Things To Do
Chicago CityPASS
Chicago has no shortage of museums. If you plan on going to more than one tour or museum, buy a City Pass! Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, and Adler Planetarium are located in the Near South Side's Museum Campus. Museum of Science and Industry, Oriental Institute, Smart Museum of Art, and DuSable Museum are located in Hyde Park. Museum of Contemporary Art: https://mcachicago.org/ Art Institute of Chicago: https://www.artic.edu/
Magnificent Mile
The Mag Mile is an upscale section of Chicago's Michigan Avenue, running from the Chicago River to Oak Street in the Near North Side. The Magnificent Mile is also notable for its three urban shopping centers: Water Tower Place, The Shops at North Bridge, and 900 North Michigan Shops. Each spans multiple floors and city blocks and offers various tenants: mall mainstays and more upscale apparel shops, restaurants, and unique attractions, such as museums. In its book, The 10 Best of Everything: An Ultimate Guide for Travelers, National Geographic named The Magnificent Mile along with Rodeo Drive and Fifth Avenue as one of the 10 best shopping avenues in the world. In 2011, rent on The Magnificent Mile is the third most expensive in the country, behind Fifth Avenue in New York and Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.
East Oak Street for Shopping
Oak Street is a short street in Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood, adjacent to North Michigan Avenue houses the highest concentration of luxury brands, "Oak Street" also designates the surrounding area including Rush Street and Walton Street as Chicago's upscale retail district.
Architecture Boat Tour on the Chicago River
Fun Fact: Chicago reversed the flow of the river. Find out how and why on this tour. #1 boat tour in North America according to USA Today Readers' Choice 2021 Awards! For more than 25 years, the Chicago Architecture Center's expertly trained docent volunteers have led the river cruise, sharing fascinating stories behind more than 50 buildings along the Chicago River. Hear how Chicago grew from a small settlement into one of the world's largest cities in less than 100 years. In just 90 minutes, you'll get the best overview of Chicago’s architecture and its history.
Navy Pier Ferris Wheel
Completed in 1916, Navy Pier is undeniably one of Chicago’s top attractions. Stretching into Lake Michigan, this year-round destination truly comes to life in the summer, with fireworks displays, live music, theatre, and cruises setting sail daily. Come fall and winter, Navy Pier is still hopping, with special events, sights, and activities that span all ages and interests. There are many outdoor attractions at the Navy Pier Park, such as the Pepsi Wave Swinger, Light Tower Ride, Remote Control Boats (now removed along with fountain around the Wave Swinger), Teacups and the Carousel. New for 2021 is Drop Tower, an S&S Double Shot relocated from the closed Pleasure Island.
Millennium Park - Home of the Bean
Millennium Park is more than an attraction — it’s an expression of the Chicago experience. The lakefront campus, located in the heart of downtown Chicago, is home to the iconic Cloud Gate statue (aka “The Bean”), interactive fountains, tranquil gardens, free events, public art, skating rinks, rock climbing, and plenty of green space. Come explore everything Millennium Park has to offer.
Art on The Mart
Smack dab in the center of Chicago's coveted River North neighborhood is the world's largest permanent digital art projection. Onlookers gather nightly to observe a unique display of visual effects taking shape upon the 2.5-acre riverfront facade of theMART building. This free, self-guided public art experience is certainly a spectacle amidst the already impressive Chicago cityscape. If you're compelled by what you see, the art on theMART website offers more information on the artists involved.
Willis Tower aka Sears Tower - The Ledge
Willis Tower is the heart of downtown financial Chicago. The 110-story building is one of the tallest buildings in the world and the second tallest building in North America. History and Fun facts: https://www.willistower.com/history-and-facts Skydeck & The Ledge are located on the 103rd floor with clear observation boxes & views extending to four states. Pay extra for VIP Expedited Entry!
John Hancock Building – The Tilt
John Hancock is a 100-story, skyscraper located on the Magnificent Mile. The observatory (360 Chicago), which competes with the Willis Tower's Skydeck, has a 360° view of the city, up to four states, and over 80 miles. 360 Chicago is home to TILT, a moving platform that leans visitors over the edge of the skyscraper to a 30-degree angle, a full bar with local selections, Chicago's only open-air SkyWalk, and features free interactive high-definition touch screens in six languages. Note the Tilt Experience is an additional ticket on top of the Skydeck.
Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park is a designated community area on the North Side of Chicago, Illinois. Lying to the West of Lincoln Park, Chicago's largest park, bigger than Central Park in NYC. Top 5 Things to do in the park: The Lincoln Park Boardwalk, The Lincoln Park Zoo, The Lincoln Park Conservatory, The Education Pavilion, and The Caldwell Lily Pond. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbH0bLwQnUA Lincoln Park Zoo aka Lincoln Park Zoological Gardens is a 35-acre zoo in Lincoln Park, Chicago, Illinois. The Zoo was founded in 1868, making it the fourth oldest zoo in North America. It is also one of a few free admission zoos in the United States.
Wrigley Field - Home of the Chicago Cubs
https://www.mlb.com/cubs/ballpark/tours Wrigley Field is nicknamed "The Friendly Confines," a phrase popularized by "Mr. Cub," Hall of Fame shortstop and first baseman Ernie Banks. The oldest park in the National League, it is the second-oldest in the majors after Fenway Park (1912), and the only remaining Federal League park. The park was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2020. Wrigley Field is known for its ivy-covered brick outfield wall, the unusual wind patterns off Lake Michigan, the iconic red marquee over the main entrance, the hand-turned scoreboard, its location in a primarily residential neighborhood with no parking lots and views from the rooftops behind the outfield, and for being the last Major League park to have lights installed for night games.
Guaranteed Rate Field - Home of the Chicago White Sox
One of the American League's 8 charter franchises, the White Sox were established as a major league baseball club in 1900 as the Chicago White Stockings, before shortening their name to the White Sox in 1904. The team originally played their home games at South Side Park before moving to Comiskey Park in 1910, where they played until a new ballpark with the same name (later U.S. Cellular Field and now Guaranteed Rate Field) opened in 1991. Tours of Guaranteed Rate Field can be arranged by calling the Chicago White Sox at 312-674-1000, ext. 7182. Donations are requested for these tours, with proceeds going to Chicago White Sox Charities.