Chicago Major Attractions

Chicago's Navy Pier, Sears Tower, Chicago River & other Major Chicago Attractions

There are many exciting things to do in Chicago Illinois. Family adventure begins in Downtown Chicago (13 mi), The Navy Pier (14 mi), Six Flags Great America (27 mi), professional sports venues, world-renown museums and so much more. Of course, everyone wants to tour the Sears Tower (13 mi) for a view of Chicagoland from the top of the tallest building in the US.

Millennium Park (14 mi), an award-winning center for art, music, architecture and landscape design, is a 24.5-acre Park that features the sophisticated outdoor Jay Pritzker Pavilion, the interactive Crown Fountain, the contemporary Lurie Garden and the hugely popular Cloud Gate sculpture.

Navy Pier (14 mi) is one of the most popular tourist attactions in Chicago, offering amazing rides, an amphitheatre, an IMAX film theatre, the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, The Chicago Children's Museum, and much more.

Other premier Chicago attractions include the Lincoln Park Zoo (12 mi), which offers visitors remarkable educational experiences, fun and enjoyment for all ages; and the Magnificent Mile (14 mi), a fantastic shopping district in downtown Chicago.

Chicago attractions listed by distance from the hotel:

Lincoln Park Zoo  •  12.0 mi

2001 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60614
Lincoln Park Zoo is among the oldest zoological gardens in the country (established in 1868) and is also among the most modern. A premier Chicago attraction, Lincoln Park Zoo offers visitors a remarkable educational experiences as well as fun and enjoyment. The zoo's intimate setting enables guests, young and old alike, to experience the thrill of gazing directly into the eyes of a lowland gorilla and standing toe to toe with grazing giraffes. Famous also for its historical structures, the zoo has succeeded at combining state-of-the-art animal and visitor facilities with beautiful architectural reflections of past times and sensibilities. In addition to all of the wonderful animals, Lincoln Park Zoo features its SBC Endangered Species Carousel ride, paddle boat and swan boat rides, the LPZOO Express train ride, the 4-D Virtual Safari simulator and a Safari Audio Tour. Note that there is a small fee for each of these specialty attractions. The Zoo also offers a variety of dining options and two gift shops.

The Sears Tower  •  13.0 mi

233 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606    (312) 875-9696
No visit to Chicago is complete without a view from the skydeck on the 103rd floor of the Sears Tower. On a clear day, you can see the city of Chicago and its beautiful architecture, as well as view of Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin. The elevators have 50-inch flat screen monitors that make you feel like you're blasting off through the top of the Sears Tower and into space - with views of the earth compliments of NASA and the Space Shuttle Endeavor.

The Skydeck features interactive, museum-quality exhibits for adults and children alike. The exhibits highlight Chicago's history and historic characters, and interactive kiosks provide a tour of Chicago's landmarks. The Skydeck also has high-tech, high-powered telescopes for a closer look at the city.

Magnificent Mile  •  14.0 mi

401 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611
The Magnificent Mile is a huge shopping district in downtown Chicago that draws over 22 million visitors each year. It stretches along Michigan Avenue from the Chicago River to Oak Street, and offers some of Chicago's top retail establishments and many critically acclaimed restaurants. There are over 460 stores and 275 restaurants on the Magnificent Mile, as well as 51 hotels, 2 unique museums and a variety of sightseeing and entertainment attractions. During the warmer months, the streets are beautifully landscaped and lined with flowers, and during the winter holiday season, lighted trees line the streets, shop windows are decorated, and horse-drawn carriages carry people down the street.

Millenium Park  •  14.0 mi

201 E. Randolph, Chicago, IL    (312) 742-7638
Millennium Park is 24.5-acre park in Chicago that is an award-winning center for art, music, architecture and landscape design. The Park features the work of world-renowned architects, planners, artists and designers. Among Millennium Park's prominent features are the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, which is the most sophisticated outdoor concert venue of its kind in the United States, the interactive Crown Fountain, the contemporary Lurie Garden, the hugely popular Cloud Gate sculpture, and many more.

Navy Pier  •  15.5 mi

2202 Roosevelt Ave, Chicago, IL    (210) 534-8833
The Navy Pier on Lake Michigan has been a Chicago landmark since it first opened in 1916. Originally designed as both a shipping and recreational facility, the Pier also served as a military training site during two world wars, a venue for concerts and exhibitions, and the temporary home for a once-fledgling University of Illinois' Chicago campus. Today, Navy Pier showcases a unique collection of restaurants and shops in addition to unequaled recreational and exhibition facilities.

The Family Pavilion is anchored by the 50,000-square-foot Chicago Children's Museum and Navy Pier's 440-seat IMAX Theater. It is also home to 40,000 square feet of exciting restaurants and retail shops. Just beyond, visitors discover the Crystal Gardens, a 32,000-square-foot indoor botanical park, which provides a year-round center for family activity and special receptions. The South Arcade is home to numerous shops, restaurants, and attractions, including Time Escape, Amazing Chicago, and Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

Six Flags Great America  •  27.0 mi

542 N Route 21, Gurnee, IL   (847) 249-3118
Six Flags Great America is a world-class family entertainment complex featuring thrill rides, spectacular shows and exciting attractions. The park is located north of Chicago in the suburb of Gurnee and is open May through October. The rides at Six Flags Great America include lots of thrill rides for the adventurous, as well as family rides. Entertainment includes shows, concerts and festivals, and there are also plenty of shopping and dining options available.