I have lived in/near Chicago my entire life and I still feel like a tourist in my own city since there is so much to do and see. One of my favorite pastimes is to explore the city for great skyline views because 1. it’s free and 2. the skyline never ceases to amaze me. So whether you are a Chicago native or just visiting, here is a list of my top places to go if you want a great view of this amazing city.
- North Avenue Beach- not only are there great views, but this beach also has many fun activities to do such as volleyball, paddle boarding, swimming, and there’s a giant building shaped like a boat that you can eat and drink at.
- Fullerton Beach- this is one of my favorite spots to run and bike to. I try to time it right to watch the sunrise (I’m a morning person). But this area is also a great place to stop to relax, read, throw a frisbee, sunbathe, drink coffee, or do a workout at.
- Olive Park- this is a cute area to walk around that’s along the lake and lined with beautiful trees. This park is also within walking distance of Navy Pier, so if you are from out of town, you can go check that out after.
- Adler Planetarium- this is my favorite view because you can see the whole skyline perfectly. Plus this is Chicago’s museum campus, so after taking some pictures of the skyline, it is a good time to go check out some museums.
- Open House Chicago– one weekend a year, this event allows you to go inside several buildings for free and look at the architecture, art, views, etc. http://openhousechicago.org
All the above places are free, but if you are willing to spend some money, there are some other places to see gorgeous views of the city:
1. Willis Tower (still the Sears Tower in my eyes) – in this tower you can visit the skydeck that overlooks the entire city. And if you are brave enough, you can go stand on the “Ledge” which are glass boxes on the 103rd floor that extend out from the skyscraper’s Skydeck. http://theskydeck.com
2. The John Hancock- this building has a restaurant on the 95th/96th floor with delicious food and amazing views. I suggest going at night and seeing the city lit up. To be honest, I ate there so long ago that I have no pictures to prove it. https://www.signatureroom.com
3. Architectural Boat Tour- These tours are very informative and you get to see the city from the Chicago River. https://www.wendellaboats.com/Boat-Tours/Chicago-River-Architecture-Tour (you can typically find good deals on Groupon). 
The word “Travel” is defined as “to move in a given direction or path or through a given distance”. So in my opinion, you don’t have to go very far to be considered a traveler because I still have lots of traveling to do in my own city.
