Top 10 Things To Do in Chicago
Chicago was my first home as a “real adult.” It was the first time I was not a student, but a full-fledged working #girlboss. I had a job, friends, met my boyfriend, and truly fell in love with the city. As a kid, I envisioned myself living in New York City: being a subway pro, jogging in central park, and grabbing coffee on a big orange couch everyday (I watched a lot of Friends). But I found that Chicago, unexpectedly, fulfilled my big city dreams. It’s definitely a more laid back, down to earth city compared to NYC, and I love it for that! You NEED to have Chicago on your travel bucket list! Here are my favorite things to do in Chicago for a first time visitor.
The Essentials
Best time to visit? Summer
Summer in Chicago is what gets everyone through the winter. There are so many activities, festivals every week, and great weather. You can definitely go in the winter, but it’s going to be cold. Like REALLY cold. But hey, the snow and ice are also really pretty!
Transportation? The ‘El’
The public transportation in Chicago is great. The subway is better know as the El, due to the elevated tracks around the Loop (Chicago’s downtown area). Don’t bother renting a car; parking is a nightmare. Chicago’s two airports, O’hare and Midway, have direct lines into the city.
Is it safe? YES.
If you watch the news, you know about the gun violence in Chicago. It’s mostly gang related in certain parts of the city. If you’re a tourist sticking to the main tourist areas, you will be fine. It’s like any other big city, so keep your wits about you. Don’t leave your purse wide open; don’t wander around at 3am in dark alleys. But as we’ve seen in past weeks, bad things can happen anywhere. Don’t let the ‘what if’s’ stop you from visiting a great city like Chicago!
Things To Do In Chicago
The Bean and Millennium Park
This is my favorite part of the city. Cloud Gate, or more commonly referred to as The Bean, is a sculpture in Millennium Park with a great view of the city skyscrapers. The hustle and bustle is great for people watching. There’s even an ice skating rink in the winter. While some may argue it’s fairly touristy, it was the first place that made me feel like I was really in the big city (as a small town girl), and I loved visiting it every time I was in the Loop!
The Art Institute of Chicago
Just steps from the Bean is a building flanked by two lions. Inside you’ll find an amazing array of art, from Monet to Picasso and much more.
Fun Fact: I did a competition in elementary school called Picture Memory, where I was shown a painting and had to identify the title and artist. So it’s always fun for me wandering through art museums and vaguely remembering a painting from my childhood (I was a weird kid, ha).
Buckingham Fountain
Keep walking south within Grant Park and you’ll soon find one of the world’s largest fountains. It sits in a large public square with a great view of both the city and Lake Michigan. This is also the area where the biggest music festival occurs in late summer, Lollapalooza!
Museum Campus
This park sits to the south of the Loop and houses a few other big museums. You could spend a whole day here museum-hopping. Choices include Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum of Natural History, or if da Bears are playing – Soldier Field. And you guessed it; there are sweeping views of the city along the lake here.
Views From Above
In a city of skyscrapers, you would be amiss to not travel upwards. You have two options – the infamous Sears Tower (aka Willis Tower) or the John Hancock Center. Both give great views of the city but are expensive (~$20 per person).
Main difference? Sears has the Glass Deck, and Hancock has the Tilt Deck. My preference is the John Hancock Center, but not the observation deck. The Signature Lounge is a bar on the 95th floor that is free of admission and has the same great views. Cocktails are around $15 but if you are going to pay regardless, why not enjoy the view with a drink in hand?
Lincoln Park Zoo
For a break from the concrete jungle, head over to Lincoln Park where you’ll find one of the country’s oldest zoos. And it’s free admission! This open-air zoo makes for a great day out with the family, date night, or even a solo stroll through the park!
Navy Pier
Navy Pier is one of the top attractions in Chicago, especially for families. There are amusement park rides including the iconic Centennial Wheel (a large Ferris wheel). Even in the dead of winter when most things are closed, you can get a great view of the skyline sans hordes of people.
Architecture Tour
While you’re at Navy Pier, hop on a boat tour along the Chicago River for a lesson on the city’s impressive architecture. Boring, you think? Absolutely not! The history is simply fascinating, you get a different perspective of the city along the river, and of course, there’s a bar. What’s better than drinking on a boat in Chicago?
Wrigley Field
To delve deeper into Chicago history and culture, you’ll need to head north to Wrigleyville and catch Cubs game. Even if you don’t like baseball (and I don’t), the experience itself is very fun. Take a picture with the iconic Wrigley Field sign, eat a Chicago dog, drink some beer, and cheer on the city’s beloved Cubs.
Lake Michigan
And last but not least, enjoy Lake Michigan! The lake that looks more like an ocean is a centerpiece of fun and leisure in Chicago. The Lakefront Trail offers miles of paths all along the lake. Numerous beaches (Oak Street Beach, North Avenue Beach) let you soak up the sun, play volleyball, or even let your dog run free (Montrose Dog Beach). My advice is to rent a bike (Divvy is a good option), enjoy a day along the lake, and fall in love with Chicago!
Tell me your favorite things to do in Chicago!
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