Laura-Jane Adventures

The windy city is a place famous for deep dish pizza and the Cubs. It has a whole lot to offer and is another place worth visiting. I have been there three times over the course of my exchange and gotten the chance to see various different places. Here are some of my must sees:

The Art Institute of Chicago

Located in the heart of Downtown Chicago is a magnificent building called the Art Institute. You could easily spend an entire day here simply taking in the artwork. It is a stunning building which combines the old and the new, just as the art does. From contemporary to fine art, you will be bound to find something here to stare at and indulge in. For anyone who enjoys art in the slightest, this place is to be loved and explored by you.

Navy Pier

Navy Pier is a great way to take in a view of the city and enjoy a good meal. I believe that the pier is most lively during the warmer months as when I visited it was quiet and there were areas such as bars that were closed for the winter. However, in the cold month of February the Ferris wheel still looked chillingly beautiful. I suggest taking a walk to the end of the pier and enjoying the view. Furthermore, there is an indoor green house that is open all year where you can spent time within nature.

Cloud Gate (the Bean)

This is one of the first things everyone thinks of when thinking about Chicago. It is possibly the most famous Instagram spot the city has to offer. If you want to visit the bean then early morning is when I would recommend going. This is when there will be the least amount of people and the best opportunity to get a fantastic photo.

360 Chicago Observation Deck (John Hancock Observatory)

The John Hancock Tower is located right in the centre of Chicago and is the perfect place to visit if you want to see the city in all of its glory. The top floor offers a bar where you can enjoy a drink and take in the city from the clouds. It also has a relatively new attraction called ‘Tilt’ which is an extra charge on top of the ticket to get up there. This attraction tilts you from the side of the building so that you can see the drop below and feel as though you are hanging off. It is definitely for the daredevils. In my opinion the best time to go up to the 360 Observation Desk is just before the sun is about to set. This way you can get a daylight view and see the city come alive at night.

These are just a few of the classic things to do and experience in the city of Chicago. The possibilities are endless as the city is huge and can be tailored to anyone who visits. A few other things which I found worth seeing were the American Writers Museum, the Chicago Cultural Centre and the Lincoln Park Zoo. Additionally, if you are looking for good places to dine, try the Goddess and the Baker café, Kanela’s Breakfast Club, Stans Donuts and Lou Malnati’s for deep dish!

Happy travels!

Lots of love,

Laura Jane x