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Chicago Chinatown Photos

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my picture doesnt do Chinatown justice, looks amazing
Van D.

Wow I didn't know Chicago had a Chinatown. It was by chance we stumbled upon it because one of my friends live in an area without much Asian food, so we went to get some Asian food and stumbled upon Chicago Chinatown. The Chinese architectural style looks great here. There are many authentic Chinese businesses maintaining the culture. There are also a few other Asian businesses that found their way into Chinatown. It is definitely a fun place to walk around and browse. A few honorable mentions are the status of the 12 Chinese zodiac, the 9 Dragon Wall and the main Chinatown sign. I'm glad we got to stop by and see it for ourselves.

Michelle F.

Chicago's Chinatown has so much to do, see and offer! Spending a day here is fun, educational and an explorers Pandora's box of wonder! There's a vast array of eateries; dim sum, traditional Chinese food representing all different areas of China, bakeries, cosmetics, barbers, ancient medicine shops, candy stores and meat/butcher shops slicing of Peking ducks in the windows! There are museums, churches, shrines, memorials and monuments too! I never get tired of visiting and always have so much fun exploring and seeing things I didn't see in times previous to this visit!

Jim H.

What I immediately noticed different about Chicago's Chinatown is that there was no fish on ice for sale on the sidewalk or people buying it. I didn't see the markets in Chicago that I've seen in New York's Chinatowns, both in Manhattan or in the more sophisticated Asian community in Flushing Queens. The weather was warm, when I was in Chicago's Chinatown, so I would've thought that there would have been markets & foods for sale on sidewalks, just like every other Chinatown I've visited in the world. But, I didn't see those things here. It was just a large group of restaurants & shops that were Asian oriented, with beautiful Chinese architecture. There is a huge Asian community in this neighborhood & I guess they've become very Americanized & that's OK. I'm still giving Chicago's Chinatown 4 stars because it is exactly what it is. Every immigrant group evolves differently throughout the USA & this is part of Chicago's Asian community's evolution. I spent a lovely two days here exploring. The people were nice & friendly & always helpful with giving me directions & suggestions. You definitely know that you are in Chinatown when you're here. There were just a few elements missing, which I have come to expect in Chinatowns throughout the world. Nothing should be the same anyway, right? Every community deserves to evolve the best way that fits them, wherever they are, throughout this world. I'd love to visit Chicago's Chinatown again. I appreciated very much, my two days here. I'll be back.

Wentworth Avenue
Steve A.

Chinatown is another important neighborhood as well as a fun place for hanging and eating. In many major cities these are popular tourist attractions, and Chicago's certainly is. Lots of family owned business are still in operation. Get full on tea, food, and the Asian girls. The architecture is fun to look at too. For sure the most prominent feature is the Chinatown Gate. It's a type of structure that's common in many Chinatowns and this one is fairly impressive. There's many other important architectural pieces. It's possible spending hours just walking around and looking. One must see is the Nine Dragon Wall. It's located close to the public parking lot. This is based on a Beijing wall. Most of Chinatown is along Wentworth Avenue. There's all kinds of jewelry stores, and of course restaurants. Chinatown is bigger than it looks. It has even more located on the north side of Cermak, such as the Chinatown Square, another favorite to check out. This is a large mall filled with even more restaurants and stores.

John B.

Great culture. I love to see people keep and embrace their culture moreover I love to see them share it with others.

Far away shot around the red line and newer area of Chinatown.
Ala L.

Chinatown has has a unique and lively business for local Chinese shopping from cafes, dim sum and tea shops down the streets of Cermak and Wentworth which is just outside of downtown. If you want a quick get away from downtown, take public or a taxi to go for a hop, skip, and jump to this area. If you are from out of town or just haven't been here, you need to visit. The are two sides of the Chinatown - an older and yet now clean area and the newer side - Chinatown square. Take a quick preview on Yelp to see the restaurants in the area or just preview a few of mine. If you have a moment, give me a few thumbs up below if you find this useful along with swiping left to see my other reviews. Keep looking through my profile and information and see what place you can visit. We come here every few weeks and I can't get away from this area.

Tyler L.

Chicago's Chinatown is definitely one of the best ones in the country. I do not know the official numbers, but as someone who has been to almost every major U.S. city, it felt like the third biggest (after the ones in San Francisco and Manhattan). It is easily accessible from downtown with a 20 minute ride on the red line metro line to the Cermak stop. As as soon as you exit the station, it is right there. This Chinatown is actually made of two sections. On the south side is the older part, with many restaurants, bakeries, banks, and supermarkets. This section feel like a classic Chinatown that has been around for decades. On the northwest side is the newer part which is basically made up of a huge two story outdoor strip mall. This part also has many restaurants and stores but they were more recently constructed. You will find a greater percentage of younger people here, and this area feels more like the modern malls in China.

Ali C.

Chinatown is fully open and totally full of tourists and visitors. Everyone is wearing masks there's plenty of parking and it is a delight to be there.

