The City of Chicago

The Shedd Aquarium, or more formally, The John G. Shedd Aquarium, is an indoor aquarium boasting 5 million gallons of water and roughly 2100 species of marine animals. Opened to the public in 1930, the Shedd Aquarium was once the largest indoor aquarium in the world.

Kids will surely enjoy the aquarium's various exhibits including Wild Reef, Oceanarium, Amazon Rising, Waters of the World, and Caribbean Reef. Some notable animals on display are Beluga Whales, Giant Pacific Octopus, Moon Jellies, and of course Penguins.

Admission tickets go from $8 to $27.50 and The Shedd Aquarium is open from 9am to 5pm on weekdays and up to 6pm on weekends.

The aquarium will hold a Reptile Fest this coming April 12 to 13. Lizards and reptiles will highlight the said event, plus a special presentation about Komodo dragons.

Visit http://www.shedaquarium.org for more info.

One of the most notable landmarks in Chicago, Illinois is the Chicago Water Tower. Designed in a castellated-Gothic Revival style, the Chicago Water Tower was built on 1869 and has achieved Chicago landmark status on October 6, 1971.

Located at the heart of the Magnificent Mile, this historic building was falsely believed by some to be the only survivor of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. It is now the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau Visitor's Welcome Center.



Some Chicagoists see the towering building as a monument to Chicago's will to continue, survive, and prosper.

Boasting an amazing view spanning 80 miles and 4 states, The NEW Hancock Observatory quickly became one of the most visited attractions here in Chicago. It acts like a one-stop tour of Chicago.

The Hancock Observatory's Skywalk is an open-air viewing area sitting at the height of 1,000 feet. You will know as soon as you step inside why they call Chicago "The Windy City." Other attractions includes Soundscope, Sky Tours, History Wall, and my favorite, the photo opps! There's nothing like a good photo to share after a nice vacation.

For more info, visit their website here.

Also known as the "Wonder Theatre of the World," the Chicago Theatre is one of the most recognizable Chicago landmarks. Its brightly colored marquee is well-known because of its appearances on various movies and tv shows.

The Chicago Theatre opened its doors on October 26, 1921, mainly featuring films, stage shows, and live entertainment. It was also known for its live jazz shows. Some famous performers were Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, and Judy Garland. Some more recent performers were Coldpplay, Christina Aguilera, Neil Young, and Morrissey.

Check out their website for more info and schedule of performances.

Founded in 1982, the Chicago Children's Museum is one of the best places to visit in Chicago especially if you have kids. Locals and tourists alike, both young and old, will have tons of fun while learning through various exhibits the museum offers. My personal favorites are the Dinosaur Expedition, the Inventing Lab, and the Treehouse Trails. Aside from the usual exhibits, Chicago Children's museum also holds special exhibits from time to time.

Click here to go to the Chicago Children's Museum's official website to check upcoming schedules and events.

Our first stop is of course, The Sears Tower. With the height of 1,450 feet, it was the world's tallest building until the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia dethroned it.

On June 22, 1974, The Sears Tower opened it's Skydeck to the public. Sitting on the 103rd floor, it quickly became one of the top tourist attractions in Chicago. You can even feel the building sway on a windy day!

FUN FACT: The highest restrooms in the world can be found on the Skydeck, which is about 412 m above street level.