The Golden Coast

North Avenue Beach, Chicago IL by Herkie, on Flickr The gold coast has everything you are looking for। The Gold Coast area is certainly a great place to live in and yes, there are still a lot of bars and restaurants nearby. The most famous beach is Oak Street Beach. Just north of the Magnificent Mile, is one of Chicago's most popular spots to see and be seen. Oak Street Beach is a haven to inline skaters, cyclists, volleyball enthusiasts and, of course, sunbathers. The sandy beach is wide and concrete areas at either side are also popular for sunbathing and people-watching.

The Magnificent Mile

The Magnificent Mile by P•A•U•L, on Flickr

There is always something happening on The Magnificent Mile. No matter what you're looking for, if its fun with the entire family or drinks with friends. Enjoy free special events that are open to the public, intimate gatherings with featured designers at area retailers, exclusive tasting events at local restaurants, and special activities at cultural attractions. All the big names in shopping are present here, from Saks Fifth Avenue and Niketown to Bloomingdales and Disney. The areas around the Magnificent Mile are some of Chicago's wealthiest. The wide sidewalks, often adorned with well-maintained flowerbeds are always crowded. The Magnificent Mile commences on the Wrigley Building and streatches all the way to Water Tower.

Sky Dive

Chicago is a big city and has everything to offer. Skydiving is a popular sport that visitors and Chicagoans enjoy at affordable prices. You can make your first dive with some of the best skydiving instructors. There several locations that you can choose from, all can surely guarantee to make the best of it!

Navy Pier

With over 8 million visitors year around, Navy Pier is the Midwest's #1 tourist attraction. It offers great viriaty in activity, you could anjoy a relaxed ride on the firries wheel and the next minute you could be enjoying the breeze on a boat cruise to learn about the city skycrapers or on Lake Michigan catching a marvolous view of the city. Or you could enjoy the ride on the Wave Swinger while you catch a glimpse of the Crystal Garden.

Sears Tower

Sears Tower and Friends by rjseg1 , on Flickr

The Sears Tower has been the tallest skyscraper to stand in Chicago since May, 1973 When it was completed. It was expected that The Chicago Spire would surpass it in height by 2012, but this stop due to financial difficulties. From the floor to the roof there is a distance of 1,450.58 feet, but in 1982 two television antennas were added to the top increasing the height to 1,707 feet in total. One of Chicago's most visited spots is the Skydeck. The skydeck located on the 103rd floor was open for the public June, 1974 at a height of 1,353 feet! Which makes it the highest observatory of Chicago.

Water Tower Chicago

Chicago Water Tower ~ The Grandeur of Chicago. by Chicagos~Finest , on Flickr

The Tower is situated at 800 N. Michigan Avenue, on the north end of The Magnificent Mile. It was built in 1869 by architect William W. Boyinton using yellow limestone blocks and is 154 feet tall. Its Gothic style with little towers makes it look more like a European 13th century castle than an actual water tower. The tower became functionally obsolete many years ago, although the pumping station still pumps water for the city. It was one of the few buildings to survive the the Great Fire of 1871, and since then it has become one of Chicago's greatest attractions.

Buckingham Fountain

Officially known as the 'Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain' is one of Chicago's most popular landmarks. The fountain is located in Grand Park at the center of a formally laid out garden. Its one of the largest fountains in the world, the Buckingham Fountain measures 85m/280ft in diameter. It features 134 jets powered by 3 pumps, its central jet pushes water up to 46m/150ft high. The Buckingham Fountain was the official begining for route 66 in Chicago.

Cloud Gate (The Bean)

What I wanted to do in Millennium Park is make something that would engage the Chicago skyline…so that one will see the clouds kind of floating in, with those very tall buildings reflected in the work. And then, since it is in the form of a gate, the participant, the viewer, will be able to enter into this very deep chamber that does, in a way, the same thing to one's reflection as the exterior of the piece is doing to the reflection of the city around.
-Anish Kapoor