Art Institute Of Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago is a world class museum with hundreds of thousands of artworks. The diverse collection spans thousands of years and includes pieces from a variety of media including painting, prints, photography, sculpture, decorative arts, textiles, architectural drawings and more.
The Institute is known for its collection of impressionist and post-Impressionist paintings including Georges Seurat’s 1884 A Sunday Afternoon on La Grande Jatte, Renoir’s 1879 Acrobats at the Cirque Fernando, and numerous paintings by Claude Monet.
The main building, designed by Shepley, Rutan, and Coolidge in beaux-arts style, was built for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. Several other buildings have been added on over the years and today the complex measures 400,000 square feet.
Address: 111 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois
River And Lake Cruises
Out on Lake Michigan and along the Chicago River you can sit back and give Chicagos cityscape the attention it deserves.
Theres a selection of cruises, from gentle lake tours to exhilarating speedboat rides.
The Classic Lake Tour is a 40-minute sightseeing trip giving you plenty of time to soak up the sights, and with a recorded commentary for interesting titbits.
At the old Navy Training Center on Navy Pier you can jet off on a speedboat for a 75-Minute Architecture Cruise, starting on the lake and heading upriver as far as the Willis Tower.
The Chicago River Architecture Cruise has a more sedate pace, and gives you a clear view of more than 40 listed landmarks, accompanied by live commentary from an expert guide.
Woolly Mammoth Antiques And Oddities
Woolly Mammoth Antiques and Oddities
The tables are covered in skulls.
The shelves are stacked with things like human dentures and lamps made out of alligator heads.
The bottles and jars are filled with eggs, skins, animal fetuses and other grotesque knickknacks.
Its focused on death, but in a weird way, its also a celebration of life.
What can make you feel more alive than looking at a stuffed and mounted squirrel?
Drop by Woolly Mammoth Antiques and Oddities if youre looking for unique tourist places in Chicago.
It isnt something that youll find in a travel guide, but its utterly bizarre collection will definitely give you a story or two for when you return home.
Address: 1513 W Foster Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
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Garden Of The Phoenix
ezellhphotography / Shutterstock
Illinois might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of cherry blossoms, but at the Garden of the Phoenix, theyre an annual event.
This beautiful, peaceful garden has been transported right out of a Japanese painting and into the heart of Chicago.
Curved bridges will lead you across ponds and streams.
Bonsai trees will provide shade from the sun.
Flower fields will offer amazingly fragrant mixes of camillas, chrysanthemums and morning glories, and birds will sing sweet songs over the sounds of babbling brooks and rustling tree leaves.
Youre probably impatient to hear about the cherry blossoms.
Its okay.
Thousands of visitors flock to Chicago from all over Illinois just to see them every spring.
Their lives are brief, so make sure to time your trip when theyre actually in season, but seeing them in person is just as amazing as you think.
If youre looking for attractions that you cant find anywhere else in the state of Illinois, consider the Garden of the Phoenix.
Its cherry blossoms are a rare and exotic treat, but its real appeal lies in its beauty, serenity and tranquility.
Once youre here, youll never want to leave.
Address: 6300 S Cornell Ave, Chicago, IL 60637, United States
Dont Miss Willis Tower And The Sky Deck:
Willis Tower, previously named Sears Tower, was the tallest building globally for over 25 years.
If you wish to have a unique and, at the same time, a terrifying perspective of the city, you must visit the sky deck.
The view from up there is simply stunning. The line was pretty long, but eventually, we could make it to the top right before the sunset.
Imagine admiring the panorama of the city from the 103rd floor while sitting on plain glass.
It took a year of engineering and six months of construction to create the four boxes. Also, four states are visible from that height: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
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Spend A Night With The Bluest People Around
The classic that is Blue Man Group has just a few homes across the US and Chicago is one them. One of the best things to do in Chicago at night would be to book yourself a ticket and grab a seat for one of the weirder theatrical performances youre likely to see in your life. For starters, everyone is blue.
Its a multimedia extravaganza that started as a creative disturbance put on by three friends in the Lower East Side of Manhattan when they put on a tiny parade, which involved burning a Rambo doll and a piece of the Berlin Wall. That strangeness persists. Be warned: front row seats are in a splash zone.
Stroll The Historic Streets Of Hyde Park
Chicagos Hyde Park neighborhood is home to the beautiful University of Chicago campus, the Frederick C. Robie House, Hyde Park Art Center, and its sprawling 57th St Beach, which welcomes visitors near and far every summer. The Midwests oldest juried Art Fair, the 57th St. Art Fair, takes place the first weekend in June. Stop for Southern American fare at Virtue Restaurant, where Chef Erick Williams serves up gizzards and gravy, BBQ pork steak, blackened catfish, and the most buttery grits.
