There are several options for the boat tour--but this may be one of our favorite ways to show people the city. You'll learn all about the incredible architecture from a unique vantage point. If you have the time, this is a must do! Wendella is one of several vendors, and they have a river only or river + lake option.
The Field Museum is one of the best natural history museums in the world. Go check out their world-famous collection of dinosaur fossils and walk through a three-story replica of an ancient Egyptian tomb.
The Art Institute has a permanent collection of nearly 300,000 works of art in addition to rotating exhibitions throughout the year. You can find many famous works including A Sunday on La Grande Jatte (Georges Seurat), Under the Wave off Kanagawa (Katsushika Hokusai), and American Gothic (Grant Wood). Within the walls you will also find works by Georgia O'Keeffe, Claude Monet, Salvador Dali, Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, and Andy Warhol. There is also a Monet exhibit going on this summer (until early September).
In recent years, restaurants, bars, and outdoor activity vendors have opened up along the main branch of the Chicago River. Spend an afternoon here for great views of the city with something tasty in hand. Learn more here: https://www.chicagoriverwalk.us/.
If you're interested in architecture, the Oak Park neighborhood has several homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, including his home and studio (which is open to tour). You can also do a walking tour of the Wright District, an area of prairie-style homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
Wrigley Field = The historic ballpark that is home of the Chicago Cubs! Sadly, they are out of town over our wedding weekend.
You may have followed the Shedd Aquarium's penguins during the pandemic... see them up close. And don't forget to visit the belugas :)
If you're looking for some Persian food, Reza's has been the go-to for Sheida's family for... decades. They've catered many birthday parties, graduations, and other celebrations through the years and are a solid choice if you are exploring the Andersonville neighborhood. There's plenty in the area, including the Andersonville Galleria just a few doors down--which is full of gifts made by local vendors.
Home of the White Sox, and just down the street from our wedding venue. They will be in town and playing against Detroit over the weekend.
There are plenty of options to kayak on the river--this is just (a random) one! It's a great way to see the city from a different perspective. There are tour options or ones where you go out yourself--we've only done the latter.
Take a tour of the Chicago location of the California-based brewery.
This is where Goose Island began--take a tour or head straight to the bar.
A relatively new park and trail system--run, bike, walk. We haven't been on it... yet!