It's all white if you want to share
Fox E.

Japan once tried to take "Chinadown", but this is unrelated to that. Although you could say it's sort of related in a roundabout way. Speaking of roundabouts, aren't they way better than traffic signals? Right? I didn't realize Chicago's Chinatown was so extensive and exciting until my most recent trip here when I parked and properly explored and it was a real eye-opener. Parking is very very very difficult much like the one in Manhattan although maybe not quite as bad. There are massive crowds and three or four different centers of this Chinatown. You can definitely explore here for days and days and never quite see everything. My favorite stuff in this Chinatown is Xi'an for food, and nearby Taipei for Bubble Tea.

Boon C.

Chicago China Town is getting old. Most of newest restaurant and business are moving to the suburbs. Not many Chinese are living there. It use to be one of the good China Town if you live nearby with walking distance. The red line CTA light rail will take you there. It always some hidden gem there. Some of the restaurant is actually underground. Wentworth Avenue is still the Main Street with the gate. Sometimes they organize some festival to stimulus the town. I hope they don't let Japanese or Korean restaurant take over. I love to walk on China Town for many reasons. The biggest is the food. You can get a cup of boba, oriental Bakery, bowl of hand pull noodle and more. I believe the biggest reason for the China Town go down hill is the parking, the high price parking turn away local to make the regular visit. This need to change.

Cody S.

Why such low ratings? For an AMAZING area. We came on a cold day and toured many stores and food places. It's a great part of town, and really gives you an authentic feel. Everyone in the area is extremely nice, and there's a lot of shops. I will say go to multiple shops before you chose something because you Amy find the same souvenir next door for half the price. Overall it was an amazing area, with a great cultural feel.

"Storefront"

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It's pretty basic. I don't really recommend it for tourists because it's not worth much time and is very small.

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Skydeck Chicago - NEVER FORGET (look closely)

Skydeck Chicago

(939 reviews)

The Loop

Visiting Skydeck Chicago was easily one of the highlights on my weekend. I've seen plenty of city…read moreviews before, but nothing quite compares to standing that high up and seeing all of Chicago stretched out in every direction. There's a bit of a wait depending on when you go, but it moves steadily and there's enough to look at along the way that it doesn't feel like you're just standing around. The top, though, it's completely worth it. The best part, of course, is stepping onto The Ledge. Standing on a glass box looking straight down at the city is surreal, and definitely something you don't forget. It's one of those moments where you just have to pause and take it all in. If you're visiting Chicago, I'd say this is a must-do at least once. It's touristy, sure, but for good reason. The views, the experience, and that little rush of adrenaline make it totally worth it.

Let me start by saying the main purpose of this visit was to step outside of my comfort…read morezone--because I am terrified of heights. The staff at Skydeck Chicago were all very sweet and friendly throughout the experience. As you make your way up, you walk through a series of exhibits and fun facts about Chicago, which was a nice touch and made the wait feel more engaging. It really highlights what makes the city special. Once we reached the top, I quickly realized I had underestimated just how high the building actually is. When it was time to step out onto the ledge... I completely punked out! They tell you not to look down, but of course, your natural reaction is to do exactly that. There's a photographer ready to capture the moment when you step all the way out onto the glass, but truthfully, I couldn't make it all the way out. I gave it about 2.5 seconds of bravery before my fear kicked in! Even with my moment of panic, I'm still really glad I went. It was definitely an unforgettable experience and a fun way to challenge myself.

Chicago Riverwalk - PS. Chicago I love you.

Chicago Riverwalk

(258 reviews)

The Loop

One might expect me to be all doom and gloom about the sheer number of restaurants and bars along…read morethe river. Surprisingly, I won't be that guy, at least not this time. The main thing I really love about the Riverwalk is that it's a place in Chicago where someone can simply exist and vibe without the necessity of spending money. There is more than enough space to walk along the riverfront, take a seat, and enjoy the atmosphere. In terms of safety, there are more than enough "eyes on the street" as well as a visible police/private security presence. As with any high-traffic spot, use common sense, but other than a possible pickpocket, I don't foresee any issues. In terms of cleanliness, it is well-maintained, and I've not encountered any noticeable dirt, grime, or trash. I also really appreciate that the Riverwalk has both public bathrooms and is accessible! Accessibility needs no further explanation, and being able to wash up without buying an overpriced drink is worth its weight in gold. Another Yelper has compared it to the San Antonio River Walk and called out Chicago for having a shorter, less green "rip-off" of what one would find in Texas. However, I believe one should cast this comparison aside and judge the Chicago Riverwalk on its own merits. With that said... The final verdict: The Chicago Riverwalk is not your traditional, greenery-filled park. It is, however, a fantastic public space to take a stroll, have a bite, or just relax. Better still, while there is no shortage of tourists, it is an excellent destination for locals and visitors alike.

