Chicago is without a doubt my favourite city in North America. I’m a die-hard sports fanatic of the Chicago Blackhawks and Chicago Cubs having grown up thoroughly brainwashed by my father.
I had visited Chicago several times during my teenage years, but this was my first time to come back as an adult. I was impressed by a lot of things, this time around, that I didn’t notice before with my adolescent eyes.
The incredible skyline, scenic parks and fantastic food made me fall in love with the Windy City all over again; however, it’s at night when the city really comes alive and dazzles. The following is a photo essay showcasing the bright lights and big city views of Chicago at night:
A man who bares an uncanny resemblance to President Obama spouts out water and flashes neon coloured lights from this Crown Fountain building.
I stayed at HI hostel in Chicago – one of the largest and most well run hostels I’ve ever experienced in my life which was just minutes away from Buckingham Fountain. As you can see from the fountain the impressive light display and spouting water was a colourful treat for my eyes.
Although I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at the hostel for its convenient location, I would consider Chicago vacation rentals if I was going to be in the Windy City for a longer period of time.
A night view of the Observation Wheel found at Navy Pier.
This is a perspective shot of the cloud gate at night which you’ll notice featured again in some additional shots of this photo essay.
A group of scattered individuals sit alongside a long bench taking in the impressive displays coming from the Crown Fountain.
A couple embraces one another while staring back at their reflection from the Cloud Gate, known by locals as the bean.
I ventured back to the Crown Fountain late at night when nobody else was around. I had this view all to myself.
The surrounding large buildings and impressive lighting around Millennium Park made me feel safe to walk around at any time of night.
From this perspective one can see some impressive buildings reflected by the bean.
This is another view from the Buckingham Fountain.
A view of a bridge not far away from Millennium Park
A shot of some apartment and commercial buildings in the down town area.
Finally, one more shot from the Crown Fountain. At this point, I think it’s safe to say I found this particular display very impressive 
{ 80 comments… read them below or add one }
As usual, very nice photos. Do you travel with a tripod to capture these lowlight scenes?
John recently posted..The World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta, Georgia – Bottling Happiness Laced with Corn Syrup
Thanks John! I do travel with a tripod now but it is by far the weakest link, as far as my gear is concerned. I tend to really only use it at night when I’m taking shots like these.
Nomadic Samuel recently posted..Chicago at Night | Photo Essay
Love the photos, especially the shots of the bean. I’ve seen day shots of the bean, but not night shots.
Alouise recently posted..I Think I Am Going To Colorado
Thanks Alouise!
That’s a great point you bring up. I’ve also seen a lot more shots of the bean during the day, as well
Nomadic Samuel recently posted..Chicago at Night | Photo Essay
The sculpture is known as the bean, not the beam.
Thanks, you are right! It is the bean.
Nomadic Samuel recently posted..Incredible India | Part 15 | Travel Video Slideshow Series
Dude, this is some of your best work yet I have seen. Did you use a tripod at all? Really god stuff man!
T-roy recently posted..Photo-Essay: Medellin Barrio in Black & White
Thanks dude! High praise coming from you
I just noticed your guest post on Gary’s site. Incredible stuff. I did use a tripod for these shots but I don’t have a very good one at all. Actually, I’d love to hear what you use because I’m thinking of upgrading very soon.
Nomadic Samuel recently posted..Chicago at Night | Photo Essay
I love the Obama fountain, it’s fantastic.
Ayngelina recently posted..An outsider to my old life
HA, yeah, it’s quite cool.
Nomadic Samuel recently posted..Incredible India | Part 15 | Travel Video Slideshow Series
Awesome pics, Chicago looks like a photographer’s dream. Love that Cloud Gate sculpture.
It really is a photographers dream. I will be doing a lot more photo essays – showcasing the architecture during the day
Nomadic Samuel recently posted..Incredible India | Part 15 | Travel Video Slideshow Series
These are GORGEOUS but it is so cold here in Chicago right now that I cannot even imagine going outside to take pictures, haha. When were you here? I just started interning at the HI hostel doing social media stuff and would have loved to meet a fellow blogger….too bad we didn’t cross paths!
Jackie D recently posted..the post-travel slump routine
Wow! That’s cool you are interning at HI hostel. It’s one of my all time favorites. I just love it there. These pictures are actually from September, 2010
I know I’ll be back in Chicago again. Keep in touch.
Nomadic Samuel recently posted..Incredible India | Part 15 | Travel Video Slideshow Series
I, too, fell in love with Chicago when I went many years ago. I would love to go back with my camera.
