Chicago Classics Photos -- National Geographic's Ultimate City Guides

Sofitel’s Café
Photograph by John Kernick
Seductive French flair and fare make the Sofitél’s Café des Architectes a hot spot among Chicagoans.
chicago bean
Cloud Gate, affectionately called "the Bean" by locals, is a public sculpture in Millennium Park, Chicago.
Art Institute
Photograph by John Kernick
An artist copies Goya’s “Boy on a Ram” painting at the Art Institute of Chicago.
Quimby’s Bookstore
Photograph by John Kernick
Quimby’s bookstore, located on North Avenue, comes packed with personality.
The Water Tower
Photograph by John Kernick
The Chicago Water Tower, built in 1869, survived the great fire of 1871.
Club Lucky
Photograph by John Kernick
Club Lucky serves up Italian fare in a retro-cool setting in the Wicker Park/Bucktown neighborhood.
John Hancock Observatory
Photograph by John Kernick
The view north from the Hancock Observatory takes in the Gold Coast and Lincoln Park areas plus a slice of Lake Michigan.
Chicago Theatre
Photograph by John Kernick
Built as a motion picture palace in 1921, the Chicago Theatre was restored in 1986 and now hosts a mix of entertainment.
Joy Yee Restaurant, Chinatown
Photograph by John Kernick
Joy Yee’s Asian-fusion menu offers a tasty break from the more traditional restaurants in Chinatown.