Chicago is an exciting city. As Frank Sinatra once sang, “bet your bottom dollar you’ll lose the blues in Chicago, the town that Billy Sunday couldn’t shut down.” There are so many wonderful things to see and do in this place that it would be your fault if you get bored here. So you won’t be bored on your visit to Windy City, we’re recommending these top Chicago attractions that you simply must not miss there.
Art Institute of Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago, one of the oldest and largest museums in the US, is one of the most visited Chicago attractions. It draws in around 1.5 million visitors every year to see its valuable collection of almost 300,000 artworks from all over the world. Included in the Institute’s collection are iconic art pieces such as Grant Wood’s American Gothic, Pablo Picasso’s The Guitarist, and Vincent van Gogh’s Self-portrait.
Chicago Riverwalk
Chicago Riverwalk is a waterfront on the south bank of Chicago River, the lifeblood of the city itself. Strolling down the Riverwalk will take you to some of the most interesting and picturesque sights of the downtown area, including the 38 movable bridges spanning the river’s breadth. The Riverwalk is also a popular shopping and dining destination, so take your time exploring it.
The Field Museum of Natural History
If you’re visiting Chicago with your kids, make sure to take them to the Field Museum of Natural History. As one of the largest museums of natural history in the world, the Field Museum is an excellent place for your kids to learn more about the history of planet Earth, how it evolved, the creatures that live on it, and what treasures they can find in it. The Field Museum is one of the top Chicago attractions, attracting nearly two million visitors a year. It’s famous for Sue, the most complete Tyrannosaurus rex dinosaur fossil ever found as yet.
Lincoln Park
With more than 20 million visitors a year, Lincoln Park firmly belongs to the list of top Chicago attractions. This Chicago’s largest public park covers more than a thousand acres on the lakefront facing Lake Michigan and is home to thriving birdlife and wildlife. Lincoln Park is also home to a number of museums and recreational facilities, including the Lincoln Park Zoo, the Lincoln Park Conservatory, and the Chicago History Museum.
The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum-Chicago Academy of Sciences
Located within the Lincoln Park complex is the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum of the Chicago Academy of Sciences. It is one of the oldest museums dedicated to studying nature and its relationship to humans. The Museum is famous for its live butterfly house and has become a popular venue for weddings and events.
Navy Pier
The Navy Pier is one of the most iconic of Chicago’s landmarks. Named after the Navy veterans of the Second World War, the Navy Pier covers 50 acres of Lake Michigan shoreline and is home to a number of parks and gardens, museums and theaters, as well as a collection of outdoor art. When you’re here at the Navy Pier, make sure you take a ride at the Carousel and the Centennial Wheel. If you’re a theater aficionado, maybe you can catch a performance at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Or you can always spend your time shopping and dining here.
Wrigley Field
Now that the Chicago Cubs has finally won the World Series after a 108-year drought, all the more that you must not miss a chance to visit the historic Wrigley Field on your trip to Chicago. Not that Wrigley Field isn’t noteworthy in itself, given that it has witnessed many of the best moments in the history of baseball as one of the oldest ballparks in the country. A visit to Wrigley Field will give you a glimpse into the world of the Cubs. The Friendly Confines also holds a number of charity events where even non-baseball fans can have fun throughout the year.
The next time you find yourself in Windy City, don’t forget to spend time visiting these top Chicago attractions.
