Most tourists who want a view of the city find themselves in the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower) skydeck, but Chicago natives know that the best view of the city is actually from the John Hancock Observatory.
Sure, you've still gotta pay to get high, the scenery is gorgeous, the staff are friendlier, and they've just dumped a bunch of money into a brand new kind of skydeck that TILTS YOUR WHOLE BODY OFF THE BUILDING.
Way cooler. Forget the Willis Tower, go here.
This place is the worst kind of tourist trap. Overpriced microwave restaurants, crappy carnival rides, and filled with tourists. If you're headed here seeking anything but a ticket to the IMAX theater, prepare to be disappointed.
I love this fountain so much. A lot of people think it's tacky and doesn't fit in with Millennium Park's sleeker art pieces (like "Cloud Gate aka The Bean), but kids think it's the greatest thing ever.
Basically, it's a giant video screen that shows a rotating group of faces that "spit" at you. In the summer, you can head down to the park on a got day and take a run through the streams.
This thing is intimidating in the best way. Like Dave said, it almost looks like that ship from "Flight of the Navigator", and it's hard to appreciate the sheer size of this thing unless you see it in person. There's a reason it's become a symbol of Chicago.
When you visit, here's something to reflect on: how the hell does it stay so buffed and shiny?
An absolutely beautiful piece of Chicago. There's always free shows happening, loads of places to kick back and relax, and plenty of street meat. In the winter you'll find an ice skating rink, in the summer there's a giant sprinkler that looks like people spitting at you. Always fun to grab some out-of-towners and visit "The Bean" (Cloud Gate) while you're at the park as well.
Tuckers is my go-to greasy spoon diner in Cincinnati. The portions are huge, the food is cheap, and the staff is awesome. The place isn't much to look at, and you won't find any fancy eats here, but thats part of the charm.
There's nothing better than a cool ice pop on a hot summer day, but it's increasingly hard to find one that isn't loaded with artificial sugars. Even then, you're pretty much stuck with the usual flavors - orange, stawberry, and if you're really lucky, blueberry.
Well thanks to Streetpops, you can get a crazy amount of unique flavors AND know that your pops were hand-created and free of nasty chemicals. Oh yeah, and THEY'RE FRIGGIN' DELICIOUS!
Sure, they're a little bit pricier than your standard popsicle, but man, they're worth every penny. Try the salted caramel!
I don't really get this place, honestly. The food is overly-expensive asian-fusion that's just alright. I guess if you're looking for a place to drink some sake and sing karaoke, the Kaze is the place do it... but only because theres no other option.
It's pretty rare that I get a craving for waffles, but when I do, I'll head to Taste of Belgium. The waffles aren't your typical diner style fare, but rather "authentic" belgian style, meaning that they're a lot harder than you might imagine, but delicious. The chicken and waffles are pretty darn great too, but one of the menu's biggest standout items are the corn dogs, believe it or not. Most of the other stuff is just ok.
The food is great, but good luck enjoying your $12 hot dog while a steady stream of people try and squeeze by the goddamn impossibly small seating area you get crammed into.