The adventure awaits
Chicago is an amazing city on the shores of Lake Michigan, where elevated trains rattle above the sidewalks and lunch might include a local specialty – deep dish pizza. Or perhaps a drink on the riverbank, surrounded by skyscrapers? And do you know what skyscrapers and a birdcage have in common? You'll find the answer in Chicago, whose modern-looking skyline of glass, concrete, and steel buildings is interwoven with history.
The first day will be relaxing - you'll arrive, check in, and if you have the energy, take a walk around the area.
Upon arrival in Chicago, you will have an interview with an immigration officer who will want to make sure you don't intend to stay in the USA.
Once you've completed the interview, it's off to Chicago! Forget taxis and take the subway to the city center. The station is right at the airport – just follow the signs to the blue line towards the city center. The subway emerges from underground after leaving O'Hare airport, offering an unobstructed view of the city's suburbs. Get off at Clark/Lake station, a major intersection for various lines – and importantly, there are escalators.
Tip: If you don't want to carry coins for buses or the elevated train, consider purchasing a 3-day ($15) or 7-day ($20) Ventra pass, valid on all elevated and bus lines within the CTA network. You can find vending machines at every underground and elevated station, or you can download the app. If you're like me and plan to use the elevated train every day, it's worth buying.
Once you've settled in, you can go for a walk, go to the convenience store for some American snacks, or simply watch TV and recharge your batteries for another day of exploring Chicago.
Or head to the Riverwalk. This is a true gem of Chicago. As the name suggests, it's a pedestrian zone along the river in the heart of the city, surrounded on all sides by skyscrapers of various styles and colors. The Riverwalk is rightly a favorite spot for visitors and locals alike. Grab a coffee, a drink, or something to eat and settle down in the shade of the skyscrapers, which will tower over you like the walls of a valley.
Today you'll see the world from a bird's-eye view.
You might be surprised, but the skyscraper wasn't invented in New York, but in Chicago. In a way, the wife of architect William Le Baron Jenney is responsible for this. She once put a heavy book on a birdcage. William was shocked that the cage could withstand the weight of the book – and it occurred to him to reinforce the structure with a similar metal "cage" and thus push it much higher towards the heavens.
In Chicago, the most famous skyscrapers are the Willis Tower (442 meters and 110 floors) and the one called 875 North Michigan Avenue, known until 2018 as the John Hancock Tower (344 meters and 100 floors).
The Willis Tower is located right in the center and offers a view from a height of 412 meters. If you don't suffer from vertigo, try the glass terraces with a glass (and therefore transparent!) floor. You can see all the way down to the sidewalk and people the size of ants. Dare you?
Interestingly, the roof of the Willis Tower is actually almost 30 meters higher than the officially tallest skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere, One World Trade Center in New York. But the skyscraper in New York has a tall mast on its roof, which was recognized as part of the building, so this building is officially "higher" than the Willis Tower, which is sixteen floors higher. The world is simply not fair.
You can buy a ticket online and prices start at $32: https://tickets.theskydeck.com/timedtickets.html
Once you've enjoyed the bird's-eye view, head east towards Michigan Avenue. Take Adams Street and on the right side of the street, between Wabash Avenue and Michigan Avenue, you'll find a marker indicating the beginning of the iconic American Route 66. Today it's covered in stickers, but another one is on the corner of Adams Street and Michigan Avenue.
Stop by Cloud Gate, a piece of modern art resembling a bent drop of mercury. Or a bean, hence the locals call it "The Bean". Its smooth, mirrored surface reflects the entire surrounding world, making it worth seeing.
And hurray, north and across the river. On the north bank, stop at the Neo-Gothic, 141-meter-high Tribune Tower, where the Tribune media company was located until 2018. The stonework incorporates artifacts from famous buildings around the world, including pieces of the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China, Hagia Sophia, the Parthenon, and Angkor Wat.
A few blocks further, the John Hancock Tower (let's stick with this name, it's easier to remember) rises towards the sky. For the daring, who are not satisfied with just looking out of the window, there is also a "Tilt" – a special window construction that tilts outwards into space. It's almost like you're falling. But be careful when buying tickets, the basic ticket for $35 does not include Tilt. Tickets including Tilt start at $44. You can buy them online here: https://360chicago.com/tickets
Tip: Go there in the evening, when Chicago lights up with thousands of lights and have a drink with a fantastic view.