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Get Free Access To Popular Attractions
OK. Admittedly purchasing a tourist discount pass isn’t free, in fact, these passes can seem expensive.
However, the all-inclusive tourist passes include most of the city’s popular tourist attractions and tours, including hop-on-hop-off bus tours and boat cruises.
In fact, they usually offer over 80 options to choose from.
The object of these all-inclusive passes is to experience as many things in a day as you have time for.
These passes are sold in increments of days, and the longer the pass the less the daily cost is.
So, if you plan efficiently, you will end up getting free access to several tours and attractions.
Immerse Yourself In A Museum
For fans of immersive art, Chicagos WNDR Museum features new one-of-a-kind installations from artists and collectives, reopening with brand-new touchless experiences. The Museum of Illusions Chicago also invites visitors to engage with over 80 mind-bending exhibits of absurd and clever optical illusion, explaining the math, psychology, and science behind how the human brain works to play tricks on us. Mirror infinity rooms, scale-distorting rooms, holograms, a vortex tunnel, and an anti-gravity room are just a few highlights.
Blockbuster art experience Immersive Van Gogh made its U.S. premiere at Lighthouse ArtSpace Chicago, a new venue within Chicagos recently renovated landmark Germania Club Building. The 600,000 cubic feet of flawless projections transports viewers through Vincent van Goghs oeuvrefrom sunny landscapes and night scenes to portraits and still life paintings. There are even CorePower Yoga classes being offered Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings. The exhibit will run through November 28, 2021.
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Walk Through Millennium Park
Millennium Park is part of the largerGrant Park, located in downtown Chicago bordered by Michigan Avenue to the west, Columbus Drive to the east, Randolph Street to the north, and Monroe Street to the south. Its centerpiece is a 110-ton sculpture name Cloud Gate, which has a polished, mirror-like stainless steel surface that was inspired by liquid mercury. It reflects the surroundings, including buildings, the sky, and the tourists who walk through its central arch.
Another top attraction in Millennium Park is Crown Fountain, a fascinating modern interpretation of the ancient gargoyle that gives the appearance of water flowing from the mouths of projected images of Chicago citizens. Other popular things to do here include seeing a performance at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, an outdoor concert venue, and visiting Lurie Garden, which is open to the public at no cost year-round.
Located close to many of the major attractions, as well as great shopping, this area of the city is a convenient place to base yourself. For accommodation suggestions see our list of recommended hotels in this area.
Address: 201 East Randolph Street, Chicago, Illinois
Where Is Chicago Located
The City of Big Shoulders is located in northeastern Illinois, on the shores of Lake Michigan.
There was one event that completely changed the course of the citys evolution. A big part of the existing architecture was rebuilt in the late 19th century after the Great Fire of 1871 wiped out much of the historic center.
However, Chicago succeeded in becoming one of the most beautiful cities in the US again, despite the tragic events Ive mentioned.
At present, Windy City has plenty of attractions for everyone. In this post, I will mention the ten that I liked most during my visit. Here we go
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Splash Around In Crown Fountain
Crown Fountain is located in Chicagos touristy Millennium Park. Its a permanent art installation that comes to life in the summertime.
Two giant LED screens feature videos of different faces, and the faces spit a stream of water into a granite reflecting pool. Slip off your shoes and socks. Splash around in this public work of art!
Chicago Riverwalk And Lakefront Trail
The Chicago River runs through the heart of the city, parallel to the lakeshore, and is known for its large number of movable bridges. In just two miles, there are 18 bridges, each with the ability to allow large boats to pass.
The McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum treats tourists to an up-close look at the mechanisms of one of the city’s most famous bridges, where you can actually watch the gears work as it moves.
The Riverwalk is home to many dining options and hosts special events throughout the year, and you can also find several river tours and cruises that depart from the Riverwalk.
The fully-paved Lakefront Trail offers beautiful views of the city skyline and Lake Michigan, stretching 18 miles from 71st Street on the South Side to Ardmore Street on the North Side. It is open to pedestrians and people-powered wheels, and is lined by parks, gardens, and recreation areas, as well as beaches. Many of the city’s top attractions are located along the trail, including Navy Pier, Lincoln Park, and Soldier Field.
