Everyone’s seen photos from the Skydeck at the Willis Tower and in front of Cloud Gate (also known as, “The Bean”). They show how beautiful Chicago’s aesthetic, architecture, and landscape are, but so many other charming details of the city are overlooked. Spend time at these Instagrammable spots in Chicago and find out for yourself.
Flamingo Rum Club
This River North club specializes in Caribbean-inspired celebrations and Cuban eats. Live entertainment and cabaret seatings occur on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday nights, but the wall of painted flamingos outside is open to the public all day, every day. Take a quick photo shoot and then head inside for some swanky rum cocktails.
Cindy’s Rooftop
Sit atop the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel, and capture the panoramic view of Millennium Park, the Art Institute, Lake Michigan, and more. Continue to admire the city skyline while indulging in fresh seasonal fare at Cindy’s Rooftop. Executive Chef Christian Raggano puts his spin on family-style comfort food and pairs the meal with bio-dynamic wines and award-winning cocktails.
Joe and Rika Mansueto Library
In 2011, the glass dome-shaped library opened in the University of Chicago, housing the 180-seat Grand Reading Room as well as conservation and digitization laboratories. The automated underground storage system has cut down average retrieval time of materials to 3 minutes. Sit down with a book at the award-winning architectural marvel and take a quiet photo before leaving.
Oriel Staircase at the Rookery Building
The Rookery itself is revolutionary. Considered the oldest standing high-rise in Chicago, the building used breakthrough technologies (metal framing, masonry walls, fireproofing) in 1885 and has since been known for its ornate and unique details. One of which is the Oriel Staircase, an intricate iron staircase that spirals down all 11 floors. Bring your camera around the whole building, and get ready to be awed.
Palm House at Garfield Park Conservatory
Find paradise in Chicago at the Palm House. As the largest room in the Garfield Park Conservatory, the 65-feet-high and 90-feet-wide room features over 70 different palms from around the world. It aims to recreate an idealized tropical landscape, and therefore, an enchanting environment for your next Instagram picture.
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