You have to ride the 'L'. You just have to. It's an integral part of Chicago, and if you don't ride it at least once, it's like you were never even in Chicago. And while you're at it, go sightseeing.
Head to the Merchandise Mart station (located next to the building of the same name, which is so huge that it had its own zip code from its opening in 1930 until 2008). Board the brown line train heading across the river (the name of the final stop doesn't matter, as the brown line starts and ends at Kimball station). It will go through the so-called Loop, the track loop encircling downtown Chicago, and then head back past the Merchandise Mart station and onwards to Kimball station, where the line starts and ends.
From the height of the second floor, you'll see the bustling streets of the city center, beautiful decorative details on the facades of original American skyscrapers, suburbs, houses, and brick apartment buildings.
At Kimball station, board the train back to the city center and get off again at Merchandise Mart (of course, you can take the sightseeing ride again – you won't experience this in the Czech Republic!).
Step down to street level and cross the bridge, continuing into the city center where you can stroll through the streets inside the Loop. Overhead, elevated trains will rumble past every few minutes.
That's Chicago, in a nutshell.
Worth noting is the corner of La Salle and Adams Street, where the first skyscraper, designed by the aforementioned Mr. William Jenney, stood from 1885 to 1931. It was steel-reinforced and had a dizzying ten floors.
Don't miss the Monadnock Building on Jackson Boulevard. Architect Daniel Burnham was involved in its construction; he was also responsible for building the site of the 1893 World's Fair and designed the Flatiron Building in New York.
For a snack or a drink, stop by the Target store on State Street. This stop is also primarily about the building, the Sullivan Center from 1899. The reason is the windows. The use of steel reinforcement allowed architects to increase the window area to an unprecedented size.
There are countless such architectural treasures in downtown Chicago, in the Loop, so I can only recommend paying for a guided tour (prices range around $30). The Chicago Architecture Center offers good ones; their overview is here:
https://www.architecture.org/city-tours?tourType=Walking
What do the Museum of Science and Industry and the Art Institute have in common? Both buildings were part of the World's Fair held in Chicago in 1893 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus. During the fair, the Ferris wheel made its first appearance, invented by a certain George Washington Ferris with the sole purpose of allowing Chicago to outdo the Eiffel Tower, built for the World's Fair in 1889.
This museum is a bit out of the way, so use your Ventra card and take the bus. On the bus, you'll get to know real Americans up close.
Tickets to the museums can be purchased on site - there probably won't be queues like in tourist traps such as the Willis Tower or John Hancock Center.
Whether you prefer fact-based scientific discovery or prefer to let yourself be carried away by a wave of creativity, each building offers interesting exhibits and is worth a visit.
And if you're interested in the history of Chicago's iconic lift bridges and the mechanics that allow these ton-heavy behemoths to rise effortlessly, head to the Michigan Avenue bridge, home to the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum.
Last day in Chicago – how you spend it is up to you.
You can stroll inside the Loop, settle down on the Riverwalk, head along the shores of Lake Michigan, or even take another elevated train trip. But above all, don't forget to buy a few souvenirs.
So have one last breakfast, take a stroll along the Riverwalk and enjoy the view of the skyscrapers.
The Blue Line will then take you directly to the airport.
Chicago is an amazing city on the shores of Lake Michigan, where elevated trains rattle above the sidewalks and lunch might include a local specialty – deep dish pizza. Or perhaps a drink on the riverbank, surrounded by skyscrapers? And do you know what skyscrapers and a birdcage have in common? You'll find the answer in Chicago, whose modern-looking skyline of glass, concrete, and steel buildings is interwoven with history.
The first day will be relaxing - you'll arrive, check in, and if you have the energy, take a walk around the area.
Upon arrival in Chicago, you will have an interview with an immigration officer who will want to make sure you don't intend to stay in the USA.
Once you've completed the interview, it's off to Chicago! Forget taxis and take the subway to the city center. The station is right at the airport – just follow the signs to the blue line towards the city center. The subway emerges from underground after leaving O'Hare airport, offering an unobstructed view of the city's suburbs. Get off at Clark/Lake station, a major intersection for various lines – and importantly, there are escalators.
Tip: If you don't want to carry coins for buses or the elevated train, consider purchasing a 3-day ($15) or 7-day ($20) Ventra pass, valid on all elevated and bus lines within the CTA network. You can find vending machines at every underground and elevated station, or you can download the app. If you're like me and plan to use the elevated train every day, it's worth buying.
