15 Most Instagrammable Places in Chicago You Can’t Miss
Famed for its striking 20th-century architecture and open spaces, there are countless Instagrammable places in Chicago that will inspire you to create exciting new content to liven up your feeds.
You’ve got cloud-piercing skyscrapers, sandy beaches, and quirky street murals that bounce with color mixed with marvelous theaters and bridges.
But when you’re planning a trip to one of the largest cities in the US, you need to know where all the best Chicago Instagram spots are before you go. Otherwise, you risk running out of time or missing what might have been your favorite icon.
That’s where this blog post is going to make your travel plans so much easier. And one of the best things about this list? The vast majority of the places I’ve chosen are free to visit!
Whether you’re a casual Instagrammer or a professional blogger, if you’re headed to the Windy City then you’re going to want to bookmark my guide to the best 15 Chicago photography spots. Let’s get started!
*Disclosure: This post contains a few affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my link.*

Most Instagrammable Places in Chicago
1. Cloud Gate (aka The Bean)
Constructed between 2004 and 2006, the Cloud Gate is the first public outdoor installation of the British artist Anish Kapoor. The bean-shaped sculpture is located in Millennium Park and is designed to reflect the towering skyscrapers of Chicago.
Easily one of the coolest Chicago Instagram spots, Cloud Gate lends itself to some creative photography opportunities from close up or further back with the buildings in the background. It’s just practically impossible to take a bad photo here!
As it’s one of the most famous landmarks in Chicago, it gets incredibly busy during the day. Go as early in the morning as possible!
Location on Google Maps: Cloud Gate
2. Lurie Garden
Located in Millennium Park a short walk from Cloud Gate, Lurie Garden spans 5 acres of botanical flower and plant life. The garden was conceived with the intention of providing a sanctuary for Chicago residents and tourists as well as the local wildlife.
With over 350 species of flowers and such elements as the 15-foot (4.8-meter) tall “shoulder” hedge, water features, and magical lighting for the evening, there is a wealth of photo opportunities waiting for you.
Lurie Garden is one of the loveliest photography spots in Chicago for anyone with a fondness for flora.
Location on Google Maps: Lurie Garden

3. The Wrigley Building
Chicago is one of the best places to visit in Illinois for architecture lovers and if you happen to fall into this category, you can’t miss the gorgeous Wrigley Building!
Built to house the corporate headquarters of chewing gum firm the Wrigley Company on the Magnificent Mile, the Wrigley Building is one of the most iconic landmarks in the city. As such, it has also developed a profile as one of the most Instagrammable places in Chicago!
Constructed in the early 1920s, the building has a height of 440 feet (134 meters) and pulls together influences from Spanish Colonial Revival and French Renaissance architecture. The two towers are connected by an elevated walkway and the building is famed for its elegant clock face.
In terms of photography, you can go practically any time but early morning works best for lighting and less crowds.
Location on Google Maps: The Wrigley Building

4. DuSable Bridge
One of several bridges connecting the Near North Side with the downtown area, the russet-colored DuSable Bridge offers the best Instagram spots in Chicago.
Carrying Michigan Avenue over the Chicago River, construction on the bridge lasted from 1918 to 1928. Officially a Chicago-style bascule bridge, the structure is raised to allow the transport of boats.
You can shoot from either end or right in the middle to fully make use of the mighty Chicago skyline.
Location on Google Maps: DuSable Bridge
5. The Chicago Theatre
This magnificent theater was constructed in 1921 and opened to great acclaim as the Wonder Theater of the World. At seven stories in height and containing 3,880 seats, it occupies around half a block.
The interiors are kitted out with plush red velvet seats and French-style murals and ornamentation while the facade commands the attention of passersby with its glitzy neon signage.
As well as being one of the top Chicago photography spots, the theater is still in use so if you fancy catching a show, be sure to snap up some tickets.
Location on Google Maps: The Chicago Theatre
6. Chicago Riverwalk
Designed to satisfy the needs of urban explorers, the Chicago Riverwalk takes you on a 1.25-mile (2 km) stroll along the banks of the Chicago River. It’s simply a must-visit on every Chicago itinerary!
Running from the Veteran’s Park to the Outer Drive Bridge, the route hugs the waterside and offers panoramic city views as you navigate green spaces, art installations, sculptures, and restaurants.
Although technically this is another of the free Chicago photo spots, you might want to splash out on a kayak ride or pick up some food during your photo walk.
Location on Google Maps: Chicago Riverwalk
7. Skydeck Chicago
Situated on the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower), Skydeck Chicago is one of the most Instagrammable places in Chicago for epic panoramic shots.
The star attraction of the landmark is The Ledge, an observation deck with a glass floor that protrudes 4.3 feet (1.3 meters) outwards from the main Skydeck.
At 1,353 feet (412 meters) above the city streets, it’s the highest observation platform in the country, and on a clear day, it provides a view across four states.
As you can imagine, this place is extremely popular and gets busy so it is essential to arrive as early in the day as possible.
Unfortunately, you are only allowed to have one minute to shoot at the ledge but if you arrive early, you might be able to shoot a bit longer if there are not too many people. Book your tickets here!
Location on Google Maps: Skydeck Chicago
8. Buckingham Fountain
The centerpiece of the lush Buckingham Fountain Flower Gardens in Grant Park, this rococo-style feature was conceived in 1927.
Designed as a representation of the nearby Lake Michigan, the landmark is surrounded by sea horse sculptures that symbolize the states of Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana.
Set amidst the greenery with the city skyscrapers looming in the background, this is one of the best Instagram spots in Chicago to experiment with angles and perspective.
Location on Google Maps: Buckingham Fountain

