Chicago is the third largest city in the United States. With this prestigious title comes the responsibility to uphold it. Luckily, Chicago has no problem doing that. The city is home to thousands of amazing restaurants, theaters with expansive history, and of course, a whole lot of shopping. If you're visiting Chicago, or even if you're from Chicago and are simply looking for something to do, here are the NUMBER best things to do in Chicago.
But first, let me take a (Bean) selfie.
Ah yes, the Bean. The pinnacle of Chicago's architectural fame. This giant medal blob, officially called Cloud Gate, got it's nickname: The Bean, almost immediately after it was built. It's shape is of just that: a bean. Now yes, this is one of the more tourist-y attractions in the city, but it's a great one nonetheless.
Not only is The Bean a popular attraction for architecture enthusiasts, it's also become a hotspot for the ultimate selfie. What better place to snap an OOTD pic than a 110-ton reflective orb in the middle of Millenium Park?
Fly The W.
Chicago is home to not one, but two MLB teams. The Chicago White Sox last won the World Series in 2005, but Chicago's other team, The Cubs, went 108 years without a winning title. The Chicago Cub's won the World Series just a couple months ago, and the city is still celebrating.
The Cubs play at Wrigley Field, located on the corner of Addison and Sheffield in Chicago's appropriately named neighborhood, Wrigleyville.
Although tickets will cost a fortune this coming season, Wrigley is a cool place to visit. Take a picture, look around the outside, then go bar hopping on Clark St.
Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!
Not many things in Chicago are free, but the Lincoln Park Zoo sure is! Take the Fullerton exit off of Lake Shore Drive, make a right, and you're there. This 35 acre zoo is the city's one and only. You can spend the day learning about the cool animals and winding down at the end of the day by riding the swan shaped pedal boats the zoo offers (for a fee).
Not only is the Lincoln Park Zoo free, it also has a pretty rich history. It was founded in 1868, making it one of the oldest zoos in the U.S. The zoo is also home to a burr oak tree that dates back to 1830, about three years before Chicago was even founded.
Don't look down.
When you think Chicago, you probably think "Sears Tower." Now named the Willis Tower (no one actually calls it that), this 110 story building, built in 1970, was known as the world's tallest building for 25 years after it's completion. The Sears Tower is located in the heart of the city on South Wacker.
If you're brave enough, you can visit the Skydeck inside the Sears Tower, located on the 99th floor of the building. Every wall is made almost entirely of windows, the really thick kind, don't worry. There is even an enclosed glass balcony you can stand on and when you look down, you can see the entire city under your feet. Admission to the Sears Tower Skydeck is a little pricey, but the experience is well worth it.
That's Wright.
Frank Lloyd Wright was one of the best architects of his time. His homes can be found all around the U.S. While he branched out to other locations, Frank Lloyd Wright made his start in Oak Park, IL, a town just 10 minutes west of Chicago. It was there that Wright began working for Louis Sullivan, but eventually began his own work. (It's actually a controversial story. You can learn about it if you tour his home.) His style was never-before-seen. It was a modern flare in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He was known for being different, as well as extremely intelligent. Fun Fact: His son, John Lloyd Wright, invented the popular kid's building 'blocks', Lincoln Logs.
Frank Lloyd Wright's home and studio in Oak Park is open for tours. The home remains nearly untouched since his time there. And guess what! This isn't the only Frank Lloyd Wright house in Oak Park. Just west of the home and studio on Chicago Avenue, there are a few homes that Wright worked on with his then-mentor Louis Sullivan. The 300 block of Forest, just south of the home and studio, is home to a few of Wright's homes, too. As well as Oak Park's Unity Temple, located at Lake Street and Forest Avenue.
Shop 'til you drop.
Chicago is good for more than architecture and domesticated wildlife. The mile long stretch of Chicago's Michigan Avenue, nicknamed the Magnificent Mile, is home to some of the best shopping you'll ever find. The Mile is a perfect mixture of high-end and Forever 21-esque fashion. On the Magnificent Mile you'll encounter high-end designer storefronts such as Burberry, Giorgio Armani, Louis Vuitton and Chanel, to name just a few.
Michigan Avenue offers more than high fashion designer storefronts. It is home to more affordable stores such as Forever 21, H&M, and Topshop. But wait, there's more! At the north end of Mag Mile is a huge indoor shopping mall, Water Tower Center. In there, you'll find hundreds of stores, as well as it's own food cour-esque restaurant, Food Life. Water Tower is home to Chicago's American Girl Store, which moved to it's current location in 2008, after being at 111 E. Chicago Avenue since the turn of the century.
Where the mall got it's name.
Water Tower mall got it's name from the city's historic water tower and pumping station. The Chicago Water Tower is located a block or two south of the mall. It was built in 1869 to serve as a pumping station for Lake Michigan. It is the country's second oldest water tower, preceded by the Louisville Water Tower in Louisville, Kentucky.
The beautiful building that houses the Chicago Water Tower is often mistaken for a church. It's unique structural style is the work of architect William W. Boyington. The historic building, located in the oh-so-tiny Jane M. Byrne Plaze, now serves as a Chicago Office of Tourism art gallery, known simply and blatantly as 'City Gallery in the Historic Water Tower.'
Dinner and a show.
Ok, this is mostly about the 'show' part, but you can get food anywhere. More on that later.
The theatrical significance of Chicago is often overlooked. The city is home to several historic theaters that have showcased some of the best shows of all time. Seemingly the most famous theatre in the city, the Chicago Theatre, lies on State and Lake St. It stands out among Chick-fil-a, Gap, Old Navy, and the ABC 7 News station across the street. The Chicago Theatre has opened it's doors to thousands of artists and traveling shows.
Also among Chicago's beautiful theaters is The Oriental Theatre, The Auditorium Theatre, The Cadillac Palace Theatre, and the PrivateBank Theatre, which is currently showing the extremely popular musical, Hamilton.
The Original Saturday Night Live.
I bet you didn't know that some of comedy's biggest names got their start right here in the Windy City. That's right, Chicago's Second City comedy club is where comedians like John Belushi, Steve Carell, Steven Colbert, Tina Fey, Amy Pohler, Jane Lynch, and so many others started out.
The Second City, named for Chicago's ranking in comparison to New York, is located in the city's Old Town neighborhood. There's always something going on at Second City, whether it's improv classes and workshops or a late-night comedy show.
Let's go to the beach-each.
It may be surprising for some people to learn that Chicago is actually home to several beaches. It should be obvious, as the city lies on Lake Michigan, but it's often overlooked. Many people think of Chicago as more of a concrete jungle type thing.
Chicago has a beach for everyone. Oak Street Beach (above) is overwhelmingly populated by the city's teenagers and twenty-somethings. It's just a few blocks north of the Magnificent Mile, located directly off of Lake Shore Drive.
For a quieter beach day, head east on LSD to the Ohio Street Beach. Located right in front of Lake Point Towers, this beach is one of the calmer options.
When I say Chicago has a beach for everyone, I mean everyone. The Belmont Harbor Dog Beach is popular among pooches of all sorts, as well as their owners. Dogs are free to play in the sand and even take a dip in the lake.
But first, pizza.
I couldn't end this article before mentioning Uno's Pizza. The original Uno's Pizzeria is located at 55 E. Ohio St. in Chicago's downtown. Uno's is most famous for their Chicago style deep dish pizza. Even if you didn't consider yourself a fan of deep dish before, you will now.
There you have it! The best things to do, eat, and see in this beautiful city I call home.
