Categories: Travel

The 10 Best Places to Explore in Chicago

Chicago is a wonderful city to live in or travel to. It is filled with culture, live music, and some of the best food you will ever eat. It is home of many great musical artists, historic landmarks and of a plethora of breathtaking views. If you are from the Chicago area or looking for your next vacation, there is much to see and much to do despite being in coronavirus lockdown. Read on to find the best spots to eat in Chicago’s Gold Coast, how to spend a picturesque summer on Lake Michigan and experience the glorious nature and animals the city has to offer.

Explore Gold Coast Restaurants

I may be biased, but the food in Chicago is some of the greatest out there. The food scene is a perfect blend of culture, trends, and quaintness. You can find any type of food in Chicago to satisfy your cravings and you will not leave unsatisfied or disappointed. Some of Chicago’s best food happens to be in the Gold Coast area, right off Michigan Avenue and close to Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. If you like to try out new Mediterranean restaurants, consider hitting up Fig & Olive. This restaurant has some of the best small plates so you can experience a lot of flavor in one meal. For an interesting and exciting blend of French and Vietnamese food, try Le Colonial and for a classic spaghetti and meatball dish or a Chicago-style pizza, try Carmine’s. 

Walk Around Grant Park and Millennium Park

A few of the best places to enjoy the city’s greenery and nature are in Chicago’s Grant Park and Millennium Park. Millennium Park offers everything you could want all year long. Everything from concerts and fun in the water at Crown Fountain in the summertime and ice skating with hot cocoa in the wintertime. Grant Park also has a lot to offer in terms of entertainment and beauty. While the historic music festival had to be canceled this summer because of coronavirus lockdown. Grant Park hosts Lollapalooza, offering music, food, art – a little something for everyone. Admire the Buckingham Fountain from afar or up close in Grant Park, too, and enjoy a lovely picnic on the crisp, green grass.

Dock in the Playpen

Another fun thing to do in Chicago is enjoy all that the lake has to offer. Lake Michigan is perfect for all water activities, tanning in the sun and drifting down Lake Shore Drive. Enjoy jet skiing or paddle boarding far from the shore, or baking on the hot summer sun on the sand. Another Chicago summer tradition is driving a boat out to the “Playpen,” a harbor for hundreds of boats where people socialize, drink, blast their music and enjoy beautiful summertime Chi. Grab your swimsuits, because this is a memory you won’t forget. 

Go to an Art, Fashion or Science Museum

Chicago is  home to some of the world’s greatest museums, all from history museums, art museums, fashion museums, to science and marine ones too. If you are interested in art or fashion, consider checking out the Art Institute of Chicago and all the galleries it has to offer. If you are into science or marine life, look into going to the Field Museum or the Shedd Aquarium.

Take Pictures at The Bean

The Bean or “Cloud Gate” is a classic tourist destination, but one of the best if you can make it. It truly is a spectacular piece of art and allows you to see yourself in many directions and angles, hence the surrounding mirrors. Even if you are not into cliches, check out this attraction anyway for some sweet memories and a few good pics for the ‘gram.

Shop on the Magnificent Mile

Another fun thing to do in Chicago all year round is to shop on the “Magnificent Mile” or Michigan Avenue, which is home to many popular, high-end and affordable clothes. Explore the many levels of the Water Tower mall or check out the LEGO or Disney store for some fun toys. If you have a sweet tooth, try out every candy you can think of at Dylan’s Candy Bar.

Explore the Cultural Neighborhoods

If you want to get outside of Chicago’s downtown areas, explore some of the cultural neighborhoods like Little Italy or Chinatown.  Here you will find authentic ethnic food, gadgets, and all things true to Italian and Chinese traditions.

See Also

Go to a Baseball Game

While attending a baseball game may not be an option right now, going out to one of the two Chicago baseball team’s, the White Sox and the Cubs, games are always a great summer outing. Feast on a true Chicago hotdog, feel great energy with Chicago people of all kinds, and watch some exciting games of baseball.

Check Out The Lincoln Park Zoo

If you love animals, the Lincoln Park Zoo is the place to be in the summertime and a great way to spend time with friends and family outdoors. Check out some of the greatest animals on the planet like giraffes and elephants from African lands to penguins and polar bears from the Arctic. 

Work Your Way Around Navy Pier

Chicago is also home to one of the world’s largest and tallest Ferris wheels at the Navy Pier on Grand Ave. Navy Pier has every summer activity that you can think of; boating, eating ice cream, and riding amusement park rides. You will find and have it all at this historic Chicago landmark.

Chicago is home to some of the greatest venues, shopping, food and everything summer. There is something to do for everyone. You will never get bored in this city of endless excitement, entertainment, and opportunity. During the summertime, explore parts of the city such as Lake Michigan, Navy Pier, the Zoo, and baseball games. In the colder seasons, set yourself up to become a foodie and try out a new restaurant every week or shop until you drop on Michigan Avenue during Christmas. You will never be left disappointed and will always come back wanting more.

What are your favorite Chicago activities? Let us know in the comments below!

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Mikaela Blackwell

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