Things to see in Chicago
Attractions
Art Institute of Chicago
The bronze lions guarding the main entrance of the spectacular Art Institute of Chicago have become true symbols of the city. This world-class museum is packed with examples of over 5,000 years of human artistry from all over the world. Of particular interest are the collections of African, Ancient American and 'modern' American art from the 17th century to the present, including two icons of 20th century American art: American Gothic (1930) and Nighthawks (1942). The beautiful building is also the capital of the French Impressionism in the American Midwest. Its collection includes one of the four surviving Water Lilies paintings by Monet, as well as work by Mary Cassatt, the only American to be included in the French Impressionist Movement.
Address: Loop, 111 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, 60603Telephone: +1 312 443 3600.
Opening times:
Mon-Wed & Fri-Sun 1030-1700, Thurs 1030-2000.
Website: http://www.artic.eduAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Millennium Park
Millennium Park is a collage of exceptional art and architecture. The 10-hectare (25-acre) recreational area features Frank Gehry's BP Bridge and the towering stainless steel ribbons of the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, an outdoor concert venue. A video of faces are displayed on the Crown Fountain, two 15m-tall (50ft) towering glass fountains by Jaume Plensa. The stainless steel, elliptical Cloud Gate by Anish Kapoor (referred to as 'the Bean') reflects fish-eye panoramas of the skyline. Grassy and lush, the Lurie Garden pays tribute to the city's transformation from marshy flat to a beautiful metropolis.
Address: Millennium Park, 201 E Randolph Street, between Michigan Avenue & Columbus Avenue, Chicago, 60602Telephone: +1 312 742 1168.
Opening times:
Daily 0900-1900 May-Sep, 1000-1600 Oct-Apr.
Website: http://www.millenniumpark.orgAdmission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Grant Park
In the 1890s, Grant Park was a marshy expanse earmarked for development, until it was saved by the wealthy Montgomery Ward and transformed by the landscaping plans of the Olmstead Brothers. The 319-acre park encompasses Millennium Park, several important museums, and two lakefront marinas. Its popular landmark, the Buckingham Fountain, is modelled after a fountain at Versailles and is a fine example of Beaux Arts landscape design. Between 1 May and 1 October, a brightly-coloured, illuminated water performance takes place from dusk until 2300.
Address: Loop, From East Randolph Street (north) to Roosevelt Road (south), Chicago, 60601Telephone: +1 312 742 3918.
Opening times:
Daily 0600-2300.
Website: http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks/grant-parkAdmission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Willis Tower
Formerly known as Sears Tower, this famous 110-floor city landmark stands 443m (1,454ft) high. When the day is cloudless, the views reach to Michigan, Wisconsin and Indiana up to 80km (50 miles) away. Although a working office building, there are various visitor attractions including The Skydeck, a multimedia experience showcasing Chicago's history, music, literature and sport and The Ledge, a five-sided glass box, which juts out from the tower and allows visitors to experience being suspended more than 400m (1,300ft) above the ground.
Address: Loop, 233 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, 60606Telephone: +1 312 875 9447.
Opening times:
Daily 0900-2200 (Apr-Sep); daily 1000-2000 (Oct-Mar).
Website: http://www.theskydeck.comAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
John Hancock Observatory
Not quite as tall as the Willis Tower, the John Hancock Observatory is still very high at 344m (1,127ft). It is usually less crowded and gives a more scenic view of the city's shoreline. There is an excellent observation gallery on the 94th floor, which also has the outside Skywalk. One floor up is the Signature Room, a good spot to sip a cocktail while enjoying the sunset views to the west and the panorama of Lake Michigan to the east. Architecturally, the building is striking because of its massive X-shaped cross-braces.
Address: Near North, 875 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, 60611Telephone: +1 888 875 8439.
Opening times:
Daily 0900-2300.
Website: http://www.hancock-observatory.comAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Navy Pier
Built in 1916, this 800m-long (2,400ft) pier was once the city's municipal wharf. After an extensive refurbishment, it encompasses parkland, gardens, piers, shops and restaurants. It also has an amphitheatre, a 50m-high (150ft) Ferris wheel and a carousel. Inside, there's an IMAX film theatre, the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, miniature golf and The Chicago Children's Museum, where interactive exhibits instruct and entertain.
Address: Near North Side, 600 East Grand Avenue, Chicago, 60611Telephone: +1 312 595 7437.
Opening times:
Sun-Thu 1000-2200, Fri-Sat 1000-2400.
Website: http://www.navypier.comAdmission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
National Veterans' Art Museum
Enter to the sound of tinkling bells, then look toward the ceiling and see Above and Beyond: 58,000 imprinted dog tags of the men and women who lost their lives in the Vietnam War. This museum is dedicated to collecting, preserving and displaying artwork done by war veterans. These powerful works give visitors a more intimate look at, and a better understanding of, the physical and emotional impact of combat.
Address: Six Corners, 4041 N Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, 60641Telephone: +1 312 326 0270.
Opening times:
Tues-Sat 1000-1700.
Website: http://www.nvam.orgAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum
Opened in 1930, the Adler Planetarium was the Western Hemisphere's first public museum devoted to the stars. It still maintains the traditional in-the-round Zeiss planetarium (Sky Theater) as well as the state-of-the-art interactive Sky Rider where, with the help of armrest controls, visitors can choose how they would like to journey into space. Other interactive exhibits include 3-D computer animations of the birth of the solar system and of the Milky Way.
Address: Museum Campus, 1300 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, 60605Telephone: +1 312 922 7827.
Opening times:
Daily 0930-1800 (mid Jun-mid Aug); daily 0930-1600 (mid Aug-mid Jun).
Website: http://www.adlerplanetarium.orgAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Field Museum
Home to 65 million year-old 'Sue', the nearest to a complete Tyrannosaurus Rex that has ever been discovered, the Field Museum explores the world's diverse environments and cultures through themed halls like Africa, Ancient Egypt and Ancient Americas. Shrinking to the size of a bug and burrowing into the surface of the soil at the Underground Adventure is among its many highlights.
Address: Museum Campus, 1400 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, 60605Telephone: +1 312 922 9410.
Opening times:
Daily 0900-1700.
Website: http://www.fieldmuseum.orgAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Museum of Science and Industry
Designed by Daniel Burnham for the World's Columbian Exposition in 1892, this museum charms both kids and science buffs. Ride through the coal mine, explore the WWII German submarine, the U-505, walk through the 6m (20ft) human heart or try to catch some fairy dust at Colleen Moore's Fairy Castle. Families especially enjoy the hands-on Imagination Station and the acoustically perfect Whispering Gallery.
Address: Hyde Park, 5700 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, 60637Telephone: +1 773 684 1414.
Opening times:
Daily 0930-1600.
Website: http://www.msichicago.orgAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Tourist Offices
Chicago Office of Tourism
Address: Loop, Macy's, 111 N State Street, Chicago, 60602Telephone: +1 312 781 4483.
Opening times:
Mon-Sat 1000-2100, Sun 1100-1900
Website: http://www.choosechicago.comThe Chicago Office of Tourism, located inside Macy's department store in the downtown Loop district, provides free brochures and a mountain of maps, plus the knowledgeable staff know all the best places to eat, sleep and visit.
Tourist passes
CityPass (www.citypass.com) offers free admission to six Chicago attractions. It lasts for nine days and can be purchased from the attractions on the day or online in advance. GoChicago Card (tel: +1 800 887 9103; www.gochicagocard.com) offers a one to multi-day card for free admissions to over 25 attractions, plus shopping, restaurant and lodging discounts.
