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New Yorkers 1st Choice
Near South Side's best

Scenic views

You want to be able to see the city from a vantage point that makes the view worth the trip.

Based on 628 Opinions
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Updated May 2026
01
Adler Planetarium Skyline Walk image 1
Adler Planetarium Skyline Walk image 2
Adler Planetarium Skyline Walk image 3
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Walks along the shoreline offer unobstructed views of a vibrant city skyline and expansive lake. The atmosphere stays peaceful and calm despite steady visitors, with benches and telescopes enhancing the experience. Nighttime brings a radiant glow from city lights reflecting on water, creating a scenic and inspiring setting.

The walk offers breathtaking views of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan. Nighttime and sunset views highlight the spectacular cityscape and water reflections.

The skyline walk offers breathtaking views of the city and Lake Michigan, especially at night and during sunset. Visitors can enjoy the impressive cityscape alongside the waves and nearby attractions.

People are saying

"The skyline view from the walk is truly breathtaking."

"It's a peaceful spot with breathtaking views of the Chicago skyline."

"I found the Chicago skyline views from the walk absolutely stunning."

Good to know

1

Fireworks occur twice a week in summer, providing a great view.

2

Parking is available next to the Skyline Walk, but can be challenging.

3

Street parking is free, but metered parking is also available nearby.

02
Northerly Island Park image 1

City park offers peaceful, serene atmosphere with magnificent skyline and lake views. It hosts open-air concerts with a well-laid-out venue and includes walking and biking paths alongside picnic and play areas.

Views from the park showcase the City skyline beautifully, especially near the southernmost point. The lakefront offers a peaceful spot with plenty of space to relax and enjoy the gorgeous skyline.

Stunning skyline views dominate the southernmost point, especially near dusk. The park offers peaceful lakefront spots with plenty of space to enjoy the gorgeous cityscape.

People are saying

"I enjoyed the gorgeous view of the Chicago skyline from the park."

"It's surprisingly quiet and peaceful, even close to everything."

"The city skyline views here are absolutely breathtaking, especially at night."

Good to know

1

Parking at the planetarium costs $42, or you can walk a half mile to the park.

2

Fireworks can be seen from the park on Wednesday and Saturday nights.

3

The park hosts a summer concert series with various exciting events.

03
12th Street Beach image 1
Public beach

Large beach with crystal clear water and clean sand offers a quiet, chill atmosphere away from city noise. Trees provide natural shade, and amenities include lifeguards, snack kiosks, and family-friendly spaces. Parking can be challenging, encouraging biking or walking to the beach.

Wide open views stretch across the sandy shoreline with the lake in front and the skyline visible in the distance.

Wide open views stretch across the lake with a sandy shoreline in the foreground. The skyline appears clearly in the distance, creating a lovely view from the beach.

People are saying

"I found the beach to be an awesome place to relax."

"I found this hidden beach to be a cool, secluded spot."

"I loved the amazing, beautiful views of the lake."

Good to know

1

Parking costs $20 for the full day in the lot nearest the beach.

2

Lifeguards mark the swimming limit for safety.

3

The beach is family friendly and has public restrooms.

04
Cosmic Cafe image 1

Cafe offers breathtaking skyline and lake views through windows all around, creating a bright and airy atmosphere. Seating is open with various options, inviting a relaxed pace. The vibe suits those who appreciate scenic dining experiences alongside a vegetarian-friendly menu.

Offers gorgeous views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline. Seating provides a great vantage point to enjoy the beautiful shoreline and cityscape.

Views include Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline. The shoreline and cityscape create a gorgeous scenery visible from the cafe.

People are saying

"I enjoyed the amazing view of the city skyline."

"The hot sandwich was tasty and juicy."

"The scenic views of the lake and skyline are amazing."

Good to know

1

Reservations are recommended for busy times, especially on weekends.

2

Expect to pay around $12.50 for pizza and $60 for three kids meals.

3

The cafe offers a good selection of vegetarian-friendly options.

05
McCormick Place image 1
Convention center

Enormous convention center with spacious exhibition halls and stunning lake and city views. Atmosphere shifts from crowded and chaotic during events to desolate when empty. Extensive amenities include escalators, sky bridges, and a business center, facilitating easy navigation.

Most windows offer beautiful views. The east end terrace and Lakeside Center Hall D provide stunning lake views. The walk bridge shows a nice sight of Cermak Road and McCormick Square. Views include the downtown skyline and Great Lake.

Huge spaces offer awesome views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline. Terraces on the east end provide a restful change of view with stunning lake sights and cityscapes visible from most windows.

People are saying

"I found the parking here easy and safe."

"I was surprised how clean the bathrooms stayed."

"The scenic views of the lake here are stunning."

Good to know

1

Parking costs $27 per car at McCormick Place.

2

Expect long wait times for parking, especially after events.

3

The Metra stop is conveniently located inside McCormick Place.

06
McCormick Place Lakeside Center, East Building image 1

Massive convention center offers spacious, modern halls with beautiful views of Lake Michigan and city skyline. The atmosphere balances comfort and energy, making large crowds manageable and events seamless. Clean, well-maintained spaces support a smooth experience throughout.

Beautiful views of Lake Michigan and downtown Chicago stand out from the Lakeside Center and East Building. The exhibition center offers a great view of the lake and city skyline.

Views of Lake Michigan and downtown Chicago stand out from the Lakeside Center and East Building. Nighttime offers a beautiful city panorama and outdoor spaces enhance the experience.

People are saying

"I enjoyed the great view of the lake and downtown."

"I enjoyed the great view of the lake and city."

