TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN CHICAGO

Chicago, which is known as the third-largest city in the U.S. is one that seems to have it all. From its beautiful architecture to its amazing food selection, world class museums, and beautiful green spaces, you will always have something to see and do. There’s a lot to do here for people of any budget or travel style.

Here are my top 10 things to do in Chicago

Millenium Park (Cloud Gate)

The lakefront park, located in the heart of downtown Chicago, is home to the iconic Cloud Gate statue (aka “The Bean”), interactive fountains, tranquil gardens, free events, public art, skating rinks, rock climbing, and plenty of green space.

Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower

Willis Tower, which is also sometimes known as the Sears Tower, is one of the most iconic skyscrapers in downtown Chicago. The tower is 1,451 feet (442 m), 108 stories tall, and is the tallest building in Chicago. The Skydeck offers incredible views and brave visitors can even walk out onto a glass ledge to see the city below.

Chicago Riverwalk

The Chicago Riverwalk is 1.25 miles that runs through the center of the city along the northwestern edges of the Loop. The area is lined with bars, restaurants, museums, and more for visitors to enjoy. In the warmer months, you can even go kayaking on the river. Another great way to enjoy the river is by taking an architecture river cruise.

Shedd Aquarium

Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium is the largest indoor aquarium in the world, showcasing over 8000 aquatic animals. The aquarium focuses their efforts to educate, promote and showcase different ways individuals can protect the marine environments and make the oceans a better place. One unique fact I learned was that Shedd was the first inland aquarium to have permanent saltwater exhibits. The salt water was transferred directly from the seas of Key West and brought to Chicago via railroad tank cars.

Navy Pier

Navy Pier stretches out on Lake Michigan, and can be located by its iconic Ferris wheel. The pier is filled with numerous little boutiques, mouth-watering restaurants, garden, seasonal exhibitions, and even historic attractions as you make your way along the pier. Just over 100 years old, it is one of the best things do in Chicago if you have some down time.

Field Museum

The Field Museum is located just south of Grant Park and is near the Shedd Aquarium. It is home to over 40 million specimens and artifacts such as T-Rexes, meteorites, animal biology, and more. 3D movies are also shown for the whole family to learn from so plan to spend an entire morning or afternoon here.

The Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago is nestled within Grant Park. Established in 1879, this spectacular institution is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the entire United States. There are over 300,000 different artifacts to see, so visitors should play for a few hours to see the entire museum.

White Sox or Cubs Baseball Game

Whether you are a fan of baseball or not, enjoying a game at Wrigley Field or Guarantee Rate Field should be on the agenda. Depending on the opponent and day of the week, tickets can be relatively affordable.

Museum of Science and Industry

The Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) is home to more than 35,000 artifacts and hundreds of exhibits.The MSI brings together the worlds of science, technology, and engineering through interactive exhibits, hands-on activities, live science experiences, special events, 3D movie screenings, and more.

The Magnificent Mile

The Magnificent Mile is arguably one of Chicago's most-famous areas. The mile is a total of 13 blocks along Michigan Ave that stretches from the Chicago River up to Oak Street. The area homes over 275 restaurants, 460 stores, 60 hotels, and all sorts of fantastic attractions and is a must-see for any type of traveler.

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