Local Favorite, Walking Around, Wildlife, Sea World, Aquarium, Educational Workshops, Kids Friendly
1200 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr., chicago
Shedd Aquarium, a national historic landmark, has been home to more than 32,000 unique animals since 1930. It welcomes more than 2 million visitors to meet beluga whales and bluegills, rockhopper penguins and rockfish, alligators and an alligator snapping turtle, and so much more from the world's oceans, lakes, rivers, and reefs. Several permanent exhibits at Shedd include Waters of the World, Caribbean Reef, Amazon Rising, Wild Reef, Stingray Touch, Oceanarium, Fantasea, One World, and 4D Theater.
Local Favorite, Breathtaking Views, Family Fun, Free Entry, Lush, Exhibitions, Walking Around, People Watching, Photography, Romantic, Kids Friendly
301 S. Columbus Dr., chicago
Buckingham fountain, one of the largest in the world, runs daily from early May through mid-October. Visitors can enjoy a major water display for 20 minutes every hour when the water goes 150 feet in the air. It is considered one of the finest ornamental fountains in America.
Local Favorite, Wheelchair Accessible, Shopping, Breathtaking Views, Family Fun, Free Entry, Lush, Exhibitions, Walking Around, People Watching, Concerts, Sightseeing, Photography, Private Events, Various Food Options, Romantic, Kids Friendly
331 E Randolph St, chicago
312.98 acres Grant Park, proudly referred to as Chicago's front yard offers many different attractions in its ample open space, including Millennium Park, Maggie Daley Park, Buckingham Fountain, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Museum Campus. It is home to baseball diamonds, tennis courts, and breathtaking gardens. The park hosts music and food events, including the famous Taste of Chicago event, Grant Park Music Festival, and Lollapalooza, a well-known outdoor music festival.
Local Favorite, Wheelchair Accessible, Trendy, Movie Night
230 W North Ave, chicago
The improv comedy club has launched some of the biggest names in the business, including John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Mike Myers, Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert, Tina Fey, and about 500 others. They also offer improv lessons. The comedy shows are filled with never-ending laughter. There are many levels of shows, from amateur to professional, with their own charms. It is the oldest running improv club.
Local Favorite, Wheelchair Accessible, Relaxing, Famous, Family Fun, Free Entry, Exhibitions, Walking Around, People Watching, Concerts, Sightseeing, Photography, Music, Private Events, Romantic
300 N Central Park Ave, chicago
One of the largest and most stunning conservatories was designed by renowned landscape architect Jens Jensen and was opened to the public in April 1908. This two-acre "Landscape art under glass" occupies contains many permanent plant exhibits incorporating specimens from around the world. The beautiful glass building is separated by theme and temperature/ humidity. There is a room for desert plants, one for food-producing plants, and a treehouse room for kids. Beautiful specimen plants, exquisitely well maintained. There are also ten-acre outdoor gardens.
Local Favorite, Trendy, Dog Friendly, Hiking, Biking, Breathtaking Views, Street Performance, Family Fun, Free Entry, Lush, Exhibitions, Walking Around, People Watching, Photography, Romantic
1805 N Ridgeway Ave, chicago
The 606 is a former elevated rail line, the Bloomingdale Line, converted into a combination walking, jogging, and biking path from Ashland Avenue to North Ridgeway Avenue. The trail connects to ground-level neighborhood parks, an observatory, art installations, and other amenities. There is a lot to see architecturally, lovely plantings along the way, with many entrances and exits along the route.
Local Favorite, Wheelchair Accessible, Dog Friendly, Breathtaking Views, Famous, Family Fun, Free Entry, Lush, Sightseeing Tours, Walking Around, People Watching, Romantic
Riverwalk, chicago
The 1.25-mile path from the lakefront to Lake Street, Chicago Riverwalk, is an open, pedestrian waterfront located on the Chicago River in downtown Chicago. It connects four distinct districts; The Confluence, The Arcade, The Civic, and the Esplanade, with many places to stop and relax, various tours, and food vendors. The riverwalk offers glamorous architectural views of the city and refuge from the city's hustle and bustle.
Breathtaking Views, Famous, Family Fun, Lush, Sightseeing Tours, Walking Around, People Watching, Full Bar, Romantic
112 E. Wacker Drive, chicago
Chicago's riverboat architecture tours are well known among visitors and locals alike. The 90-minute tour discusses more than 50 famous historic and modern landmarks, including Willis Tower, Navy Pier, the Wrigley Building, Tribune Tower, Merchandise Mart, Lyric Opera, 333 West Wacker, Marina City, and many more. The tour guide also tells the fascinating stories of how a small settlement grew into a world-famous Chicago city.