Once you've settled in, you can go for a walk, go to the convenience store for some American snacks, or simply watch TV and recharge your batteries for another day of exploring Chicago.
Or head to the Riverwalk. This is a true gem of Chicago. As the name suggests, it's a pedestrian zone along the river in the heart of the city, surrounded on all sides by skyscrapers of various styles and colors. The Riverwalk is rightly a favorite spot for visitors and locals alike. Grab a coffee, a drink, or something to eat and settle down in the shade of the skyscrapers, which will tower over you like the walls of a valley.
Today you'll see the world from a bird's-eye view.
You might be surprised, but the skyscraper wasn't invented in New York, but in Chicago. In a way, the wife of architect William Le Baron Jenney is responsible for this. She once put a heavy book on a birdcage. William was shocked that the cage could withstand the weight of the book – and it occurred to him to reinforce the structure with a similar metal "cage" and thus push it much higher towards the heavens.
In Chicago, the most famous skyscrapers are the Willis Tower (442 meters and 110 floors) and the one called 875 North Michigan Avenue, known until 2018 as the John Hancock Tower (344 meters and 100 floors).
The Willis Tower is located right in the center and offers a view from a height of 412 meters. If you don't suffer from vertigo, try the glass terraces with a glass (and therefore transparent!) floor. You can see all the way down to the sidewalk and people the size of ants. Dare you?
Interestingly, the roof of the Willis Tower is actually almost 30 meters higher than the officially tallest skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere, One World Trade Center in New York. But the skyscraper in New York has a tall mast on its roof, which was recognized as part of the building, so this building is officially "higher" than the Willis Tower, which is sixteen floors higher. The world is simply not fair.
You can buy a ticket online and prices start at $32: https://tickets.theskydeck.com/timedtickets.html
Once you've enjoyed the bird's-eye view, head east towards Michigan Avenue. Take Adams Street and on the right side of the street, between Wabash Avenue and Michigan Avenue, you'll find a marker indicating the beginning of the iconic American Route 66. Today it's covered in stickers, but another one is on the corner of Adams Street and Michigan Avenue.
Stop by Cloud Gate, a piece of modern art resembling a bent drop of mercury. Or a bean, hence the locals call it "The Bean". Its smooth, mirrored surface reflects the entire surrounding world, making it worth seeing.
And hurray, north and across the river. On the north bank, stop at the Neo-Gothic, 141-meter-high Tribune Tower, where the Tribune media company was located until 2018. The stonework incorporates artifacts from famous buildings around the world, including pieces of the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China, Hagia Sophia, the Parthenon, and Angkor Wat.
A few blocks further, the John Hancock Tower (let's stick with this name, it's easier to remember) rises towards the sky. For the daring, who are not satisfied with just looking out of the window, there is also a "Tilt" – a special window construction that tilts outwards into space. It's almost like you're falling. But be careful when buying tickets, the basic ticket for $35 does not include Tilt. Tickets including Tilt start at $44. You can buy them online here: https://360chicago.com/tickets
Tip: Go there in the evening, when Chicago lights up with thousands of lights and have a drink with a fantastic view.
You have to ride the 'L'. You just have to. It's an integral part of Chicago, and if you don't ride it at least once, it's like you were never even in Chicago. And while you're at it, go sightseeing.
Head to the Merchandise Mart station (located next to the building of the same name, which is so huge that it had its own zip code from its opening in 1930 until 2008). Board the brown line train heading across the river (the name of the final stop doesn't matter, as the brown line starts and ends at Kimball station). It will go through the so-called Loop, the track loop encircling downtown Chicago, and then head back past the Merchandise Mart station and onwards to Kimball station, where the line starts and ends.
From the height of the second floor, you'll see the bustling streets of the city center, beautiful decorative details on the facades of original American skyscrapers, suburbs, houses, and brick apartment buildings.
At Kimball station, board the train back to the city center and get off again at Merchandise Mart (of course, you can take the sightseeing ride again – you won't experience this in the Czech Republic!).
Step down to street level and cross the bridge, continuing into the city center where you can stroll through the streets inside the Loop. Overhead, elevated trains will rumble past every few minutes.
That's Chicago, in a nutshell.
