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. Â 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. Â 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.
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 🙂
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.
I love Chicago, great pictures.
Thank you! It’s my fav city in North America 🙂
These photos of Chicago are absolutly amazing! It makes me want to go back. Véronique
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
cool. I love abstract reflections you get in water (1st pic) ! and the Buckingham Fountain is great too.
Thanks! It’s certainly most impressive at night 🙂
Great Photos, I love night photography.
Why are these photos so pretty? I’m in love 0_0
Thanks Mica, you’re going to have to go there someday 🙂
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.
Wonderful pics. You have a good eye to catch a great angle.
Thank you Laura 🙂
Beautiful Photos. I love night photography, I really want to shoot more of it.
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.
Great photos. I haven’t been to the windy city … yet but this post makes me want to go.
I hope you do get a chance to go Cheryl! It’s a world class city IMO 🙂
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 🙂
That first photo is amazeballs!
HA, thanks 🙂
Wow, amazing night shots! Chicago is world class.
Kurt, it sure is. I can’t wait to go back.
These are amazing photos!! I really want to go to Chicago for lollapolloza… yes i know i probably spelt that wrong… one day…
LOL, I didn’t know how to spell it either – just checked: lollapalooza
If you’re going let me know….I might join ya! 🙂
Beautiful shots! I’m a die hard Cubby myself having been brainwashed by my grandpa =)
LOL, becoming a Cubs fan always starts with brainwashing…ever noticed that? 😛
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!
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.
Fantastic photos as always! Haven’t been to Chicago in ages, some great shooting material there now.
Thanks, it really does offer the photographer a lot of eye-candy – both at night and during the day.
Fantastic night shots, Samuel. Totally worth holding on to that tripod 🙂
Thanks Cherina 🙂 Sometimes I hate having it but not under these circumstances 🙂
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.
Thanks Andrew, you’re absolutely right. It’s the bean not the beam 🙂
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! 🙂
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.
I love the Bean, it’s so photogenic 😀
The bean, is the bomb 😛
Gorgeous photos! The Cloud Gate looks pretty awesome at night.
It really is impressive at any time of day. I think you’e right though…it shines even more at night 🙂
Gorgeous photos! Makes me wish I had a tripod with me.
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.
Great shots! Chicago is on my bucket list, for sure.
Great addition Ana 🙂
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.
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.
Great shots. Is that really supposed to be Obama? Hopefully he’s not spitting on his city… 🙂
LOL, I guess it isn’t. I feel it sure looks like him though 😛
OMG! I want there now! 🙂
HAHA, I want to go back there now as well….
Spectacular photos, Samuel. Hope you are well !!! : )
Thanks Jacinta 🙂 Hope you’re doing well too!
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!
Thank you Cathy 🙂 I’d love to live there someday!
I have lots of family in Chicago and love spending time there – such a great city – beautiful shots!
Thanks Andrea, you certainly have a good excuse to go back often 🙂
Love this photo essay. Chicago is beautiful!
It sure is D 🙂
As usual, very nice photos. Do you travel with a tripod to capture these lowlight scenes?
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.
I, too, fell in love with Chicago when I went many years ago. I would love to go back with my camera.
Erica, I’m itching to go back again too. Maybe we’ll be there at the same time 🙂
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!
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.
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 🙂
I love the Obama fountain, it’s fantastic.
HA, yeah, it’s quite cool.
Dude, this is some of your best work yet I have seen. Did you use a tripod at all? Really god stuff man!
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.
Love the photos, especially the shots of the bean. I’ve seen day shots of the bean, but not night shots.
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 🙂
The sculpture is known as the bean, not the beam.
Thanks, you are right! It is the bean.