Our Picks

Historic Chicago Water Tower

Chicago's Historic Water Tower was one of only a few buildings to survive the Chicago Fire of 1871. This striking monument also houses City Gallery, presenting exhibitions of Chicago-themed photographs by Chicago photographers. The gallery is staffed by visitor representatives of the Chicago Office of Tourism and curated by the Chicago Public Library.
Credit: © Choose Chicago

 

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Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows

Located at Navy Pier, the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows is a permanent display of 150 stained glass windows housed in an 800 foot long series of galleries along the lower level terraces of Festival Hall. Open since February 2000, it is the first museum in the United States dedicated solely to stained glass windows.

It showcases both secular and religious windows and is divided by artistic theme into four categories: Victorian, Prairie, Modern and Contemporary. All of the windows were designed by prominent local, national and European studios and most were originally installed in Chicago area residential, commercial and religious buildings. The windows provide unique insight into Chicago's cultural, ethnic and artistic history.

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The Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago

The Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago was founded in February 1871 when the congregations of Westminster Presbyterian Church and North Presbyterian Church merged. On October 8th of that same year, the great Chicago fire destroyed Fourth Church's first worship space the very night the young congregation dedicated it new home!

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Picasso Sculpture at the Daley Plaza

The Chicago Picasso is a historically significant, three-dimensional sculpture gifted to the Richard J. Daley Center in 1967 from the famous artist Pablo Picasso. The pioneering cubist work of art is a political abstraction and stands 50 feet in height, weighing 162 tons. Constructed of self-weathering steel, the natural rust design complements the Daley Plaza as a fascinating artistic extension of the government building while promoting an outdoor gathering place for public activities. Interestingly, it has been suggested by Picasso’s family that the sculpture was inspired by a young woman whom the artist found alluring and had painted numerous times.


Black Metropolis National Heritage Area Project

The Black Metropolis National Heritage Project goal is to identify, restore, link and leverage heritage assets in the community in order to stimulate economic development in the Bronzeville Community. As a result of the hard work and dedication of this organization and it's countless volunteer's this area has become an internationally recognized heritage tourism destination, featuring jazz, blues, gospel music, along with architecturally and historically significant places to visit.


Historic Chicago Water Tower

Chicago's Historic Water Tower was one of only a few buildings to survive the Chicago Fire of 1871. This striking monument also houses City Gallery, presenting exhibitions of Chicago-themed photographs by Chicago photographers. The gallery is staffed by visitor representatives of the Chicago Office of Tourism and curated by the Chicago Public Library.
Credit: © Choose Chicago

 


Illinois Institute of Technology

This campus (IIT) is a marvel of modern architecture, with 18 buildings by the legendary Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Self-guided iPod and docent-led tours are available.


Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows

Located at Navy Pier, the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows is a permanent display of 150 stained glass windows housed in an 800 foot long series of galleries along the lower level terraces of Festival Hall. Open since February 2000, it is the first museum in the United States dedicated solely to stained glass windows.

It showcases both secular and religious windows and is divided by artistic theme into four categories: Victorian, Prairie, Modern and Contemporary. All of the windows were designed by prominent local, national and European studios and most were originally installed in Chicago area residential, commercial and religious buildings. The windows provide unique insight into Chicago's cultural, ethnic and artistic history.


The Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago

The Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago was founded in February 1871 when the congregations of Westminster Presbyterian Church and North Presbyterian Church merged. On October 8th of that same year, the great Chicago fire destroyed Fourth Church's first worship space the very night the young congregation dedicated it new home!