Chicago is situated in the state of Illinois, in the USA and is the largest city in the state. It is located adjacent to Lake Michigan. Chicago is among the most populous American cities. The city has been categorized as an alpha world city in recognition of its global cultural and economic influence. The famous attractions in Chicago include the Art Institute of Chicago, Field Museum, Grant Park, Hancock Observatory, Lincoln Park Zoo, Millennium Park, Museum of Science & Industry, Navy Pier, Oak Street Beach, Sears Tower Skydeck, and Shedd Aquarium. Let us see about a few of the top attractions in Chicago.
Top Tourist Destinations In Chicago
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One of the most exciting parts of each of my various trips has been to visit the amazing attractions in downtown Chicago. There is so much pride and obvious hard work that went into these astounding and mind-blowing attractions in Chicago.
I was so impressed with these attractions in downtown Chicago, I felt that each day I spent there was never enough. Some days my cheeks hurt from smiling all day. Each moment was so exciting to me whether I was out for a stroll or taking in all the art, music and food I could handle. These attractions really made my vacations in Chicago exciting and memorable and I was always eager to return. So I can personally vouch that all their hard work paid off.
It can be hard to choose what attractions in downtown Chicago to start with do and where to go. So here is an insider’s guide to working your way through these phenomenal attractions. We’ll make it easy. If you’re like me you’ll come away from each day grinning and excited for the next day.
The Art Institute Of Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago possesses a great collection of artworks. It has a huge collection of paintings and sculptures from around the world. It is a must-visit destination in Chicago. The museum also has a museum shop. There is also a garden restaurant and a court café.
Field museum
Situated in Chicago’s Museum Campus, the field museum was incorporated in 1893. it was initially known as the Columbian Museum of Chicago. African culture, Native American cultures, bird habitats, sea mammals, animal biology, fossils, gems and Eskimos are some of the permanent exhibits in the museum. Tyrannosaurus rex, the largest in the world, is the most popular exhibit, which you should not miss.
Grant Park
The grant park is one of the most favorite and prominent parks in Chicago. Grant Park consists of the Museum Campus. The Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum of Natural History, and the Art Institute are situated in the museum campus. Buckingham Fountain, which was constructed in 1927, is a unique feature of this park. The millennium park is the latest addition to the grant park.
Hancock Observatory
The Hancock Observatory is situated on the ninety-fourth story of the John Hancock Building. It is the only open-air skywalk in Chicago. It offers a 360-degree magnificent sight of Chicago, Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana and various other areas of Illinois. The Hancock Observatory consists of the History Wall, where over a hundred photos that feature Chicago’s history are on display.
Lincoln Park Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoo was established in the year 1868 and is one of the oldest zoos in the USA. but it is also one of the most modern zoos in the country. The zoo will offer you great fun and enjoyment. It will also be good learning for you.
Sears Tower Skydeck
From the Skydeck on the 103rd floor of the Sears tower, you can get a magnificent view of the city of Chicago. The Skydeck also contains high-powered, high-tech telescopes for providing you a closer view of the city.
Smart Museum of Art
The Smart Museum of Art, a gateway to knowledge in the University of Chicago has antiques from China, Renaissance Europe and paintings by the Chicago Imagists. It has a wide collection of over 10,000 objects of both Western and Eastern civilizations. The University students actively involve themselves in the maintenance and preservation of the museum.
During your tour in the museum, you are always welcome at the Smart Museum Café. In the summer, you can dine outdoors at the Eden Sculpture Garden. Considered to be the most dynamic and innovative educational institution in the visual arts, the museum features special exhibitions which educate both adults and school children.
As the art museum of the University of Chicago, the David and Alfred Smart Museum of Art promotes the understanding of the visual arts and their importance to cultural and intellectual history through direct experiences with original works of art and through an interdisciplinary approach to its collections, exhibitions, publications, and programs. These activities support life- long learning among a range of audiences including the university and the broader community.
Oriental Institute Museum (The)
In the Oriental Institute Museum’s permanent exhibitions, visitors learn almost everything about the history of early civilizations. Visitors examine the rare artifacts from historic nations including Turkey, Israel, Egypt, Mesopotamia, Iran and Palestine.
The purpose is to hold its collections in trust for future generations. A free film series showcases the ancient East, at 2p Sundays in Oriental Institute Breasted Hall. Admission is free. Don’t forget to take a camera along with you while you visit the magnificent Museum. Photography is permitted in the museum and galleries.An integral part of the University of Chicago’s Oriental Institute, which has supported research and archaeological excavation in the Near East since 1919.
Scientific research provides analytical and technical studies, supporting conservation practice and furthering knowledge of the Museum’s holdings. These activities contribute both to scholarly understanding and to public appreciation of the collections.
The Museum exhibits major collections of antiquities from Egypt, Mesopotamia, Iran, Syria, Palestine, and Anatolia.
Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum
In 1930, Max Adler founded the Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum. He exhibited arts and artifacts from history of astronomy.
He purchased a collection of about 500 astronomical, navigational, and mathematical instruments from A. W. M. Mensing in the Netherlands. These instruments formed the foundation of the Adler’s History of Astronomy Collection, which has since grown to almost 2000 historic instruments. This makes it the largest collection of such material.
