Cloud Gate

The camera stands on the granite of the AT&T Plaza, a few paces from Cloud Gate, at the point in the evening when the sky has gone deep blue and the buildings have their lights on. The sculpture fills one side of the view - 110 tons of mirror-polished steel with no visible seams, curved enough that the entire skyline behind you is compressed onto its flank. Underneath it the surface folds up into the concave chamber people stand in to photograph themselves. Turn away from it and you get the thing itself: the Michigan Avenue wall of towers, lit, running the length of the park. The panorama is worth more than a photograph here for one specific reason - you can compare the real skyline with its reflection in the same turn of the head.

Chicago. Chi-Town. The Second City. The Windy City. The City of Broad Shoulders. Whatever you choose to call it, there is no doubting that this largest metropolis in the Midwest has plenty to offer the curious visitor. Amazing city parks like Grant Park and Lincoln Park, inviting restaurants that showcase virtually every kind of cuisine, the tempting shops along the famous Miracle Mile, and a rich history are just some of the reasons to visit Chicago. This is also a dream destination for cultural enthusiasts, anyone who appreciates architecture, and those who enjoy taking in professional sporting events. The numerous Chicago attractions undoubtedly combine to present entertainment options for every age and interest, and thanks in part to the city's competent public transportation system, getting around to all the main points of interest is a breeze.

Architecture Tours Chicago is renowned for its architecture. This is where the skyscraper was born, and such famous architects as Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis Sullivan, and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe figure among those who have left their marks on the city. At the heart of things is the dynamic Chicago skyline. A harmonious mix of historic and modern buildings, this is one of the tallest skylines in the world. Soaring highest in the vast sea of buildings that populate downtown Chicago's "Loop" area are the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower) and the newer Trump International Hotel and Tower. Heading outside of the Loop, Frank Lloyd Wright's Frederick C. Robie House is among the architectural stand outs. This famous home dates back to 1909 and is more specifically found at 5757 S. Woodlawn Avenue in the Hyde Park neighborhood.