Check-In Chicago｜100 Instagram-Worthy Photo Spots

Location: Chicago Board of Trade Building Address: 141 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60604 Last weekend’s Open House Chicago led me through wind and rain to explore the normally closed-to-the-public Chicago Board of Trade Building. This iconic structure in Chicago’s financial district symbolizes the city’s role as a hub of finance and agricultural trade. Originally the headquarters of the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT), it was one of the world’s earliest and most important futures exchanges. Constructed in 1930, the exterior is clad in pale gray limestone, showcasing classic Art Deco design. At the top stands the stoic goddess Ceres, holding sheaves of wheat and corn, watching over Chicago’s agricultural and financial legacy. (Our guide shared a fun fact: “The architect left Ceres’ face featureless because no building would ever be tall enough for anyone to see it clearly!” 😄 The building stands about 605 feet (184 meters) tall with 44 floors.)👌❤️ In the early trading system, physical delivery of commodities like grains and metals was common, so the building’s vaults were built to extreme security standards. The massive vault doors are dozens of centimeters thick—literally feeling the “weight of wealth.” Although the CME Group has since relocated some operations and the vaults no longer store physical assets, the area has been preserved as an exhibition space. Original heavy vault doors, vintage security labels, locks, and old metal storage boxes still evoke the mystery of historic finance. During Open House, you can step into this time-capsule space and glimpse a real chapter of Chicago’s financial history. Sadly, the legendary Trading Hall—the “battlefield” for traders—wasn’t open to the public this year. Hopefully next time! 👀 #Chicago #ChicagoLife #ChicagoTravel #WeekendInChicago #ArtDecoArchitecture