud Gate statue (also known as “The Bean”). Perfect for the whole family – young and old alike can enjoy the interactive fountains, tranquil gardens, free events, public art, skating rinks, rock climbing, and lots of green spaces.

This iconic area formed around 1912, and it is home to around one-third of the city’s Chinese population – one of the largest Chinese-American concentrations in the US. Some of the popular landmarks and attractions you can see there include the Chinatown Mural, the shopping area known as Chinatown Square, Chinatown Gate, the Pui Tak Center (a Chicago Landmark), the Chinese American Museum of Chicago, Ping Tom Memorial Park, and the Moy Association Building, among others.

Chicago’s Field Museum is popular for the size and quality of its educational and scientific programs, in addition to its extensive scientific specimen and artifact collections. Ideal for those interested in the Earth’s early history. This Museum is also home to the iconic exhibit: SUE – the largest, most complete, and best-preserved Tyrannosaurus rex in the world.

Opened in May 1930, the Shedd Aquarium is located on 4 hectares of land. The aquarium itself is styled in the neo-classical, Beaux-Arts architectural style and it is home to around 32,000 animals, among which include the Kayavak (Beluga whale), Qannik, Nunavik, Granddad, Miki, Naya, Bella, Immiayuk, Puiji, and Mauyak. Some of this venue’s most notable exhibits include Amazon rising and The Abbott Oceanarium.