Location: Near North Side
Top Things to do in Near North Side
What to do and see in Near North Side, Illinois (IL): The Best Architectural Buildings
The windy city is a cornucopia of modern art, fine dining, cutting edge comedy, and die-hard sports fans. Snap a photo of your reflection in the silver Cloud Gate sculpture at Millennium Park before heading to Grant Park to get hit with the refreshing spray of Buckingham Fountain. There are dozens of museums and theater companies in Chicago, so a cultural experience is never hard to find. You’re sure to laugh your head off at the Second City Theater, the professional launch pad of many famous comedians.
Restaurants in Chicago
1. Tree Studio Complex
2. The Murphy
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
3. Tribune Tower
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 626 reviews
The neo-gothic tower's signature is the exterior collection of stones from other famous edifices, like the Parthenon, St. Peter's Basilica, Notre Dame, the White House and most recently, the Berlin Wall.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
As a retired newspaperman who worked for the competitor across the street for more than 30 years, I can't get over the fact that the publishing, editorial and advertising offices of the Chicago Tribune no longer are housed in iconic Tribune Tower. It's like taking Mickey Mouse out of Disneyland or Babe Ruth out of Yankee Stadium. Located at 435 North Michigan Avenue, the 470-foot-tall, 36-floor neo-Gothic skyscraper was built between 1923 and 1925. The tower features carved images of Robin Hood and a howling dog near the main entrance to commemorate the architects John Mead Howells and Raymond Hood and the top of the tower is designed after the Tour de beurre of the Rouen Cathedral in France. While it has been recognized for its classic architecture and has earned a reputation as the most beautiful and distinctive office building in the world, it is most noted for the rocks and bricks that Tribune correspondents brought back from a variety of historically important sites throughout the world at the request of then Tribune publisher Colonel Robert McCormick to be incorporated into the lowest levels of the building. In all, there are 149 fragments in the building, including a piece of steel recovered from the World Trade Center and a rock from the Moon. In addition, there are stones from the Taj Mahal, the Parthenon, Hagia Sophia, Corregidor, Westminster, the Alamo, the Great Pyramid, Notre Dame de Paris, Abraham Lincoln's tomb, the Great Wall of China and Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Today, Tribune Tower is being converted into condominiums with work expected to be completed by 2020.
4. 360 Chicago Observation Deck
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10,847 reviews
Located on the 94th floor of the John Hancock Center, 360 CHICAGO offers breathtaking views of Chicago’s skyline, the lakefront, and four states. It’s the only place you can enjoy Chicago’s highest thrill ride, TILT – a giant moving platform that literally TILTs visitors over the edge of the building. Relax at BAR 94 with local favorites, a large cocktail selection, and front-row seating to the city’s best views from 1,000 feet up. Explore HD interactive touch screens in seven languages and learn more about the Windy City. If you really want to experience Chicago, make your first stop 360 CHICAGO.
Reviewed By Mobile750626
I visit the observation deck last week and I have to say it was incredible!, I was there when the sun goes down and the view everywhere you look at was simply amazing, and the tilt experience is also highly recommended!!!
5. Wrigley Building
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 303 reviews
This white, terra-cotta landmark was built in 1922 as headquarters for the Wrigley chewing gum company.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
My wife and I have fond memories of the Wrigley Building. As a sportswriter for the Chicago Daily News in the 1970s, I once joined a platoon of other sportswriters that gathered at Philip Wrigley's top-floor office to learn about a reported Chicago Cubs trade. My wife worked in an office in the Wrigley Building for more than 20 years. I used to get monthly haircuts in the Wrigley Building's barber shop. We used to enjoy breakfasts, lunches and dinners at the old Press Club, which was headquartered in the Wrigley Building. And I cashed my weekly checks at the bank that once was housed on the first floor of the Wrigley Building's South Tower. Today, it remains a Chicago Landmark, an architectural beauty, one of the city's most distinguished buildings. Located at 410 North Michigan Avenue, on the Chicago River, at the head of the Magnificent Mile, the Wrigley Building was built from 1920 to 1924 to house the corporate headquarters of the Wrigley Company, which sold chewing gum and owned the Chicago Cubs. It was the first major office building north of the Chicago River and the city's first air-conditioned office building. The glazed terra cotta structure was designed by the architechural firm of Graham, Anderson, Probst & White using the shape of the Giralda tower of Seville's Cathedral combined with French Renaissance details. The 425-foot, 30-story South Tower was completed in April 1921 and the 21-story North Tower was completed in May 1924. Walkways between the towers were added at the ground level and the third floor. In 1931, another walkway was added at the 14th floor. A signature feature is the clock tower. Who hasn't walked across the Michigan Avenue Bridge or along the Chicago River and glanced up at the Wrigley Building's clock tower to check the time of day? Today, the bank is gone. So is the Press Club. And the barber shop. But the new owners, who purchased the building in 2011, have added a Walgreen's drug store, Giardelli chocolate shop, coffee shop, fitness center and a nursing room for mothers. At night, bathed in lights, the grace and elegance of the Wrigley Building is beholden to one and all.
6. Lake Shore Place
7. Charnley-Persky House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By ColmR47 - Chicago, United States
I really enjoyed this tour of one of the few examples of Louis Sullivan designed homes. The tour guide was super informative and great to see the interior of the house in such good condition. Nice job by the Society of Architectural Historians maintaining the building and permitting us to wander through their offices. Well worth the visit + very close to downtown.
8. Holy Name Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,101 reviews
Reviewed By sharonweidelman - Springfield, United States
Holy Name Cathedral is very beautiful! Mass was lovely and the Senior Priest delivered an amazing homily !
9. Bloomingdale's Home + Furniture
10. John Hancock Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By Keenomanjaro - Croydon, United Kingdom
We visited the John Hancock Centre in the evening to see Chicago by night, and took the elevator to the 95th floor where you can enjoy the views from comfortable window-side seats for the price of a drink. Sure, the drinks aren't exactly cheap, but this is a much more budget friendly option than the $22 observation deck or indeed anything at the Willis Tower. Service was friendly and prompt, the drinks selection was pretty good and we had no problem securing a window seat, albeit on the 'wrong' side for views of The Loop, instead getting good views up Lake Shore Drive. If you're planning on visiting at night, be aware that there is nothing to see in the direction of the Lake - just darkness - so make sure you head left or right from the elevator, as the seats straight ahead only look out to the lake. This was a great way to get a good value night time view having already experienced the day time view from the Willis Tower.