Good to know

1

Parking costs $27 per day, which is reasonable for Chicago.

2

The venue is clean and well-maintained, enhancing the visitor experience.

3

Restrooms are clean and monitored for visitor comfort.

07
VU Rooftop image 1
Restaurant

Rooftop restaurant offers spectacular city views and a lively atmosphere with live jazz music and fire pits for warmth. Seating includes a cozy lounge area ideal for relaxing with friends. The venue combines indoor and outdoor spaces, creating a vibrant setting for group gatherings.

Rooftop offers amazing views that stand out. The setting combines beautiful scenery with a relaxed vibe, even when it's warm.

Rooftop offers amazing views that stand out. The setting combines a beautiful view with a relaxed atmosphere.

People are saying

"The food here is great, and the staff are so friendly."

"The rooftop views of the city and lake are impressive."

"The rooftop views of the city and lake are spectacular."

Good to know

1

Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends due to high demand.

2

A 20% automatic gratuity is added to all bills, regardless of party size.

3

Security checks are similar to TSA procedures before entry.

08
Hampton Inn Chicago McCormick Place image 1

Hotel offers modern facilities with great city views from upper floors and a cozy lobby featuring comfortable sofas and a fireplace. Rooms are generally quiet and peaceful, while the fitness center and pool provide solid amenities. Security measures include key access for elevators and public areas beyond the lobby.

Rooms on higher floors offer great views of the city and downtown. The restaurant also provides a beautiful cityscape to enjoy while dining.

Rooms on upper floors offer great views of the city and downtown. The restaurant also provides a beautiful cityscape to enjoy while dining.

People are saying

"The breakfast staff made us feel so appreciated and welcomed."

"The rooms are spotless and comfortable, making for a great stay."

"The scenic views from the room were great, especially of downtown."

Good to know

1

Parking costs $59 per day, which can be inconvenient for guests.

2

The hotel provides easy access to the McCormick Place Conference Center.

3

Rooms are clean and spacious, but some guests reported issues with cleanliness.

09
Hilton Garden Inn Chicago McCormick Place image 1

Hotel offers spacious rooms with spectacular views of the city and lake. Rooftop bar and restaurant provide a beautiful cityscape backdrop and a place to relax. Noise from adjacent nightlife venues can be loud and disruptive, especially on upper floors.

Rooms on higher floors offer spectacular views of the city, convention center, and Lake Michigan. The rooftop restaurant provides a beautiful cityscape backdrop during breakfast.

Rooms on higher floors offer spectacular views of the city, convention center, and Lake Michigan. The rooftop restaurant provides a beautiful cityscape backdrop during breakfast.

People are saying

"This hotel's location is perfect for reaching the concert venue."

"The rooftop views are incredible and amazing."

"The rooftop scenic views are spectacular in every direction."

Good to know

1

Parking costs $18 for self-parking, regardless of availability.

2

The hotel is a 10-minute walk through the skyway to the convention center.

3

Expect noise from the rooftop bar during events, which may disrupt sleep.

10
Home2 Suites by Hilton Chicago McCormick Place image 1

Rooms offer stunning city views from high floors and feature spacious, clean interiors. A rooftop bar provides a lively atmosphere with music that can be heard throughout upper floors. Amenities include a small pool and gym, though the pool is often crowded or out of service.

High floors offer unobstructed city views that stand out. The rooftop provides a nice view where breakfast can be enjoyed. Rooms also feature great views.

High floors offer relatively unobstructed city views. The rooftop provides a nice view where breakfast can be enjoyed. Rooms also feature great views.

People are saying

"I thought the breakfast was delicious and great."

"I found valet parking to be a must and they made it very easy."

"The scenic views from the high floors are great and unobstructed."

Good to know

1

Valet parking is available but can be costly and unreliable.

2

Expect high parking fees, charged per hour.

3

Breakfast options are limited and may not meet expectations.

11
Soundings Cafe image 1

Views of the skyline stand out through large windows, creating a calm spot to recharge. The space offers plenty of tables and a relaxed atmosphere. Pricing reflects typical museum cafe rates, with a casual vibe suited for younger crowds.

Incredible views of the skyline greet you from the windows. The cafe offers a nice spot by the window to enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Views of the skyline stand out as the most striking feature. Seating by the window offers a nice view that enhances the cafe experience.

People are saying

"The skyline views from the window are beautiful."

"The scenic views from the cafe were beautiful."

"The Cafe staff were super friendly and provided great customer service."

Good to know

1

Soundings Cafe is located on the Ground Level of the Shedd Aquarium.

2

Expect to pay more than the listed price for some menu items.

3

The staff mentioned that menu prices had increased but were not updated.

12
Dollop Coffee Co. image 1

Spacious coffee shop with colorful neo-abstract graffiti art and great views of the city skyline and park. Atmosphere is cozy and inviting, suitable for working or relaxing with some comfortable lounge seating. Offers a quiet environment with a mix of casual and classy vibes.

Views include Grant Park and the city skyline across Roosevelt Road. Seating at Dollop Coffee Co. offers a pleasant environment but the interior does not highlight the impressive skyline well.

Views include Grant Park and the city skyline across Roosevelt Road. The environment supports people watching but interior spaces do not always showcase these views well.

People are saying

"I loved the coffee and lattes here; they were amazing."

"The scenic views of the park and city skyline are great for people-watching."

"I loved the nice view across to Grant Park."

Good to know

1

Dollop Coffee Co. closes at 2 PM, with last service around 1:30 PM.

2

There is no on-street parking available near the cafe.

3

The bathroom requires a key for access.

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