Chicago Sightseeing Suggestions...

Hi everyone,

I'll be in Chicago area for a week in mid-late July. Accommodations will be at the Crowne Plaza Hotel @ 160 East Huron... What kinds of photographic endeavors would anyone recommend? Day tours and such would be a possibility, as well as walking around the neighborhood to see the sights... Any info and tourist links would be greatly appreciated... Thanks in advance, everyone!!!

Haven't been to Chicago for many years, but would suggest lots of night shots, such as Wrigley Building and others. All along the lake shore and along the river should be good scenics. I've seen good shots of The Bean (sculpture). Chicago is famous for stockyards, O'Hare Airport, Wrigley Field, Sears Tower, Soldier Field, Lake Michigan, the Old Water Tower, The El, etc, etc. All would be good subjects.

Gotta see the bean, the art institute, the field museum, all on michigan avenue within walking distance from your hotel. Navy pier is nice for touristy stuff as well.

At Huron, you're pretty much in middle of everything ... to the north Michigan you can walk to Oak Street Beach passing the Hancock. Going south you can walk to Grant Park, The Bean, Buckingham Fountain. Also field museum, adler, planetarium, and shedd aquarium on the lake front. You can also walk over or cab over in the loop to the Willis tower (formerly sears). Plenty of lake views.

I was just there a couple weeks ago. The architecture there is amazing.

And wasn't the Whitecastle hamburger logo modeled after the waterworks building? You can check that out...I couldn't fit that into my last trip.

Oh, and btw, visit the cultural center (on Michigan and Randolph) and see some beautiful domes. There's also a visitor center there. Have fun!

These are all fantastic recommendations!!! Thanks everyone for your direction and inputs of where to go... MUCH APPRECIATED!!!



PS. If anyone else would like to contribute, I would be more than happy to hear your thoughts and suggestions...

Some of my favorite things to do and take pictures of:
- Columbus Dr bridge (1 street east of Michigan Ave) where you can get great shots of the river and all the skyscrapers. Also all of the other bridges have good views too
- on a lot of El platforms near the loop
- along the riverfront
- anywhere in the loop, seriously
- the bean
- Go to Alder planetarium area for the entire view of the Chicago skyline. The planetarium is very awesome too
- Buckingham fountain
- Some great shots of hancock available by going to the beaches/neighborhood just a couple miles north along the lake
- Cultural center and their domes
- Art institute is amazing too if you like art
- Various harbors along the lake
- Lincoln Park Zoo (free)
- Also walk through some neighborhoods if you can. Lots of great architecture everywhere
- Go to Portillos for Italian Beef
- Pequods for deep dish
- See a improv or sketch comedy show (second city, annoyance, comedy sportz, IO)
- See a play at Goodman or Steppanwolf theatre
- Watch free live music at Jay Pritzker Pavilion. Also picnic and byob
- Goose Island brewpub on Clybourn

More suggestion!!! AND WITH FOOD recommendations!!! Double Woo Hoo!!! Thanks huy!!! And I forgot to ask, but when you're shooting landscapes, is Chicago a "tripod friendly" location?

You shouldn't have any problems with your tripod when shooting landscapes. You will have to check it in if you are also going to museums though.

Here are some more food places :
Hot dougs - go early or late (10 or right before 4). do not go at lunchtime!
Xoco
Frontera
Blackbird
Naha
Ian's Pizza
Cafe Iberico
Boka
Union Sushi
Bongo Room
Tango Sur

Gino's pizza's a block or two from you .. almost the best in the world...

Does the restaurant still rotate on top of the Best Western on the Drive?

Get some Garrett's Popcorn ... people line up in 10 below weather for it. I think they are a couple of stores on Michigan

huy covered a lot of the good spots.

For skyline shots check out this thread on a local forum for some good locations to shoot from
http://www.chicagophot​oshop.com/forums/showt​hread.php?t=5116

You can also look through my Chicago set on flickr. Everything should be geotagged so you can see where its taken.

http://www.flickr.com …z/sets/72157617​053645502/

^ Thanks again, huy... Likewise to kjonnnn andsilvrr... I appreciate it...



PS. Would anyone recommend taking a heli ride around the city for aerial landscape shots?

There are also 45 minute boat tours that go out into the lake for great shots, and some that go down the chicago river for a unique view of the city.

If you're here on the 15th and 16th, check out Old St. Pat's World's Largest Block Party in the west loop.

airbutchie wrote in post #12608972
PS. Would anyone recommend taking a heli ride around the city for aerial landscape shots?

I took one a couple weeks ago and would reccomend it. However, in the summer the city often gets a haze that will give you a bad sky for backgrounds and give a washed out look to your shots. The guys at RotorZenwere pretty flexiable on when I wanted to go up and said they could re-schedule if it was hazy or poor weather.

^ Thx Adam... I'll look into RotorZen!!!