9. Education Pavilion (aka The Honeycomb)
The Education Pavilion is often known as The Honeycomb and you’ll see why once you visit it for yourself (or if you check the below photos).
Access is via the Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo, a prairie-style oasis spread around a large pond filled with native plants that provide a habitat to birds, frogs, fish, turtles, insects, and more.
Constructed of prefabricated wood elements, the arched structure forms a place to shelter during your exploration of the park. As well as being one of the most beautiful Chicago photo spots, The Honeycomb is a popular event and wedding venue.
Try to experiment with different angles – you can’t go wrong with any of them! Any time works for photography but it looks particularly magical at sunset.
Location on Google Maps: Education Pavilion
10. North Avenue Beach
North Avenue Beach is a generous stretch of sand that slithers down the bankside of Lake Michigan just north of the Near North Side district. The beach backs onto Lincoln Park so you might want to coordinate your visit here with a trip to the Nature Boardwalk and the Honeycomb.
The city’s favorite beach is dedicated to leisure and fitness pursuits, with various options to play volleyball, go stand-up paddleboarding, and take a dip in the lake.
I recommend walking along the long pier which curves out over the lake at the southernmost end of the beach. From here you can peer back at the city and shoot some panoramas across the water surface.
Any time of the day works for photography but it’s one of the best Chicago Instagram spots for either sunset and or nighttime, especially at this scenic spot.
Location on Google Maps: North Avenue Beach
11. Milton Lee Olive Park
Another of the most tranquil Instagrammable places in Chicago, the Milton Lee Olive Park juts out from beyond the Addams (Jane) Memorial Park, Ohio Street Beach, and Navy Pier.
In the center, you will find the Milton Lee Olive III Monument, the first African American recipient of the Medal of Honor in the Vietnam War.
This is a beautiful spot to find some peace between the trees and soak up views across Lake Michigan and downtown. Sunset is the best time to visit!
Location on Google Maps: Milton Lee Olive Park

12. Greetings from Chicago Mural
Inspired by vintage postcard designs and painted by Victor Ving, a former graffiti artist from New York, the Greetings from Chicago Mural sums up the spirit of the Windy City.
The installation was part of a project between Ving and the photographer Lisa Beggs. It coats a former plumbing supply building with elements including a deep-dish Chicago pizza oozing with cheese, The Bean (another of the Instagram spots in Chicago to make this list!), and the Save Ferris water tower from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
Location on Google Maps: Greetings from Chicago Mural

13. Black Wing Mural at Federales Chicago
Situated on the wall outside Federales at 180 W Lake Street, the Black Wing Mural was painted by the muralist Jenny Vyas in collaboration with Caesar Perez.
Two ornate wings stretch upwards, comprising an intricate web of design before culminating in slender feathers. Naturally, the allure of one of the coolest Instagrammable places in Chicago is the chance to pose with the wings.
Location on Google Maps: Black Wing Mural at Federales Chicago

14. White Cacadu Mural
Another sensational mural to brandish the streets of Chicago, this zesty piece of street art features a larger-than-life cacadu lounging happily among flamingo pink and coral-hued Hawaiian hibiscus blooms and a monstera leaf.
Despite the abundance of nature-themed photography spots in Chicago, the exotic mural adds a new lease of life to the busy urban streets of the Windy City, and posing with the bird will surely put a spring in your step.
If you remember to dress in something tropical, you might convince your followers that you’re in the Caribbean!
You can go anytime but going early in the morning is best to avoid traffic. Your photographer will need to stand on the other side of the road so it’s best to do it in the morning while there are not so many cars on the road.
Location on Google Maps: White Cacadu Mural

15. Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up
My final pick of the most Instagrammable places in Chicago might sound a little touristic but it’s so much fun and if you visit the city during the fall I absolutely recommend adding it to your Chicago itinerary!
Transformed into a huge corn maze, Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up is strewn with hundreds of pumpkins and amazing photo opportunities.
There are loads of places to grab seasonal coffees and snacks – with a heavy emphasis on pumpkin produce, of course – and there are activities such as axe throwing, tarot readings, and carnival amusements on offer. If you want to spice up your feed for fall, this is the perfect place to do it!
If your visit to Chicago falls at a different time of year, they also have other seasonal pop-ups such as the Jack Forest Winter Walk and Neon Summer Chicago so it’s worth checking it in every season.
Location on Google Maps: Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up
Best Chicago Instagram Spots on the Map
I created a custom map for you that contains all the most Instagrammable places in Chicago with their exact location.
How to use this map: This map is fully interactive, so you can move around, zoom in/zoom out, and click on the icons. If you want to see a larger map, click on the bracket in the upper right corner. To see more details and the different layers, click on the tab in the upper left corner. If you want to save it for later, click on the star icon next to the name of the map. Then simply open Google Maps either on your desktop or phone, go to ‘Saved’/’Maps’, and open the map whenever you need it.
Where to Stay in Chicago
Covering 235 square miles (607 square kilometers), the city comprises 77 community areas that are often grouped into 9 districts within which you will find additional neighborhoods.
Generally speaking, if you’re visiting Chicago for the first time, you should stick to The Loop, the most central area in Chicago, or the neighborhoods within close proximity to the center, such as River North or Streeterville.
Chicago is a huge city and finding the most ideal place to stay is a challenge. If you need more help, check out my in-depth guide about the best areas to stay in Chicago which includes a general overview of each area, pros and cons, and also some handy hotel recommendations.
If you’re in a hurry or you don’t want to spend a lot of time with research, below you can find my top picks for where to stay in Chicago.
- Luxury: The Langham Chicago
- Mid-range: The Blackstone, Autograph Collection
- Budget: Central Loop Hotel