Kelly Aiglon 2021-02-04 10:44:13
A proper intro to the city includes world-class museums, sky-high attractions, legendary eats, and more. Follow these must-do’s and it will be love at first sight. Start in the heart of downtown on the Millennium Park Campus, where culture, art, and nature converge. Smile at your reflection in the mirror-like Cloud Gate sculpture (better known as “The Bean”) in Millennium Park, then reflect on Impressionist paintings by Van Gogh, Monet, and more at the Art Institute of Chicago. Across the street, the Chicago Cultural Center inspires with a maze of galleries and amazing architecture, while the nearby Harris Theater for Music and Dance welcomes international performers to the stage. Looking for a kid pleaser? Maggie Daley Park lets little ones shake their sillies out in the Play Garden on a huge ship, nature maze, and suspension bridge. Older kids will want to tackle the 40-foot-tall Climbing Wall. And everyone in the family will want to take a loop on the park’s Skating Ribbon, with scootering and rollerblading in the summer and ice skating in the winter. Be sure to check out the free Lincoln Park Zoo, home to a wide range of animals that include polar bears, monkeys, zebras, and more. Enjoy waterfront views on the Chicago Riverwalk. Watch boats coast by as you grab lunch at one of the many restaurants along the Riverwalk. Then get out on the water by setting off on a sightseeing cruise or kayak tour. The nearby Chicago Architecture Center presents fascinating exhibits and also hosts its own city walking tours, as well as acclaimed architecture cruises aboard Chicago’s First Lady Cruises. Get an up-close view of the city’s iconic movable bridges at the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum, or let a Chicago Riverwalk InstaGreeter share their expertise on a free tour. Don’t leave without browsing the local maker-focused Community Marketplace. As night falls, be wowed by Art on theMART’s light, image, and sound shows, vibrantly displayed on the facade of the Merchandise Mart building. Let Navy Pier reel you in with attractions like the Chicago Children’s Museum, where kids climb through a schooner and dig up dino bones. Grab tickets to a show by the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, which stages classic and modern works by The Bard and his contemporaries. For breezy entertainment, be sure to ride the Pepsi Wave Swinger at Pier Park, embark on a boat cruise on Lake Michigan, or take a spin on the 200-foot-tall Centennial Wheel. Food and drinks are never far, with the Miller Lite Beer Garden and Offshore Rooftop & Bar (the largest rooftop lounge in the world!) located right on Navy Pier. Get your culture fix on the Museum Campus. Say hello to SUE, the largest and most complete T. rex ever discovered, at the Field Museum. Float through the galaxy in a domed sky theatre at the Adler Planetarium. Be mesmerized by the glow of jellyfish and dancing dolphins at the Shedd Aquarium. And if more aquatic adventures are calling, the Shoreline Sightseeing Water Taxi departs right from the Museum Campus. Experience Chicago’s vibrant theatre scene with Tony Award-winning shows and exciting world premieres. See a Broadway in Chicago show performed at a historic Loop Theater District venue. In Old Town, check out rising stars of comedy at The Second City, the improv club where comic legends like Steve Carell and Amy Poehler got their start. Dare to see Chicago from a new (and very high) perspective with TILT at 360 Chicago, a one-of-a-kind thrill ride that tilts you out more than 1,000 feet above the city. You can also get a bird’s-eye view from 103 stories up at The Ledge at Skydeck Chicago. Whatever you do, don’t skip a meal in Chicago. Fill up on classic Chicago eats, like deep dish pizza from Lou Malnati’s, hot dogs from Portillo’s, and Italian beef sandwiches from Mr. Beef on Orleans. And don’t forget the many trailblazers that put Chicago on the world’s culinary map, such as Michelin-starred Alinea and James Beard Award winners like Parachute. And the city is rife with neighborhood breweries and distilleries, especially in areas like Malt Row or the Chicago Brewing District. Don’t go home empty handed. There are loads of notable shops and designer showrooms along The Magnificent Mile and historic State Street in the Loop. Be sure to branch out into Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods to explore local boutiques and one-of-a-kind artisan workshops. One last tip: With a CityPASS or Go Chicago card, you can get easy access to a bundle of top sights at a discounted rate — essential whether it’s your first trip to Chicago or your fifth. Learn about Chicago’s health and sanitation practices to keep visitors safe at choosechicago.com/updates. Route 66in Chicago Route 66, known as the Main Street of America, originates in Chicago and spans nearly 2,500 miles west across the country to California. Look for the Historic Route 66 sign, on Adams Street near Michigan Avenue, that marks the start of the Mother Road. Before you begin your journey, visit one of the route’s most spectacular landmarks — Buckingham Fountain — and fuel up at Lou Mitchell’s diner in the Loop, which has been serving up hearty breakfasts to Route 66 travelers since 1923.
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