Chicago is a city of experiences, from watching live music under the soaring steel canopy of Millennium Park’s Jay Pritzker Pavilion to gazing at one of the largest collections of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artwork outside of Paris at the Art Institute of Chicago.
Here’s a snapshot of all the things to see and do in Chicago:
The waterfront: Arguably one of the most iconic city skylines in America nestles against 26 miles of uninterrupted lakefront, accentuated by 15 miles of sandy beaches and an 19-mile stretch of bike trails. Not to mention the breathtaking Chicago River and multi-award-winning Chicago Riverwalk, lined with coves, restaurants, public art, and more.
Museums and attractions: Museums voted to be among the best in the world house fine art masterpieces, the largest dinosaurs known to man, and the most expansive science and industry collection in the Western Hemisphere. At the same time, game-changing architecture, from the first skyscrapers to Frank Lloyd Wright residences, bring streets and neighborhoods to life throughout the city.
Music: Chicago is the birthplace of electric blues and house music, a melting pot of jazz influences, and an envelope-pushing alternative music incubator. Best of all, throughout the summer months, music festivals pulse through the city, all the way from the downtown lakefront to intimate neighborhood parks.
Performing arts: Over 200 stages burst with the energy of Broadway, musicals, and experimental and immersive theatre. Chicago is also the birthplace of modern American improv, showcased by innovative troupes, including famed comedy star maker The Second City.
Food and drink: Chicago has been voted America’s Best Restaurant City, famed for foodie excellence across the board — from classic Chicago hot dogs to the culinary performance art of celebrity-studded Alinea. And with over 65 breweries, Chicago has the largest craft brewery scene in the nation.
Shopping: The world-famous Magnificent Mile is a 13-block stretch of 50 landmark buildings, 460+ high-end stores, 275 restaurants, and 60 hotels, making it more like a super-charged sightseeing tour than a mere shopping expedition. And it’s that same cultural experience combined with unique boutique shopping that awaits you in every one of the city’s 77 diverse neighborhoods.
Sport: Chicago is the ultimate sports-fan city, with pro-season teams playing all year round. Baseball, football, soccer, basketball, hockey — you name it, we play it.
