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    Recommended Reviews - Pioneer Court

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    Garrett Popcorn-Life-sized Popcorn on Pioneer Square celebrating their 70th Anniversary 9.18.19
    Christina S.

    Garrett Popcorn is celebrating its 70th Anniversary at Pioneer Court today-September 18, 2019 from 11am-2pm! FYI-Garrett Popcorn opened its first shop on September 18, 1949 at 10 W. Madison Street in Chicago! Therefore, like many historical events that have occurred in Chicago what a FANTASTIC PLACE TO CELEBRATE something HISTORICAL like Garrett Popcorn's 70th-but in Pioneer Court!? NEWSFLASH: They are giving out small bags of their "Chicago Mix" popcorn which is caramel and cheese popcorn mixed together! The Event and its Offerings: Well organized: -after receiving your free bag of popcorn you could have your picture taken in a popcorn fashioned photo booth; -sign up to win a POPCORN PRIZE; -play a game of "Garrett Beanbag Toss"; -or sit in the lovely shaded area of Pioneer Square or venture down to the Chicago River near the Apple Store to enjoy the sunshine and your FREE POPCORN! THANKS GARRETT FOR GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY and MAKING CHICAGO A BETTER PLACE! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

    I took this pic in full bloom of the beautiful trees that are around the fountains.
    Patricia J.

    I love this place for the simple fact that it always has amazing art in full display and huge in size. The location is perfect, I enjoy people watching and just taking a moment or two to sit by the fountains and just enjoy the views of the stunning and historic architecture around it. It's close to everything I enjoy in Chicago, from the Magnificent Mag Mile, the River Walk, Streeterville, Millennium Park, and it's very unique for sure. When they have parades on The Magnificent Mag Mile, this place is perfect to be at when that happens. I love the restaurants that are near it and also the shops. Very pleased with the way they keep it well manicured and maintain the beautiful flowers and trees that surround the fountains. The light that are wrapped around above in the steel pagoda are a nice touch for an evening stroll. Very fun and very romantic all at one location. This is also were they host the New Years Eve party count down / Chitown Rising.

    Eric J.

    Triangualated between the Wrigley Building and Tribune Building sits Pioneer Court. The water fountains have a tear presentation with seasonal flowers and vibrant colors that adorn the area. The World Class Flagship Apple Store is taking shape and will be. A great addition to complete this court on all sizes. With access to an interesting restaurant that is located in the patio grounds of the Tribune Tower, Howells and Hood which features outdoor seating booths and tables. Some of the tables have a display of fireplace between them (who h is very cool). With easy access to the Magnificent Mile and River Walk, this place is a nice area that has little touristy foot traffic, which is nice.

    The view from inside da Bears helmet
    Bonnie E.

    "Meet me between Marilyn's legs!" I knew someone who just loved saying this when the giant Marilyn Monroe mobile statue ("Forever Marilyn") visited the Windy City. (She's now over here: http://www.yelp.com/biz/grounds-for-sculpture-hamilton?osq=forever+marilyn just FYI.) Q: "Where are you?" A: "I'm over here, across the street from the Wrigley Building." A: "I'm on the north bank of the river, over the Michigan Avenue bridge." A: "I'm in that plaza over by the Trib building." A: "I'm kinda by Howells and Hood" Well, this little patch of concrete located across the street from the Wrigley Building, where Marilyn used to stand has a name: "Pioneer Court!" I love finding out things that I really should've already known. More recently, it was the site of the "helmet line-up" as Chicago hosted "Draft Town." If you look more closely...over here...toward the bank of the river....you'll see that there are plaques of bronze atop slabs of granite and also a giant vessel of concrete. One plaque notifies you that: "Jean Baptiste, Point Du Sable" was here. It was his homesite and designated a National Historic Landmark and it was dedicated in 1977 as such. The other plaque is dedicated by "The Illinois Society Daughters of Colonial Wars" and cites specifically "On December 4, 1674...Pere Jacques Marquette, S.J. and two voyageurs built a shelter near the mouth of the Chicago River. They were the first Europeans to camp here, the site of Chicago." Time capsule anyone!? This one is my favorite. 1965. Dedicated by "The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States" and "has sealed herein a time capsule containing notable memorabilia in commemoration of the dedication of its Midwestern Headquarters Building and of Pioneer Court." June 23, 1965. No date stated about when it's to be opened!? Maybe someone in the year 2065 can Yelp this? 2165? Is there a life insurance policy in there? All I know is that Pioneer Court has been here since before I was born and now I can finally call it by name... hello there, new old friend.

    We found the treasure truck from Amazon.
    Joanne D.

    Real nice spot to take the family this is where the Marylin Monroe statue was previously at. It has a lot of cute shops in the area and it's right in the heart of down town Chicago. Only minutes away from Chicagos Navy Pier this is the perfect spot to just hang out ,eat or enjoy the city. Usually they have so many things going on in this area. It is a hot spot in the city.