Worth noting is the corner of La Salle and Adams Street, where the first skyscraper, designed by the aforementioned Mr. William Jenney, stood from 1885 to 1931. It was steel-reinforced and had a dizzying ten floors.
Don't miss the Monadnock Building on Jackson Boulevard. Architect Daniel Burnham was involved in its construction; he was also responsible for building the site of the 1893 World's Fair and designed the Flatiron Building in New York.
For a snack or a drink, stop by the Target store on State Street. This stop is also primarily about the building, the Sullivan Center from 1899. The reason is the windows. The use of steel reinforcement allowed architects to increase the window area to an unprecedented size.
There are countless such architectural treasures in downtown Chicago, in the Loop, so I can only recommend paying for a guided tour (prices range around $30). The Chicago Architecture Center offers good ones; their overview is here:
https://www.architecture.org/city-tours?tourType=Walking
What do the Museum of Science and Industry and the Art Institute have in common? Both buildings were part of the World's Fair held in Chicago in 1893 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus. During the fair, the Ferris wheel made its first appearance, invented by a certain George Washington Ferris with the sole purpose of allowing Chicago to outdo the Eiffel Tower, built for the World's Fair in 1889.
This museum is a bit out of the way, so use your Ventra card and take the bus. On the bus, you'll get to know real Americans up close.
Tickets to the museums can be purchased on site - there probably won't be queues like in tourist traps such as the Willis Tower or John Hancock Center.
Whether you prefer fact-based scientific discovery or prefer to let yourself be carried away by a wave of creativity, each building offers interesting exhibits and is worth a visit.
And if you're interested in the history of Chicago's iconic lift bridges and the mechanics that allow these ton-heavy behemoths to rise effortlessly, head to the Michigan Avenue bridge, home to the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum.
Last day in Chicago – how you spend it is up to you.
You can stroll inside the Loop, settle down on the Riverwalk, head along the shores of Lake Michigan, or even take another elevated train trip. But above all, don't forget to buy a few souvenirs.
So have one last breakfast, take a stroll along the Riverwalk and enjoy the view of the skyscrapers.
The Blue Line will then take you directly to the airport.
We are a Czech companyWe are a Czech company
itinerary by Dominika Eliášová
The adventure awaits
Chicago is an amazing city on the shores of Lake Michigan, where elevated trains rattle above the sidewalks and lunch might include a local specialty – deep dish pizza. Or perhaps a drink on the riverbank, surrounded by skyscrapers? And do you know what skyscrapers and a birdcage have in common? You'll find the answer in Chicago, whose modern-looking skyline of glass, concrete, and steel buildings is interwoven with history.
The first day will be relaxing - you'll arrive, check in, and if you have the energy, take a walk around the area.
Upon arrival in Chicago, you will have an interview with an immigration officer who will want to make sure you don't intend to stay in the USA.
Once you've completed the interview, it's off to Chicago! Forget taxis and take the subway to the city center. The station is right at the airport – just follow the signs to the blue line towards the city center. The subway emerges from underground after leaving O'Hare airport, offering an unobstructed view of the city's suburbs. Get off at Clark/Lake station, a major intersection for various lines – and importantly, there are escalators.
Tip: If you don't want to carry coins for buses or the elevated train, consider purchasing a 3-day ($15) or 7-day ($20) Ventra pass, valid on all elevated and bus lines within the CTA network. You can find vending machines at every underground and elevated station, or you can download the app. If you're like me and plan to use the elevated train every day, it's worth buying.
Once you've settled in, you can go for a walk, go to the convenience store for some American snacks, or simply watch TV and recharge your batteries for another day of exploring Chicago.
Or head to the Riverwalk. This is a true gem of Chicago. As the name suggests, it's a pedestrian zone along the river in the heart of the city, surrounded on all sides by skyscrapers of various styles and colors. The Riverwalk is rightly a favorite spot for visitors and locals alike. Grab a coffee, a drink, or something to eat and settle down in the shade of the skyscrapers, which will tower over you like the walls of a valley.
Today you'll see the world from a bird's-eye view.
You might be surprised, but the skyscraper wasn't invented in New York, but in Chicago. In a way, the wife of architect William Le Baron Jenney is responsible for this. She once put a heavy book on a birdcage. William was shocked that the cage could withstand the weight of the book – and it occurred to him to reinforce the structure with a similar metal "cage" and thus push it much higher towards the heavens.
