For anyone looking to take a vacation in the city, there are plenty of great things to do in Chicago. You can visit museums, see the sights, or spend some time at one of the many ice skating rinks.
Navy Pier
Navy Pier has been one of the most popular Chicago attractions for years. It is a historic lakefront destination that features a number of family friendly activities. In addition to its entertainment, there are also several restaurants, shops and rides.
This pier has undergone a number of renovations in recent years, including a new Ferris wheel. The wheel is modeled on the first Ferris wheel built in Chicago in 1893.
The new wheel is 50 feet taller than the old one. It is constructed by the same Netherlands based company as the original. The wheel has three revolutions over a 12-minute time period.
Some of the other activities include boat tours, an indoor botanical garden, a children’s museum and a restaurant. There is also an outdoor beer garden. During the summer months, free live music is played.
While the Navy Pier is open year-round, some of its best attractions are only available during specific times of the year. Those times include the annual America’s Cup races.
Other notable events include the Fifth Third Bank Winter WonderFest, the Pepsi Tall Ships, Restaurant Week and the Aon summer fireworks. During the summer months, the Miller Lite Beer Garden offers free live music.
The Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows has 150 stained glass windows. They are decorated with works by Louis Comfort Tiffany and John LaFarge.
The Navy Pier also has a signature Centennial Wheel. Unlike the other gimmicks, it is a real Ferris wheel.
Museum of Contemporary Art
MCA Chicago is one of the largest contemporary art museums in the world. It is situated near Water Tower Place in downtown Chicago. The museum is supported by a board of trustees, individual members, corporate and government funding, and private foundations.
The museum offers a variety of programs and activities, including dynamic after-hours events and groundbreaking performances. They also have a permanent collection of over 2,500 works of art. These include pieces by Jasper Johns, René Magritte, Alexander Calder, and Bruce Nauman.
There is also a restaurant, a book store, and a terraced sculpture garden. They have several special exhibitions each year. If you’re looking for something more than just a museum, they also have a theater, a theater for performances, a sculpture garden, and studio-classrooms.
In addition, MCA has a gift shop and is known for its exceptional gift items. However, the most notable aspect of the museum is the permanent collection. With more than 5,700 works of art, the MCA is an art institution with an impressive collection. This collection features works by artists such as René Magritte, Jasper Johns, Kerry James Marshall, and Alexander Calder.
In addition to the permanent collection, the museum hosts numerous rotating exhibitions. One of the more notable exhibitions is a survey of Howardena Pindell’s career. Currently, Pindell’s work is not as widely known as works by white artists of her generation, but she had a long and successful career.
Museum of Science and Industry
A visit to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago is an experience that is not to be missed. The museum offers over thirty-five thousand artifacts, including a WWII submarine, a 40-foot tornado, and a mirror maze.
In 1926, Julius Rosenwald had a vision for a museum. He approached the Commercial Club of Chicago to help him make his dream a reality. He had visited the Deutsches Museum in Munich in 1911 with his family.
As a member of the Commercial Club, he offered to donate three million dollars to use the building as a science museum. After convincing Julius, the club agreed to support the project.
The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago opened its doors to the public in 1933. It is one of the largest museums of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. Located on Lake Shore Drive in Hyde Park, the museum is easy to get to. Easily accessible by bus and Metra Electric Line, it is a quick and easy way to enjoy the city.
The museum has several exhibits highlighting technological achievements. One of the most popular is the U505 Submarine. Another is a working assembly line. Several other exhibits focus on the future.
Another exhibit is “Genetics: Decoding Life.” This exhibit focuses on genetically modified plants and animals. Other exhibits include a chick hatchery, a genetically modified mouse, and a hatchery of genetically modified frogs.
Ice skating rinks
One of the many ways to make the most of Chicago’s winter season is to visit one of the city’s outdoor ice skating rinks. These rinks are a fun way to enjoy a day out and are open from November to February. If you’re looking for an affordable and unique activity, ice skating can be a great choice for your family. Other sports of course are available as well like the Chicago Fire FC Soccer.
For example, you might be interested in the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink. This rink offers free public skating and is one of the best spots to watch the action in great sports events near me.
Another good ice rink is the one at the Rosemont Parkway Bank in Rosemont. It’s the only hotel rink in the city, and offers an upscale experience tucked into a snowy wonderland.
Several of the Chicago area’s outdoor rinks are located near some of the city’s most iconic destinations. One of them, the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink, is the perfect location to check out the skyline and the lake.
Another rink is the rooftop ice rink at the Peninsula Hotel. This rink is quarter-mile long, and can hold up to 700 skaters at once. It’s a great place to see the views of the city and also to refuel after a day of skating.
The best outdoor rinks are ones that offer a variety of activities and programming. They might have a hockey league or provide a public skating session. There might be special events to attend and some might even feature music and snowflake lighting. Most of these rinks also offer a discount with a punch card.
Museum of African American History
DuSable Museum of African American History is a museum that focuses on the history of the African diaspora. It is located in the historic Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago. It offers a variety of services to help educate the public about black culture. The museum holds a rich collection of artifacts, documents, and books.
As the first independent museum of its kind in the United States, the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center strives to educate everyone about the history and culture of black people. This is accomplished through exhibits, lectures, storytelling, and demonstrations. Throughout the year, the center hosts workshops, performances, and film screenings.
The original museum site is now part of the National Register of Historic Places. Previously, the location was a social club for African American railroad workers.
Today, the museum serves more than 100,000 visitors each year. It is a place where the history of African Americans is discussed and examined, where difficult conversations are held, and where the black experience is shared with the world. With a mission of “discovering and disseminating the African art and culture,” the DuSable Museum has a dedicated staff that is committed to making the museum a resource for the community.
In addition to its collection of African art, the DuSable Museum also features the “Africa Speaks” exhibit, which is a series of black silhouettes. It is an immersive experience that transports visitors to Dr. Martin Luther King’s speech, “I Have a Dream.”
Other DuSable Museum programming includes educational workshops, musical performances, and book signings. They also provide outreach programs to the community.
Chinatown
Chinatown in Chicago is a pocket-sized community with a lot to offer. Its main features are food, entertainment and shopping. There are also various ethnic groups living in Chinatown. The neighborhood has become a great business center for Asians.
In addition to the many shops, restaurants and attractions, there is a vibrant community spirit in the neighborhood. For example, the Chinatown Chamber of Commerce works to keep the area alive and busy. They also put on special events and educational workshops for local businesses.
One of the most recognizable landmarks in Chinatown is the Cultural Institute of Chicago. The institute offers language classes and tours of the area. Its mission is to bring Chinese culture to the community and schools.
Another popular attraction is Ping Tom Memorial Park. This park is next to the Chicago River and has a variety of recreational facilities. From a kayaking facility to a natural health center, the park offers a great way to enjoy the outdoors.
Located at the intersection of Archer and Wentworth Avenues, the Chinese Merchants Association Building is a historic building that is decorated with red and green pagodas. The former building houses a library and is a landmark of Chinese architecture.
If you are interested in Chinese history, check out the Chinese-American Museum of Chicago. It features exhibits on the history of the city’s Chinese community.
A few blocks west of Chinatown, you can find the Chinatown Food Center. This huge store is a one stop shop for all your Asian needs. Not only does it have plenty of restaurants, it also has a food court. You can find a wide selection of Chinese foods, including dim sum.