5 Reasons to Visit Chicago, Illinois

Chicago could be considered one of the ultimate weekend destinations for Minnesotans. Just a six-hour drive away from Minneapolis (mostly on I-94) is a huge hub of cultural, culinary and recreational activities. Whether you choose to spend your weekend on the beaches of Lake Michigan or hit up some of Chicago’s top tourist destinations, you’ll be in for a memorable getaway. Here are five reasons to visit Chicago.

Lake Michigan

There is arguably no prettier lakefront city in the Midwest than Chicago. Lake Michigan is the third largest Great Lake and the only one that is completely located in the U.S. One of the most iconic ways to experience Lake Michigan is to visit Navy Pier. Considered a Chicago landmark, Navy Pier is free to the public and open year-round. It offers restaurants like Billy Goat Tavern and Riva Crabhouse along with rides like the Centennial Wheel and, of course, stunning views of Lake Michigan’s clear, light blue water that make you feel like you’re on an ocean beach and not a Midwestern lake.

If you’re good with just spending a day relaxing, take an afternoon to lie out in the sun and enjoy the lakeside breeze. The North Shore beaches are local favorites, with options like Gillson Beach in
Wilmette, Lighthouse Beach in Evanston (home to Northwestern University) and Glencoe Beach in Glencoe, all within 15 miles or so of Chicago.

If crowds don’t deter you and you’re looking to stay close to downtown, you can also visit North Avenue Beach, two miles north of Navy Pier, which has its own collection of restaurants and shops. Rent a kayak, paddleboard or even a jet ski at many of the beaches if you’re feeling adventurous; we also recommend catching the sunset over the water before heading in (or out!) for the night.

Arts & Culture Scene

Whether you’re a science geek or an art enthusiast, Chicago is a hub of arts and culture, and with so many museums, public sculptures and performances, it’s hard to visit the Windy City without experiencing something new, cool and memorable. Be sure to spend some time at the Art Institute of Chicago—one of the city’s most popular museums—which houses one of the largest collections of 19th century French art in the world, or make a stop at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, which has rotating exhibits as well as a permanent collection of more than 2,500 pieces of art from the 1920s onward.

Visit the Museum of Science and Industry, voted by National Geographic as one of the best science museums in the U.S., or the Field Museum of Natural History for a close-up look at Sue, one of the best preserved extensive T-Rex fossil specimen ever found. You can also explore outer space at the Adler Planetarium located right on Lake Michigan or venture into the Shedd Aquarium where you and your family will encounter aquatic creatures from all over the world.

We need to give a quick nod to Chicago’s public art, too. Take an hour or two to visit iconic sculptures like the Bean (officially titled “Cloud Gate” by Anish Kapoor) or the Flamingo, located in front of the Federal Center Plaza. For a very Palace-of-Versailles type of aesthetic, take a photo next to Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park or visit Millennium Park for Jaume Plensa’s Crown Fountain, which is an interactive video sculpture and fountain that features snippets of over 1,000 faces—in the summer, you’ll see children playing in the water.

A Culinary Experience

The culinary scene in Chicago is delicious and seemingly never-ending. If you’re looking for authentic Greek food, head to Greek Islands in Greek Town. Fantano’s Subs in Little Italy has been open since 1960 and was recognized as the best sandwich shop in the nation by Zagat critics in 2012. Of course, no trip to Chicago is complete without authentic deep-dish pizza from Lou Malnati’s Pizza or Chicago thin-crust pizza, which can be enjoyed at Maria’s Pizza.

For an elegant night out, the Purple Pig on Michigan Avenue with James Beard Award-winning chef Jimmy Bannos Jr. serves some of the best Mediterranean in the city, and Swift & Sons features premium steaks and a lengthy wine list with an upscale, modern ambiance. No matter what cuisine you’re craving, rest assured you’ll find something to rave about long after you go home.

Impressive Architecture

Did you know that Chicago is the birthplace of the modern skyscraper? Chicago has also been voted the nation’s best skyline, and the views from some of Chicago’s tallest buildings are appropriately accolade-worthy.

For the highest view of the city at 1,300 feet, step out onto The Ledge, a clear box suspended from the Willis Tower. You can also take in a 1,000-foot-high, 360-degree view of the city and Lake Michigan at 360CHICAGO (formerly the John Hancock Observatory) high atop 875 North Michigan Avenue (still commonly referred to as John Hancock Center). If heights aren’t really your thing, we’d recommend taking in the view with appetizers and a crafted cocktail in hand from the Signature Room on the building’s 95th floor.

The newly opened Chicago Architecture Center also offers tours for design and architectural enthusiasts that cover everything from Frank Lloyd Wright’s house and studio to some of the most historic buildings in the city. (Our recommendation is the 90-minute Must-See Chicago tour.) If you want to explore Chicago’s architecture by way of the Chicago River or Lake Michigan, Wendella Boats Original Architecture Tour is always a good bet, too.

Shopping Sprees

With Chicago offering the best of so many things, it is not surprising that its shopping scene is equally as impressive. For what many consider to be the best retail experience, head to Chicago’s Michigan Avenue for an eight-block stretch of shops, affectionately called the Magnificent Mile. Here you’ll find everything from retail chains like Nordstrom, Macy’s and Saks Fifth Avenue, to some of the biggest names in fashion including Burberry, Chanel and Louis Vuitton. With three malls in the Magnificent Mile, you will have no issue finding something you want to take home with you.

With so many things to taste, do, see and experience in Chicago, you’ll probably want to stay longer than an extended weekend. Do it, if you can! If not, you’ll just have to plan another trip—you’re sure to enjoy it just as much as the first.

For more information about Chicago, visit choosechicago.com.