Regardless of what you hope to see in a city, Chicago will delight. From art installations to Wrigley Field, there is something for everyone in this city. The larger attractions are complimented by a thriving cultural scene, with dance, music, and improv. Chicago is a wonderful summer destination, set on the shore of Lake Michigan.
Are you looking to visiting one of the best Midwest weekend getaways? The hub of the Midwest is not only an affordable destination but flights to its O'Hare and Midway airports are reasonable, too. Chicago is, at heart, a working-class town, where locals know how to have fun on a shoestring. It also has cheap public transit, and, since many of its trains are elevated, they allow for great and affordable neighborhood tours.
There are discounted theater, comedy, and cabaret tickets, and cards such as Chicago CityPass or Go Chicago are worthwhile, flat-rate investments. They get you discounts and head-of-the-line perks at the SkyDeck in the 103-story Willis Tower, the Chicago Art Institute, and other attractions. The skyscrapers are great!
If you’re here for some culinary suggestions, scroll down to the bottom to find some suggestions. Chicago has many new twists on more classic foods.
.jpg)
1. International Museum of Surgical Science
If you plan to stay in Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood but need something different to do during your trip, consider a trip to the International Museum of Surgical Science. Sculptures, artwork and other exhibits celebrate the progress made in surgery over the years, and the museum store features a host of interesting souvenirs to take home.
This museum is the only one of its kind in North America, providing a fascinating learning opportunity for visitors of all ages. If you want to continue exploring museums after learning about all things surgical, the Chicago History Museum is located just a few blocks away.
2. North Michigan Avenue
It’s a very clean city for being so large and there’s so much to see and do. There are many museums and it has Millennium Park, which is a must see and also the Chicago river and last but not least is the Mag mile (Michigan Avenue)! The most fascinating area of the city is Magnificent Mile, located along Michigan Avenue.
It is known for its luxurious stores, galleries and outstanding architecture. Its culture can be depicted in jewelry and artwork. Jewelry is presented in traditionally designed custom jewelry boxes wholesale to fascinate the visitors.
The magnificent mile is a long stretch of upscale stores, restaurants, landmarks, and hotels in Chicago. It also houses artifacts of architecture, such as the Old Chicago Water Tower District, the Allerton Hotel, and DuSable bridge. If attractions are more your speed, the Ferris wheel at navy pier is a fun way to explore the city.
This city is objectively gorgeous. The juxtaposition of Lake Michigan and the impressive skyline is stunning. It’s hyper diverse with massive immigrant communities from all over the world, and it has some beautiful homes. There are so many awesome restaurants, and the city is very walkable. The suburbs are also nice too, with many having downtowns and historic homes.
Other tourists' highlights include Navy Pier, Millennium Park, the Willis Tower SkyDeck and Art Institute of Chicago.
3. North Avenue Beach
Since Chicago sits on Lake Michigan, it has beaches, and the North Avenue Beach is a special one. It holds a 22,000 square foot beach house, covered with a sharp blue and white color scheme, and it is shaped like an ocean liner. From the top of the ocean liner building visitors can look out over the city, stealing one of the best views of it. The beach also boasts a lakefront trail, which can be biked, walked, or even roller-bladed.
Add in a beautiful, extraordinarily blue lake (because it has no river silt flowing into it) and it’s an amazing place to spend a day, week, or entire Summer. The lake beaches are very exotic in summer, and in winter, the snow is very beautiful.
Chicago has so much going for it. It would be much more populated if it didn’t have the reputation of being Chiberia, and even that is not as bad as it used to be due to climate change. Chicago has a bit of a NYC vibe along with the feel of a beach town in the summer. Drive up and down Lakeshore Drive on a beautiful summer day.
One one side—tall and often historic buildings — an Alpha+ level, world-class downtown. On the other side is a beautiful lake with beaches, boats, tons of people, and stunning lake views. Imagine thousands of people over 30 miles of beach, playing volleyball, jogging, picnicking, riding bikes, dining at restaurants and carts along the beach… it’s a great place to just people watch.
4. Garfield Park Conservatory
Located in the east Garfield Park neighbourhood, Garfield Park Conservatory combines an impressively high glass ceiling with lush greenery, making for the perfect picture. The conservatory has an indoor rainforest feel to it, with high ferns and a green lake - and is completely free of charge to visit! While taking photos of the lush greenery is a must, ensure you get the impressive glass ceiling in as well.
5. Skydeck Chicago
The Skydeck offers the perfect vantage point for photographers seeking a jaw dropping view of the impressive Chicago skyline and cityscape. Located on the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower skyscraper, the Skydeck is the highest observation deck in the United States, boasting sweeping views of the city, Lake Michigan, and even states of Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan on clear days.
Those with a fear of heights might want to give this attraction a miss - you’ll be 1353 feet in the air and will even feel the building sway slightly in the wind!
FOOD
Chicago has a wide diversity of food selections, so when you crave a bite to eat, try some of these wonderful places. They serve both classic Chicago-style eats and other specialties. Don't miss trying the city's famous deep-dish pizza in one of the best places to eat in Chicago, and remember one slice of it is like two (or more) slices of a regular pie, saving you money, though not necessarily calories.
Pilsen Food Truck Social is a summer food festival that includes 25 trucks offering a variety of food, live music, family activities, and beer. This two-day event is free, but people generally donate $5 to benefit the Food Truck Association and Food Bank/Soup Kitchen.
6. UNO’s Pizzeria
Deep dish pizza is a staple of Chicago’s food scene. It’s tall, more bowl than pizza at times, and filled with tons of sauce and cheese. UNO’s follows this recipe to a point. They also have gluten-free and vegetarian options.
7. Begab’s Goodies
If you’re looking for something vegan, this place will fill you up. They’ve got all of the vegan recipes, from Cheeseburgers and sandwiches to giant smoothies. The foods are filled with a powerful array of spices, and the selection of desserts is wide, with a peach cobbler as a popular favourite. However, this place isn’t open for long, and is open only around lunchtime.
8. Big Ed’s
Barbeque isn’t a staple of Chicago foods, but Big Ed’s makes mouth-watering ribs, pulled pork, and much more. Complementing these main dishes are well-cooked sides, from a gouda Mac and Cheese to Sweet Potatoes. Added to that is a friendly staff.
9 Hyde Park Art Center
Held annually since 1943, 57th Street Art Fair is one of the oldest art fairs in the country. The focus is on the visual arts, with around 200 artists exhibiting their work. The artwork in the exhibition includes painting, sculpture, glass art, and jewelry and leather goods. The event takes place for two days near Hyde Park.
10. Kwa-Ma-Rolas Totem Pole
The Kwa-Ma-Rolas totem pole catches the attention of many people driving past along Lake Shore Drive. You can visit it up close with a trip to 2045 N. Lincoln Park West. The thunderbird at the top and other intricate carvings that make up the 40-foot Western red cedar structure bring added beauty to the greenery of the park.
A quick walk from the totem pole takes you to Lincoln Park Zoo and the Lincoln Park Conservatory. Interestingly, Kwa-Ma-Rolas isn't the only totem pole in the city. You can also visit Big Beaver Totem Pole in front of the Field Museum of Natural History. Like the one in Lincoln Park, Big Beaver is a replica, but its beauty is still something to behold.