Visit The Neon And Light Museum
The new Museum of Neon and Light pop-up opened in September for limited run. Stand in, under and around 70 professional neon and light-based sculptures in a dazzling and dramatic immersive exhibition. The Neon and Light Museum is an expansion of the successful On Neon show presented here in 2020 by the Ken Saunders Gallery, which, since 1995, has exhibited important and innovative artists working with glass in the world.
When: Ends November 30, 2021.
Hours: Thursday-Friday: 4pm-10pm, Saturday: 11am10pm, Sunday: 11am6pm
Where: 325 West Huron, Chicago
Cost: $40 per person. Online reservations are required.
Embark On A Classic Fall Road Trip
While air travel has clearly returned to its pre-pandemic form , its clear that the Great American Road Trip isnt going out of style anytime soon. Luckily, you dont have to venture too far to check out some amazing fall destinations near Chicago, from laid-back whiskey tastings along the Michigan coast to raucous Big 10 college football stadiums. Looking to stay instate? No problem. Need an Airbnb? Weve got you covered. Oh, and did someone say fall foliage? Naturally.
Explore The City Using Public Transportation
Chicago is well known for its public transportation system, which allows residents of the city to get around with ease.
Whether you want to hop on the train or take a bus, this is undoubtedly one of the most affordable ways to travel around Chi-town.
Check our post on the Chicago Public Transportation system for more information.
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Explore The Lakefront On A Segway Tour
As the third-largest city by population across the entire country, Chicago is unquestionably massive. That means seeing everything on foot is next to impossible. Why not speed things up and tick off a few more attractions by joining a Segway tour?
Glide through downtown, the riverfront, or a number of other routes on offer, all while learning about the city from a seasoned local. These smooth-moving machines are fun for the whole family.
Check Out Trippy Paintings Come To Life At Immersive Van Gogh
The stateside premier of this international project continues to wow crowds at Chicagos Germania Club Building for an immersive experience featuring moving images illustrating the works of Vincent Van Gogh. The 600,000-cubic-foot experience includes bright flashing lights set to soundtracks in a historic Gold Coast building. For dessert, peep the Art of Banksy, the worlds largest traveling exhibit devoted to the legendary street artist, open now through Halloween.
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Catch A Performance Of The Chicago Symphony Orchestra
As the Chicago Symphony Orchestra edges its way toward 13 decades of captivating performances, it solidifies its reputation as one of the worlds best.
With brass, percussion, string, and woodwind instruments, coordinated by renowned Italian conductor, Riccardo Muti, its quite literally music to our ears.
Performances regularly take place at the Symphony Center in the Loop area.
How Cold Is Chicago In The Winter
Winter in Chicago starts anywhere from late and lasts until at least and sometimes beyond. Temperatures usually range from the teens to the thirties, but you can expect it to be cold.
And sometimes, really cold. Like, we-made-the-news-in-Germany-cold. In January 2019 the city bundled up for a Polar Vortex causing a record temperature of -23°. Blame the Lake Effect.
Besides the frigid, toe-curling temperatures, lake-effect snow makes frequent appearances between December and March, and snowstorms have been known to fall even in the Fall and Spring. If youre coming from a place that doesnt get snow, get excited: I cant guarantee anything, but the chances of snowflakes swirling all around you while walking through a winter wonderland are very high.
But the good news is theres a joke among locals: if you dont like the weather, dont worry. Itll change in five minutes! The notorious four-seasons-a-day weather means that sure, winter can suck, but you might have a 45° day in January and a 30° day in June.
While in general highly unpredictable, the harshest months are still typically January and February. You should be prepared for any and all seasons that the Windy City might impose upon you, so pack accordingly!
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Back In Time On A Prohibition Tour
The Windy City has always been known for its ties to the mob.
With a lively guide dressed as a Chicago gangster, visitors will zoom around town on a private bus, stopping into around 10 relevant sites like the Biograph Theater, Holy Name Cathedral, and St. Valentines Day Massacre.
Throughout the two-hour tour, youll hear all the stories of the decorated mobsters that ruled the town in the Prohibition Era .
Cheer On Da Cubs At Wrigley Field
In the heart of Wrigleyville, in Chicagos Lakeview neighborhood, the Cubs welcome die-hard fans to Wrigley Field for ball games filled with history, a sense of community, and of course Vienna Hot Dogs. Behind Bostons Fenway Park, Wrigley Field is the second oldest major league baseball park built in 1914.
