Chicago Things To Do

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Things To Do

Most major Chicago attractions are centrally located, making it easy to pack a variety of activities into a whirlwind weekend without running yourself ragged. Chicago's biggest attractions include the downtown area's many museums, parks, and sky-high observation decks.

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The city’s “living museum” of architectural treasures are candidly and humorously uncovered during these lively docent-led tours down the Chicago River.

224 S Michigan Ave.; Chicago, IL; 312-922-3432; www.architecture.org

This prestigious museum includes over 500,000 works in its permanent collection. Among the Monets, O’Keefes and Warhols are Grant Wood’s American Gothic and Edward Hoppers Nighthawks.

111 S. Michigan Ave.; Chicago, IL; 312-443-3600; www.artic.edu

This 1,200+ acre park hugs the eastern shoreline providing miles of bike trails, beaches, baseball diamonds and ample skyline sightings.

Chicago, IL; www.chicagoparkdistrict.com

Da Mayor’s much-hyped vanity project has paid off in spades. Take in a free concert at Pritzker Pavilion, splash around in Crown Fountain, or marvel at Cloud Gate, aka “the Bean.”

Michigan Ave. and Randolph St.; Chicago, IL; www.millenniumpark.org

The Chicago Cubs may never win the World Series, but spending an afternoon swilling beer in the bleachers at this ivy-covered neighborhood ballpark should be a compulsory part of every visitor’s experience.

1060 W. Addison St.; Chicago, IL; www.cubs.mlb.com

Chicago’s famed temple of improv still cranks out satire and superstars. Steve Carrell, Stephen Colbert, and Tina Fey all cut their teeth here in recent years.

1616 North Wells St.; Chicago, IL; 312-337-3992; www.secondcity.com

The largest aquarium in the world recreates the eco-system of the Great Lakes and dazzles with a living coral reef, but it’s whale- and dolphin-watching in the Oceanarium that brings in the crowds.

1200 S. Lake Shore Dr.; Chicago, IL; 312-939-2438; www.sheddaquarium.org

Chicago takes a stab at local, sustainable agriculture with this bi-weekly farmer’s market (Wednesday and Saturday, 7am-1:30pm) where an impressive array of area vendors vaunt their finest produce while super chefs and foodies hobnob with the masses. Populist authors like Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation) occasionally pop in for a lecture.

Lincoln Park at Clark St. and Stockton Dr.; Chicago, IL; www.chicagogreencitymarket.org

Everybody admires the MCA’s serious commitment to cutting-edge art – including works by the likes of Lee Bontecou, Dan Flavin, and Jasper Johns. But just try and stop the hipsters from schmoozing and boozing at the insanely popular First Fridays, or working up a sweat while winning fabulous prizes during Bingo/Tango on the second Tuesday of the month.

220 E. Chicago Ave.; Chicago, IL; 312-280-2660; www.mcachicago.org

The first LEED-certified gay and lesbian community center in the US offers plenty of resources for the LGBT community – but all are welcome to shoot hoops in the Billie Jean King Recreation Hall, take in a play (or Sunday worship service) at the Hoover-Leppen Theater, or just admire the jaw-dropping skyline views from the rooftop garden.

3656 N. Halsted St; Chicago, IL; 773-472-6469; www.centeronhalsted.org

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