Autumn & Tod
Things To Do
Chicago's First Lady Architectural Tour
The Architecture Tour is, without a doubt, our favorite activity to take visitors to do. It features 90 minutes of Chicago history and architecture and some of the most beautiful views in the city.
Chicago Riverwalk
This was our first stop when we moved to Chicago three years ago. This free-to-the-public, 1.25-mile trail along the Chicago River is a great spot to grab a beer, people-watch, and check out some architecture.
The Art Institute of Chicago
Another of our favorite cultural institutions! Autumn's favorite pieces: Nighthawks, Monet's Stacks of Wheat, and the African Art Tod's favorite pieces: Georgia O'Keeffe's Sky above the Clouds IV, Seurat's A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, and Paris Street; Rainy Day. Also check out: Van Gogh's Self Portrait and American Gothic
Chicago Cultural Center
The Cultural Center is an amazing free attraction in downtown Chicago. It originated as the city's first public library. Now, it hosts art exhibitions and the world's largest Tiffany Dome (it's stunning). The Buddy store inside is also a great place to get a non-cheesy souvenir. It's also an excellent place to pop in and use the restroom or cool down during sightseeing.
Lincoln Park Zoo
This 35-acre zoo is one of the oldest in America and one of the few free zoos in North America! With a mission of conservation, it's got an impressive variety of animals and hosts fantastic events. The zoo is located in the beautiful Lincoln Park, which also hosts the Chicago History Museum and Botanic Gardens, and is across from North Avenue Beach. If you're up for some exercise, you could make an awesome day by checking out the zoo, wandering around Lincoln Park, and renting a bike and riding along the Lakefront Trail back towards your hotel.
Cub's Game at Wrigley Field
We're not big baseball fans, but it's hard to deny the fun of sitting in the beautiful and historic Wrigley Field with a beer the size of a yard. Make sure to learn the Cubs Victory song in case of a win! After the game, wander around Wrigleyville and find a sports bar.
Attend a Jazz Show
Jazz first came to Chicago during the Great Migration and has been thriving here since. There are various places in the city to catch a show, so we recommend scoping them out based on where you're staying. If you're up for a journey north, check out Uptown's Green Mill Cocktail Lounge, one of the most famous bars in America due to its prohibition-era history and being frequented by Al Capone. If you're hungry beforehand, grab some Ethiopian Food at Demera, Pho at Nha Hang, or the whole roasted duck at Sun Wah BBQ.
See a Comedy Show
Chicago is the birthplace of Second City, one of the world's most influential comedy theaters, and the origin of comedians like Jordan Peele, Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, and Steve Carrell. Check out a show here or one of our city's many other comedy clubs. We personally love to go to Hitchcocktails at the Annoyance Theater for an affordable and casual option. For our LGTBQ+ guests and allies, the Annoyance often hosts drag shows, but if you miss that, you can cross the street over to Northhalstead (also known as Boystown) to catch some drag at Roscoe's and then sweat it out on the dance floor.
Summer Street Festivals
Street Festivals are a quintessential part of summer in Chicago. They're a great way to experience a new neighborhood, find unique crafts, and hear live music. Two festivals coincide with our heritage during the weekend of our wedding: Swedish (Autumn) and Thai Fest (Tod). Midsommar Fest is one of Chicago's largest summer festivals and takes place in Andersonville. This celebration of Swedish and LGBTQ culture will feature food and live entertainment. Thai Festival Chicago is a smaller festival that takes place in the Uptown neighborhood. It will feature Thai food, crafts, cultural performances, and Muay Thai.