In Chicago, the most famous skyscrapers are the Willis Tower (442 meters and 110 floors) and the one called 875 North Michigan Avenue, known until 2018 as the John Hancock Tower (344 meters and 100 floors).
The Willis Tower is located right in the center and offers a view from a height of 412 meters. If you don't suffer from vertigo, try the glass terraces with a glass (and therefore transparent!) floor. You can see all the way down to the sidewalk and people the size of ants. Dare you?
Interestingly, the roof of the Willis Tower is actually almost 30 meters higher than the officially tallest skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere, One World Trade Center in New York. But the skyscraper in New York has a tall mast on its roof, which was recognized as part of the building, so this building is officially "higher" than the Willis Tower, which is sixteen floors higher. The world is simply not fair.
You can buy a ticket online and prices start at $32: https://tickets.theskydeck.com/timedtickets.html
Once you've enjoyed the bird's-eye view, head east towards Michigan Avenue. Take Adams Street and on the right side of the street, between Wabash Avenue and Michigan Avenue, you'll find a marker indicating the beginning of the iconic American Route 66. Today it's covered in stickers, but another one is on the corner of Adams Street and Michigan Avenue.
Stop by Cloud Gate, a piece of modern art resembling a bent drop of mercury. Or a bean, hence the locals call it "The Bean". Its smooth, mirrored surface reflects the entire surrounding world, making it worth seeing.
And hurray, north and across the river. On the north bank, stop at the Neo-Gothic, 141-meter-high Tribune Tower, where the Tribune media company was located until 2018. The stonework incorporates artifacts from famous buildings around the world, including pieces of the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China, Hagia Sophia, the Parthenon, and Angkor Wat.
A few blocks further, the John Hancock Tower (let's stick with this name, it's easier to remember) rises towards the sky. For the daring, who are not satisfied with just looking out of the window, there is also a "Tilt" – a special window construction that tilts outwards into space. It's almost like you're falling. But be careful when buying tickets, the basic ticket for $35 does not include Tilt. Tickets including Tilt start at $44. You can buy them online here: https://360chicago.com/tickets
Tip: Go there in the evening, when Chicago lights up with thousands of lights and have a drink with a fantastic view.
You have to ride the 'L'. You just have to. It's an integral part of Chicago, and if you don't ride it at least once, it's like you were never even in Chicago. And while you're at it, go sightseeing.
Head to the Merchandise Mart station (located next to the building of the same name, which is so huge that it had its own zip code from its opening in 1930 until 2008). Board the brown line train heading across the river (the name of the final stop doesn't matter, as the brown line starts and ends at Kimball station). It will go through the so-called Loop, the track loop encircling downtown Chicago, and then head back past the Merchandise Mart station and onwards to Kimball station, where the line starts and ends.
From the height of the second floor, you'll see the bustling streets of the city center, beautiful decorative details on the facades of original American skyscrapers, suburbs, houses, and brick apartment buildings.
At Kimball station, board the train back to the city center and get off again at Merchandise Mart (of course, you can take the sightseeing ride again – you won't experience this in the Czech Republic!).
Step down to street level and cross the bridge, continuing into the city center where you can stroll through the streets inside the Loop. Overhead, elevated trains will rumble past every few minutes.
That's Chicago, in a nutshell.
Worth noting is the corner of La Salle and Adams Street, where the first skyscraper, designed by the aforementioned Mr. William Jenney, stood from 1885 to 1931. It was steel-reinforced and had a dizzying ten floors.
Don't miss the Monadnock Building on Jackson Boulevard. Architect Daniel Burnham was involved in its construction; he was also responsible for building the site of the 1893 World's Fair and designed the Flatiron Building in New York.
For a snack or a drink, stop by the Target store on State Street. This stop is also primarily about the building, the Sullivan Center from 1899. The reason is the windows. The use of steel reinforcement allowed architects to increase the window area to an unprecedented size.
There are countless such architectural treasures in downtown Chicago, in the Loop, so I can only recommend paying for a guided tour (prices range around $30). The Chicago Architecture Center offers good ones; their overview is here:
https://www.architecture.org/city-tours?tourType=Walking
What do the Museum of Science and Industry and the Art Institute have in common? Both buildings were part of the World's Fair held in Chicago in 1893 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus. During the fair, the Ferris wheel made its first appearance, invented by a certain George Washington Ferris with the sole purpose of allowing Chicago to outdo the Eiffel Tower, built for the World's Fair in 1889.
