Ten Things Not to Miss When Visiting Chicago

Chicago, the Second City, remains the cultural heart of the Midwest. The town President Obama calls home remains the third-most populous city in the country, with nearly 3 million residents, two baseball teams, and a never-ending list of attractions for visitors. Here are 10 things not to miss when you head to the Windy City:

1. Wrigley Field
Home to those lovable losers (the Cubs haven’t won a World Series in over a century), Wrigley Field just may be the most quintessentially American place to take in the American pastime. Built in 1914, the ballpark is famous for its ivy-covered outfield wall, the views from neighboring rooftops, and original features, like the hand-turned scoreboard and the iconic marquee. If you’re taking a trip to Chicago during the summer months, a Cub’s game is an essential activity.

2. Millennium Park
World-class architecture, public art, and live music can all be found on the shores of Lake Michigan. One of the newest must-see stops in Chicago, Millennium Park opened in 2004 after the city paid some $475 million to build the new open space. The park’s centerpiece is the Frank Gehry-designed Jay Pritzker Pavilion, a bandshell that plays host to a range of concerts and performing arts events. Among the other must-sees within the park is Cloud Gate (better known as “the Bean” to natives), a massive sculpture by the artist Anish Kapoor. The park is also home to an ice skating rink, Lurie Garden, and Gehry’s BP Pedestrian Bridge.

3. The Museum Campus
On the shores of Lake Michigan sits a 57-acre park housing three of the city’s most famous museums: the Adler Planetarium, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Field Museum of Natural History. All three are worth a visit, but the aquarium is particularly notable: It was the first inland aquarium with a permanent saltwater fish collection and is also one of the largest aquariums in the country.

4. The Classics
You can’t visit Chicago and skip the two things the natives line up for any day of the week: deep-dish pizza and classic Chicago-style hot dogs. Whatever arguments you hear from New Yorkers, Chicago has at least a claim to the best of both. Chicagoans can argue for hours on where to find the pinnacle of deep dish goodness – we’ll leave them to it. Some of the spots frequently mentioned are Lou Malnati’s, Gino’s East, and Aurelio’s. For the authentic hot dog experience, just look for lines out the door at places like Jimmy’s Red Hots and Hot Doug’s.

5. All that Jazz
Jazz and Chicago are inextricably linked. In fact, it’s thought Chicago was where the term first came into use to describe a type of music. The Chicago style was developed in the early 20th century by musicians who had left the south looking for a new home. Later, Miles Davis, Ornette Coleman, and Ella Fitzgerald all performed in Chicago. There are still some amazing jazz clubs in Chicago – we recommend checking out Chicago Reader for listings of venues and shows.

6. Hit the Clubs
Ever wonder why it’s called House music? The style was popularized by DJ Frankie Knuckles at a Chicago club called The Warehouse. Today, Mr. Knuckles has his own street, and house music still reverberates around the city after dark. Smart Bar brings in top DJs from all corners of the globe, and classic Chicago house is often celebrated with one-off events in Millennium Park.

7. Navy Pier
In Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood, on the shoreline of Lake Michigan, sits the city’s top tourist destination. Navy Pier was built in 1916 as a cargo facility for lake freighters, but gradually became a public gathering space. Today, the pier includes a Ferris Wheel with views of the city and festivals depending on the season. Other events, like a boat show and the Chicago Flower and Garden Show are held at the pier.

8. Hit the Lake
You may be smack dab in the middle of the country – but Chicago’s coastline is an important part of the city’s feel. While sunbathing on one of city’s many beaches is certainly an option during the warmer months, nothing beats getting out on the lake. There are many boat tour operators, though Wendella Sightseeing has been around the longest and over a variety of tours including one focused on Chicago’s storied architecture.

9. The Art Institute of Chicago
There are few museums in the country, never mind the Midwest, that can boast the collection and range of works housed in the Art Institute. From a particularly large stash of Impressionist paintings to ancient Chinese pottery and mid-century modern furniture, the museum wows even the most seasoned art connoisseur. The Art Institute is located on Michigan Ave not far from Millennium Park.

10. The John Hancock Building
Sure, the Sears Tower is taller, but the John Hancock Building still provides spectacular views in every direction. We prefer it to Sears though – for one thing, it stays open until 11pm so that you can get the night view. The 95th floor also includes a restaurant, The Signature Room.