![Downtown Chicago Panoramic](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/chicago-downtown-panoramic.jpg)
Chicago is such a fantastic “big city” to visit. I’ve been many times, and I’ve always been fascinated with its downtown architecture. Most of these shots were made during visits in 2005-2008.
![Chicago River Downtown](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/chicago-river.jpg)
The Chicago River runs through downtown, offering many great vistas of the skyline.
![Buckingham Fountain](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/buckingham-fountain.jpg)
Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park gives a water show at the top of every hour, operating May through mid October.
![Chicago River Downtown](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/chicago-river-downtown.jpg)
Taking a river cruise via a sightseeing boat is highly recommended! My favorite is by the Chicago Architecture Foundation.
![Downtown Chicago at Night](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/downtown-chicago.jpg)
The best downtown Chicago view is from the John Hancock Building on the 94th floor.
![Crown Fountain](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/crown-fountain-chicago.jpg)
The very ingenious Crown Fountain in Millennium Park brings delight to all ages.
![Chicago The Bean Cloud Gate](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/chicago-bean.jpg)
The famous “Cloud Gate” – better known as The Bean – reflects the skyline at Millennium Park.
![The Bean in Chicago](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/chicago-bean-reflection.jpg)
Here’s another reflective angle of The Bean.
![Pritzker Pavilion Millennium Park, Chicago](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Chicago-Pritzker-Pavilion.jpg)
Picnic and enjoy a concert at the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park.
![Downtown Chicago](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/chicago-downtown1.jpg)
The fabulous Wrigley Building (left) and nearby Marina Towers are two of my favorite buildings. Christmas lights on the condo balconies add a festive look on the towers.
![Chicago North Beach](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/chicago-beach-lakefront.jpg)
No, this is not Miami Beach… it’s North Avenue Beach on the lakeshore of Chicago.
![Chicago Lakefront Trail](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/chicago-lakeshore-trail.jpg)
Chicago’s Lakefront Trail is so much fun for biking, walking and jogging along the lake for 18 miles. Rent a bike and head north from downtown for best views like this one. The trail connects many lakefront parks with additional trails.
![Chicago Lakefront Trail](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/chicago-lakshore-trail2.jpg)
Head south on the Lakefront Trail for this view by the Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium.
![Art Institute of Chicago](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/chicago-art-institute.jpg)
The Art Institute of Chicago is the second largest art museum in the USA.
![Chicago Michigan Avenue](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/chicago-michigan-avenue.jpg)
Michigan Avenue is famous for shopping, especially during the holiday season.
![Frozen Lake Michigan](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/chicago-frozen-lake-lighthouse.jpg)
No doubt about it, winters can be brutal in Chicago. But I loved walking the city even on days that never got about zero to discover scenes like this across Lake Michigan.
![Navy Pier, Chicago](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/chicago-winter.jpg)
Looking toward the John Hancock Building from Navy Pier, across the frozen water.