    One of the plaques found here.
    PatrickJ T.

    Awesome place to hangout and people watch. Even watched a movie here one evening. Pioneer Court is situated on the Magnificent Mile in Chicago. Never saw any name for this area during all my treks here. Only found out the name when I spotted it on a map, and saw that my friend had already written a review for Pioneer Court! Really, there is only one thing that would have made Pioneer Court better. It was missing the statue of Marilyn Monroe during my week stay in Chi town! Now, that would have made my trips here perfect!

    1860 meets 1995

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    Ask the Community - Pioneer Court

    Review Highlights - Pioneer Court

    With access to an interesting restaurant that is located in the patio grounds of the Tribune Tower, Howells and Hood which features outdoor seating booths and tables.

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    Skydeck Chicago - NEVER FORGET (look closely)

    Skydeck Chicago

    3.5(946 reviews)
    1.0 miThe Loop

    Really cool experience and things to visit/read while you're on the way up. You start by going…read morethrough the bottom floor and there's a ton photo opportunities and history about Chicago and the Willis tower. There's information about different Chicago foods including the deep dish pizzas, Chicago style dogs, jabiritos, and more! Once you get through the bottom floor, you take an elevator up all the way to the sky deck. The elevator travels at 18mph! And it takes really quick time to travel up. But during the way up, there's a ton of information that's played in a video. You can feel your ears popping as you change altitude. Thought it was really cool to experience. Once you reach the top (103 floors) , you can look at all 4 sides of the view and it's stunning! Once you're ready to go into the glass floor, staff take two groups at a time for efficiency for each window. They will take photos for you with the company camera, and then will allow you 90 seconds for your own pictures and photos. That's how the line keeps moving without anyone taking too long. After you're finished you can hop back into line for the elevator down. I thought this was well worth it. The photos and the views and efficiency was well executed. Definitely recommend!

    I have only been on the Skydeck once. I absolutely urge first-time visitors to check it out. The…read moreChicago skyline from the deck is breathtakingly beautiful. You'll need to purchase tickets to enter. The lines can sometimes be long but they do try and control that. Of course they have a gift shop...a few actually. You can pay for a photo of yourself on the deck and you can also snap some of your own. Staff are accommodating. You are able to learn a lot of history as well as seeing other important historical displays about the city. Big touristy thing to do? Yep! Should you do it? Yep!

    Photos
    Skydeck Chicago - Use your phone flash!

    Use your phone flash!

    Skydeck Chicago - Read sign if it's not obvious.

    Read sign if it's not obvious.

    Skydeck Chicago - Our friend living his best life

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    Our friend living his best life

    Landmark Theatres - Inside theatre 5

    Landmark Theatres

    3.7(24 reviews)
    17.2 mi

    When we were looking for a local cinema to see Ne Zha 2 for the second time, this time with English…read moredubbing, we were happy to find Landmark at the Glen! It replaced Arclight which was in a decline. The cinema had been renovated 2 years ago. It was a Thursday afternoon, and the cinema was pretty quiet. There were big kiosks for ticket purchases, and the process was quick and easy. We got a small bag (which was not too small) for $10 plus tax, a little pricy for popcorn, but it was good. The popcorn guy was friendly, and he also doubled as the guy to collect our ticket stubs, and informed us which cinema room to go to. We were there for the preview of the movie, and we got the entire cinema #5 to the 3 of us! While the lobby and hallways of the cinema was nice and cool, this room was a little too warm. We totally understood that they would not cool down an entire room when there was no audience inside. I went to talk to the popcorn guy about the air temperature issue, and he promised to have it adjusted. As I went back to the cinema room. We could feel that cool air started to come out, and it was comfortable for the rest of the showing. The chairs were big, clean, and comfortable. Sound and picture were great. The movie itself was enjoyable just like the first time, and the English dubbing was perfect. The entire cinema was very clean. I was especially pleased with their restrooms being spotless clean. There is a bar in the lobby, and across from it was the biggest poster I've ever seen in a cinema lobby, it was a colorful digital poster of Ne Zha 2, very appropriate for such a spectacular movie. When we left the cinema after seeing the movie, there was another guy at the hallway collecting ticket stubs, and there was obviously more audience coming in. We enjoyed this cinema experience very much, and would definitely return to see other movies in the future.

    This movie theater's really cute. I think it's a hidden gem in the Glen. Located right next to Yard…read moreHouse in Glenview, IL. The guy was very helpful getting me a cup for water and had the whold theater to myself. Definitely coming back.

    Photos
    Landmark Theatres - Kiosks in the lobby

    Kiosks in the lobby

    Landmark Theatres - Inside theatre 5

    Inside theatre 5

    Landmark Theatres - We held our ribbon-cutting with The Village of Glenview on Nov. 17, 2022.