Chicago Riverwalk is this great pathway that takes you, as the name implies, right along the river…read more Basically to get there, it branches just off of the lake shore, just by a little bit, then you walked down and around, and you are there. From Navy Pier you will find signs to guide you to the actual pathway. Simple as that. Along the Riverwalk you will find a bunch of restaurants, a couple of places to have drinks; i.e.: cocktails, and/or coffee oriented drinks like lattes and cappuccinos, plus, I'm sure, they also have soft drinks and things like that. Mostly, you will find great and unique views of the city. In terms of the actual functionality of the Riverwalk, it's a great place to get your steps in, as it travels along the river for quite a ways. Once you reach the end, there you can turn around and walk back the other way. Especially if you're in the area, and you want to get some exercise in, it's a great place to do just that. The Riverwalk is lined with stairwells. Plus, a number of embedded, cement seats. Thus, if you want to take a break and just sit back and enjoy the day, you can do that along the Riverwalk, as well. Overall, it's one of those main examples of Chicago life. Chicago Riverwalk is a great place to find a place to eat and/or a great place to take a walk.

Willis Tower - Entrance

Willis Tower

(1.5k reviews)

The Loop

Spontaneous visit to Sears Tower on a Saturday afternoon! I haven't been here since I was a little…read morekid, and that was before they added The Ledge and before it was renamed to Willis Tower, so I've been wanting to come back to experience it again. Surprisingly on a Saturday around 1:30pm, it wasn't crowded at all and there was 0 wait times for anything. I loved the museum you walk through before getting to the elevator that takes you up. The part featuring Chicago foods and the mirrored deep dish pizza was especially cool. When we got up to the top, we enjoyed the amazing views and then headed over to The Ledge. There are two lines, but it did not take long at all because they only allow people 90 seconds to take photos and there are multiple ledges. There's also a bunch of restaurants located here, so you could truly just make a day out of it. They also have other exhibits sometimes, and I think this time around it was the Color Museum. Love that they also added a Van Leeuwen ice cream shop recently!

They have military discounts! But you can't take advantage of the discount unless you purchase…read moretickets onsite. We were not prepared for the crowd on a weekday. Pro tip, you can line up for entry 15 minutes before your entry time. But at about 17 minutes before entry everyone rushes to the line, lol. The line moves fast, so no biggie. Once you enter, you go through security (another line) then they do photos (another line) then you walk through several very interesting exhibits, with multiple photo opportunities (more lines) but my hubby was focused on getting to the top, so we skipped the photo ops. Next you get in line for the elevator. After shooting up so fast your ears pop, you are treated to a wonderful view that pictures just don't capture. If you choose to go out on "The Ledge" its another line. They also take your picture. I can attest that you can accomplish the photo without ever looking down. Yes it's a lot of standing in line, but how often are you up where planes are flying by at eye level? And boy is the city breath taking from this vantage point.

Buckingham Fountain - Married with children fountain

Buckingham Fountain

(413 reviews)

South Loop, The Loop

If you are vising Chicago, this is one of the not to be missed iconic landmarks. The Buckingham…read moreFountain is managed by the Chicago Park District is one of largest fountains in the world. It features impressive water displays and stunning architecture in the beautiful setting of Grant Park. The Buckingham Fountain was built at a cost of $750,00 and it was dedicated on August 12, 1927. Philanthropist Kate Buckingham donated the funds for the fountain as a tribute to her brother, Clarence who was an art collector of Japanese prints. Kate collected medieval sculpture, tapestries, and decorative arts. In addition to the Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain she also donated a statue honoring Alexander Hamilton in Lincoln Park and her family's art collection to the Art Institute of Chicago. Clarence Buckingham had been a governing member and a trustee of the Art Institute and Kate was influenced by his association with the institution. The Buckingham Fountain was designed by architect Edward H. Bennett in a classic Art Deco style out of pink marble. The sculptural elements were created by French artist Marcel Loyau. The fountain resembles a rococo style wedding cake and was inspired by the Bassin de Latone and modeled on the Latona Fountain at the Palace of Versailles in France. The fountain symbolizes the vastness of Lake Michigan, with four groups of bronze seahorses representing the four states bordering the lake: Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. The fountain is able to propel 14,000 gallons of water per minute. At night the fountain comes alive with lights and dancing water jets. The fountain is known for being featured in the opening of the television show, Married with Children. The Buckingham Fountain stands as a symbol of Kate Buckingham's philanthropic generosity and her love for her brother and the City of Chicago. Enjoy a picnic one one of the well maintained lawns and seating areas near the fountain where you are to create a lasting memory in the heart of Chicago. I will always treasure my visit.

Buckingham Fountain is absolutely stunning and a must-see in Chicago. The size, but unfortunately…read moreit was closed and empty for cleaning. Nonetheless the skyline backdrop make it the perfect photo spot. Whether you visit during the day or catch it lit up at night, it's a beautiful and iconic experience.

Chicago Chinatown - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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