Paint Your Own Pottery
Young artists will love the opportunity to paint and decorate a piece of pottery.
At Glazed Expressions in Lincoln Park kids and adults can select pottery to paint and explore their artistic sides until their work is perfect for them!
Closest L stop: Armitage Brown LinePainters of All Ages are welcome
Tip: Your artwork will not be ready to take home that night! It will be glazed and heated in the kiln after you are finished.
It will be ready to be picked up after 7 days, and you must pick it up after a week, but before a month later. Plan accordingly!
Field Museum Of Natural History
One of the best and largest natural history museums in the world, the Field Museums museum collection has swelled to more than 24 million objects since it opened in 1893. This a place to feed your fascination for the natural world, with grand Neoclassical halls housing fossils, priceless gemstones and animal and plant specimens.
Theres also compelling anthropology for the Ancient Americas and Ancient Egypt, as well as Tibet, China, Africa and cultures in the Pacific Islands.
The Geology Halls meanwhile have an exquisite collection of Chinese jade, and a stained glass window by Louis Comfort Tiffany.
The star of the show is the 37-metre Titanosaur in the Stanley Field Hall.
In 2018, this herbivore from Argentina replaced SUE, a T-Rex specimen, which will reappear at the Evolving Planet Gallery in 2019.
Ride Through The Town On A Bike Tour
Burn off the deep-dish pizza from the night before and explore the city at a much faster pace by opting for a bike tour.
While the lakefront trail comes highly recommended as a city staple, a number of adventurous and themed options are available too like horror-focused and pizza-focused cycle tours!
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Embrace All Things Frosty With Winterland Gahalger Way
This year at Gallagher Way in Wrigleyville, a plethora of holiday themed events are bound to delight the grinch in all of us. Through February 20th, Winterland will host a number of holiday programs including ice skating, wreath making, curling lessons, holiday movie screenings, ice bumper cars, and some other events hosted at Hotel Zachary. And, as a bonus, Gallagher Way also will be hosting a Christkindlemakert where German delicatessies are among the many alurs.
Scream Your Lungs Out At Lollapalooza Music Festival
Lollapalooza is one of the largest and most famous music festivals on the planet, and it surfaces every year in the middle of none other than the Windy City.
The wild event spans four days in late July or early August, with hundreds of local and international artists pumping out their best tunes for the tens of thousands of screaming fans.
Past headliners have included The Strokes, The Chainsmokers, Ariana Grande, And Twenty One Pilots its a big deal and tickets sell out quickly.
Festival-wise, its not only one of the best things to do in Chicago but one of the best things to do across the entire country!
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Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
This child-friendly museum in Lincoln Park presents the natural history of the Chicago region in smart and interactive ways.
During the Critter Connection every day at 11:30 kids can get an up close look at more than a dozen different amphibian species at the Animal House.
Theres also a bird walk, leading to a platform over Lincoln Parks North Pond, as well as hands-on stations where kids can learn about rivers, solve nature-inspired puzzles and explore a beaver lodge.
Learn About The Citys Past At The Chicago History Museum
On the southernmost point of the sprawling Lincoln Park, the Chicago History Museum showcases millions of artifacts dedicated to the stories of the citys past.
Its eye-opening exhibitions dive into Chicagos multiculturalism, its history with democracy and womens activism, the Civil Rights movement, and so much more.
Visit on a Tuesday to score free entry!
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Devour A Delicious Brunch On The Chicago Odyssey Cruise
Captivating views of the Chicago skyscrapers are aplenty on board the luxurious Chicago Odyssey.
On a typical 2-hour cruise, guests have access to a fresh brunch buffet, offering the best of the breakfast and the lunch menu, and complemented by a gourmet coffee bar.
Cap off the journey with a mouth-watering mimosa before disembarking at the 3,300-foot-long Navy Pier.
Chicago Air & Water Show
To round the whole thing off, heres another big event that the city lays on for free.
The Chicago Air & Water Show goes back to 1959 and remains the citys second favourite festival, as well as the largest free show of its kind in the United States.
Across a weekend in mid-August more than two million people line Lake Michigan, particularly the North Avenue Beach, for an exhibition of supersonic jets, formation flying, sky-diving and skywriting.
These are normally Army and Air Force groups, like the Golden Knights parachute team and the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.