This museum is a bit out of the way, so use your Ventra card and take the bus. On the bus, you'll get to know real Americans up close.
Tickets to the museums can be purchased on site - there probably won't be queues like in tourist traps such as the Willis Tower or John Hancock Center.
Whether you prefer fact-based scientific discovery or prefer to let yourself be carried away by a wave of creativity, each building offers interesting exhibits and is worth a visit.
And if you're interested in the history of Chicago's iconic lift bridges and the mechanics that allow these ton-heavy behemoths to rise effortlessly, head to the Michigan Avenue bridge, home to the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum.
Last day in Chicago – how you spend it is up to you.
You can stroll inside the Loop, settle down on the Riverwalk, head along the shores of Lake Michigan, or even take another elevated train trip. But above all, don't forget to buy a few souvenirs.
So have one last breakfast, take a stroll along the Riverwalk and enjoy the view of the skyscrapers.
The Blue Line will then take you directly to the airport.
Chicago is an amazing city on the shores of Lake Michigan, where elevated trains rattle above the sidewalks and lunch might include a local specialty – deep dish pizza. Or perhaps a drink on the riverbank, surrounded by skyscrapers? And do you know what skyscrapers and a birdcage have in common? You'll find the answer in Chicago, whose modern-looking skyline of glass, concrete, and steel buildings is interwoven with history.
The first day will be relaxing - you'll arrive, check in, and if you have the energy, take a walk around the area.
Upon arrival in Chicago, you will have an interview with an immigration officer who will want to make sure you don't intend to stay in the USA.
Once you've completed the interview, it's off to Chicago! Forget taxis and take the subway to the city center. The station is right at the airport – just follow the signs to the blue line towards the city center. The subway emerges from underground after leaving O'Hare airport, offering an unobstructed view of the city's suburbs. Get off at Clark/Lake station, a major intersection for various lines – and importantly, there are escalators.
Tip: If you don't want to carry coins for buses or the elevated train, consider purchasing a 3-day ($15) or 7-day ($20) Ventra pass, valid on all elevated and bus lines within the CTA network. You can find vending machines at every underground and elevated station, or you can download the app. If you're like me and plan to use the elevated train every day, it's worth buying.
Once you've settled in, you can go for a walk, go to the convenience store for some American snacks, or simply watch TV and recharge your batteries for another day of exploring Chicago.
Or head to the Riverwalk. This is a true gem of Chicago. As the name suggests, it's a pedestrian zone along the river in the heart of the city, surrounded on all sides by skyscrapers of various styles and colors. The Riverwalk is rightly a favorite spot for visitors and locals alike. Grab a coffee, a drink, or something to eat and settle down in the shade of the skyscrapers, which will tower over you like the walls of a valley.
Today you'll see the world from a bird's-eye view.
You might be surprised, but the skyscraper wasn't invented in New York, but in Chicago. In a way, the wife of architect William Le Baron Jenney is responsible for this. She once put a heavy book on a birdcage. William was shocked that the cage could withstand the weight of the book – and it occurred to him to reinforce the structure with a similar metal "cage" and thus push it much higher towards the heavens.
In Chicago, the most famous skyscrapers are the Willis Tower (442 meters and 110 floors) and the one called 875 North Michigan Avenue, known until 2018 as the John Hancock Tower (344 meters and 100 floors).
The Willis Tower is located right in the center and offers a view from a height of 412 meters. If you don't suffer from vertigo, try the glass terraces with a glass (and therefore transparent!) floor. You can see all the way down to the sidewalk and people the size of ants. Dare you?
Interestingly, the roof of the Willis Tower is actually almost 30 meters higher than the officially tallest skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere, One World Trade Center in New York. But the skyscraper in New York has a tall mast on its roof, which was recognized as part of the building, so this building is officially "higher" than the Willis Tower, which is sixteen floors higher. The world is simply not fair.
You can buy a ticket online and prices start at $32: https://tickets.theskydeck.com/timedtickets.html
Once you've enjoyed the bird's-eye view, head east towards Michigan Avenue. Take Adams Street and on the right side of the street, between Wabash Avenue and Michigan Avenue, you'll find a marker indicating the beginning of the iconic American Route 66. Today it's covered in stickers, but another one is on the corner of Adams Street and Michigan Avenue.
