Melanie & Robert
Melanie & Robert
Things to do in Chicago
Activities
Architectural Boat Tour
Experience Chicago’s legendary architecture and the exceptional architects who created this ever-changing legacy for all to admire. This family-friendly introduction to the Windy City’s rich history and architectural heritage features highlights from Wendella’s full-length architecture tours.
SPEND A DAY AT THE BEACH
You might know Chicago as the birthplace of the skyscraper, the home of deep dish pizza, or as one of the largest urban cities in the country. But you might not know that we’re home to miles and miles of sandy shoreline, where you can swim, bike, kayak, boat, jet ski, paddle board, sip cocktails on the waterfront, and more.
LISTEN TO LIVE BLUES MUSIC
No one sings the blues quite like Chicago. Come hear the distinct sounds of electrified, urban blues in the city where it was born.
Following the Great Migration that also inspired Chicago-style jazz, Southern black migrants introduced the city to a new kind of music — one that spoke of trials and tribulations, sorrows and successes. But musicians had to adapt to compete with all that urban noise, giving rise to an amplified version that would become known as Chicago-style blues.
Here are some of the best spots in the city to hear that only-in-Chicago blues sound.
HOUSE OF BLUES: https://www.houseofblues.com/c...
KINGSTON MINES: https://kingstonmines.com/?v=7...
SHOPPING ON THE MAGNIFICENT MILE
The Magnificent Mile boasts more than 450 retailers, including flagship experiences; major department stores; international designers and boutiques; innovative technology and timeless jewellery; home goods and travel necessities; and three vertical shopping centers, each with incentives and premier savings.
SPEND THE DAY IN A MUSEUM
Explore ancient Egyptian tombs, underwater worlds, Impressionist masterpieces, the depths of space, and beyond. From major exhibits to neighborhood cultural attractions, there’s a whole world to explore at Chicago’s renowned museums, galleries, and historic places.
ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO: https://www.artic.edu/
SHEDD AQUARIUM: https://www.sheddaquarium.org/
MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY: https://www.scienceandindustry...
FIELD MUSEUM: https://www.fieldmuseum.org/
CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM: https://www.chicagohistory.org...
VISIT "THE BEAN" AT MILLENNIUM PARK
Millennium Park is more than an attraction — it’s an expression of the Chicago experience. The lakefront campus, located in the heart of downtown Chicago, is home to the iconic Cloud Gate statue (aka “The Bean”), interactive fountains, tranquil gardens, free events, public art, skating rinks, rock climbing, and plenty of green space.
ANNUAL CHICAGO AIR AND WATER SHOW
AUGUST 20-21
Starting in the summer of 1959, the Chicago Air and Water Show has grown to be the largest and oldest free admission air and water exhibition in the United States. The spectacular two-day event draws an audience of over two million to the city’s stunning beachfront to see military and pilots perform astonishing stunts above the waters of Lake Michigan.
CATCH A CUBS GAME AT WRIGLEY FIELD
When in Chicago, IL, you have to sneak in a Cubs game. Even if you’re a fan of another team, going to a game at the second oldest Major League Baseball stadium in the country is a must. This stadium is beaming with history, from the ivy-lined brick walls to the infamous Steve Bartman seat.
FIREWORKS AT NAVY PIER
During the summer, one of the best aerial displays you'll find in Chicago originates from Navy Pier. The Chicago attraction hosts twice-weekly fireworks shows (on Wednesdays and Saturdays) from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, with stunning views available from across the pier's public spaces. Of course, you can also take in the show from nearby beaches or while cruising along the Lakefront Trail.
CHICAGO RIBFEST
AUGUST 19-21
Head to North Center to dig into more than 50,000 pounds of ribs and BBQ across the streets of Lincoln, Damen and Irving Park. The annual celebration of saucy pork brings together more than 30 vendors, lounges where you can sit down to eat and live music to keep you entertained while you're digesting your second rack of ribs.
Dining & Drinking
CHICAGO-STYLE PIZZA
Pizza can become a heated topic in Chicago—family feuds spanning generations have been started by people giving their opinions on deep dish vs. tavern-style. And new styles have crept in too, creating whole new types of pizza fights for us to have. But we fight because we care, and we care because pizza is a nearly perfect food that everyone likes. If you don’t like it, you should take a good, long look in the mirror. That, at least, we can all agree on.
This is a guide to Chicago's best pizza. You’ll find a diverse collection of pizza styles, in a variety of neighborhoods. Embrace the pizza debate by having an informed opinion. Then go ahead and throw all the chairs you want.
STEAKHOUSES
If steak is what you want on your plate, you’ve come to the right city. Chicago has always catered to carnivores, whether you’re in the mood for an old-school joint or somewhere sleek and modern. There are dozens of different steak temples to choose from, most of them right in the downtown area.
ITALIAN BEEF
Italian beef is undoubtedly one of the most cherished of Chicago’s signature foods. Topped with hot giardiniera or sweet peppers, the sandwich is wholly unique to this great city, and there’s fierce debate over who does it the best. Because there are numerous delicious options all around town, it's impossible to choose just one. Instead, here are 20 messy favorites that are all worth trying, from the traditional to the cheffed-up to a few with international flair.
CHICAGO-STYLE HOT DOGS
Chicago, the sausage capital of America, keeps on offering a smattering of wonderful new spots serving traditional Chicago-style hot dogs dragged through the garden, as well as gourmet spots with inventive toppings. As always, the ketchup is only for the fries and young children who don’t know better.
The classic Chicago preparation includes these toppings: yellow mustard, white onions (raw or grilled), green relish, tomatoes, celery salt, and sport peppers. Sometimes it’s challenging to differentiate Chicago dogs from one another. Most use Vienna Beef products and similar buns. The following hot dog slingers offer more thanks to longevity, proprietary encased meats, and just friendly surroundings. Yes, some may even allow that aforementioned red stuff to complement your sausage.
CRAFT BREWERIES
The craft beer scene in Chicago is exploding. The city has been dubbed the craft beer capital of the country, with more breweries than any other U.S. city (160 and counting!). Our ever-evolving brewing community includes everything from experimental microbreweries to some of the biggest names in craft brewing.
Whether you’re downtown or in our diverse neighborhoods, beer lovers will find a unique Chicago brewery or taproom in every corner of the city. The guides below will help you navigate the city’s distinct brewing districts.
ROOFTOPS
As long as you pick the right one, being on a rooftop in Chicago is great. You get a view of the city, plus a breeze that will save you from the unrelenting summertime humidity (which we all know is just the pent-up energy from frustrated snow). But a rooftop with bad drinks or a boring view is about as much fun as sitting in a plane on the tarmac—and you definitely don’t have time for that this year. Here are the best rooftops in Chicago, for all sorts of occasions.
CHICAGO'S BEST BURGER AT AU CHEVAL
If you tell someone you’re coming to Chicago, they’ll probably tell you to go to Au Cheval in the West Loop - whether or not they live here. And they’ll be right. This place has the best burger in Chicago (maybe even the best in the entire country). They don’t take reservations and it’s always crowded, so plan on killing time. The Lone Wolf next door is handy for this purpose. When and if you do get a table, plan on friends and family asking if the burger “lives up to the hype.” (It does.)