The Windy City is a midwest masterpiece and offers lots to do and see. Going to Chicago can be fun for the family, a group of friends, bachelorette party, or just with one other person. There’s something for everyone in this city. Here’s the top ten list of places to check out while visiting Chicago:
1. Art Institute of Chicago
Located it the heart of Chicago, this encyclopedic art museum was founded in 1879 and features over 300,000 pieces from collections of Impressionists and Post-Impressionists art in its permanent collection. It’s one of the most visited art museums in its permanent collection. It’s one of the most visited art museums in the world with about 1.5 million visitors annually and it also boasts the second-largest museum in the United States with one million square feet in eight buildings!
Pro tip: If you’re an Illinois resident, you can get free admission every Thursday from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
2. Millenium Park
Take a walk through Millenium Park and discover beautiful architecture, statues, and landscape design. Check their schedule for upcoming concerts, exhibitions, tours, and other activities. The park also borders Michigan Avenue, making it a perfect stop to take a break from shopping and is close to The Art Institute of Chicago.
3. Cloud Gate
Notoriously known as “The Bean”, you can find this unique sculpture in Millenium Park. The Bean was constructed between 2004 and 2006 and is made up of 168 stainless steel plates welded together by the artist Anish Kapoor. Interestingly, the sculpture was the result of a design competition when Kapoor’s design was chosen.
4. Museum of Science and Industry
This museum is the largest science museum in the western hemisphere and features a full-size replica of a coal mine, a German submarine, a 3,500 square foot model railroad, and the Apollo 8 spacecraft that carried the first humans to orbit the moon!
5. Wrigley Field
The historic baseball park is home to the Chicago Cubs and is known for its impressive upkeep of keeping the ballpark in the same condition it was when built in 1914. Of course, since then there have been renovations, including its first jumbotron, added just this year. Another picture-perfect scene you’ll find at Wrigley is the distinctive ivy-covered outfield walls. In 2013, Total Pro Sports even voted Wrigley Field the “Best Place to Catch a Game”.
6. Michigan Avenue
Calling all shoppers! When visiting Michigan Avenue, you’ll stumble upon “The Magnificant Mile”–and upscale shopping area that is currently Chicago’s largest shopping district. You will also find famous Chicago landmarks on your journey through Michigan Avenue including the Wrigley Building, Tribune Tower, and the Chicago Water Tower. It’s definitely worth spending a half or full day exploring.
7. Food Tours
Tasting the food in Chicago is a must when visiting. Whether you slip into world-famous Giordano’s for a bite of deep dish pizza or are looking for a way to try multiple flavors of the city. There are tons of food tour options because of companies like Food Planet Tours who will take you around to areas of the city to try the delicacies and Chicago flair in every bite.
8. 360 Chicago
Located in the Hancock Building, visit the 360 Chicago observation deck and stand on top of Chicago. Reach 1,000 feet above Lake Michigan and the city’s skylines for magical views and look beyond to the four neighboring states. If you’re brave enough, try Tilt, Chicago’s highest moving experience, extending out and over The Magnificant Mile.
9. The Field Museum
One of the largest natural history musuems in the world will attract up to 2 million visiters annually. The Field Museum exhibits includes the earliest fossils of the world, and maintains iver 24 million specimens and objects – holding 4.6 billion years of history under one roof!
10. Boat Tours
Hop aboard a Chicago boat tour and experience the city from the river the runs through the Windy City from Lake Michigan. There are lots of tours available, including architecture tours, lakefront tours, speed boat tours, and more! It’s definitely worth an hour or an afternoon.