An estimated 2.7m residents, 237 square miles of land, 26 miles of lakefront, nearly 300 theaters and more than 8000 restaurants are some of the facts that make of Chicago one of the greatest and most beautiful cities in the United States. They call Chicago “The Windy City” and we think it is because everything in it blows you away, no wonder more than 40 million people visit it annually. Chicago has some of the tallest buildings in the US, excellent museums, art galleries, parks, parades all year round, vibrant nightlife and a variety of family attractions as well. Chicago is a city like no other and we invite you to discover it by yourself. So take a look at WOW Travel’s Top 10 Things To Do In Chicago.
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I adore Chicago. It is the pulse of America. – Sarah Bernhardt
Magnificent Mile
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“Chicago’s Magnificent Mile is one of the great avenues of the world and is at the center of all that makes Chicago an international destination. One of the top 10 hospitality, dining and retail destinations in the world, with endless shopping, international cuisine, some of the 11 Best Hotels In Chicago, lively entertainment, majestic architecture and natural beauty at every turn, The Magnificent Mile offers visitors to Chicago a one-of-a-kind city experience. The Magnificent Mile is the 13-block stretch of North Michigan Avenue that runs from the banks of the Chicago River to the south, to Oak Street to the north. The Magnificent Mile district extends a full square mile from North Michigan Avenue. The Magnificent Mile is a spectacular showcase of style, flavor, entertainment and fun. With more than 460 stores, 275 restaurants, 60 hotels and unique entertainments and attractions packed and stacked along its length, The Magnificent Mile has an indulgence for every passion and every pocket.”
Lincoln Park Zoo
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Lincoln Park Zoo is a free 35-acre zoo located in Lincoln Park in Chicago. The zoo is dedicated to connecting people with nature by providing a free, family-oriented wildlife experience in the heart of Chicago and by advancing the highest quality of animal care, education, science and conservation. Check out some of their great exhibits for big cats, gorillas, seals/sea lions, and polar bears.
Navy Pier
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Navy Pier is a 100 meter (3,300 ft) long pier on the Chicago shoreline of Lake Michigan and it is one of the most important civic landmarks in the United States and the top-visited leisure destination in the Midwest. The pier was built in 1916 at a cost of $4.5 million and it has 50-acre playground of entertainment, museums, activities, restaurants, and shops. With nearly nine million visitors a year, Chicago’s Navy Pier is the perfect place for some family fun time.
Art Institute of Chicago
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Voted the #1 museum in the world by TripAdvisor, the Art Institute of Chicago is an encyclopedic art museum located in Chicago’s Grant Park and a must-see on any trip to Chicago. Experience the greatest Impressionist collection outside Paris, and see contemporary masterpieces in the spectacular Modern Wing.
Field Museum of Natural History
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Chicago’s Field Museum is one of the largest natural history museums in the world and one of the world’s great museums of science, environment, and culture, a focus of public learning and scholarly research. It is a treasury of more than 20 million objects from ancient mummies to endangered plants and animals to Sue, the biggest and most complete T.rex ever found.
Shedd Aquarium
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Shedd Aquarium is an indoor public aquarium that combines the best of early 20th-century “age of aquariums” characteristics – a diverse, global animal collection surrounded by eye-popping architecture – with 21st-century advances in animal care, environments and interpretation. From whales to snails, tarantulas to turtles, angelfish to zebra sharks,stingrays to Penguins and dolphins, meet 32,000 animals from aquatic habitats around the world.
Willis Tower Skydeck
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SkyDeck Chicago is the Observatory Deck of the world-famous Willis Tower. Perched 412 meters (1,353 ft) up in the air on the 103rd floor of the tower, SkyDeck Chicago provides some of the best views of the city. If you’re afraid of height, perhaps just stay at one of the hotels with a rooftop pool in Chicago and enjoy the view from there.
Museum of Science and Industry
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Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry, one of the largest science museums in the world, is home to more than 35,000 artifacts and 400,000 square feet of hands-on exhibits designed to spark scientific inquiry and creativity.
The Rookery Building
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“Located in the heart of downtown Chicago’s financial district, The Rookery was built to be a prestigious business environment. The building enjoys an unrivaled history in Chicago and has proven, throughout generations, to be a place of bold progress and great success. With The Rookery, architects Daniel Burnham and John Root created an architectural masterpiece that is one of the greatest surviving examples of the early commercial skyscrapers. Its stately façade is unmatched in architectural detailing and is complemented by a rich and inviting environment within the building, highlighted by incredible architectural features including the mesmerizing oriel staircase and stunning light court.”
Millennium Park
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Millennium Park is a public park located in the Loop community area of Chicago. Discover a state-of-the-art collection of architecture, landscape design and art that provide the backdrop for hundreds of free cultural programs including concerts, exhibitions, tours, and family activities. One of the most unique and interesting sculptures in decades located in Millennium Park and it is called Cloud Gate, referred to by locals as “The Bean”. Cloud Gate weighs in at over 110-tons, and is 20 meter (66 feet) long and 10 meter (33 feet) high. It was created using a huge number of individual stainless steel plates.
Just So You Know…
- Chicago’s downtown is called “The Loop”.
- Chicago’s nicknames include: The Windy City, the City of Big Shoulders, the Second City, and The City That Works.
- Chicago River is the only river in the world that flows backward. – In 1900, Chicago successfully completed a massive and highly innovative engineering project – reversing the flow of the Chicago River so that it emptied into the Mississippi River instead of Lake Michigan.
- Rebuilding after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 was swift and legendary—rubble and ash were pushed into the lake to make new neighborhoods.
- Consider visit during “The Taste of Chicago” Festival. it’s the world’s largest free outdoor food festival taking place every summer.
- Check out Chicago’s underground pedway – There are five miles of subterranean tunnels and overhead bridges linking more than 40 Downtown blocks.
- Take a selfie at Buckingham Fountain – Located in Grant Park, Buckingham Fountain is huge and it is pretty. Many know it from Married with Children… who remembers that show?! “Love and marriage, love and marriage, go together like a horse and carriage…”. The font is famous for its grand size and for the height of its spray, which can reach as high as 15 stories. Cap up the romance by staying at romantic hotels in Chicago!
- Bike the lakefront – Bike the full 18 miles from Ardmore St to 71st St.
Grab A Bite:
- RPM Steak – Chophouse with a modern menu of prime cuts, raw-bar items & more in a sleek setting with banquettes. RPM Steak combines superior food, whip-smart service and more than a little glamour.
- Formento’s – Formento’s is an Italian restaurant inspired by classic red-sauce joints of the 1950’s.
- Bohemian House – beautiful and creative Eastern European restaurant amidst the River North nightlife. Bohemian House captures the lighthearted and carefree essence of Bohemian culture. Exposed brick walls and wood timber, eclectic décor, warm earth tones and soft lighting set the backdrop for a comfortable and sociable dining experience.
- Boka – Boka retained a one-star ranking from the Michelin Guide since 2010. The food is absolutely delicious, the atmosphere is perfect and the service is outstanding.
- Seven Lions – With beautiful decoration, Seven Lions offers the perfect ambiance, social energy and everyday fare for a variety of dining experiences.
- Momotaro – Three floors beckon in the West Loop, full of different styles of Japanese cuisine, bars, and an eye-popping design. We highly recommend the charcoal skewers – hatsu (chicken hearts), washugyu (skirt steak with foie gras) and the angel prawns.
- Miku Sushi Lounge – An extensive Japanese menu of creative maki rolls, small plates, ramen, unusual skewers & more. The Flaming Dragon Roll, Miya Roll and King Crab appetizer are standouts.
