Vanessa & Brian
Exploring Chicago
Millennium Park (the bean)
Home of the famous bean statue! Technically it's called Cloud Gate, but the people have spoken! There is more to see here, too, so go take a stroll!
Grant Park
I just know it for its fountain and large grassy expanse, but it claims to be the Central Park and front yard of Chicago...good try. It technically encompasses Millennium Park and several other attractions.
Art Institute of Chicago
Do you like art? If yes, you'll love it here--they have plenty of famous pieces and things I don't understand. If no, someone will still drag you here so start googling how Monet is pronounced. If you're like me, I'll meet you in the room of modern art and we can complain about people getting paid to paint an entire canvas one shade of blue.
Museum of Science + Industry Chicago
This museum is my favorite because of the variety of exhibits they have here. Planes, trains, and submarines...and flight simulators!!! That's where you'll find me :-)
The Field Museum
You got your life, earth, and social sciences colliding here so there's no shortage of variety. If nothing else, you have to get a selfie with Sue the T-Rex!
Navy Pier
This spot is iconic, but it's not a personal favorite, to be honest. I will probably skip it, especially considering the Shakespeare theater isn't doing shows until October. However, there is plenty of shopping, dining, and attractions within Navy Pier and it really is a classic.
Wrigley Field
Okay, before you get mad, hear me out. I'm not taking sides, really, I'm not--the Cubs are playing the White Sox AT Wrigley during the weekend of the party, so THAT'S why I put Wrigley here, instead of whatever that other field is. So, try to catch a bounce pass and slide into the goal that weekend because they're playing all 3 days, at 1:20 and I have no idea why they do this. Can you tell we're really into sports ball? Do people tailgate for baseball games? We'll show up for that!
Sears (Willis) Tower
The tallest building in Chicago, which I still refer to as the Sears Tower, but is technically now called Willis Tower. There is a sky deck, for those who don't mind heights. Uninteresting trivia: we have never been here!
Honorable Mentions
Ok ok, agree to disagree, as I'm sure some of you will find it blasphemous that I would relegate some of these to this list 1. Shedd Aquarium - I was on the fence, and to be fair, I haven't been here in 10 years, but it's not really that big and it costs $40 now! 2. Adler Planetarium - Again, on the fence, as their theaters are quite relaxing, but it's a bit niche and not a very large 'museum' (closed) 3. Lincoln Park Zoo - it's free, but most cities have a zoo, and they tend to be pretty similar., IMO 4. Tours - there are tons of city tours, and that can be great if you're into history, architecture, or food; they tend to take a lot of time, though 5. Garfield Conservatory (inside) and Chicago Botanic Gardens (outside) - even though these are common to cities, Brian LOVES plants, plus these places are so relaxing 6. Chains - 6 Flags Great America, LegoLand, Dave & Busters, and TopGolf; I mention them because even though you can find them in other places, they are so much fun!
Stages of Chicago
If you want a show, Chicago will give you a show--a lot of shows! I will concede, many of these are not unique to Chicago, but they are mostly shows you will only find in very large cities. 1. Improv - improv is what Chicago is famous for when it comes to shows, but currently, I can only find ticket availability for Second City (which is the most famous of the improv troupes) 2. Teatro Zinzanni - looks like Broadway won't be back until October here, so this is the closest thing I could find. It's summed up as a dinner-circus-vaudeville attraction. I believe tickets start at $70. 3. Medieval Times - a very compact version of a renaissance fest--one meal, one show, but I've always wanted to go! Uninteresting fact: we had tickets to go right at the cusp of everything shutting down :-( 4. Blue Man Group - I've seen them twice, and I would see them again! The talent and entertainment level is incredible (may still be shut down)
Ways to Save
Most of the attractions listed above can add up, so I wanted to pass on a few $ saving tips 1. City Pass - gets you admission to Shedd Aquarium, Skydeck Chicago, and Field Museum + 2 of the following: Adler Planetarium, Museum of Science & Industry, Art Institute of Chicago, 360 Chicago Observation Deck. You get a 60 day window and costs $109 for adults/$89 for children 2. GO Chicago Pass - 2 options: unlimited attractions within a set number of days (all inclusive) or set # of attractions within 60 days (Explorer). There are 35 attraction choices and the price ranges from $59-188 for adults/$33-132 for children. 3. Discount Sites - check for deals on Groupon, TravelZoo, and Viator 4. Professions - some attractions offer discounts for active duty military, first responders, teachers, etc. 5. Bank of America credit cards - free access to over 175 museums/cultural centers around the U.S. on the 1st Saturday & Sunday of each month, which is what August 7 and 8 are!