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Very Best Things To Do In Chicago
The US isnt just the more popular cities of NYC, Los Angeles and Nashville, there are so many more fun US cities that sometimes get overlooked when planning a trip to the US. This is why I wanted to share some of the very best things to do in Chicago, its a city that has so much going for it and is totally fun to boot!
Now, I know it can be a little difficult to whittle down a few key cities to visit in the US, especially if youre short on vacation time. After all, the sheer size and diversity of the US mean that one end of the country feels very different from the other. This is exactly why I wanted to share a few key tips on the best things to do in Chicago.
I loved visiting and Im already itching to get back to the windy city.
Perched on the banks of Lake Michigan, Chicago has some amazing places to see, especially when you visit for the very first time. Heck, theres still so many of the best things to do in Chicago even if youve visited a few times. Its the kinda city thats always changing and theres always something new popping up.
With that in mind, I wanted to share some of the best things to do in Chicago on your next visit. Have the best time!
Millennium Parks Hidden Garden Aka Lurie Garden
Hidden Gem in Chicago
Millennium Park is a hot tourist attraction in Chicago but Lurie Garden is a less-visited hidden gem in the city. The garden, often called Millennium Park’s Hidden Garden, is hidden from the city by a 15-foot wall of trees to keep it a beautiful, relaxing oasis in the middle of the city’s hustle and bustle.
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Free Chicago Festivals Events And Seasonal Attractions
Many festivals, events and seasonal attractions are free.
Navy Pier has free fireworks every Wednesday and Saturday night in the summer and Saturday night in . Taste of Chicago To-Go free-admission food festival that takes place July 711, 2021 Grant Park Music Festival, a free outdoor classical-music concert series on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from July 2 August 21, 2021. Sundays on State for 8 weeks in the summer starting July 11, 2021. Watch free movies in Chicagos public parks with the annual Movies in the Parks. Millennium Park Summer Music Series . SummerDance in August and September. Chicago Air and Water Show on August 21 and 22 Every October, the Chicago Architecture Center hosts Open House Chicago, a two-day public festival that offers behind-the-scenes access to architecturally, historically and culturally significant sites across the city. Christkindlmarket is a popular and free authentic German-style Christmas market
Richard H Driehaus Museum
Source: driehausmuseum.org
Youll step back into Americas Gilded Age at the refined Nickerson House, built in 1883 for the banker Samuel M. Nickerson.
Close to the Magnificent Mile, on the Near North Side, the house looks a little out of place, dwarfed by the citys bold Neoclassical monuments and glass-clad skyscrapers.
In 2003 the Chicago fund manager and philanthropist turned the Nickerson house into a museum, blending the original furnishings with luxurious Art Nouveau glazed tiles, stained glass, onyx, carvings and marble all sourced from other places.
The museum is heaven if you like decorative arts.
Youll find some lovely pieces by Louis Comfort Tiffany, like a large fire screen, a set of vibrant stemware, a blown-glass humidor and a peculiar centrepiece lamp.
The ballroom has Edward Colonna furniture you can sit in, while some other exceptional pieces include Sèvres vases, a suite of George A. Schastey neo-Empire chairs, pre-Raphaelite paintings and a rare Chickering and Sons grand piano.
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Visit The Art Institute Of Chicago:
This museum will successfully compete against the best art museums in the world. Located on Michigan Avenue, the Art Institute is the second largest museum in the US, being visited by over 1.5 million people annually.
Inside, youll find more than 300 000 works of art that will probably take your breath away for a whole day.
Whats So Special About Chicago
If youre fortunate enough to find yourself among the other 55 million annual tourists to the U.S. city of Chicago, there are several things that you should know ahead of time.
Well-recognized for its vibrant city life, upscale shopping, music and arts scene, futuristic architecture, and miles of sandy beaches along Lake Michigan, Chicago is a city rich in both history and modernism.
The entire city of Chicago burned down in what is now known as the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The massive, state-of-the-art rebuilding effort that took place after that, helped transform the city into the innovative metropolitan Second City that it is today.
World-famous for its plethora of unique architectural styles, Chicago skyscrapers include an eclectic mix of 1920s Art Deco, 1960s Postmodern, and 20th century Second Empire architectural designs. Chicagos skyscrapers have been built by some of the worlds leading architects. Chicago is now often referred to as The City of Architecture.
Along with being situated on Lake Michigan, Chicago is well-known for the beautiful Chicago River that winds its way through the heart of downtown. There are lots of sightseeing excursions that take place along the Chicago River, as well as a 1.25-mile Riverwalk to enjoy. The bustling Riverwalk offers visitors and guests a wide assortment of spaces to eat, drink, and play.
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