Chicago is not just known for being the Windy City, it is also known for its rich culture as seen through the art, architecture and people within it. It is not surprising, therefore, that around 40 million people visit the city year after year.

If you want to experience Chicago yourself, then nothing beats visiting the top-rated tourist attractions in town before anything else. So the moment you get into the city, just book a Universal Taxi and ask your cabbie to take you to these places:

The Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago collection is amazingly diverse, with everything from paintings and photographs, to architectural drawings, sculptures and more. Of course, the most sought-after exhibits here include their wide collection of impressionist and post-impressionist paintings.

The structure is in itself a piece of art, with its beaux-arts design made by Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge.

Millennium Park

The Millennium Park is filled with elements that perfectly define Chicago, like the Cloud Gate sculpture, the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, the interactive Crown Fountain, and more. Its northern side is bordered by Randolph Street while its eastern side is bordered by Columbus Drive. At its west side is Michigan Avenue, while Monroe Street is down its southern end.

The Magnificent Mile

The Magnificent Mile is one of the major stops of every tourist in Chicago. It is a 13-block stretch right on North Michigan Avenue that starts on the banks of the Chicago River and runs all the way up to Oak Street. It is lined with notable stores, restaurants, hotels, entertainment centers and a whole lot more. Try viewing this stretchs cityscape at different times of the day and youll witness different impressive views of the Tribune Tower, the Wrigley Building, The John Hancock Center, and more.

Navy Pier

When it opened in 1916, it was mainly used as a shipping facility and an amusement area. Covering an entire 50 acres, there are shops, attractions, parks, concert venues, restaurants and gardens. Some of its more iconic features are the carousel and the 150-foot Ferris wheel.

Museum of Science and Industry

If youre interested in hands on exhibits, then the Museum of Science and Industry is perfect for you. Its premise in itself is actually interesting as they try to apply natural laws in industrial and technological development. Possibly the most impressive museum in the city, it is found at the northern end of Jackson Park.

Adler Planetarium

If you want to experience space travel, then the Adler Planetarium is a stop you cant miss. Imagine high resolution virtual reality tours of outer space  its the closest you can actually get to the heavens in this lifetime. Theres also a lot of stuff to learn here as the exhibits show you how the knowledge of man about space has evolved through the years.

If you want a real locals knowledge of other places around the city that you can visit, start talking to your Universal Taxi cabbie. Hell definitely have insider knowledge of the best spots to go to.