World by City

Views & landmarks

Aqua

Open in Maps
Aqua

Overview

Aqua is an 82-story skyscraper in Chicago's Lakeshore East. It is recognized for its wave-like exterior balconies and a lower-floor rooftop terrace featuring gardens and walking paths. Visitors go to study modern high-rise architecture and view the building's distinctive facade from surrounding streets and parks.

Getting There

Located just east of downtown Chicago, the building is a 5 to 10-minute walk from Millennium Station and Michigan Avenue. Multiple CTA bus lines stop nearby, and transit connects directly from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) into the Loop via the Blue Line.

Suggested Duration

Allow 20 to 30 minutes to view the exterior from different angles and walk through the immediate area.

When to Visit

Daylight hours are best for seeing the sculptural texture of the balconies, especially in clear afternoon light. The surrounding sidewalks do not experience extreme crowds, though commuter foot traffic rises during weekday rush hours. Warmer months offer the most comfortable conditions for walking outside.

Nearby Sights

You can easily combine a visit with several nearby destinations:

  • One Prudential Plaza (0.3km) and Two Prudential Plaza (0.3km): Classic downtown office towers just west.
  • BP Pedestrian Bridge (0.4km): A footbridge connecting the area to Millennium Park.
  • Jay Pritzker Pavilion (0.4km): An open-air venue within Millennium Park.

Updated September 8, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors

Tickets & tours

Admission prices and opening hours change often, so we don't list them here. Check what's on sale and at what price below — booking ahead can cut the queue at some places.

GetYourGuide GetYourGuide 클룩 Klook Tiqets Tiqets KKday KKday WeGoTrip WeGoTrip

This place may not appear in the results — some sites are free to enter or sell tickets only at the gate.

Stays near Aqua

Sorted by distance, walkable ones first. Distances are straight-line.

Map and place data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Aqua Nearby stays

Check prices and availability on the booking sites.

Pick your dates — we'll search Chicago hotels for you

Choose dates and guests, and the buttons below will open search results with your criteria. Prices differ between sites, so compare before you book.

View on Compare sites 부킹닷컴 View on Booking.com 호텔스닷컴 View on Hotels.com

Hotel membership

Staying at Accor hotels often? ALL Accor+ Explorer

A paid annual membership. It includes two free nights a year across Asia-Pacific, 30% off dining and 15% off drinks, and 15% off stays at more than 4,500 hotels worldwide.

Explore the membership

Itineraries including this place

2 nights, 3 days

Chicago 3-Day Itinerary (2 Nights)

A 3-day route through Chicago grouped by daily travel distance for optimal sightseeing.

3 nights, 4 days

Chicago 4-Day Itinerary (3 Nights)

A 4-day route through Chicago grouped by daily travel distance for optimal sightseeing.

Good to visit alongside

Two Prudential Plaza

Views & landmarks

Two Prudential Plaza

A skyscraper in downtown Chicago, completed in 1990. Standing 64 stories tall, it's one of the city's most prominent high-rises.

0.3 km away
One Prudential Plaza

Views & landmarks

One Prudential Plaza

Completed in 1955, this 41-story building was Chicago's first skyscraper built after the Great Depression and World War II. As a landmark of the downtown skyline, it offers great views.

0.3 km away
BP Pedestrian Bridge

Views & landmarks

BP Pedestrian Bridge

A pedestrian bridge connecting Millennium Park and Maggie Daley Park in Chicago's Loop district. It was designed by architect Frank Gehry and opened in 2004 along with Millennium Park.

0.4 km away
Jay Pritzker Pavilion

Parks & gardens

Jay Pritzker Pavilion

An outdoor concert venue in Chicago's Millennium Park, designed by architect Frank Gehry. Named after the Pritzker family, founders of Hyatt Hotels, it's a great stop while strolling through the park.

0.4 km away
Mather Tower

Views & landmarks

Mather Tower

A neo-Gothic skyscraper near the Chicago River in the city's downtown Loop district. Its ornate terracotta facade makes it a worthwhile stop on an architectural walking tour.

0.5 km away
Millennium Park

Parks & gardens

Millennium Park

A park located in the northern part of downtown Chicago. It's a great place to stroll through gardens and walking paths and enjoy a relaxing break amid the city.

0.5 km away