The History of Astronomy Department is a collection of rare books, astronomically- themed works on paper, and a modern reference library and research center. This unique collection has 2000 artifacts dating from the 12th through the 20th centuries.
The Adler Trust, a fund generated from the Adler’s share of receipts from the Chicago World’s Fair in 1933- 34, allowed the purchase of several hundred additional instruments.
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
Conveniently located in the heart of Chicago, a German architect Josef Paul Kleihues designed a building of quiet distinction for the Museum of Contemporary Art. Being a major architectural asset in the city, the Museum is devoted to the art of our time, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA). The MCA documents contemporary visual culture through painting, sculpture, photography, video and film, and performance.
MCA presents dynamic, exhibitions of traditional and contemporary folk art, craft and design. The purpose of furthering understanding of art of people from all cultures of the world. MCA encompasses a gift store, bookstore, restaurant, 300- seat theater, and a terraced sculpture garden. Besides all the collections in trust for future generations, MCA has an exciting dining destination with a full- service restaurant and an express counter, Puck’s.
In addition, The state- of- the- art MCA Theater is a perfect location for annual meetings, award ceremonies, private performances, product launches, and film premieres. Be it any occasion wedding ceremonies, receptions or dinners, MCA’s spacious atmosphere allows you to be just perfect for any event.
Museum of Science and Industry
Conveniently located, The Museum is only 4- 1/2 miles from the McCormick Place Convention Center and just 3 miles south of the loop on beautiful Lakeshore Drive.
Rosenwald, the Chairman of Sears Roebuck & Company, was inspired by a 1911 visit with his son to the Deutsches Museum in Munich. Enlightened with this vision, he returned to Chicago and created the “industrial enlightenment.”
In 1933, the Museum of Science and Industry opened to the public. The Museum is one of the Museums in the Park.
Create a lifetime of memories at the Museum. Whether you want an elegant formal affair, a contemporary celebration or a commitment ceremony the Museum’s flexible and unique spaces will make your event a masterpiece. The museum is available for wedding ceremonies, receptions.
The Museum has more than 337,000 square feet of event and exhibit space, 800 exhibits, and over 2000 interactive units to choose from for your guests to explore when hosting your special event.
Department of Art History
The Art History Department of the University of Chicago shares its venue with the Smart Museum of Art and the Court Theater.
Set up in 1902, The Department of Art History provides various programs for the study of the history and theory of art, leading to the degrees of Master of Arts or Doctor of Philosophy.
The department opens its gateway to knowledge in the works of art, the structures within which they are produced and utilized.
The Department is committed to public outreach, education and training in the fields of collections management, conservation, and conservation science. It encourages professional development.
These activities contribute both to scholarly understanding and to public appreciation of the collections. In the museum’s permanent exhibitions, visitors learn almost everything about the history.
The Chicago Art Journal, an annual publication produced by the graduate students. The journal acquaints the students with the principles of editing and peer review. Funding for the Journal is provided by the Department of Art History and the Division of the Humanities at the University of Chicago.
Chicago Fine Art Exchange
commitment ceremony the Exchange’s unique spaces will make your event a masterpiece.
The Exchange is perfect for Wedding Ceremonies, Receptions, Prenuptial Dinners, Showers, Luncheons, Graduation Parties, Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, Reunions, Anniversary and Birthday Parties, Charity Fundraisers, Holiday Parties, Corporate Events, Banquets, Seminars and even film show. Whatever the event, the Exchange will make it happen.
The 60 ft. long by 20 ft. high vaulted cathedral skylight creates a sun-filled room of beauty and color.
Unique in concept and design, the art gallery exhibits over 100 pieces of outstanding artwork. In the museum’s permanent exhibitions, visitors learn almost everything about history.
Loyola University Museum of Art
The Loyola University Museum of Art reflects the university’s Jesuit mission and is dedicated to helping men and women of all creeds explore the roots of their own faith and spiritual quest.
The Museum interprets and displays the university’s medieval, renaissance and baroque collection, known as the Martin D’Arcy, SJ, Collection, other museum permanent collections and rotating exhibitions. The museum’s mission is reflected in its unique objects, jewelry, religious articles from all faiths, textiles and books.
Scientific research provides analytical and technical studies, supporting conservation practice and furthering knowledge of the Museum’s holdings. These activities contribute both to scholarly understanding and to the public appreciation of the collections.
Various projects for children of 2nd to 6th classes are served with the “Push Pin Workshop.” The Young Curators Project helps to develop an understanding of how exhibition are conceived and fosters an understanding and appreciation of art through direct contact with study collections. The young minds further appreciate all aspects of life.
Hull House
In 1889, Jane Addams founded the Hull House Association of Chicago. She brought social reform and serves the community.
Jane Addams Hull House Association (JAHHA) continues to be active in the arts community in the following ways:
JAHHA will expand arts programming in many community centers around the city, such as Uptown, Parkway and LeClair Hearst.
Community schools, such as Alcott, Nettelhorst, Webster, Hearst, Sumner, Jackson, and Webster, will offer after school arts programming.
Special arts programming will continue through After School Matters, a program offered by Gallery 37 and the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs in conjunction with the Museum of Contemporary Photography at Columbia College.
CINCO, JAHHA’s brass quintet in residence, will give a free concert series at Hull House, and present music programming in Hull House community schools and Housing Resource Centers.