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    We held our ribbon-cutting with The Village of Glenview on Nov. 17, 2022.

    Willis Tower - Entrance

    Willis Tower

    3.8(1.5k reviews)
    1.0 miThe Loop

    I will always call it the Sears Tower. I can't help it, that's what it was called the first time I…read moreever saw it and you know how it is...some of us humans just don't adapt to name changes of places we know and love. Anyway, I have been to Chicago many, many times (if you see me at a Yelp event, ask me why) and I like to see the tower whenever I am in the neighborhood. No longer the tallest building in the world, it is still a spectacular sight. The history and origin and the fact that it was the first skyscraper still holds intrigue and meaning for any architecture lover. As you can imagine, it can be extremely busy because after all, it is a building that holds businesses. However, that is not always the case. I have been at various times of day and it just really depends on the time, etc. If you are going for the first time, you absolutely want to get a view from the deck (Skydeck). The views are beyond incredible.

    I went to Willis Tower at 5 PM on a weekday with absolutely no idea what kind of crowd situation I…read morewas walking into. I had mentally prepared myself for lines, chaos, and the slow march of humanity. Imagine my surprise when I basically walked right in. In fact, my longest wait of the entire experience was for an elevator, which feels like a very reasonable thing to wait for in a giant skyscraper. I also loooooooved all of the historical information provided throughout the experience. It kept things interesting and made the journey feel like more than just walking in and riding an elevator to a great view. The cute photo ops sprinkled throughout were a nice touch too. And can we take a moment to appreciate the bathrooms? There were plenty of them and they were so clean. THANK YOU. As someone who judges attractions at least partially on restroom availability, this earned major points from me. Supreme appreciation. Everything felt organized, easy to navigate, and flowed really well. I don't know if I should credit the time of day, the weekday timing, or if it's always this smooth, but whatever the reason, I was pleasantly surprised from start to finish. Would absolutely visit again.

    Photos
    Willis Tower - Chamber music in the sky

    Chamber music in the sky

    Willis Tower - I was too afraid to step all the was back to the outer wall. Others were posing and having a blast. I'd do it again!

    I was too afraid to step all the was back to the outer wall. Others were posing and having a blast. I'd do it again!

    Willis Tower - Lots of fun photo ops while heading up to the tower.

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    Lots of fun photo ops while heading up to the tower.

    Cloud Gate - Cloud Gate ("The Bean")

    Cloud Gate

    4.6(991 reviews)
    0.4 miThe Loop

    There it was! The giant bean that Chicago is very known for. Loved that it was accessible and ADA…read morefriendly so everyone could enjoy it. We came early on a Monday to beat the crowds. The later it got, the more people showed up. I was lucky to snap this photo before more people started to come in. Really cool sight to see. It's a giant mirror and has two sides, the park side and the city reflection side. So the view from both and don't forget to check out the middle.

    Cloud Gate, otherwise known as the Bean, sits in the middle of Millennium Park in downtown Chicago…read moreand is one of those public art installations that consistently surprises people who encounter it for the first time despite being one of the most photographed objects in the city. I walked up to a seamless polished stainless steel form that reflects everything around it without a single visible seam or joint across its entire surface. That engineering achievement alone is worth appreciating before I even started engaging with what the reflections actually do. The reflections are the experience. I watched the Chicago skyline curve and distort across the surface in a way that shifted constantly depending on where I was standing, and walking slowly around the perimeter gave me a different composition every few steps. Walking underneath the concave arch in the center, which locals call the omphalos, produced a funhouse mirror effect that reflected me and everyone else from overhead in a way that was consistently disorienting and engaging regardless of how many times I have seen it. On a clear day with blue sky the effect was particularly strong, with the skyline wrapping around the sculpture against a bright background. On overcast days the palette shifts toward silver and grey and produces its own version of the thing. Admission is free and the park is open and accessible, which made Cloud Gate an easy addition to my Chicago itinerary without any planning required. It gets crowded, particularly on weekends and during summer, and the area immediately around the sculpture fills with people taking photos throughout the day. Early morning visits before the crowds build give you a more relaxed experience and better light for photography. It is one of the few landmarks in any city that genuinely lives up to what people say about it.

    Photos
    Cloud Gate - 07.04.25 touched the surface of The Bean... check!

    07.04.25 touched the surface of The Bean... check!

    Cloud Gate - 07.04.25 The Bean with Chicago's skyscrapers in the background and the clouds floating above

    07.04.25 The Bean with Chicago's skyscrapers in the background and the clouds floating above

    Cloud Gate - My wife, her parents, and me at the Bean.

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    My wife, her parents, and me at the Bean.

    Pioneer Court - landmarks - Updated July 2026

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