Top 10 Things to See in Chicago
Now that I live in Chicago - a city so many people love to visit - I’m asked often what I recommend to do and see while here. So I decided I would just put my list right here on my blog so when asked I can just send out the link! Of course this is all my opinion - but I do know quite a bit about Chicago. Let me state right now I am NOT a foodie. So this is not a list of the best restaurants to be sure and visit. Plenty of resources available to find that out like Yelp. So the extent of my food advice is to be sure and try deep dish pizza. Chicago invented it so there are many great places to try it with multiple locations - so pick one closest to you like the one you just walked by😂 Also try an Italian beef sandwich - also quite famous in Chicago and not to be confused with a Philly cheese steak - totally different! A number of great places to get one - but make sure it’s a place that just does beef sandwiches - not a restaurant that happens to have Italian beef on the menu. Don’t ask for cheese. Your only decision is should they add peppers and if you want it extra juicy ask them to dip it. Your life will forever be changed🤗
Now for my list:
The Architectural Boat Tour. Chicago is considered to be the most architecturally significant city in the US - thanks to the Chicago Fire of 1871. The whole city burned down and so new Architects and ideas were welcomed with open arms. DO THE BOAT TOUR! I think the best one is done by the Chicago Architectural Center located right on the southeast corner of Michigan Ave. and E. Wacker Dr. That is where the Chicago River crosses Michigan Ave. It’s a bit pricey but worth it. 90 minutes with people that really know their information and are excited to share it with you. And there is no better way to see the buildings than from the water. Look for the blue awning at 112 E Wacker. For an additional $5 you can visit the Chicago Architectural Center right across the street and your ticket to visit is good 7 days before or after your boat tour so you can return and do it a different day. You won’t regret it. I have recommended it to so many people and 100% say it was their favorite thing. And if you don’t really care about architecture it’s still a great boat ride! The boats are very busy during the summer so it’s wise to book your ticket online in advance. The website is architecture.org
Visit Millennium Park. Take a picture holding up what everyone calls the bean. The actual name is Cloud Gate and the artist is Anish Kapoor. So much more to see than just the bean so take some time and walk around. It’s a great place to get some food and sit on a bench and people watch. If you have kids let them play in the fountains. Totally free. Enjoy!
Visit the Cultural Center which is right across the street from Millennium Park. A gorgeous building that opened in 1897 as Chicago’s first central library and often referred to as the People’s Palace. A spectacular building that has the largest Tiffany Dome in the world. I’ve been to the Taj Mahal and on the inside that’s what it reminds me of. The mosaic is incredible. The top floor which used to be the reading room usually has some kind of cool exhibit. It’s all free and open from 10-5 seven days a week. If you like seeing large Tiffany installations walk over to Macy’s (used to be Marshall Fields) on State St between Washington and Randolph and see the largest Tiffany Vault in the world right above the cosmetics department. (And you can still buy Frango Mints there too!)
Visit a museum. Or two. Or three. We have so many great ones. A few of the most popular are the Art Institute, the Field Museum, the Aquarium, the Museum of Science and Industry and the Planetarium. And most of those are really in close proximity. They are world class museums and there are so many smaller ones that are fantastic as well. One of my new favorites is the Driehaus Museum which is located just a few blocks west of Michigan Ave on E Erie St. This was the home of a very wealthy banker built in 1883 and has been meticulously restored and is an explosion of art, architectural and design of the late 19th-century with a focus on the Gilded Age. Check the website for hours it is open.
Walk up and down Michigan Ave. Do some window shopping or actual shopping. There are many high end stores but also affordable cool places to buy yourself a nice souvenir of your trip. At the north end you will see the only two buildings left standing post Chicago Fire. One is the Water Tower and it’s very cool. Just north of it is the Water Tower high rise shopping center. Even if you don’t like coffee consider a stop at the Starbucks Roastery on the SW corner of Michigan Ave and E Erie St. It’s the largest Starbucks in the world and has great food, cocktails and really excellent coffee with a huge roastery right in the center. But if there is a big line to get in which is not unusual on a weekend in the summer I would skip it.
Weather permitting take a walk up or down the lake. Don’t miss the Clarence F. Buckingham Fountain - one of the largest fountains in the world. Installed in 1927 it operates from early May until mid October. On the hour there is a 20 minute major water display and at dusk it is accompanied by lights and music. The lakefront is beautiful and you can walk for miles. In the warm weather tons of boats out and if that’s your thing you can rent boats and join the fun.
Navy Pier is also worth a stop. Tons of restaurants and one of the best views of the skyline you could hope to see. There is a huge Ferris wheel that also gives you a bird’s eye view of the city. I’m not a huge fan of heights but the cars are large and enclosed so even I felt comfortable. During the summer months they do a wonderful fireworks show one or sometimes two nights a week. Check their website for details.
Chicago has a fantastic array of theaters, Broadway Shows, concerts and live music in any genre you prefer. Also Second City which is a very famous Improv Theater located in Old Town that started the careers of many comedians that ended up on Saturday Night Live. Check out their website and get ready for a fun night of laughter. You will be laughing at the comedians and there is a chance they might be laughing at you! If sports is your thing than all kinds of professional teams to get tickets to see too.
If you’re feeling the need to get away from the skyscrapers and enjoy nature head north of North Ave to Lincoln Park. A large and beautiful park that has a free zoo and lagoons, places for picnics and great views of the skyline.
Last but not least more architecture! If you prefer to be on land and not water the Chicago Architectural Center offers a multitude of walking tours with very knowledgeable guides. Quite a number of them right in the downtown area with different themes typically starting right at the center located on Michigan Ave and E Wacker Dr.
Bonus Suggestion: Take the Green Line (the elevated train - known as the L) out to Oak Park and tour the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio. Wright is considered to be the most important American architect from the late 19th to the mid 20th century and his home and studio - where it all began - is open 7 days a week from 9AM till 5PM for tours. Oak Park has the largest number of Wright homes of anywhere in the world and while you can only get inside the home and studio you can see the others from the outside. So if that’s of interest it’s an easy and fast trip to get out there.
And now for pics of some of the things I suggested. Just because it’s fun to see pictures🤗
I hope you find this information helpful if you’re planning to come visit the beautiful amazing city of Chicago. Is there crime here? Well yes there is just as pretty much every city in the US. But in my experience it’s a bit blown out of proportion by the press. That being said use good judgement. Wear a crossbody small bag in front of you with just your essentials and don’t wear your biggest most expensive jewelry. Always be aware of your surroundings. Just common sense. Happy travels!