Whether in the sultry heat of summer or the slate gray chill of winter, sunshine can paint Chicago in an entirely different light. From the waterfront or high up, you can take your pick of neighborhoods to catch a front-row seat to see the vibrant red, orange, and pink hues of the setting sun. 

Arial view of chicago and lake Michigan at sunset
Chicago at sunset / Photo by Sean Pavone / shutterstock.com

Hyde Park

Hyde Park is one of the best neighborhoods for those who want a break from the crowded city center. This South Side neighborhood, located right on Lake Michigan, has multiple spots that are ripe for watching the sunset.

If you want to enjoy a walk in the dusky light, the narrow Midway Plaisance Park has walking paths, as well as an ice skating rink and winter gardens. Hyde Park is also home to Promontory Point, one of the most scenic places in Chicago no matter the time of day. Jutting out into the lake, this slice of Burnham Park offers a striking view of the sun splashed across the city’s iconic skyline.

Lincoln Park

Like Hyde Park, Lincoln Park is an ideal option for pairing greenspace with the setting sun. The entire eastern shore of the neighborhood is a stretch of open space dotted with beloved institutions like Lincoln Park Zoo, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, and Lincoln Park Conservatory.

If you want to see the diminishing sunlight at play, the neighborhood’s South Pond Pavilion—a curving wooden sculpture that straddles the boardwalk and frames the skyline—is a perennial favorite of scene seekers and photographers.

In Lincoln Park, you’ll also one of the most peaceful places to sit and enjoy a Chicago sunset. Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool feels like a secret garden removed from the city. Native plants are reflected in the calm surface of a beautifully maintained pool. You can also spread out a blanket on the sands of North Avenue Beach to watch the sunset.

South Pound in Lincoln Park at sunset
South Pound in Lincoln Park at sunset / Photo by Svetlana Ageeva / shutterstock.com

Loop

If you want to get an elevated look at the setting sun, the Loop is one of the best spots in town thanks to its proliferation of towering skyscrapers. Office buildings with a westward view can catch truly spectacular sunset shows. But you don’t have to be lucky with your office location for sunset views in this central Chicago neighborhood. The Skydeck at Willis Tower gives people one of the most panoramic views of the city, the lake, and the sky above it all.

The Loop’s ground level has one of the best sunset views in the city, but just twice a year. Around the fall equinox and spring solstice pedestrians are temporarily dazzled by “Chicagohenge,” the catchy nickname for the perfect placement of the setting sun in the mishmash of east and west running streets. You’ve probably seen photos of the phenomenon pop up all over social media when it happens, but there is nothing quite like seeing it in person.

North Center/Irving Park

Lake Michigan isn’t the only body of water that reflects a picture-perfect sunset. The sinuous Chicago River is another popular spot to stop and appreciate the end of another day. You can walk along the Riverwalk in River North, or you can try out the newly minted 312 RiverRun. This two-mile path runs right along the North Branch of the river and connects North Center, Irving Park, Avondale, and Albany Park.

North Center is a good spot to hop on the trail, while Irving Park has ample park space if you want to slow down to watch the setting sun. Pet owners will appreciate the spacious dog run in the latter neighborhood’s Horner Park. A sunset round of fetch is a good antidote for the rush and worries of the day.

South Loop

The high-rise condos of the South Loop mean many of its residents can watch the sunset from the comfort of their lofty homes.

This downtown neighborhood also has Museum Campus, the ideal stage for a dramatic sunset. The campus sits right on the lake, and the light glinting off of the dome of the Shedd Aquarium and through the neoclassical columns of the Field Museum is a memorable sight. You can also slip behind the Adler Planetarium to enjoy a quieter view from the paths Northerly Island Park.

Streeterville

Streeterville has a reputation as a luxury neighborhood, and that reputation seems quite appropriate with the sunset giving its buildings a gilt appearance. Take your pick of scenic outlooks. Indulge in a touristy evening by taking a sunset ride in Ferris wheel at Navy Pier, or set up camp for a top-notch view at Ohio Street Beach.

The neighborhood also has several parks (Jane Addams Memorial Park among them) with spots to relax and enjoy the twilit city. Streeterville’s downtown location gives sunset seekers a prime view of the skyline and the lake.