Audio Tour | The Most Beautiful Places in Chicago with Geoffrey Baer

Geoffrey Baer

Take the audio tour

Geoffrey Baer takes us through some of his favorite beautiful Chicago locations. Take this a-la-carte tour at your leisure — by CTA, bike, car, or, if you're really ambitious, on foot! Be sure to check if any of the indoor locations require reservations or tours for entry.

The Tiffany Ceiling at Macy's 01:03

The Tiffany Ceiling at Macy’s

111 N. State St.

A dazzling surprise is just over your head in the State Street Macy’s.

The Lobby of the Rookery 02:01

The Lobby of the Rookery

1209 S. LaSalle St.

Frank Lloyd Wright once redesigned the light, airy lobby in this Burnham and Root building. Note: The lobby is open to the public only at certain times. Check visitor hours on their website.

Ping Tom Park 02:00

Ping Tom Park

W. 19th St. and S. Wells St.

Chicago’s Chinatown neighborhood didn’t have its own public green space until Ping Tom Park came along.

The University of Chicago Quad 02:26

The University of Chicago Quad

57th St, between S. Ellis Ave. and S. University Ave.

Explore the ivy-covered campus that is rich with architectural history. Note: This is a college campus, so you’ll have to stay outside of the buildings for this one.

South Pond in Lincoln Park 01:45

South Pond in Lincoln Park

The bridge over South Pond, off of N. Stockton Dr., just south of Café Brauer and the Lincoln Park Zoo

The designs of renowned architect Jeanne Gang breathed new life into a once-stagnant pond.

Garfield Park Conservatory 02:03

Garfield Park Conservatory

300 N. Central Park Ave.

Famed landscape architect Jens Jensen designed this enchanting conservatory. Note: This location is free but requires a reservation.

Crown Hall 02:03

Crown Hall

3360 S. State St. and 34th St.

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe put his own modern stamp on traditional college campus architecture. Note: This is a college campus, so you’ll have to stay outside of the building for this one. You can register for a tour with the architecture school if you want to go inside.

The Picasso 03:05

The Picasso

50 W. Washington St.

This unnamed Pablo Picasso sculpture in Daley Plaza has an interesting origin story.

Free/Formal at Garfield Green Line Station 01:58

Free/Formal at Garfield Green Line Station

Garfield Green Line Station on Garfield Blvd., between S. Prairie Ave. and S. Calumet Ave.

This remodeled Green Line station doubles as a kind of museum for the artist Nick Cave. Note: To see all of the elements described in this tour, you’ll have to pay a fare.

Old. St. Patrick’s Church 01:39

Old. St. Patrick’s Church

700 W. Adams St., at the corner of Adams St. and S. DesPlaines St. This location is best viewed from the park across the street.

Chicago’s oldest church is quite the survivor. Note: To go inside this location, you’ll need to schedule a tour.