Theres no better time to visit 360 Chicago, the Skydeck or take a cruise on the lake, while shore-side restaurants and bars put on viewing parties, though tickets will sell out months in advance.
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Best Things To Do In Chicago This Weekend With Kids: Ice Skating Santa Visits And Holiday Plays
Looking for the best things to do in Chicago this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend.
Snow and ice are the theme in this weekend’s roundup, even though the forecast calls for temperatures in the 50s and 60s through Thursday. Families can enjoy indoor icy fun with The Snow Queen at the Chopin Theatre or Nutcracker on Ice in Woodridge. Or, see if there’s any ice outside at Skate with Santa at Maggie Daley Park, Blackhawks Hockey Clinic at Midway Plaisance or the Family Skate at McKinley Park. Also, you can get it one last visit with Santa before his big ride at events in Hinsdale and Glendale Heights .
Speaking of the man in red, we have a great list of our favorite Santa visit locales throughout Chicagoland. Gear up for winter break with our list of best winter break activities. Check out some of our favorite free Christmas and holiday activities, or take in a showing of The Nutcracker before it leaves town for the season.
Here are our top picks for events to attend with your kids this weekend!
Order A Slice At Vito & Nicks Pizzeria
Contrary to Chicagos deep-dish pizza reputation, Vito & Nicks Pizzeria has been dishing up Cracker Thin Crust Pizza since the 1950s, and theyve yet put a foot wrong.
A visit to this adored eaterie and youll feel like youve stepped back in time into an old-world Chicago dive restaurant.
This isnt luxury nor sophistication, its just darn good pizza.
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Meet The Blue Man Group
The Blue Man Group mixes music, humor, and technology to create an electric experience that has captured audiences of all ages worldwide for over 25 years!
Conveniently located at the Briar Street Theatre at 3313 N. Halsted, you and your family/friends can have a wild night youll never forget!
Tip: Book early and reserve the Splash Zone seats. Get ready to be covered in neon colors as the group sends paint splattering out of one-of-a-kind instruments while you and your friends dance and shout!
Ed Paschke Art Center
The work of legendary Chicago painter Ed Paschke is preserved at this Jefferson Park art center, and is open until 7pm every night.
Visitors can take either a staff-led tour or can check out an iPod and take a self-guided tour of the gallery.
You can find works from every period of Paschkes artistic career, and even a re-creation of his Howard Street studio including unfinished works of art left after his death in 2004.
Info: The gallery is located at 5415 W Higgins. Details can be found at
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View The City From Above
See the Chicago skyline from a birds-eye view and marvel at the architecture as the city lights up.
The main Observation Decks in Chicago are:
All three are included for free on at least a few of the tourist discount passes.
If you arent sure which of the three to visit, weve put together a list of the pros and cons of each of them.
Embrace Your Inner Homer Simpson On An Original Donut Walking Tour
Chicagoans have long adored the donut. Taste the very best the city has to offer with a dedicated desert tour, stopping into a hand-picked selection of the Chicago Loops top donut shops.
The tastings are all included , while vegan, gluten-free, and nut-free options are also available.
For anyone with a sweet tooth, this tour should headline your bucket list of things to do in Chicago.
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Get Your Strudel And Bratwurst Fix At Christkindlmarket
Back this year in full swing, the 25th annual Christkindlemarket is slinging steins, hawking sausages, and selling handmade items from all around the world at Daley Plaza in the Loop and Gallagher Way in Wrigleyville. Along with some yummy authentic German food and bev, the 82 local, national, and international vendors will have you loading up on one-of-a-kind gifts like delicately carved chocolates, colorful glass figurines, hand woven outerwear, gorgeous painted ornaments, and other surprising goodies.
Feel The Thrills Of Indoor Skydiving
If youve always dreamed of skydiving but could never muster up the courage to freefall from a plane, iFLY Chicago has the perfect solution.
Nestled in Chicago-Lincoln Park, this adrenaline-pumping activity delivers that wind-in-your-face feeling without all the nerves.
Its significantly cheaper than traditional skydiving, and the ideal stepping stone to the real thing.
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Appreciate Jazz At The Green Mill
Known across the city for its eclectic jazz performances and poetry readings, The Green Mill is a Chicago treasure.
Its the oldest jazz club in the U.S., welcoming tourists since way back in 1907.
