Top 12 Things to do When Visiting Chicago
I’ve been in Chicago for a few years already but until now there are places and things that I haven’t tried because of my busy schedule at work and with my kids. Now, I am planning to a file a one-week leave to spend some time in touring around Chicago and enjoy what the City can offer.
Before we go ahead and travel around Chicago, lets do some background check about Chicago. Chicago is one of the largest city in the U.S. It is located on the shore of Lake Michigan and it was incorporated as a city in 1837. This city is an international hub for finance, commerce, industry, technology, telecommunications, and transportation because of plenty business opportunities that the city offers.
Now, let’s discover the city and help me identify the Top 12 Things to do When Visiting Chicago.
Food Coma
Chicago is outstanding for having 5,195 restaurants in town. From Michelin Star Restaurants and 40+ James Beard Award medalists to an overflow of four- and five-diamond winners every year, the dining scene has never been so hot and happening.
Food in Chicago is very diverse like its culture. You will be able to find a lot of variety and food choices in Fulton Market in the West Loop area. The top 3 Chicago’s Classic Food are Chicago Style Hot dogs, Deep Dish Pizza and Italian Beef and the best place to try it is in Farmers Market: Green City Market and Logan Square Market.
Beer! Beer! Beer!
Chicago is known as the “Greatest Drinking City in America” as per GQ Magazine because of craft beer explosion in the city. Specialty beer tours are a ready-made primer, while over 30 annual beer festivals and tasting events include Chicago Craft Beer Week (May) and the sell-out Festival of Barrel Aged Beer (September).
Not only that because every summer time they are holding an event called “Chicago Friday Night Flights” and it highlights the best of craft beer from different neighborhood.
Cloud Gate
It is a public art that was designed and sculpture by an Indian-born artist named Sir Anish Kapoor, that is the centerpiece of AT&T Plaza at Millennium Park in the Loop community area of Chicago, Illinois.
It is installed and built last 2006 and dubbed “The Bean”, it is a rounded arch with 168 highly reflective stainless steel plates. It is also considered as the 21st century emblem of Chicago.
Maggie Daley Park
This park is name by the former first lady who passed away last 2011. It is a unique playground and very different from the others because of its six different zone that can accommodate different ages. They have the Watering Hole that has a giant Whale, Enchanted Forest that you can walk in an upside down trees. There is also an ice skating range with a mile length, picnic grove , a golf course and rock climbing wall.
Maggie Daley Park is the best place to enjoy and have fun with your kids during weekends on a sunny day. Your kids will never get bored because of different zone that they can play with.
John Hancock Center
Is a 344 meter skyscraper on the magnificent mile and you can see the view from 360 Chicago on the 94th floor has been rated as one of the best in the country, and the ride up there takes less than 40 seconds. It was the second-tallest building in the world and the tallest outside New York City. This is also the fourth tallest building in Chicago and the ninth tallest building in the whole United States.
This building contains of several offices, restaurants as well as about 700 condominium units. It is also well known because of it’s structural design that is called X-braced exteriors shows structure's skin is part of its "tubular system".
Buckingham Fountain
It is the largest fountains in the world and it is also the landmark of Chicago in Grant Park. It is also considered as the front door of Chicago because of its location. The fountain itself represents Lake Michigan, with four sets of sea horses (two per set) symbolizing the four states—Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana—that border the lake. The fountain was designed by beaux arts architect Edward H. Bennett.
The fountain is open for public everyday from 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM from April through October. The shows will last 20 minutes and that is every hour.
Magnificent Mile
Is also known as the shopping center of the city. Big stores like Rolex, Zara, Disney and Nike and any other high end brand you can think of is located here. This is the whole world of shopping, entertainment and architecture. If you are a tourist, you will definitely enjoy this part of Chicago.
Shedd Aquarium
It is an indoor public aquarium that is open to the public of Chicago. It is also the first indoor aquarium that has a permanent saltwater fish collection. There are several exhibit that kids can enjoy even adults and those are Waters of the World, Caribbean Reef, Amazon Rising, Wild Reef, Stingray Touch, Oceanarium, Fantasea, One World and 4D Theater.
Plan your visit ahead of time since they are offering different activities during weekends and holidays.
Chicago History Museum
If you want to know more about Chicago this is the place to be! History about Chicago as a City, people who live here, food and places everything is here. The Museum continues to share the stories of the city and its people through exhibitions, programs, publications, and digital media. Thousands of school groups from Chicago and the surrounding area visit annually.
Lincoln Park Zoo
This is one of the largest park that has a wide variety of animals. The zoo have about 1,100 pieces of animals from 200 species. Some of the animals that is included in exhibits are polar bears, big cats, gorillas, reptiles, penguins and monkeys.
Symphony Center
is a music complex and home of Chicago Symphony Orchestra; Chicago Symphony Chorus; Civic Orchestra of Chicago. Symphony Center has been listed as one of Historic Places in Chicago. Sometimes Orchestra Hall is being as movie theater for some musical play.
Sparkly Maid Cleaning Services Chicago
If you are planning to stay for good in Chicago, Sparkly Maid Cleaning Services Chicago is the best cleaning agency that can definitely help you in your move in process and not only that, they can also help you in maintaining the cleanliness of your home.
Book your appointment now with them and get big discounts in their recurring service.