Populated by iconic buildings like the Willis Tower, the John Hancock Center, and the Tribune Tower, Chicago’s skyline is truly a sight to behold. Thanks to Chicago’s location on Lake Michigan, one of the best places to view the entire cityscape is on the waterfront. Whether you are visiting Chicago or are a local looking to explore new spots in the city, here’s a list of the five most stunning views of Chicago’s skyline from Lake Michigan that you won’t want to miss.
Montrose Harbor
Montrose Harbor, which is home to a bird sanctuary featuring a wide variety of different bird species, is one of the best places on Lake Michigan to get a glimpse of the Chicago skyline. Located to the north of downtown Chicago, Montrose Harbor offers the fullest possible view of the entire cityscape due to its distance from the rest of the city.
Montrose Harbor offers excellent views any time of day, evening, or night.
Adler Planetarium
The Adler Planetarium offers one of the best views of the entire Chicago city skyline. Even apart from the fantastic views, the planetarium is one of Chicago’s most tourist-friendly places to visit. The Adler Planetarium is also right next to another prime spot on this list, Northerly Island.
While this space can sometimes get crowded due to concerts and other events, you can usually find a spot to take some fantastic landscape pictures of downtown Chicago. Located at the end of Solitary Drive, the Adler Planetarium Skyline Walk is the perfect spot to capture a dramatic photo of the cityscape. We can’t recommend this spot enough.
Northerly Island
Northerly Island is another excellent spot to catch a glimpse of the Chicago skyline. As described above, the island is within walking distance from Adler Planetarium, so there’s no reason not to visit both on the same trip. The best time to visit Northerly Island is at sunset, as the sun sinks in the west behind Chicago’s iconic skyscrapers. Many locals also hang around after sunset during “magic hour” and after dark. If you are driving, you can easily park in the harbor area. Northerly Island is worth the visit, no matter the time of day or the season.
Fullerton Avenue
Locals often cite Fullerton Avenue as the best vantage point for viewing the Chicago skyline. This spot is right on Lake Shore Drive, and although parking can be complicated, the view is absolutely worth it. This is the best spot to get a photo of the John Hancock Center from the side.
31st Street Jetty
The 31st Street jetty is one of the best places to view the skyline if you want to avoid crowds. This rarely-visited spot actually underwent significant renovations recently, and nearby parking is incredibly cheap. While you will need to walk a short distance to the jetty, it offers one of the best views on the Chicago waterfront.
The best times of day to visit the 31st street jetty are at sunrise, sunset, and “magic hour” after the sun goes down.
Plan a Yacht Charter
While there are some magnificent spots to view the Chicago skyline from the waterfront, both north and south of downtown, there’s no better way to truly experience Chicago than by yacht.
At Anita Dee Yacht Charters, boating is at the very core of our identity, and we love sharing that passion with others, including locals and tourists alike. If you’re anxious to get out on the water sometime soon, then why wait to begin planning your luxury yacht charter with us?
Whether you are hoping to hold your wedding on the water, enjoy a boat party with family and friends, or even host a company function, the team at Anita Dee Yacht Charters is here to help you plan the event and ensure it is successful. Once you share your ideas with us, we do all the leg work for you so that you can focus your attention on other matters.
At Anita Dee Yacht Charters, we offer multiple luxury yachts that are designed to accommodate both large and small events. No matter what type of event you are hosting, our team will work tirelessly to ensure that it’s a special one.
From the moment you begin planning with us through the day of the event or outing itself, our professionals will treat you and your party like VIPs. Call us today at (312) 379-3191.