Celebrities and mobsters alike frequented this prohibition-era speakeasy over the years, and travelers continue to do so to this day.
Satisfy Your Palate On A Food Tour
Chicago might be renowned for its deep-dish pizza, but the Windy City actually boasts a number of local delicacies.
Try them all as you loop around the city on foot, devouring Chicago-style hot dogs, dipped Italian beef sandwiches, a classic deep-dish slice, and treats of your choice for tea merchants, confectioners, and bakeries.
These locally-led tours take you off the beaten track and away from the tourist traps and chain restaurants youll be guided exclusively through the doors of beloved and authentic local eateries.
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Experience Michelangelos Masterpieces In An Immersive Photographic Exhibition
Cant you travel to Rome and see the Sistine Chapel? No problem!
Go back in time visiting a full-scale photographic reproduction of Michelangelos masterpieces. The exhibition is created with a unique technique that makes the digital reproductions looking like paintings and frescoes.
The photographic exhibition reproduces 34 famous frescoes from the universe of Michelangelo.
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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Now Head Out And Have Some Fun
Chicago is full of energy, and that energy seems to surge when the sun goes down. Whether youre looking to enjoy the sights of the citys skyline, take in a basketball game or have a few laughs at a show, theres something in this town for everyone, including plenty of 24-hour things to do in Chicago.
This list of options only begins to scratch the surface of all the Windy City has to offer. And thats what makes it so outstanding. In addition to these one-of-a-kind experiences, Chicago is home to more than 200 theaters, 200 art galleries and 7,300 restaurants. Our city also houses 26 miles of lakefront, 15 miles of bathing beaches, 36 annual parades, 19 miles of lakefront bicycle paths and 552 parks.
At Bobbys Bike Hike, we pride ourselves on helping our customers enjoy the best our city has to offer. And we do that from the seat of a bicycle.
We cant wait to share our favorite city with you. Contact us today to book an Ultimate City Food Tour at Night by Bike or book an evening Bikes, Bites & Brews Tour. Discover for yourself what makes Chicago so special at night!
Museum Of Contemporary Art
Dedicated to art from 1945 to the present, the Museum of Contemporary art is endowed with a serious collection, spanning surrealism, conceptual art, pop art and minimalism.
Youll get to see works by Chuck Close, Andy Warhol, Jasper Johns, Francis Bacon, René Magritte, Alexander Calder, Ann Hamilton and Richard Serra.
When we wrote this article in 2018 there was a haunting exhibition by the Nigerian multidisciplinary artist Otobong Nkanga, combining installations, photography and textiles.
From June to September, Tuesdays on the Terrace is a programme of summer performances by members of Chicagos dynamic jazz community.
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Feed A Giraffe At Brookfield Zoo
Catch the kangaroos at Australia House, feed the giraffes at Habitat Africa, admire the alligators at The Swamp, and wander through plenty more exhibits at the renowned Brookfield Zoo.
With so many cute animal ambassadors ready for a meet-and-greet, Brookfield Zoo promises to be a great day out for the whole family.
Take the experience to the next level by competing in a zoo-wide scavenger hunt!
What Are Some Top Attractions In Chicago
Chicago has tons of attractions. Some of those include Navy Pier, Lincoln Park Zoo, and Millennium Park. There is also Grant Park and the Museum of Science and Industry. Dont forget Shedd Aquarium and the immensely incredible views from 360Chicago.
Chicago is simply overflowing with arts and culture. Take your kids to the Chicago ChildrensMuseum or the Chicago History Museum. You can also check out the Art Institute Of Chicago and the Chicago CulturalCenter.
If you are seeking performing arts then Chicago is the place for you. Chicago is home the Hamilton Chicago and of course the Joffrey Ballet. There is also the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Chicago Opera.
The city is also a huge sports town. You can always find the upcoming events and schedules at ThingsToDoInChicago.co. We have the Bears Schedule, Northwestern Football Schedule, and of course all the hockey action with the Blackhawks and Chicago Wolves.
Check out some live action of a recent concert in Chicago:
Getting To Chicago
Chicago is a favorite tourist destination. It is one of the best cities in the US with world-class museums and restaurants and it is home to Jazz and comedy. It is known as the Windy City. Of course, getting there first is most important, so it is helpful to know a few things about the airports.
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