Stop by Cloud Gate, a piece of modern art resembling a bent drop of mercury. Or a bean, hence the locals call it "The Bean". Its smooth, mirrored surface reflects the entire surrounding world, making it worth seeing.
And hurray, north and across the river. On the north bank, stop at the Neo-Gothic, 141-meter-high Tribune Tower, where the Tribune media company was located until 2018. The stonework incorporates artifacts from famous buildings around the world, including pieces of the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China, Hagia Sophia, the Parthenon, and Angkor Wat.
A few blocks further, the John Hancock Tower (let's stick with this name, it's easier to remember) rises towards the sky. For the daring, who are not satisfied with just looking out of the window, there is also a "Tilt" – a special window construction that tilts outwards into space. It's almost like you're falling. But be careful when buying tickets, the basic ticket for $35 does not include Tilt. Tickets including Tilt start at $44. You can buy them online here: https://360chicago.com/tickets
Tip: Go there in the evening, when Chicago lights up with thousands of lights and have a drink with a fantastic view.
You have to ride the 'L'. You just have to. It's an integral part of Chicago, and if you don't ride it at least once, it's like you were never even in Chicago. And while you're at it, go sightseeing.
Head to the Merchandise Mart station (located next to the building of the same name, which is so huge that it had its own zip code from its opening in 1930 until 2008). Board the brown line train heading across the river (the name of the final stop doesn't matter, as the brown line starts and ends at Kimball station). It will go through the so-called Loop, the track loop encircling downtown Chicago, and then head back past the Merchandise Mart station and onwards to Kimball station, where the line starts and ends.
From the height of the second floor, you'll see the bustling streets of the city center, beautiful decorative details on the facades of original American skyscrapers, suburbs, houses, and brick apartment buildings.
At Kimball station, board the train back to the city center and get off again at Merchandise Mart (of course, you can take the sightseeing ride again – you won't experience this in the Czech Republic!).
Step down to street level and cross the bridge, continuing into the city center where you can stroll through the streets inside the Loop. Overhead, elevated trains will rumble past every few minutes.
That's Chicago, in a nutshell.
Worth noting is the corner of La Salle and Adams Street, where the first skyscraper, designed by the aforementioned Mr. William Jenney, stood from 1885 to 1931. It was steel-reinforced and had a dizzying ten floors.
Don't miss the Monadnock Building on Jackson Boulevard. Architect Daniel Burnham was involved in its construction; he was also responsible for building the site of the 1893 World's Fair and designed the Flatiron Building in New York.
For a snack or a drink, stop by the Target store on State Street. This stop is also primarily about the building, the Sullivan Center from 1899. The reason is the windows. The use of steel reinforcement allowed architects to increase the window area to an unprecedented size.
There are countless such architectural treasures in downtown Chicago, in the Loop, so I can only recommend paying for a guided tour (prices range around $30). The Chicago Architecture Center offers good ones; their overview is here:
https://www.architecture.org/city-tours?tourType=Walking
What do the Museum of Science and Industry and the Art Institute have in common? Both buildings were part of the World's Fair held in Chicago in 1893 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus. During the fair, the Ferris wheel made its first appearance, invented by a certain George Washington Ferris with the sole purpose of allowing Chicago to outdo the Eiffel Tower, built for the World's Fair in 1889.
This museum is a bit out of the way, so use your Ventra card and take the bus. On the bus, you'll get to know real Americans up close.
Tickets to the museums can be purchased on site - there probably won't be queues like in tourist traps such as the Willis Tower or John Hancock Center.
Whether you prefer fact-based scientific discovery or prefer to let yourself be carried away by a wave of creativity, each building offers interesting exhibits and is worth a visit.
And if you're interested in the history of Chicago's iconic lift bridges and the mechanics that allow these ton-heavy behemoths to rise effortlessly, head to the Michigan Avenue bridge, home to the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum.
Last day in Chicago – how you spend it is up to you.
You can stroll inside the Loop, settle down on the Riverwalk, head along the shores of Lake Michigan, or even take another elevated train trip. But above all, don't forget to buy a few souvenirs.
So have one last breakfast, take a stroll along the Riverwalk and enjoy the view of the skyscrapers.
The Blue Line will then take you directly to the airport.
