Soldier Field

Built between 1922 and 1926 to pay homage to WWI soldiers, this oft-renovated edifice has been home to everything from civil-rights speeches by Martin Luther King Jr to Brazilian soccer games. It got its latest UFO-landing-upon-a-Greek-ruin look in a controversial 2003 makeover. Prior to that, the stadium’s architecture was so noteworthy it was named a National Historic Landmark. Unfortunately, the landmark lacked corporate skyboxes and giant bathrooms, so the city (the venue is owned by the park district) decided it was time for a change. The new look met almost unanimous derision when it was unveiled; critics quickly dubbed it ‘the Mistake on the Lake.’ The landmark folks agreed and whacked it from their list, saying it jeopardized the national landmark integrity. And that was that. The Bears play football here in the fall and early winter; see for ticket details. Stadium tours are available for groups of 10 or more; call [tel] 312-235-7244 for details. Advance booking is required.