Tara & Carolina
Things To Do
Skydeck at Willis Tower
This is the top of the Sears Tower, where you get to peek down from a glass box onto the street! Great views of the city but wouldn't recommend for those who don't love heights. Purchase timed entry tickets.
Navy Pier Ferris Wheel
The iconic ferris wheel at Navy Pier has great views of the city and is a fun attraction among carnival games and food stall options on the Pier. Purchase timed tickets.
Garfield Park Conservatory
Beautiful indoor conservatory with seasonal outdoor gardens. We got engaged here and we love it so much! Totally free to enter and explore.
Clarence F. Buckingham Memorial Fountain
Gorgeous fountain with gardens to walk through and city views to appreciate, right on the lake. The fountain runs seasonally so check if the water is still flowing on the parks website. Totally free!
Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool
Lovely hidden park on the edge of Lincoln Park. Gated lily pool area with seating around the edges. Relaxing place to visit for free during open hours.
The Art Institute of Chicago
Chicago's most famous art museum and home to many famous works like Suerat's "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte" or Grant Wood's "American Gothic" in a gorgeous setting. This is a big museum and can take a whole day, or be done in several visits. Purchase tickets online or at the museum.
DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center
America's oldest Black History Museum, named after Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, is in the museum campus/Hyde Park area of Chicago. Reserve tickets online for ~$15 per person to see permanent and changing exhibitions about Black history in America, including art of all mediums and many events and performances.
National Museum of Mexican Art
Free museum with seasonal rotating and permanent art exhibits. Check the website for current exhibitions and details. Located in Pilsen, a neighborhood with a high Mexican population and influence. Book online or get free tickets in person at the museum.
Obama Presidential Center
The brand-new presidential library and center for President Barack Obama just opened this year in in Hyde Park, Chicago. Reserve tickets to visit the museum and explore the new campus.
Field Museum
Natural sciences and history museum. Home to the famous T-Rex Sue! They have fun temporary and permanent exhibits. Check the website for a current list of exhibits. Purchase tickets online or at the museum.
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
The MCA is Chicago's contemporary art museum. With rotating exhibitions and artist highlights, it's always changing and has something for all contemporary art lovers. Film, sculpture, paintings, photography, and more are on display here. Purchase tickets online or at the museum.
The Mart
Formally known as Merchandise Mart, this massive multi-purpose building houses offices, galleries, restaurants, special events, and more. Check out the list of restaurants and cafes on their website, and check out the sit-down restaurant space upstairs! It has great views and is a good spot to chill or cowork.
Dove's Luncheonette
Great breakfast, lunch, and dinner spot in the cute Wicker Park neighborhood. Mexican-inspired menu with a full bar and countertop seating. No reservations but first-come, first-serve model.
Lardon
Fabulous charcuterie, sandwich, and salad restaurant in the Logan Square neighborhood. Has a cute outdoor patio if weather permits! Has coffee, chai, and a full bar as well. Make reservations online for your best bet at a table.
Lao Peng You
Excellent dumplings in the Ukrainian Village neighborhood of Chicago. Their main specialty is their pork dumplings in a slightly spicy, sesame-y broth. Delicious! They don't accept reservations and it's a pretty small space, but is great for takeout.
Qing Xiang Yuan Dumplings
QXY Dumplings is one of Chinatown's most popular restaurants for a reason! They serve a wide variety of dumplings with different meat and vegetable fillings, as well as tasty meat skewer appetizers. They don't take reservations, so go and put your name on the list on the tablet in the restaurant, and then walk around Chinatown until you're next in line!
Kasama
Michelin-rated Filipino restaurant with an amazing breakfast counter. Line gets long, so get there early or order ahead online. They're famous for their breakfast sandwich but everything is incredible, especially the pastries and the ube latte.