Weeknights are unbeatable for sports fans on a budget, and tickets can easily be purchased online or at the box office, sometimes as low as $12. If you want a 360-degree view of the field and the crowd singing Take Me Out to the Ballgame, you might want to check-out the rooftop seats. Either way, you wont be able to beat the electric energy of a Cubs game, whether youre in the nosebleeds or behind home plate. Cubs fans have a spirit like no other and for most, your first Cubs game will not be your last.
1060 W. Addison St. | 404-2827
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+ Things To Do In Chicago
This list of 200+ things to do in Chicago includes all the best museums landmarks, annual events, parks, bars, restaurants, live music venues, shops, and more. Its all neatly organized so you can find what you are looking for.
I have lived in Chicago for the past 11 years and I am excited to share my guide of the best things to do in Chicago. This guide is for both tourists and locals no matter what you will find something fun to do.
Where To Shop In Chicago
The Magnificent Mile
The Mag Mile is a mile-long stretch of Michigan Avenue known for upscale shopping. The Mag Mile starts on the north side of the Chicago River and ends in the Gold Coast. Shops on the Magnificent Mile include Neiman Marcus, Saks, Burberry, Tiffany & Co., and Gucci. Many of Chicagos finest hotels including the Peninsula, the Park Hyatt, and The Drake are on this stretch of Michigan Avenue.
900 North Michigan Shops
A luxury shopping mall with a Bloomingdales and a food hall.
The Shops at North Bridge
An urban shopping mall that is home to Nordstrom among other shops.
Water Tower Place
Another urban mall, this once is known for being home to American Girl Place and Macys. In general, the retailers here are a bit more affordable.
Block 37
A shopping center in the Loop with shops like Anthropologie, Zara, Banana Republic, Sephora, The Disney Store, Magnolia Bakery, and more.
The Gold Coast
This neighborhood is the best place for luxury shopping in Chicago. You will find retailers like Hermes, Gucci, and Dior here.
Lincoln Park
Both Armitage Avenue and Halsted Street in Lincoln Park have a mix of independently owned boutiques like Art Effect, Monica + Andy, Aroma Workshop, and All She Wrote plus some larger retailers like Bonobos, Lush, francescas, and Allbirds.
Wicker Park
Andersonville
Fashion Outlets of Chicago
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Stroll Around Garfield Park Conservatory
Henryk Sadura
Theres a lot of city in Chicago. A lot of buildings. A lot of skyscrapers. All those tall, tall manmade structures might get to you after a while especially if youre not from a city. So if you need some space, the Garfield Park Conservatory is the place for you.
One of the last conservatories in the US often called landscape art under glass this place is bursting with greenery and tropical plants. If you love your succulents and your Instagram gallery is full of artsy pics of houseplants, we urge you to go here. Case in point: theres a Palm Room, with a zillion varieties of palm. One of our favourite hipster things to do in Chicago.
Cruise Chicagos Emerald Necklace
A scenic drive around the city is never a bad idea, especially now that winter is just around the corner. Yes, you could certainly cruise Lake Shore Driveand by all means, you should. But for a lesser-known option that allows you to see the actual beating heart of the city instead of a few stretches of concrete, head to Chicagos Emerald Necklace, a 26-mile network of interior city streets and wide boulevards. Linking together some of the city’s most grandiose parks like Humboldt, Garfield, Washington, and Jackson parks, this is the way Chicago was meant to be seenwith the added bonus of being excellent quarantine-era therapy.
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Rent A Private Luxury Boat
Deep-dish pizza is an undisputed Windy City icon. Why not kill two birds with one stone on a luxury boat tour that includes its own pie?
On this private pontoon, suitable for 2-6 people, youll glide past Goose Island, the Riverwalk, Willis Tower, the Civic Opera House, and plenty more staying far away from the selfie-stick-wielding crowds of tourists.
Enjoy The Black Friday Shopping
Chicago Premium Outlets in Aurora is a great place to line up at midnight and enjoy shopping for Black Friday holiday deals and discounts. Other favorite outlet shopping places are Gurnee Mills Outlet Mall they even have a Rainforest Cafe, Fashion Outlets of Chicago, etc.
If you dont want to leave the city, but still get shopping done then try the Maxwell in South Loop. For best window shopping opportunities, try Magnificent Mile and Water Tower Place. We love visiting the Water Tower Place with our kids as it has the American Girl store as well as the Lego store.
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Visit The Art Institute
The Art Institute in Chicago which was founded in 1879 is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States.
