There’s a lot more to Chicago than deep-dish pizza and Al Capone. Chicago is home to the world’s first skyscraper and is the true basis for Batman’s Gotham City.
Naturally, you’ll never run out of things to do in Chicago. It has some of the best views and some of the best things to do. So much so that you might not even know where to start.
If you plan to travel to Chicago and are looking for things to do, you’ve come to the right place. This is your travel guide to seven exciting things you should check out during your Chicago travel.
1. Things to Do in Chicago: Try All the Food
You saw this one coming. There are only two places you want to go in the world to get your pizza: Italy and Chicago. Here you will find some of the biggest and most savory pizzas around.
Not feeling like pizza during your trip? Then give the Chicago-style hot dog a shot. It’s got seven toppings but no mustard or ketchup.
Chicago’s Chinatown is also a legendary place you should check out. Get some dim sum or sushi. Then take a stroll through a slice of China in the middle of the USA.
2. Learn More about the History
Chicago is a city for the fine arts as well as the culinary arts. It is home to world-renowned attractions like The Bean, a giant metallic bean-shaped structure. But take a step inside the museums, and you’ll find art from all eras.
Want to see some dinosaur bones? Head to the Field Museum, and you can view an authentic T-rex skeleton up close and personal. Or stroll through the aquarium for a dip into the aquatic life.
Those with more refined tastes will love the Art Institute of Chicago if the contemporary and architectural art locations aren’t your fancy.
3. Take a Dinner Cruise
When you first fly into Chicago, you will see that it is perched right on the bank of the Great Lakes. The Chicago River flows through the town, which they dye green each year for St. Patrick’s Day. Al Capone risked fishing out in the open on the lakes, so it’s safe to say water activities are a big thing here.
If you’d like something more relaxing and romantic, consider this dinner cruise option. Avoid the crowds out on the quiet water. Enjoy a luxury meal while you take in the sights and smells.
This is a great way to unwind and decompress after a long day in the city. You’ll have a travel guide who can tell you about points of interest as you float gently along.
4. Enjoy Some Nature
Chicago isn’t just concrete and steel skyscrapers that isolate you from Mother Nature. There are many large, gorgeous parks waiting for you to explore.
Here are just a few of the natural retreats you can visit:
- Lincoln Park
- Washington Park
- Humboldt Park
- Jackson Park
- Grant Park
It’s easy to forget that Chicago is located in one of the most beautiful places in the country. Take a brief trip outside of the city, and enjoy some incredible greenery that you won’t find elsewhere.
5. Enjoy the Waterside
Of course, Chicago has no ocean to offer, but the Great Lakes are the next best thing. When you see them, it will sure feel like the ocean regardless.
There are tons of beaches, such as North Avenue Beach and Montrose Avenue Beach. Get some sun or put your toes in the water. These sandy beaches are excellent places to play volleyball or build a sand castle.
Take a stroll down the Navy Pier, or head out onto the water for some boating. The Great Lakes have some gorgeous lakeside scenery and islands for you to visit.
6. Try Out a Local Tour
Tours are a great way for history and culture nerds to get their fill. Plus, there may be some goodies along the way.
Chicago is home to dozens of famous craft breweries. Allow your tour guide to take you into the back area to see how the sausage is made–or, in this case, the beer. Then at the end of the tour, there will be an ice-cold lager for you to try.
In fact, you can have an entire itinerary of craft brewhouses. Many people take a loop from brewery to brewery to try different beers to see the result of different malting styles.
7. Jam Out at a Music Festival
After looking at this list, it’s safe to say that Chicago has just about everything. And we really mean that because there’s another item we haven’t included yet: music.
Chicago has been there from America’s early days, from the Blues period to the Jazz. All throughout the year, you will find some of the best listening events for all the classics you love. Classical lovers will enjoy the Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra if rock and jazz aren’t to their liking.
Fans of electronic music might find David Guetta here during the Lollapalooza. And if you’d rather not shell out cash for a concert, there are plenty of free summer music festivals.
Gospel lovers will be right at home with some of the best in faith-inspiring music, too.
Prepare Your Trip to Chicago
It’s not a question of if there are things to do in Chicago, it’s how many of them you can see in a single trip. There is great food, excellent nature, and plenty of music and festivals to take part in. Chicago is rich with culture and home to the history that made America.
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