Best views of the City
1.
Go for drinks at the Hancock building to get views of the whole city: Located atop the John
Hancock Center, in the heart of Chicago's Magnificent Mile, The Signature Room at the 95th
offers Contemporary American fare with sweeping views of the city. The restaurant is expensive,
but you can go to the lounge and have a drink - the same price as paying to go to the viewing
tower. http://www.signatureroom.com/
2.
Skyboxes at Willis Tower. Formerly known as the Sear’s Tower, Willis Tower offers incredible
views. The new glass viewing boxes enable you to step out over the city. Lines can be very long
for tickets and the elevators. $17.00 general, adult admission. http://www.theskydeck.com/
MUST SEE OR DO
1.
Architectural Boat Tour:
The best way to see Chicago is on the Architectural Boat Tour (not to be mistaken for the amateur tourist
boat tours). The Chicago Architecture Foundation offers the most informative architectural boat tour in the
city. Their volunteer docents will give you more information, history, and architectural fact that you could
ever imagine! You can purchase tickets online or at the ticket booth (at river dock – go down stairway at
the northeast corner of Michigan Ave and Wacker Dr). The boat tours sell out in the summer time, so go
early or buy tickets a day or two in advance. This 90-minute tour is well worth the cost of $35.
http://caf.architecture.org/page.aspx?pid=574
2.
Millennium Park
Best on a clear weather day, but regardless of weather and crowds, this is a must see.
MUSEUMS
1.
Museum of Contemporary Art
Excellent exhibits. Walkable from Michigan Avenue and near the John Hancock building. Nice views of
the Lake.
www.mcachicago.org
220 E Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 397-4034
2.
Art Institute
The Art Institute admission is $12, kids under 12 are free. You pay extra for some of the traveling exhibits.
There is a new wing (designed by Renzo Piano) opened in May 2009. One of the museum’s signature
features are the Marc Chagall stain glass windows (America Windows). Thursdays admission is free from 58pm.
www.artic.edu
111 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 443-3600
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3.
Museum of Science and Industry
www.msichicago.org
5700 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago
57th Street and Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60637
(773) 684-1414
Adult admission is $13
Child admission is $9
4.
Shedd’s Aquarium
www.sheddaquarium.org/
1200 S. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60605
Children (ages 3-11) $13.95
ADULTS $17.95
5.
Children’s Museum
www.chicagochildrensmuseum.org/
Currently at Navy Pier
Sunday-Wednesday & Friday 10am-5pm
Thursday & Saturday
10am-8pm
Thursday evenings, 5-8pm free admission for everyone.
First Monday of every month Free admission all day for ages 15 and under. 10am – 8pm
OTHER ATTACTIONS
1.
Navy Pier
Great for kids. Adults with high entertainment tolerance will survive the day. There is a Ferris wheel,
fireworks on Saturday nights, and ice-skating in the winter.
www.navypier.com
600 E Grand Ave
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 595-7437
2.
Lake front bike / pedestrian path
Enjoy the lakefront by renting a bicycle or segway or just taking a long walk. Chicago has a continuous
pedestrian / bike path that travels from the south side of the city (near the University of Chicago / Hyde
Park) past all of the museums, the Loop and Millennium Park, and up to North Beach (restaurant, bar, and
volleyball), and beyond to Montrose beach and eventually the town of Evanston. One of the best ways to
see Chicago and its diverse people is with a long walk on the beach. There are also various CTA buses that
runs along the lakefront on Lake Shore Drive, which can make for a convenient way to see different
sections of the lake.
3.
Oak Park
Oak Park, a town directly west of the city of Chicago, is home to the world's largest collection of Frank
Lloyd Wright designed buildings and houses, with 25 structures built between 1889 and 1913. The Frank
Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust sponsors many walking tours of the homes. His home and studio are also
open for tours. You can reach Oak Park by taking the Blue Line CTA train west of the city.
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