Erica recently posted..How to Backpack Brilliantly in Europe
Erica, I’m itching to go back again too. Maybe we’ll be there at the same time
Nomadic Samuel recently posted..Incredible India | Part 15 | Travel Video Slideshow Series
I couldn’t agree with you more about Chicago. I’m originally from there and still visit as often as possible. You really captured its beauty at night — love the photos. Really well done shot of the Bean at night!
Cathy Sweeney recently posted..Sweeney’s Seven Super Shots
Thank you Cathy
I’d love to live there someday!
Nomadic Samuel recently posted..Incredible India | Part 15 | Travel Video Slideshow Series
Love this photo essay. Chicago is beautiful!
dtravelsround recently posted..Escape of the Week: Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort
It sure is D
I have lots of family in Chicago and love spending time there – such a great city – beautiful shots!
Andrea recently posted..Why Travel With Kids Is Good For All Involved
Thanks Andrea, you certainly have a good excuse to go back often
Nomadic Samuel recently posted..Incredible India | Part 15 | Travel Video Slideshow Series
Spectacular photos, Samuel. Hope you are well !!! : )
Thanks Jacinta
Hope you’re doing well too!
Nomadic Samuel recently posted..Incredible India | Part 15 | Travel Video Slideshow Series
OMG! I want there now!
Laura recently posted..Is the World Truly Flat?
HAHA, I want to go back there now as well….
Nomadic Samuel recently posted..Incredible India | Part 15 | Travel Video Slideshow Series
Great shots. Is that really supposed to be Obama? Hopefully he’s not spitting on his city…
Turtle recently posted..The city that disappeared
LOL, I guess it isn’t. I feel it sure looks like him though
Nomadic Samuel recently posted..Incredible India | Part 15 | Travel Video Slideshow Series
These photos are fantastic, I would love to visit Chicago one day!
I hope you get a chance Kerri. I feel it has something to offer for just about everyone.
Nomadic Samuel recently posted..Incredible India | Part 15 | Travel Video Slideshow Series
Great shots! Chicago is on my bucket list, for sure.
Ana (Ana Travels) recently posted..Lisbon, warts and all
Great addition Ana
Nomadic Samuel recently posted..Incredible India | Part 15 | Travel Video Slideshow Series
Beautiful
I’m a huge fan of big, dynamic cities at night and yet I have never been to Chicago. I hope I will after seeing this!
Thank you! It certainly is a big, dynamic city at night.
Nomadic Samuel recently posted..Incredible India | Part 15 | Travel Video Slideshow Series
Gorgeous photos! Makes me wish I had a tripod with me.
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Tragedy in Torres del Paine: Stories from the Park
Hey Steph, a tripod is very handy for these kinds of night shots. I just ordered a new tripod from ebay for $100 (free shipping)…if you’re interested to know more about it send me a message.
Nomadic Samuel recently posted..Incredible India | Part 15 | Travel Video Slideshow Series
Gorgeous photos! The Cloud Gate looks pretty awesome at night.
Christy & Scott recently posted..Are Goals Overrated?
It really is impressive at any time of day. I think you’e right though…it shines even more at night
Nomadic Samuel recently posted..Incredible India | Part 15 | Travel Video Slideshow Series
I love the Bean, it’s so photogenic
Laurence recently posted..A tale of many cakes
The bean, is the bomb
Nomadic Samuel recently posted..Incredible India | Part 15 | Travel Video Slideshow Series
Yay! Love my city! So glad you do too. It’s beautiful and friendly and very photogenic. Next time let me know when you visit…if I’m in town we can hang. Plus I’m good friends with the Exec Dir of the HI Hostel where you stayed! I did a TV segment on it when it first opened. And, no, that’s not Obama!
Lisa | LLWorldTour recently posted..Photo of the Week: Stockholm, Sweden
Hey Lisa,
I hope we can hang out in the windy city. Thanks for correcting me about Obama. It sure does look like him though IMO! LOL Also, I’ve got your video ebook up on my footer of NS and on my sidebar and footer of Smiling Faces Travel Photos.
Nomadic Samuel recently posted..Incredible India | Part 15 | Travel Video Slideshow Series
Some very impressive night photography. That is in my opinion some of the hardest shots to get good ones of.
You keep referring to the Beam, whereas I believe it is actually the Bean with an n, as in Lima or Kidney Bean. Due to the shape.
Anyway good shots.
Andrew recently posted..Traveling to Asia – Indie Travel Challenge
Thanks Andrew, you’re absolutely right. It’s the bean not the beam
Nomadic Samuel recently posted..Incredible India | Part 15 | Travel Video Slideshow Series
Fantastic photos as always! Haven’t been to Chicago in ages, some great shooting material there now.
