Chicago Theatre

The Chicago Theatre's vertical 'C-H-I-C-A-G-O' marquee sign is arguably the most photographed sign in the city — six stories of neon and incandescent bulbs that have been spelling out the city's name on State Street since 1921. The sign is so iconic that it's become shorthand for the city itself, appearing on postcards, posters, and establishing shots of every film set in Chicago.

The theatre behind the sign is equally extravagant. Designed by Cornelius and George Rapp in a French Baroque style, the 3,600-seat auditorium was the first of what became the great American movie palaces — ornate fantasy spaces where ordinary people could sit in surroundings that rivalled Versailles for the price of a movie ticket. The lobby is modelled on the Royal Chapel at Versailles, complete with marble columns, crystal chandeliers, and a sweeping grand staircase. The auditorium ceiling is a painted heaven of clouds, angels, and gold leaf.

The theatre was nearly demolished in the 1980s but was saved by a restoration that brought back its original glory. It now hosts concerts and comedy shows rather than movies, and the roster of performers who've played here reads like a history of American entertainment — from Duke Ellington to Prince to Adele. Tours of the building run regularly and include access to backstage areas and the sign itself — you can walk out onto the marquee and look down State Street from behind those famous letters.