Lisa Shames 2023-01-12 05:57:28
Follow our two-day itinerary to experience the best of Chicago culture, from galleries and museums to theatre and dance. DAY 1 MORNING Head to the iconic Art Institute of Chicago, one of the oldest and largest art museums in the world, home to works ranging from Impressionist masterpieces to contemporary marvels. Keep the art appreciation going with a visit to the Chicago Cultural Center, a major hub for art exhibits, live music, lectures, films, and dance set in a beautiful Loop landmark. AFTERNOON Another staple of Chicago’s diverse arts scene, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago features new and experimental works by leading contemporary artists. Stimulate your curiosity and your senses at the WNDR Museum, which features interactive, immersive experiences from an international who’s who of artists, studios, and collectives. Located inside a 1920s building transformed into a stunning work of art, Wrightwood 659 features exhibitions of architecture and socially engaged art. EVENING A treasure for visitors and locals alike, Millennium Park is a 24.5-acre culture lover’s dream, from the Harris Theater for Music and Dance to the Frank Gehry-designed outdoor Pritzker Pavilion that hosts a roster of free concerts. If live theatre is more your jam, Broadway In Chicago delivers with five stellar downtown theatres, featuring some of the country’s best touring musicals and plays. At the Loop’s Goodman Theatre, Chicago’s oldest and largest not-for-profit theatre, expect an exciting schedule of classic and modern works. For more than 20 years, Congo Square Theatre Company has dedicated itself to staging transformative works rooted in the African Diaspora. With its gorgeous art deco interior, a visit to the Lyric Opera of Chicago rewards in many ways beyond the outstanding performances. Ranked as one of the premier dance companies in the world, the Joffrey Ballet performs classical and contemporary ballets, including its beloved annual holiday presentation of The Nutcracker. DAY 2 MORNING In Washington Park, The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center is a treasure trove of African and African American history, culture, and art with permanent and visiting exhibitions. Located in the Pilsen neighborhood, the National Museum of Mexican Art showcases 3,600 years of creativity from both sides of the border, representing the diversity of Mexican culture. AFTERNOON Lovers of the written word won’t want to miss the American Writers Museum, an interactive museum that spotlights great writing in all its genres through exhibits, events, and author visits. A place where legendary music magic was made, Chess Records is home to Art Institute of Chicago Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation, which offers tours of the famed recording studio that spawned hits from artists such as Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters, and Chuck Berry. Once the 1883 residence of a wealthy Chicago banker, the Driehaus Museum has been lovingly restored inside and out. It features permanent and temporary exhibitions showcasing the Gilded Age and beyond. EVENING Michigan Avenue’s Symphony Center does double duty, acting as home base for the prolific Chicago Symphony Orchestra, as well as hosting classical music programs and special open rehearsals. Refining the landscape of acting and performance since 1974 with an ensemble cast that has included John Malkovich and Pulitzer Prize-winning Tracy Letts, Steppenwolf Theatre Company plays are always must-see events. A recent multimillion dollar expansion includes a stunning 400-seat theatre-in-the-round. With a mission to eradicate racism through theatre, the Black Ensemble Theater has become a vibrant, internationally renowned arts institution in the Uptown neighborhood. For more than 60 years, The Second City has been making audiences laugh with its unique form of improv comedy, which includes a variety of nightly shows at its multistage Old Town venue. Rooted in African American dance, music, and folklore, Muntu Dance Theatre brings audiences out of their seats and into the aisles with its unique synthesis of dance, rhythm, and song. AUTHOR’S TIP Chicago offers numerous free concerts and performances around the city, including at Grant and Millennium Parks, the Chicago Cultural Center, and neighborhood street festivals. CHICAGO THEATRE WEEK The city celebrates its critically acclaimed theatre scene with a 10-day extravaganza, offering discounted tickets to more than 100 shows. Take the opportunity to discover new talent in neighborhoods across the city, presenting everything from rousing musicals to avant-garde dramas. Learn more at chicagotheatreweek.com. Scan here to check out free admission days at some of Chicago’s leading museums.
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