Rosalind Cummings-Yeates 2022-01-08 11:42:47
EXPLORE CHICAGO CULTURE Immerse yourself in Chicago’s world-class culture scene. Any day of the week you can see a hit Broadway play, listen to live music in a legendary club, discover an amazing museum, and so much more. Chicago is renowned for its awesome culture scene. Follow this two-day itinerary to experience some of our most exciting museums, live music, theatre, and beyond. DAY 1 MORNING Kick off your day with a visit to downtown Millenium Park, an outdoor sanctuary, art gallery, and music space all in one. Be sure to stop by the park’s signature Cloud Gate sculpture — affectionately called “The Bean” — whose shiny surface is the perfect reflection for selfies and the Chicago skyline. Stroll over to the Crown Fountain and splash in the cascading water flowing from two 50- foot towers that flash with videos of Chicagoans’ faces. Enjoy the botanical beauty of the award-winning Lurie Garden, which features a 15-foot hedge surrounding native perennials and a diverse wildlife habitat. Check out the gleaming, architecturally impressive Jay Pritzker Pavilion to enjoy a diverse lineup of concerts and movies. Then, head next door to the internationally renowned Art Institute of Chicago, which is home to the greatest collection of Impressionist art outside of Paris, as well as thousands of works from around the world. AFTERNOON Start your afternoon with a journey through the Chicago Cultural Center, a Loop landmark that showcases the world’s largest stained-glass Tiffany dome, as well as free art, music, dance, and theatrical events. Afterwards, set off for the nearby Museum Campus, home to three acclaimed museums all in one place. At the Adler Planetarium — the country’s first planetarium — do some star and galaxy gazing during the sky shows and get a glimpse inside the Gemini 12 spacecraft. At the Field Museum, size up Máximo the Titanosaur, the largest dinosaur to ever walk the earth, and step inside an Egyptian tomb to see one of the largest collections of mummies in the country. Connect with beluga whales, dolphins, and sea turtles at the Shedd Aquarium, and be sure to visit the sharks and sting rays in the 360-degree Caribbean Reef exhibit. EVENING Spend the night exploring Chicago’s famed theatre scene. Choose a hit Broadway musical presented in the Loop by Broadway in Chicago or experience an evocative play rooted in the African diaspora at Congo Square Theatre in the Gold Coast neighborhood. You can also check out a production in Lincoln Park at the award-winning Steppenwolf Theatre (which counts esteemed actors Gary Sinise, Laurie Metcalf, and John Malkovich among its ensemble) or see an innovative play in Lakeview within the city’s largest concentration of theatres, the Belmont Theater District. Or take in the joy of improv comedy at the genre’s birthplace in Old Town, The Second City. DAY 2 MORNING Dive into the rich legacy of Chicago’s Black community, as well as fascinating neighborhood history, guided by famed urban historian Shermann “Dilla” Thomas of Chicago Mahogany Tours. Then, get ready for hands-on experiences like manipulating a hurricane and descending into a coal mine at Hyde Park’s Museum of Science and Industry. AFTERNOON Trace the history of the African American freedom journey and discover the impact of local leaders like former Chicago Mayor Harold Washington and arts organizer Margaret Burroughs at the nearby DuSable Museum of African American History. Just blocks away, view the architectural brilliance of Frank Lloyd Wright’s most famous Prairie Style home at the Frederick C. Robie House, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Roam through the Gothic designs at The University of Chicago campus, and see the ancient excavations from 10,000 years of history at the Oriental Institute. Drop by the college’s Smart Museum of Art to see thought-provoking contemporary paintings and wander a distinctive sculpture garden. EVENING See exciting music and dance performances at the dramatic underground auditorium in the downtown Harris Theater for Music and Dance, or catch the world-renowned Chicago Symphony Orchestra for an entrancing classical music concert. Don’t miss the Lyric Opera of Chicago or Joffrey Ballet for lavish productions presented within the art deco elegance of the Civic Opera House. CHICAGO THEATRE WEEK The city celebrates its critically acclaimed theatre scene with a 10-day extravaganza, offering discounted tickets to more than 120 shows. Take the opportunity to discover new theatres in neighborhoods across the city, presenting everything from rousing musicals to avantgarde dramas. Learn more at chicagotheatreweek.com.
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