Trans-Americas Journey recently posted..Quetzals the Hard Way – Chelemhá Cloud Forest Reserve, Guatemala
Thanks, it really does offer the photographer a lot of eye-candy – both at night and during the day.
Nomadic Samuel recently posted..Incredible India | Part 15 | Travel Video Slideshow Series
Fantastic night shots, Samuel. Totally worth holding on to that tripod
Cherina | Quiet Wanderings recently posted..For the Love of Travel (Oh, and I’m Off To Umbria!)
Thanks Cherina
Sometimes I hate having it but not under these circumstances 
Nomadic Samuel recently posted..Incredible India | Part 15 | Travel Video Slideshow Series
Samuel your photos never fail to amaze us!! I have never spent much time in Chicago, and I’ve never wandered around at night… but this makes me want to!
Dayna recently posted..Snowed In… and My Bulgarian Igloo
Thanks Dayna, honestly that’s the nicest compliment anyone could give me
I’d love it my photos could inspire others to visit a place.
Nomadic Samuel recently posted..Incredible India | Part 15 | Travel Video Slideshow Series
Beautiful shots! I’m a die hard Cubby myself having been brainwashed by my grandpa =)
Angie Away recently posted..Desperate for Respite in Dahab
LOL, becoming a Cubs fan always starts with brainwashing…ever noticed that?
Nomadic Samuel recently posted..Incredible India | Part 15 | Travel Video Slideshow Series
These are amazing photos!! I really want to go to Chicago for lollapolloza… yes i know i probably spelt that wrong… one day…
Jade – OurOyster.com recently posted..James’ travel manifesto
LOL, I didn’t know how to spell it either – just checked: lollapalooza
If you’re going let me know….I might join ya!
Nomadic Samuel recently posted..Incredible India | Part 15 | Travel Video Slideshow Series
Wow, amazing night shots! Chicago is world class.
Kurt W recently posted..The Coastline of Sri Lanka
Kurt, it sure is. I can’t wait to go back.
That first photo is amazeballs!
HA, thanks
Such lovely shots Sam. You captured Chicago’s nighttime magic beautifully!:)
Thanks Rhonda
I’m looking forward to returning again – hopefully soon.
Let me know if you do! We’ll have to have lunch.
Sounds like a plan Rhonda
Nomadic Samuel recently posted..Incredible India | Part 21 | Travel Video Slideshow Series
Great photos. I haven’t been to the windy city … yet but this post makes me want to go.
Cheryl recently posted..An Insiders Look At The Lloyd Hotel.
I hope you do get a chance to go Cheryl! It’s a world class city IMO
Beautiful Photos. I love night photography, I really want to shoot more of it.
Cal recently posted..We Would Like to Pre-Board
Thanks Cal, I honestly don’t shoot as much at night as I would like to as well. I’m going to make that a priority this year.
Nomadic Samuel recently posted..Incredible India | Part 21 | Travel Video Slideshow Series
Wonderful pics. You have a good eye to catch a great angle.
Laura recently posted..3 Reasons To Visit Canaries Islands
Thank you Laura
Nomadic Samuel recently posted..Incredible India | Part 21 | Travel Video Slideshow Series
Great shots. I’ve heard that Chicago was a great city, but this really makes me finally want to go. I smell a road trip!
Thanks Deb, it truly is a world class city. One of my favorites in North America. I think you both would love it. Plenty of stories to tell and great photos to be taken.
Why are these photos so pretty? I’m in love 0_0
Micamyx|Senyorita recently posted..Romantic Moments From My Travels
Thanks Mica, you’re going to have to go there someday
Great Photos, I love night photography.
Wisconsin dells recently posted..2 Double Beds
cool. I love abstract reflections you get in water (1st pic) ! and the Buckingham Fountain is great too.
chris m blyth recently posted..Fountain
Thanks! It’s certainly most impressive at night
Hey Samuel,
ALWAYS enjoy your photos. And I totally agree about Chicago. Love how crispy clean and approachable it is. The lakefront is amazing. Keep up the good work!
–Josie
These photos of Chicago are absolutly amazing! It makes me want to go back. Véronique
Gray Veronique recently posted..July 5th, 2012 – Photo of the week
I love Chicago, great pictures.
Cornelius Aesop recently posted..5 Things I Expect to Learn from Long Term Travel
Thank you! It’s my fav city in North America
That is some amazing night photography! You really did a great job showcasing Chicago and some of interesting sites to see. I haven’t been to Chicago in years but it was really a fun place to visit and I look forward to returning some day. Thanks for sharing your amazing images.
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