8 Attractions Visible From Chicago Waterways

POSTED: Jul 21, 2025

1. Museum of Science and Industry

“Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry, one of the largest science museums in the world, is home to more than 35,000 artifacts and 400,000 square feet of hands-on exhibits designed to spark scientific inquiry and creativity.” Museum of Science and Industry

Here’s a full list of exhibits.

Image Source: http://www.msichicago.org/

Image Source: http://www.msichicago.org/

2. Soldier Field

“Soldier Field is an American football stadium on the Near South Side of Chicago, Illinois, United States. Opened in 1924, it is the oldest NFL stadium, celebrating 90 years of operation. Since 1971 it has been the home of the National Football League’s Chicago Bears. With a football capacity of 61,500, it is the third smallest stadium in the NFL.” Wikipedia

Image Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soldier_Field

Image Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soldier_Field

3. Shedd Aquarium

“Mr. Shedd imagined a stately marble building and a collection of aquatic animals from around the world that would complement the two world-class institutions already in Grant Park, the Field Museum and the Art Institute of Chicago.” www.SheddAquarium.org

Image Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shedd_Aquarium

Image Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shedd_Aquarium

4. Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo is located just minutes from North Chicago between skyscrapers and has been a natural free oasis for animal lovers since 1868.

Image Source: http://chicagokidsstuff.com

Image Source: http://chicagokidsstuff.com

5. Northwestern University

“Northwestern was founded in 1851 by John Evans, for whom the City of Evanston is named, and eight other lawyers, businessmen and Methodist leaders. Its founding purpose was to serve the Northwest Territory, an area that today includes the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and parts of Minnesota.”

“Northwestern is a founding member of the Big Ten Conference and remains the only private university in the conference.” Wikipedia

Image Source: http://www.bestchoiceschools.com/50-most-beautiful-urban-college-campuses/

Image Source: http://www.bestchoiceschools.com/50-most-beautiful-urban-college-campuses/

6. Adler Planetarium

America’s first planetarium, Adler Planetarium is a public museum of astronomy and astrophysics. It was started in 1930, by Max Adler in early retirement. Earlier in life he wed into the Sears & Roebuck Co. family. Additionally, his wife’s sister founded the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry.

Image Source: www.aviewoncities.com

Image Source: www.aviewoncities.com

7. The Field Museum

The Field Museum is one of the largest natural history museums in the world. The museum and its artifacts originated from the 1893 Columbian Exposition.

“In 1905, the Museum’s name was changed to Field Museum of Natural History to honor the Museum’s first major benefactor, Marshall Field, and to better reflect its focus on the natural sciences.” Wikipedia

Image Source: www.fieldmuseum.org

Image Source: www.fieldmuseum.org

8. Northerly Island

  • 1521 S. Linn White Dr.   Chicago, Illinois 60605 [View Map]
  • Park Hours:
  • Park Supervisor: Teishetta Daniel
  • Park Phone: (312) 745-2910
  • Park Phone: (312) 540-2668 (FirstMerit Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island Box Office)
Image Source: www.chicagoparksdistrict.com

Image Source: www.chicagoparksdistrict.com

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Images and Sources: Wikipedia, Chicago Park District, Shedd Aquarium, Museum of Science and History, Lincoln Park Zoo, Adler Planetarium

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