Chicago’s Finest Photo-Ops
Chicago’s Finest Photo-Ops
Whether you want to grow your Insta fanbase or take snapshots for the family photo album, Chicago is hands-down one of America’s most photogenic cities. From its grand-slam architecture and pace-setting eateries to its spectacular parks and (ahem) Lake, here's a guide to snapping your way around the Windy City.
Yes, she gleams with towering skyscrapers and Art Deco theatres, but Chicago is best known for her near-pristine architecture by the legendary Frank Lloyd Wright. A 10-mile trip from The Loop sprawls Oak Park, a one-of-a-kind suburb full of painstakingly preserved Frank Lloyd Wright homes. Swing by the FLW Trust for a number of expert-run tours, including a snoop around his fascinating home and studio, the recently restored Unity Temple, Nippon-tinged Emil Bach House, and one of his most influential oeuvres Robie House.
An equally fascinating jaunt is the non-profit Chicago Architecture Foundation’s breezy open-top First Lady River Cruise. The 90-minute tour glides past more than 50 historic, photogenic buildings charting the city’s 100-year transformation from rustic wallflower to gutsy deco dame.
Beautiful buildings are all very well, but for the mother of all photos, nowhere but Chicago boasts the staggering Lake Michigan as its backdrop. City and water vistas are best enjoyed from Lincoln Park – the mini-bridge over South Pond affords killer downtown views. For more, follow the road right until you reach N Cannon and continue up to the overpass, crossing and heading right, toward the pic-perfect panoramas.
Arguably one of Chicago’s most papped spots is smack-bang in the middle of elegant esplanade Millennium Park. Yes, you guessed it: Anish Kapoor’s iconic reflective Cloud Gate (aka The Bean), which makes for fun, mind-bending photo shooting. But do take time to explore the rest of this park for other architectural delights including Frank Gehry’s astounding Pritzker Pavilion, and Jaume Plensa’s witty Crown Fountain.
Chicago has no shortage of theatrical dining spaces, with wow-worthy food to match. Sultry, seductive Maple & Ash eschews the chipboard steakhouse cliche in favour of Art Deco glamour with soaring ceilings, charcoal walls, striking chandeliers and come-hither velvety banquettes. Or if you prefer a pop of colour in your pics, superstar chef Stephanie Izard's Duck Duck Goat is a riot of Chinatown-inspired lanterns, vintage photos ornate wallpaper and lavish curtains, plus a vibrant tropical patio – not forgetting the humorously self-proclaimed ‘reasonably authentic Chinese food’! For fare that trends hard, dash into atmossy, perma-packed foodie wonderland Eataly. Their pastas, chalkboard specials, Alpine-inspired ales and pancake-flippin’ Nutella bar are always the talk of the town.
Chicago Architecture Foundation / Chicago Riverwalk / N Michigan Ave & E Upper Wacker Dr / +1 312 922 3432 / architecture.org
Frank Lloyd Wright / +1 312 994 4000 /flwright.org
Lakefront / W Armitage Ave & N Clark St
Millennium Park / 201 E Randolph St / 6am-11pm daily / cityofchicago.org
Maple & Ash / 8 W Maple St / +1 312 944 8888 / dinner daily, lounge 11am-late daily / mapleandash.com
Duck Duck Goat / 857 W Fulton Market / +1 312 902 3825 / dinner daily, brunch Sat-Sun / duckduckgoatchicago.com
Eataly / 43 E Ohio St / +1 312 521 8700 / 8am-11pm daily / eataly.com