24 Hours in Chicago

In this article you will find the best places to visit if you only have 24 hours in Chicago and are keen on photographing the best places in Chicago.

Think the windy city is no more than a concrete jungle? Think again!

With miles of beautiful lakeshore beaches, stunning river walks, parks with unique architecture and an incredible skyline, Chicago is a paradise and even in 24 hours you can still see a lot!

Now, instead of just giving you a list of the best places in Chicago and leaving you to fend for yourself, I have carefully crafted (and tried and tested!) this itinerary, including the order to visit places, and timings to ensure you get your photos with as few people in them as possible!

Along with the 10 awesome Instagrammable shots in Chicago (all geo-tagged on Google maps!) is a map with all the locations numbered at the end. Come along with me on my 24 hours in Chicago!

Love Chicago? Check out these Chicago Best Captions & Quotes!

1. Cloud Gate at Millennium Park

Head to Millennium Park first thing in the morning to get to Cloud Gate when there are no crowds. Cloud Gate is this beautiful stainless-steel sculpture, more affectionately known as “The Bean” as it is shaped like a kidney-bean.

The sculpture is mirrored so you can see the reflection of Chicago’s skyline in it.

The Bean is without a doubt the most well-known and Instagrammable photo spot in Chicago, so during the day this place is absolutely packed.

Plus if you take photos in the day, the reflection of everyone will be in the giant mirrored sculpture, which is why it is important to get here early if you want to get good photos!

I was here at 7am and there were only a few people around which was perfect, so make sure to visit The Bean as early as you can! It is an impressive piece of art and to see it is the highlight of many people’s trip to Chicago!

Google maps location of The Bean.

24 HOURS IN CHICAGO

2. Chicago “L” Railway

You’ll notice as you walk around Chicago city centre that trains don’t run underground: rather they run overground on railway systems above the road.

This is known as The Chicago “L” (short for “elevated”) – the elevated railway system that runs through Chicago.

The elevated rail system makes for some amazing photos and there are literally so many locations where you can get great shots under the arches!

As I mentioned, the elevated rail system runs above the road so I advise to get pictures here straight after you have visited Cloud Gate as you want to get these shots where there are as few cars on the road as possible so as not to disrupt the traffic (or get run over!).

Sunday mornings are the best morning to go, when there is the least traffic around but if that’s not possible for you, any morning before 7am is ok. Please be careful when you are shooting here. If it seems too busy, then don’t do it.

I really don’t advise you to shoot alone with a tripod, but rather with someone so you can both get out of the road quickly if needed.

Be advised that the drivers can understandably get a little impatient if you are shooting in the middle of the road so be quick here.

Google maps location of the photo above, shot at the corner of Washington and Wabash (near the Washington/Wabash stop on the Chicago “L”), just a couple minutes walk from Cloud Gate.

24 HOURS IN CHICAGO

3. Chicago Theatre

A short walk from the previous 2 spots is The Chicago Theatre: be sure to visit this place – another one of Chicago’s landmarks!

Standing at just over 100 years old it was America’s first lavish movie palace and is one of the only ones that still remains and runs to this day!

The theatre is very photogenic and makes for great photographs both during the day and during the night when it is lit up.

There aren’t crowds here so it is quite easy to get a photo here. However it is right on a main road so you will need to be careful and wait for the traffic to be clear before you get your shot!

Chicago Theatre Google maps location.

24 HOURS IN CHICAGO

4. Willis Tower OR John Hancock Centre

After visiting The Chicago Theatre it’s time to see Chicago from above!

Both The Willis Tower and The John Hancock Centre are some of Chicago’s tallest skyscrapers that offer incredible views of Chicago.

The Willis Tower is close to Union Station whereas The John Hancock Centre is on Michigan Avenue (The Magnificent Mile).

Chances are you’ll only get to visit one of them, so it’s up to you which one you visit: The Willis Centre has glass panels that you can stand on and look down at the city below.

