Chicago is a city full of steel and concrete. But there are loads of little spots that make you forget about the hustle and bustle. Here are the most beautiful places in Chicago.
- Promontory Point
Quinn Dombroski/Flickr This is probably the most scenic view in all of Chicago. This man-made peninsula juts out into Lake Michigan.
- Osaka Garden
David Ohmer/Flickr This Japanese garden is stunning. Cute foot bridges and waterfalls make you feel zen.
- Montrose Harbor
JohnPickenPhoto/Flickr Again, Montrose Harbor offers a spectacular view of the city. Meet and greet with friendly boaters.
- South Garden, Art Institute of Chicago
John Scheibel/Flickr Sure, the artwork inside the museum is stunning. But don’t miss out on the garden on the side of the museum. And yeah, it’s free.
- Garfield Park Conservatory
Roy Chijiwa/Flickr This is one of the top conservatories in the United States, and it is right here in Chicago. Even the building is beautiful, as it was designed by famed architect Jens Jensen.
- Harold Washington Library
Mike Steele/Flickr This central library has truly stunning architecture. Seeing it from the inside, too, you will be blown away.
- Caldwell Lily Pool
Jaysin Trevino/Flickr This lily pool is a stunning part of Lincoln Park. It is open from April through November.
- North Park Nature Center
Daniel X O’Neill/Flickr This 46-acre nature preserve is right in the city. It is so stunning, you forget there is traffic right on the other side of the fence.
- Foster Avenue Beach
Alex D Stewart/Flickr Chicago has many nice beaches, but Foster Avenue Beach takes the cake. It tends to be a little less crowded than other beaches, and it’s great to see the doggies rushing into the waves.
- Rockefeller Chapel
Rick Seidel/Flickr This place is so phenomenal, it looks like something that should be in Harry Potter. Visit this beautiful chapel at the University of Chicago campus.
- City Hall Rooftop
Wicker Paradise/Flickr It’s truly incredible that this garden is on top of an 11 story building. It also helps save tremendously on utilities.
- Buckingham Fountain
Chris Pelliccione/Flickr Yes it’s touristy, but it’s gorgeous. There’s nothing like seeing the Buckingham Fountain lit up at night.
- The 606
The 606/Facebook Once a railroad, this is now a place for walkers and bikers. This elevated park is full of green space and gardens.
Can’t get enough beauty? Check out these incredibly awesome places in Illinois.
Quinn Dombroski/Flickr
This is probably the most scenic view in all of Chicago. This man-made peninsula juts out into Lake Michigan.
David Ohmer/Flickr
This Japanese garden is stunning. Cute foot bridges and waterfalls make you feel zen.
JohnPickenPhoto/Flickr
Again, Montrose Harbor offers a spectacular view of the city. Meet and greet with friendly boaters.
John Scheibel/Flickr
Sure, the artwork inside the museum is stunning. But don’t miss out on the garden on the side of the museum. And yeah, it’s free.
Roy Chijiwa/Flickr
This is one of the top conservatories in the United States, and it is right here in Chicago. Even the building is beautiful, as it was designed by famed architect Jens Jensen.
Mike Steele/Flickr
This central library has truly stunning architecture. Seeing it from the inside, too, you will be blown away.
Jaysin Trevino/Flickr
This lily pool is a stunning part of Lincoln Park. It is open from April through November.
Daniel X O’Neill/Flickr
This 46-acre nature preserve is right in the city. It is so stunning, you forget there is traffic right on the other side of the fence.
Alex D Stewart/Flickr
Chicago has many nice beaches, but Foster Avenue Beach takes the cake. It tends to be a little less crowded than other beaches, and it’s great to see the doggies rushing into the waves.
Rick Seidel/Flickr
This place is so phenomenal, it looks like something that should be in Harry Potter. Visit this beautiful chapel at the University of Chicago campus.
Wicker Paradise/Flickr
It’s truly incredible that this garden is on top of an 11 story building. It also helps save tremendously on utilities.
Chris Pelliccione/Flickr
Yes it’s touristy, but it’s gorgeous. There’s nothing like seeing the Buckingham Fountain lit up at night.
The 606/Facebook
Once a railroad, this is now a place for walkers and bikers. This elevated park is full of green space and gardens.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
