Best Arts and Culture Places in Darien

"Set where the Chicago Portage enters Lake Michigan, the Navy Pier is a multifaceted visitor attraction extending over the water for six city blocks. As one of the top days out in the Midwest, an attraction of this magnitude is hard to sum up in one paragraph. But in 50 acres you’ll come across the vast multisensory Funhouse Maze and the 65-metre Centennial Wheel, footed by fairground rides and amusements."

"If you are wondering what to see in Chicago with kids, I would highly recommend the Centennial Wheel at Navy Pier. This is a landmark in Chicago and while there are several other things to do at the Navy Pier, the Ferris Wheel should be on every tourist’s list. The wheel is 200-feet high and offers an incredible 360-degree view of Lake Michigan and the exciting pier."

"The only Chicagoans you'll run into at Navy Pier are the employees but out-of-towners and suburbanites seem to love the downtown pier that extends into Lake Michigan. Once used by the military, it's now Chicago's largest tourist attraction. You can just walk up and down the pier, taking in skyline and lake views."

"DowntownWalk among the Warhols If the modern wing at the Art Institute of Chicago isn’t enough, lovers of modern art can’t miss the Museum of Contemporary Art. In fact, the building itself (home to the MCA since 1996) is a modern marvel and an ode to Chicago in both its nods to famous architects from the Chicago School and in its design, which was inspired by the city’s grid system. Featuring a collection that includes Andy Warhol, Alexander Calder, Jasper Johns, Jeff Koons, and countless more modern art heavy-hitters, the museum will leave you dazzled for hours."

"While the Chicago Water Tower was really only built to hide a standpipe, its intricate design symbolizes the value of simple things; like water supply. The story behind this structure is the important solution designed by Chesbrough to save the city from the inadequate water supply for the growing population. It is built with a characteristic Gothic Revival style, almost fairytale-like."

"The Water Tower is Chicago’s oldest known building and is the only structure that survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Built in 1869, it sourced clean water from nearby Lake Michigan to use for fighting fires. But today you can visit it as a cultural venue that showcases art and photography exhibits."

"This free gallery is located within the historic Water Tower and features a rotating gallery of works by Chicago photographers and artists."

"Now open Located just across from Millennium Park, the Pritzker Military Museum & Library is dedicated to educating the public about military history. The unique museum hosts a permanent exhibition on the Medal of Honor and is currently showing a special exhibit about Allied forces during World War II."

"The Pritzker Military Museum & Library in Chicago is dedicated to highlighting and studying military history. Founded in 2003, the museum now has more than 115,000 objects, 67,000 books, and 9,000 photos. The collection includes rare military memorabilia, glass negatives, posters, artwork, and videos."

"Museum admission is always free for anyone with an active military ID, the Chicago police and fire departments and children under 18. General free admission days for 2020 are:. April 6 – Centennial of WWI"

"Established in 2002 in the West Loop neighborhood of Chicago, Kavi Gupta Gallery focuses on presenting exhibitions of international emerging and mid-career artists in all media. The space has received enormous popular and critical responses for its curatorially-focused, project-based and ambitious and innovative programming. Within its two permanent gallery locations, the gallery hosts more than a dozen museum-quality exhibitions each year, while its publishing imprint, Kavi Gupta Editions, produces quality artist books and catalogs."

"Established in 2002, Kavi Gupta Art Gallery focusses on presenting works of international mid-career and emerging artists who have a record with museums in solo shows and biennales, and whose works have been published in important institutional and public collections. Kavi Gupta Art Gallery is divided into two main spaces; including the original gallery and a newly built 8,000 sq. ft exhibition space."

"Kavi Gupta Gallery features the artworks of a long list of artists from different parts of the world. It is owned by gallerist Kavi Gupta. The gallery has multiple exhibition spaces."

"This center dedicated to the famous artist is located in Jefferson Park, and with its bright mural you can’t miss it. You can check out an iPod at the front desk for a self-guided tour, or visit the first Thursday of the month at 2pm for a thirty-minute guided tour."

"As one would expect from chefs Jeff Mahin and Francis Brennan, Do-Rite caters to every diet (except, well, the fat-free kind) with three gluten-free (Birthday Cake, Valrhona Chocolate Glazed, and Cinnamon & Sugar) and three vegan options (the Spiced Maple Chai is everything you crave in a donut) every day, along with their spot-on takes on the classics, like the simple, pillowy happiness of the Vanilla Bean Glazed. But my money’s on the Pistachio-Meyer Lemon, a cake donut with bright and herbal notes, and just the right amount of sweetness."

"When the doughnut craze hit the city, there was one ring to rule them all: Do-Rite Donut’s Buttermilk Old Fashioned Donut. This treat is the one thing folks always leave our Gateway to the West Loop Food Tour raving about. Crunchy on the outside, pillowy on the inside, and coated in a vanilla-bean glaze, this doughnut reaches perfection when dunked in coffee."

"Do the Right Thing at Do-Rite: Sweet Heat Chicken Sandwich Served on a Vanilla Bean Donut ($6.99). It’s difficult to make a bad decision a Do-Rite. The donuts start at $1.95 and they should be charging more because they are liquid gold."

"Small-batch donuts are the name of the game at this adorable Glenview spot, where they bypass preservatives and trans fats in favor of natural ingredients, making all of the jams and fillings in-house. The Boston Cream, stuffed with rich pastry cream and glazed with shiny ganache, and the oh-so-springy Strawberry Glazed are highlights."

"Huck Finn Restaurant serves up hearty American meals all day, but regulars swear by their donuts.|© Salim Virji / Flickr. Huck Finn Restaurant serves up hearty home cooking all day long in three Chicagoland locations. While best known—or perhaps most appreciated—for its donuts, the diner has excellent breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, too."

"This diner mini-chain has three locations on the South Side that provide patrons with a satisfyingly sweet finish to every meal. Chow on golden brown pancakes, club sandwiches, and burgers but make sure to save some room for a donut delight. The signature treat features one of Huck’s donuts topped with choice of ice cream and whipped cream."

"The Lincoln Park Conservatory is a conservatory and botanical garden in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood. The conservatory is best known for its horticultural collections, community work, and educational programming. It is also housed in a glass house from the Victorian Era that is stunning to view on its own."

"Sai Cafe is a perfect blend of artistic flair and addicting food. This restaurant offers Asian foods with unique selections. Locals rave about the Hamagi Jalapeno and Dynamite, a b..."

"Serving a nice variety of quality sushi to Lincoln Park diners for over 20 years, Sai Cafe has earned decades' worth of rave reviews along with the loyalty of many regulars."

"With its all-white, retro-futuristic decor and reasonable prices, Friends Sushi encourages diners to enjoy sushi at any time, not just for special occasions. Yet the quality of fis..."