The Best Instagram-Worthy Spots in Chicago

In today’s social media driven world, there is nothing more satisfying to the eye than a perfectly squared up, Instagram-worthy photo op to show all of your friends back home how great your Chicago vacation is going. The Windy City has so many nooks and crannies worthy of a fun social post that some may get overlooked while navigating the bustling city streets. But, capturing that “hero shot” can take some time and a lot of walking around to see what you actually want to capture — so, I’ve put together a sort of “Tour de Chicago” map of the most picturesque, Insta-worthy spots to capture on your next trip to the City of Broad Shoulders. Beginning at Loews Chicago Hotel and ending with the World Series Champs!

First Insta-Stop: Loews Chicago Hotel

Now this wouldn’t be a blog about social media photo ops without some good old #ChicagoFoodie ideas. Now that you’re all checked in and settled, it’s time to grab some grub, and perhaps a drink to get the vacation started. Head down to ETA Restaurant + Bar on the first floor of the hotel – where our warm, wood-ensconced dining room reminiscent of Chicago’s first and finest inns and taverns welcomes you with a menu that is locally sourced and seasonally-inspired, courtesy of Restaurant Chef Matt Lange.

Chef Lange’s Chicken Fried Mushrooms — fresh and delish

Our cocktails are not only delicious but also pay tribute to the bustling railway transportation era of yesteryear. With flavors reminiscent of the cocktail culture of the early 1900s, refined for today’s palate, the beverage program offers beautifully crafted concoctions sure to bring the golden era of travel to life through your Instagram post! #ETAChicago

The Broadway Limited — the colors alone are worthy of a close up!

Chocolate Brownie for Two — I mean, do we really need to give you a reason to try this?

Here’s a tip for a visit later in the year: During the summer months, you cannot pass up capturing a stellar skyline photo from our 3rd floor terrace bar; Streeterville Social. Plus, the grub is worthy of a Insta-story!

Painting the skies pink at Streeterville Social’s “We Drink Pink Wednesday’s” during the summer

Sometimes you just need to look up to see the stars and a great photo-op. Noteworthy design elements from floor to ceiling help create not only a stunning lobby to enjoy, but a story lies between these walls. Ask our Concierge about the story of Loews Chicago.

Can you guess who inspired our ceiling design?

Second Insta-Stop: Magnificent Mile

The word-famous shopping district oozes with photo-worthy opportunities from architecture to food and everything in between. Here are my top #MagMile stops deserving of a Boomerang or Snap to help grow that vacation story you are about to tell.

The iconic Wrigley Building — be sure to stand under the arch for the perfectly framed photo op.	Historic Water Tower Pumping Station — be sure to capture this shot in both color and B&W, for a great throw-back look

After capturing all the hustle and bustle that embodies the Magnificent Mile, head over to one of Chicago’s 40-something steel moveable bridges that have been around since the turn of the century. The Michigan Avenue Bridge offers sweeping views of the city’s riverwalk, skyline and bustling riverway. It’s key to capture this view both during the day and at night for two totally different perspectives.

Dearborn Street Bridge at night overlooking the Chicago Riverwalk

Loews Chicago Hotel peeking through the concrete jungle behind the Michigan Avenue Bridge

Third Insta-Stop: Famous Marquees

There is something to be said about the twinkle of a theatre marquee that reminds me of the classic movies like Casablanca, where the two main characters are donned in trench coats, paperboy hats and their Sunday best dresses heading in to see a motion picture (love that old-timey term for movies). Just before going in, the male lead goes in for a kiss and dips the female lead right in front of the theatre marquee… Time stops, a moment captured in time as the film pauses with our characters providing a romantic scene that would have been Insta-worthy in its time.

The Chicago Theatre, aka Chicago’s unofficial emblem of the city, has a long history in as one of the country’s first motion picture houses and serves as one of the city’s top landmark destination for photos (and a great play, stand-up show or holiday showcase!)

The beautifully bold yet delicately old architecture of the Chicago Theatre’s famous marquee

Chicago has so many notable statuses. One of our most recent ones is something that many sports fans would have said was impossible at one time — but we did it! We became World Series Champions, and by “we”, I mean the talented and well-oiled machine that is the Chicago Cubs. For decades, diehard fans have been taking photos by Wrigley Field, hoping that one day we would share in the winning glory that so many teams before us have enjoyed. Now we can yell it from the rooftops: World Series Champs! So it’s only fitting that you get a photo of the iconic Wrigley Field Marquee Sign.

The home of the World Series Champs, The Chicago Cubs’ famous ruby red marquee

Be sure to check out these other stops around Wrigley Field for the perfect Champion photo.

• Look down and capture history: While walking around Wrigley; you will see names, dates, words of encouragement and so much more, all engraved into commemorative brick pavers by lifelong fans and some players’ families. Some tell a fun story, while others are a somber remembrance of a loved one who was likely a die-hard Cubs Baseball fan.
• Freeze … Snag a pic next to one of the handful of brass statues sprinkled around the grounds of Wrigley Field. From famous Chicago sportscasters to players that made history.

Fourth Stop: A Park to Rival Them All: Millennium Park

There are literally hundreds of photo-worthy stops along your walk through Millennium Park. I truly had a hard time figuring out where to begin. Here are my top stops in the 319-acre park that spans from Columbus Drive at the North all the way south to Balbo Drive, where it meets the unofficial beginning of Grant Park.

The Millennium Park Monument at Wrigley Square located in the Northwest corner of the park

Because of its highly reflective surface, taking a picture of this bad boy not only is a must-do while in Chicago. If you frame your photo right, capturing the city in its reflection makes for a stunning shot. Be sure to walk underneath the sculpture for a truly unique and warped-funhouse type of photo experience.

The Bean (formally known as Cloud Gate) a.k.a. the most unique photo-op at Millennium Park

• Check out these other locations in Millennium Park
• Expansive green lawn of the Pritzker Pavilion
• BP Pedestrian Bridge 
• The recently opened Maggie Daley Park
• The Lurie Garden
• Crown Fountain (aka the giant square digital art piece that displays peoples faced playfully “spitting” water on visitors below.

Now that you’ve navigated my top Insta-worthy destinations in Chicago, be sure to post them using the hashtag #LoewsChicago, and share your adventures with us and the world.

Kelly

Kelly joined the teams at Loews Chicago and Loews Chicago O’Hare in September 2016. A long-time hospitality professional, Kelly is a Chicago native and is thrilled to share her passion for her hometown with guests via this blog and the hotels' social media channels.