Shawn & Michelle
Things To Do
Michigan Avenue
Walk and shop along the Magnificent Mile.
This vibrant, bustling area is home to upscale shops, luxe fashion outlets, cool restaurants, and posh hotels. Landmarks include the historic Chicago Water Tower, the neo-Gothic Tribune Tower, the terracotta Wrigley Building skyscraper, and the 100-story John Hancock Center, which has a rooftop observation deck with fine dining and panoramic city views.
Millennium Park
Don’t just stop at the iconic Bean sculpture.
This gorgeous park has interactive fountains, tranquil gardens, free events, public art, and plenty of green space. Pritzker Gardens and the Great Lawn on the Jay Pritzker Pavilion are the perfect scene for a peaceful walk and picnic in the middle of a bustling city.
The Lakefront Trail
See all that Chicago's lakefront has to offer!
Walk or rent a Divvy bike along the Lakefront Trail to experience Chicago's iconic skyline and stunning Lake Michigan.
The Art Institute of Chicago
https://www.artic.edu/
The Art Institute of Chicago, founded in 1879, is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States. Don't miss out on 5,000 years worth of culture and art, that has been stewarded by 11 curatorial departments. Be sure to check out the Modern Art Wing, which was updated in 2009 and debuts 30 special exhibitions, yearly.
Chicago Architecture Boat Tour
https://architecturetourchicago.com/
Chicago is known around the world for its architectural feats, both inside and outside of it's unique buildings. From the 100-year-old Art Deco, Neo-Classical, and Gothic Towers, to some of the tallest modern-day skyscrapers, Chicago is where old meets futuristic architectural endeavors. It has something for everyone in a way that no other city replicates today.
The Field Museum
https://www.fieldmuseum.org/visit
The Field Museum of Chicago's immersive exhibits explore everything from ancient cultures to the latest scientific discoveries, drawing from an astounding collection of more than 24 million objects. World-renowned items on display include Egyptian mummies, the man-eating lions of Tsavo, and SUE, the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex ever discovered—and there is so much more in the research collections.
The Shedd Aquarium
https://www.sheddaquarium.org/
Chicago's Shedd Aquarium is an indoor public aquarium that is home to sea otters and seahorses, beluga whales and bluegills, reef sharks, stingrays, dolphins, and so much more! This 5 million gallon aquarium holds about 32,000 animals and is the third largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere.
Chicago Sky Deck
https://theskydeck.com/
Step out on The Ledge at Skydeck, a glass box that hovers 1,353 feet in the air from the facade of Willis Tower, one of the tallest buildings on the planet. The Ledge experience was inspired by all the face prints left on the Willis Tower’s windows by visitors trying to get the best possible view. The all-glass platform feels like you’re walking on air, with nothing to obscure your sightline of the Chicago River, Lake Michigan, and many of Chicago’s most iconic buildings. You can even see up to four different states on clear days.
Museum of Science and Industry
https://www.msichicago.org/
The largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere! Housed in the only remaining building from the 1893 World’s Fair, MSI is a Chicago must-see. You’ll experience 14 acres of hands-on exhibits and have the chance to stand before a 40-foot tornado; climb aboard a World War II German submarine; take a run in a human-sized hamster wheel; descend into an Illinois coal mine; tour a fully functioning eco-friendly home; board a 727 hanging from the ceiling; transmit your pulse to a 13-foot, 3-D beating heart; and much more! MSI is not a place where you walk around quietly and observe. No way! You get involved in the fun—and learn—by doing.
Water Taxi to Chinatown
www.chicagowatertaxi.com/Chicago-River-Boat-Stops/Chinatown/
Take Chicago's river boat Water Taxi to Chinatown. Arriving in Tom (Ping) Memorial Park, you can follow the trail to Wentworth Avenue, the heart of Chinatown's lively business district. Offerings there include an extensive roster of shops, cafes, dim sum spots, and teahouses. Chinatown Square outdoor mall has similar attractions. The Chinese-American Museum has exhibits about the history of the neighborhood. The Nine-Dragon Wall is a reproduction of the 15th-century mural of the same name in Beijing.
Wrigley Field
https://www.mlb.com/cubs/ballpark
Welcome to the home of Chicago's most beloved baseball team, the Cubs! Wrigley opened in 1914, making it the second-oldest active MLB ballpark behind Fenway. Fans love the remaining legacy elements of the stadium, including ivy-covered outfield walls and a hand-turned scoreboard over the center-field stands.
Lincoln Park Zoo
https://www.lpzoo.org/
Lincoln Park Zoo, also known as Lincoln Park Zoological Gardens, is a 35-acre zoo in Lincoln Park, Chicago, Illinois. The zoo was founded in 1868 and is the second oldest zoo in the United States. It is also one of a small number of zoos to offer free admission. The zoo's exhibits include big cats, polar bears, penguins, gorillas, reptiles, monkeys, and other species, totaling about 1,100 animals from some 200 species.