Eateries, shopping and fantastic architecture; a day downtown will leave you exhilarated, and maybe a little exhausted. Aside from shopping along Magnificent Mile, downtown Chicago is home to incredible architecture which pays tribute to modern and classic forms from across the globe.
In 1922, to celebrate 75 years of publications, the Tribune’s co-publishers announced a competition. The brief was to design “the most beautiful building in the world”. And so, the building of the Tribune Tower commenced. It was completed in 1925: a spectacular, 141-metre-tall gothic skyscraper, built upon bricks from some of the most famous buildings in the world. There is no doubt that beauty is subjective, but a building which pays homage to centuries of classic architecture and incorporates bricks from 120 critical locations, such as Angkor Wat, the Great Wall of China, the Pyramids and the Parthenon, is pretty hard to beat.
Formerly the Sears Tower, the Willis Tower may have lost top spot as the world’s tallest building, but it is still incredible to behold. If you are feeling brave, you can travel to the viewing gallery on the 103rd floor, where you can take in the incredible view of Chicago, spread out more than a kilometre below. If you prefer to keep your feet slightly closer to the ground, head to the Navy Pier, where there are plenty of family-friendly rides and museums, as well as fabulous views. If you plan your trip to Chicago in the winter, you will witness the unbelievable site of Lake Michigan frozen solid. If you visit during the warmer months, consider taking a bike ride along the Lake Shore Trail.