The 13 Best Views of the Chicago Skyline

1. Centennial Wheel at the Navy Pier

At the top of the 200-foot Centennial Ferris wheel at the famous Navy Pier, look west to take in the beautiful Chicago city skyline. Perfect at sunset or after dark, especially in the summertime when you can catch a fireworks display on Wednesday and Saturday nights from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend. It’s also a great place to get cozy with the one you love and snap a few Chicago skyline pictures!

2. Promontory Point

Just south of downtown is the neighborhood of Hyde Park, home to the man-made peninsula jutting into Lake Michigan known as Promontory Point. Despite the park’s distance from the city center, it offers a majestic panoramic view of the whole downtown Chicago skyline.

3. Lincoln Park

Lincoln Park lies along the shores of Lake Michigan and features incredible Chicago skyline views of the city skyline from many vantage points. The park itself is bigger than New York’s Central Park and is home to one of the last free urban zoos in the country. Photograph the skyline through the permanent art installation known as The Honeycomb, or grab a selfie from the Lincoln Park Bridge over South Pond.

4. Chicago River Cruise

The Chicago River runs through downtown Chicago’s canyon of skyscrapers. Book an architectural river tour and learn the history of some of Chicago’s most iconic buildings. From the water, you'll look straight up at landmarks like Marina City, the Wrigley Building and Willis Tower.

5. 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck

The 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck at the top of the former John Hancock building boasts awe-inspiring 360-degree views of Lake Shore Drive and the rest of downtown Chicago from 1,030 feet up on the 94th floor. If you want to turn up the adrenaline, step up to TILT, Chicago's highest thrill. Not sure what you're looking at? The free Magnicity app (included with admission) uses AR to identify 82 skyline landmarks

If you’re interested in getting spectacular views of Chicago at night, then the Observation Deck is a must visit destination. 360 CHICAGO offers some of the best views of the Chicago skyline at night. It’s a unique opportunity to see the city from a sky view when it’s lit up and glowing.

6. Oak Street Beach

Located near the Gold Coast neighborhood, Oak Street Beach boasts some of the best views in Chicago from ground-level. In the summertime, enjoy biking, watersports, or some relaxing sunbathing with a skyline backdrop.

7. Chicago Riverwalk

For a leisurely tour of Chicago’s towering architecture, take a stroll along the Riverwalk. The Chicago River runs through the middle of the urban canyon with plenty of places to stop and take in the views of iconic buildings like the Tribune Tower, Merchandise Mart, and the Wrigley Building.

8. Northerly Island

Northerly Island was designed at the turn of the last century to be a manmade island with breathtaking Chicago skyline views. In 2015, Studio Gang brought that vision to reality by reimagining Northerly Island, formerly Meigs Field Airport, as a 91-acre ecological preserve.

9. The Lakefront Trail

Lace up those sneakers and head out on the trails for some outdoor exercise and epic views of the skyline of Chicago on the Lakefront Trail. This 18.5 mile stretch of paved trails along the (you guessed it), Chicago lakefront/Lake Michigan shoreline is a favorite amongst runners, walkers, and cyclists. Boom, you get two benefits in one at this location.

10. Palmisano Park

In 2009, the city opened this repurposed natural space as Palmisano Park. Check out the entire panorama of the Chicago skyline from the top of “Mount Bridgeport,” the highest point in this former limestone quarry.

Photo by Eric Allix Rogers

11. Humboldt Park Boathouse

The Humboldt Park Boathouse is a natural oasis and an architectural gem with some of the best views in Chicago of the surrounding natural lagoon. Peeking up over the treeline is the beautiful Chicago skyline that glows orange in the distance at sunset.

12. Millenium Park

Millennium Park is one of Chicago’s crown jewels, sporting stunning views of the city that surround it from infinite vantage points. The famous Cloud Gate sculpture (aka “The Bean”) reflects a distorted view of the city skyline in its curvaceous chrome. During the summer months, take a stroll through the wildflowers in Lurie Garden at the southern end of the park, a special spot that offers its own views of the skyline.

13. Adler Planetarium

Stand on the lakefront outside the Adler Planetarium , at the tip of Museum Campus, and the whole downtown skyline lines up across the harbor. It's one of the most-photographed views in the city. Then inside, you can peer into deep space with its world-class astronomy exhibits and programs.

Best Views of the Chicago Skyline at Night

For the Chicago skyline at night, head up to the 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck, which is open daily until 11 pm (last entry 10 pm), to see the city glow in every direction from 1,030 feet. At ground level, the Chicago Riverwalk puts you among the lit-up towers, while the lakefront by the Adler Planetarium and Navy Pier's Centennial Wheel show the full skyline sparkling across the water.

Photo tips

• Light: Aim for golden hour, just before twilight for warm tones and evening sparkle.

• Weather: After rain, reflections pop on the Riverwalk; in winter, clear cold days provide crisp visibility.

• Crowd Hacks: To minimize crowds, check out North Avenue Beach at sunrise; Museum Campus on weekdays; if shooting from rooftops, inquire about reservations.

• Tripod Rules: Parks and rooftops may limit pro gear, so check venue policies. (Good news: tripods are welcome on the 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck.)

No matter where you are in the Windy City, you can take in the best views of the Chicago skyline from any number of breathtaking vantage points. Check out the 360 CHICAGO blog for more great visitor tips to get the most out of your time in Chicago!

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