5 Instagrammable Places in Chicago

5 Instagrammable Places in Chicago

Everyone knows the Chicago Theater, Chicago Bean, and Riverwalk make for amazing photo ops, but how can you differentiate your social media feed from the rest? Read on to learn about some of the most Instagrammable places in Chicago that are either lesser-known or are a bit more difficult to get to, and wind up being photographed far less.

For easy access to all Chicago Instagram spots, consider renting a Divvy bike, Chicago’s bike share program, which has stations all over the city and includes unlimited three-hour rides across the city.

The Chicago Theater is one of the most photographed places in Chicago

Downtown Chicago River Tours

The Chicago Bean is ALWAYS crowded with tourists

1. Chicago postcard mural

Located in a parking lot behind the Logan Square L station is the most quintessentially Chicago photo-op that is a guaranteed to boost your social media cred. Painted onto the side of an old plumbing supply building is a gigantic tribute to Chicago’s most iconic landmarks, sports teams, attractions, and food, a la 1950s postcard-style. It definitely should be one of the most Instagrammable walls in Chicago yet you’ll almost never see a crowd of tourists here.

The mural was created by Greetings Tour, a cross-country artistic duo made up of photographer, Lisa Beggs, and Victor Ling, a former New York City graffiti artist. The two have been traveling in an RV for three years, painting postcard-style art installations across the country. Thus far, they’ve created 30 murals in 15 states and are on a mission to create a postcard in all 50 states.

Chicago Postcard Mural

2236 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60647

Chicago Postcard Mural

18th Street Metro Station Art

18th Street Metro Station graffiti

2. Metro station decorated with Aztec murals

The Pilsen neighborhood on Chicago’s south side is well-known for street art and murals, much of which showcase the culture and heritage of the area’s vibrant Mexican community. While many of the murals are easily visible on buildings along the 18th Street main drag, some of the most impressive pieces can only be viewed from within the metro station.

Virtually every inch of the stairwells and walls of the 18th street L station on the Pink line are covered with brilliantly-colored depictions of Aztec- and Mexican-themed art. The art instillations were completed by local artist, and art teacher Francisco Mendoza, the National Museum of Mexican Art, and Gallery 37, a city-run youth art program. Mendoza enlisted his students and fellow community members to create the murals in what is now the city’s most colorful metro station.

18th Street Pink Line Station

1710 West 18th St

Chicago, IL 60608

3. Chicago’s three-story “Fast Girl” mural

Chicago graffiti and street art are developing quite a reputation and one of the city’s most beloved works is the three-story “Fast Girl”. The piece was painted onto the side of a wall at the intersection of Milwaukee and Chicago by local artist, Jas Petersen, who defines a fast girls as an “intelligent and rebellious hybrid force in the contemporary art world.”

Petersen’s art celebrates women and the female form and several of her “Fast Girls” can be found around Chicago, decorating everything from hotel terraces to abandoned buildings. The other murals are worth hunting for but this Fast Girl definitely earned the title of one of the most Instagrammable places in Chicago. Be sure to pack a wide lens, as this massive mural may not fit into a regular camera phone lens. If you ride here, nearest Divvy bike station is one block away, on Chicago and Ogden.

Fast Girl Mural

Intersection of Milwaukee and Chicago

Chicago, IL 60642

Chicago’s Fast Girl Mural, painted by Jas Petersen

4. Life-size hot dogs at an old-timey diner

Locals can debate what the most quintessentially-Chicago food is (pizza vs. hot dogs) but everyone agrees that a Chicago-style hot dog is a hometown favorite and Odge’s serves them up in a truly Instagram-worthy environment. Walking down Damen Street in the Ukrainain Village neighborhood, you can’t miss Odge’s, a bright yellow mom and pop restaurant with giant hot dogs, burgers, and drinks painted on the wall.

Black and white photographs of Elvis Presley and other celebrities line the walls, accompanied by signs and advertisements straight out of the 50s. Have a seat at booth next to a vintage Coca Cola machine that used to sell bottles for 10 cents and make your visit a true diner experience by enjoying your hot dog with a side of fries and a shake. Hot dogs cost about $4 (sorry, no veggie dogs!), and the restaurant only accepts cash.

Odge’s

730 N. Damen Ave,

Chicago IL 60622

The Exterior of Odge’s Restaurant is Full of Food

Inside Odge’s is an Old-timey Diner

DS Fajita Factory in Boystown, Chicago

The most colorful building in Chicago

This Chicago mural seems to have been painted specifically to be Instagrammed. As an ode to outdoor markets of the Caribbean, the DS Fajita Factory created a street food atmosphere where fine fajitas are acommpanied by reggaeton, dancehall, and salsa music. The outside of the building was inspired by Central American street art and just might be the most colorful building in the city.

The building is located in Boystown, an already colorful neighborhood decorated with many rainbows, a nod to the area’s gay population. The 40-foot mural aims to express all colors of the rainbow and was painted by graffiti artist, Werm, spent several days on a lift painting each brick by hand.

DS Fajita Factory

3445 N. Halsted

Chicago, Illinois 60657

Other Instagrammable Chicago Locations

Did I miss any of your favorites? Please leave a comment below to let me know what you believe are the most Instagrammable sites in Chicago!