The John Hancock Centre has TILT boxes: enclosed boxes that tilt you towards Michigan Avenue (far too scary for me!) and a bar as well offering perfect views over the lake.

Whichever one you choose, both have big queues so do your best to get there before 10am to beat the crowds.

John Hancock Centre: it’s best to buy your tickets beforehand here so you can reserve your time and skip the queue!

Willis Tower: You can buy tickets in advance here to skip the queue and book your preferred time.

Willlis Tower Google maps location, and John Hancock Centre Google maps location.

24 HOURS IN CHICAGO

5. Boat ride on Lake Michigan

Another must do in Chicago is to take a boat ride out onto Lake Michigan and enjoy some fabulous views of the skyline. I went on this one on my first trip to Chicago and had a really enjoyable time!

24 HOURS IN CHICAGO

6. Flamingo Rum Club Wall Mural

This flamingo wall mural is quickly becoming an Instagram hot-spot! Located on the side of The Flamingo Rum Club, a Cuban restaurant located on North Wells Street just a few blocks up from the Chicago riverwalk.

The restaurant itself is pretty exclusive, but you’re free to take pictures outside without anyone bothering you! Like at The Chicago Theatre, you won’t have to compete with crowds here, only the passing traffic.

Flamingo Rum Club Google maps location.

24 HOURS IN CHICAGO

7. North Avenue Beach Hook Pier

To get a stunning view of the Chicago skyline, walk north of The Magnificent Mile (Chicago’s main shopping street) to North Avenue Beach.

Just before you get to the main beaches however, you will find a pier called North Avenue beach hook pier (as the pier curves around like a hook).

It is a great place to enjoy the skyline without all the crowds on the beach, however as the pier sticks out quite a bit it can get very windy here (as you can see from my picture!) so be careful if you use a tripod here.

North Avenue Beach hook pier Google maps location. Now Google Maps doesn’t actually recognise hook pier as a place as it is so small: if you click on the link, you’ll see it links just to North Avenue Beach.

However, if you look on the map you’ll see below the beaches a thin part of the land hooking round (just to the right of where it says Chicago SUP). This is hook pier.

24 HOURS IN CHICAGO

8. North Avenue Beach

I love how just a short walk away from Chicago’s skyscrapers you will find miles of beaches along the shores of Lake Michigan!

I love coming up here during the summer, seeing the beach full of students playing volleyball and enjoying Chicago’s beautiful summer weather.

North Avenue Beach Google maps location.

24 HOURS IN CHICAGO

9. Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo

A beautiful urban oasis just across from the beaches is the Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo. Again from here you can get a beautiful view of the skyline, and it is not too busy here.

Entrance to the boardwalk is free as it is not actually in the zoo: it is between the zoo and Lincoln Park, you just walk around the zoo to reach this area.

It is very peaceful here and the lush ecosystem is home to a variety of wildlife. I enjoy taking some time out from the city and relaxing here for a while.

Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo Google maps location.

24 HOURS IN CHICAGO

10. Cindy’s Rooftop Bar

After a long day of sightseeing, end your 24 hours in Chicago with a relax in one of the best rooftop bars in Chicago!

Cindy’s Bar has the perfect view of Chicago: go on the outdoor terrace to see great views of Lake Michigan and the legendary Chicago Bean.

The atmosphere in this place is great, the place is always buzzing and the cocktails are pretty yummy too!

Cindy’s rooftop bar Google maps location.

Stay here until it gets dark and you’ll see Chicago is also a beautiful city at night time.

If you still have energy you can head back to The Chicago Theatre to see it fabulously lit up at night, or stroll around near the riverwalk or even go back to see The Bean.

There is a great energy in this city and even after dark you’ll feel the buzz of the city.

Below is a map of Chicago and I have marked and numbered all the above spots for you so you can easily see the route you need to take to enjoy 24 hours in Chicago.

Of course feel free to alter the itinerary, I am just writing it as a guide. This map was from “Where maps Chicago” and you can pick up the same map in many locations across Chicago.