Travelers from all over the world visit to peer onto Monets haystacks, Van Goghs self-portraits, and Serats Sunday in the Park.
Inside the Art Institute you will find a unique Chicago treat- the Louis Sullivan original trading room from the original Board of Trade reassembled.
Also, behind the Art Institute is an original stock exchange arch design by Adler and Sullivan.Pro Tip: hop-on-hop-off bus tours stop right outside of the Art Institute!
Fun Fact: The Art Institute is technically the location of the start of Route 66! Be sure to find the Route 66 start sign!
Take Yoga To New Heights At 360 Chicago
Fact: sky-high views dont always require a plane ticket. On the 94th floor of the iconic 875 North Michigan building sits the 360 Chicago Observation deck, an observatory offering panoramic views of Chicagos skyline and Lake Michigan. Equipped with a full bar, and the famous TILT attraction, 360 Chicago also engages residents and tourists with their 360 Chi Series. The 360 Chi Series offers guests an authentic Chicago experience, with weekly activities including live music, private tours, happy hour, trivia, and even yoga.
Yoga enthusiasts can experience a one-hour weekly class with a one-of-a-kind view at 360 Sky Yoga. Professional instructors invite everyone to witness this incredible yoga backdrop, no matter their skill level. 360 Chicago Yoga instructor, Britta Euman, says, teach an accessible style of yoga everyone can do. Although many come for the impressive venue, Euman says guests also come to celebrate special occasions. 360 Sky Yoga is open year-round for guests old and young, out of town and out of country who are looking to enjoy themselves. This dream yoga destination is fit for any occasion and will certainly capture those Zen vibes youve been searching for.
874 N. Michigan Ave. | 751-3681
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See The Light Show At Buckingham Fountain
Once the sun starts to set, head over to the Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain in the center of Grant Park.
Before Cloud Gate came along, this historical landmark was Chicagos most-visited attraction, thanks largely to its mesmerizing nightly light show.
The majestic attraction uses as much as 15,000 gallons of water per minute, and it all illuminates up after dusk.
Drive Through Illumination: Tree Lights
The popular event Illumination: Tree Lights at Morton Arboretum has been loved by many and chosen as a place to visit during Thanksgiving. The road, now twice as long, is decorated with colorful lights and musical performances where visitors can enjoy safety and relaxation in their own cars. Illumination is open from Thanksgiving to Sunday.
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What Is Chicago Known For
Chicago is an international city of immigrant enclaves and a world-renowned culinary scene.
But before any Chicagoans have the chance to tell you how many Michelin-star restaurants we boast, the Algonquian Indigenous people called this swampy, low-lying plot of land Checagou after the smelly wild plants that grew in this region.
When the first non-Indigenous settler Haitian Jean Baptiste Point du Sablefor whom Chicagos lakefront thoroughfare was recently renamedarrived in the area in 1779, Chicago was a trading hub and home to the Potowatomi, Miami, and Illinois Native nations.
Over time, Chicago would become a manufacturing powerhouse and could come to be known as The Second City, a nickname that actually has nothing to do with the population . According to some, its because it has always competed against New York, and many others point to the fact that the Great Chicago Fire of 1871the largest urban fire in historywas devastating, but gave the metropolis a clean slate to rebuild for a second time .
Because of that catastrophe, Chicago dared to be innovative and today still houses some of the most impressive architecture in the world. Combine our cutting-edge design with the citys deep dish pizza , improv comedy, fervent sports fans, and rich African-American history, visitors will quickly see that culture happens here year-round.
Medieval Times Dinner And Tournament
Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament
Located a few miles north of Chicago in Schaumburg, Illinois, this is an attraction that will require you to travel outside of the city limits, but its definitely worth it.
Where else can you enjoy stew in hollowed-out bread while you watch men in armor fight to the death atop white stallions?
Okay, they arent really fighting to the death.
Theyre just fantastic actors.
But thats the whole appeal of the Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament: It takes you right out of this world and into the pageantry and peasantry of 11th century Spain.
The knights will ride, joust, sword fight and perform amazing tests of courage and skill.
Youll watch all of the action as youre served a hearty four-course meal.
For authenticitys sake, you wont be given any utensils, so you might want to wear clothes that you dont mind getting splattered with gravy or stained with ale.
If youre looking for fun things to do in Chicago, consider the Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament.
Youll need to take a bit of a drive to get there, but once youre yelling yourself hoarse for knights engaging in hand-to-hand combat, youll be glad that you did.
Address: 2001 N Roselle Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60195, United States
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