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Chicago's downtown region is a hive of activity, with a wide range of shopping, eating, and entertainment opportunities. Take a trip down Michigan Avenue's Magnificent Mile, which is noted for its high-end boutiques and department stores. Visit one of the downtown area's many theatres, music venues, or art galleries.
On a Saturday night, it's the ideal spot to go exploring. Other must-see attractions in Downtown Chicago include North Michigan Avenue, Skydeck Chicago, 360 Chicago Observation Deck, Buckingham Fountain, and the Field Museum. Here are the top places to visit and things to do in Downtown Chicago Illinois!
Chicago is a lively city that blends the finest of city living with its skyscrapers and rising tech industry, as well as the touching warmth and charming people of the Midwest. It is located on the popular Lake Michigan and one of the most popular ways to enjoy Chicago is to spend some time by the water. Lake Michigan stretches for over 200 miles, offering plenty of opportunities for swimming, boating, and fishing. Or, simply take a stroll along the lakefront and take in the breathtaking views of the Chicago skyline. There are several places to visit along the shores of Lake Michigan such as the Navy Pier, Shedd Aquarium, Lincoln Park, North Avenue Beach, and Adler Planetarium.
Must-Do Activities
Image Credit: Chicago Architecture Foundation
There's so much to see when you decide to explore Chicago. As you fly in from the Chicago O'hare International Airport which is only a 20-minute drive from the city center, you immediately get a sense of why the windy city is called so. Don't miss out on catching a gorgeous show at the Chicago Theater when you visit Chicago. Another must-do here is to go on the Architecture River Cruise by the Architecture Foundation Center which takes you through the gorgeous city and teaches you about the architecture of the city. We also highly recommend visiting Ping Tom Memorial Park located in the city center.
Art Institute Of Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago, founded in 1879, is a prominent museum that is renowned to be the #1 museum in downtown Chicago. It is located in the heart of downtown Chicago and has a large collection of international art, including pieces by timeless artists such as Picasso. It is also widely regarded as one of the best tourist attractions in the country. The permanent collection of the museum includes about 300,000 works of art from all over the world, making it a melting pot of global art and design.
The Chicago River flows through the city, giving the best opportunity for people to see enjoy a view of the city from a different perspective. Explore the river by kayak and when the weather is favourable, take a calming stroll on the Chicago Riverwalk which is a 1.2-mile pedestrian promenade built along the Chicago River's waterfront. You can go boating, eat at one of the riverside restaurants or taverns, or simply relax in the vast, gorgeous gardens of the riverwalk. Don't miss out on the famous Chicago hot dogs that you'll find in several eateries here. There isn't a more picturesque place to unwind in in the windy city!
Lincoln Park Zoo
Every tourist in the city must go to the Lincoln Park Zoo if they want to spend the day doing something fun and educational. with your family, especially if you have kids. This beautiful park is home to over 1100 animals, including gorillas, lions, and polar bears. The zoo offers a variety of educational programs and events as well, which makes this zoo the perfect place to teach your children everything there is to know about the animal kingdom. This one-of-a-kind zoo supports the well-being of all animals, with a staff of scientific specialists caring for them, and it plays an important role in animal welfare and the protection of endangered species. This means you truly do not have to think twice before visiting the zoo and supporting it. Thanks to the zoo's members and sponsors, the zoo has been free and available to the public for 150 years.
Millennium Park
Millennium Park is also famously known as the "front lawn of downtown Chicago" and its right in the heart of the windy city. It has several stunning public art installations, including the famed Cloud Gate sculpture which is often known as The Bean, the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, the Crown Fountain, and the Lurie Garden. The park is an ideal spot to unwind at after a hard day, and you can even enjoy a nice picnic here. It's located right on the loop and is on the shoreline of Lake Michigan.
Museum Campus
Under one roof, Chicago's Museum Campus includes three distinct museum experiences: the Field Museum, Adler Planetarium, and Shedd Aquarium. The Field Museum offers insight into a wide range of scientific and natural history occurrences. It displays fossils and cultural elements from throughout the world and even emphasizes why environmental conservation should be our top priority. It runs a number of educational and scientific programs. It consists of around 20 permanent installations distributed across 480,000 square feet. At the Adler Planetarium, you can learn everything there is to know about space, while at the Shedd Aquarium, you may explore the aquatic world.
Grant Park
Grant Park is a beautiful green park in the heart of the city, complete with grass, plants, and public art. Many of the previously mentioned attractions, such as the Field Museum Campus and the Art Institute of Chicago, are located here. Grant Park is close to Millennium Park. It has multiple walking and jogging paths that wind through it, and what a beautiful spot to go for a jog - the thick foliage and bright flower-studded archways make this a wonderfully peaceful and gorgeous park.
Pequod's Pizza is a Lincoln Park restaurant-pizzeria known for its deep-dish pizza with a crispy and slightly charred caramelized crust. The cheese and toppings are also excellent, resulting in a very delectable pizza experience. Try their unique Pequod's pizza, which features a ring of caramelized cheese around the edge of the dough. Drink your favorite beer while eating their delicious pizza. Another good tip is that you can get a personal pan pizza for $7 at lunch on weekdays as part of their lunch special.
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