Mentioned by MNN WISE
10 of the best museums to see near the Chicago Loop
"Washington ParkCelebrate the achievements of African-Americans in the past and present Named for Jean Baptiste Point DuSable, a Haitian who is credited for establishing Chicago in 1779, the DuSable Museum of African-American History celebrates African-American history, culture, and art through world-class exhibits and programming, including permanent exhibits highlighting African-Americans in the military and telling the story of the African-American experience, from the Transatlantic Slave Trade through Reconstruction, the Great Migration, the Jim Crow era, the Civil Rights and Black Power Movements, and the US’s first black president. What to know before you go: The DuSable Museum of African-American History is open 10am to 5pm Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 5pm Sunday. Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for students and seniors, $3 for children ages 6-11 and free for children 5 and younger, with discounts for Chicago residents and free admission every Tuesday."
"Every Tuesday throughout the year, The DuSable Museum of African American History offers free admission to its Chicago museum. Children under 5 and DuSable members are also free."
"Jane Addams was a remarkable person and a Nobel Peace Prize-winner. Step inside Chicago’s first settlement house and learn the story behind the social reformer. Jane Addams Hull-House Museum is featured in Living Landmarks of Chicago."
"ChinatownLearn how one of the country’s oldest Chinatowns developed Chinatown is a favorite stop among visitors to Chicago, and the Chinese-American Museum of Chicago is a must-see of the neighborhood. With a permanent exhibit that tells the story of Chinese immigration to the Midwest, plus rotating exhibits on things like Chinese clothing, art, and more, this museum is sure to teach visitors something new about an important culture that has been rooted in Chicago's community for more than 100 years. What to know before you go: The Chinese-American Museum of Chicago is open 10am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday and 9:30am to 2pm Tuesday-Friday."
"The Chinese American Museum of Chicago opened in 2005 in Chicago's Chinatown. Three years after its opening, the museum suffered a fire and lost a considerable amount of its collection. Today, the museum is a hotbed of cultural artifacts from the Chinese culture and hosts a popular Chinese New Year celebration in the city each year."
"238 W 23rd StHours: Tues-Fri, 9:30am-1:30pm; Sat-Sun, 10am-5pmSuggested donation: $5. Sign up here for our daily Chicago email and be the first to get all the food/drink/fun in town."
"It’s only fitting that the Charnley-Persky House is the home of the Society of Architectural Historians since it was designed by Louis Sullivan and his junior draftsman, Frank Lloyd Wright. Guided tours will resume August 7, 2021, and reservations are required. Learn the story of the Charnley-Persky house in Living Landmarks of Chicago"
"The Charnley-Persky House Museum is in Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood. The location is famous for being one of the only surviving residential pieces designed by Louis Sullivan. Frank Lloyd Wright was also a contributor to the project; at the time of the house's construction, Wright worked for Sullivan."
"The Riverwalk is exactly what it sounds like: a pedestrian trail that stretches alongside the Chicago River. It’s 1.25 miles, so it doesn’t require a punishing amount of exercise, but it’s long enough to offer a wide range of events and activities for visitors of all types. Are you feeling peckish?"
"The Waldorf Astoria is a luxury hotel located in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood which is just a block away from the Magnificent Mile. This premiere property exudes glamorous Parisian charm with a touch of exclusivity, making it the top choice for fashionable travelers in the city. The rooms and suites are some of the most spacious options in the city, with separate showers and hot tub."
"The posh Waldorf Astoria in Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood could not be more low-key and elegant. Starting with the crisply suited staff at the reception desk, guests receive 5-star service that caters to every whim. The apartment-sized rooms are decorated in tony, Parisian-themed décor and have comfy king-sized beds."
"The posh lobby – with its ornate statues, a crystal chandelier inspired by Coco Chanel's brooch and marble galore – invokes 1920s glamour, while the enormous rooms and suites, complete with fireplaces, offer the comfort of a residence. The restaurant, Margeaux Brasserie, is destination-worthy."
"From the second you arrive in the lobby of The Peninsula Spa, you’ll be transported. Natural wood interiors and raku-style tiles evoke an Asian oasis, while your prime location on the Magnificent Mile is reiterated by a spectacular view from the glass-enclosed pool. Before or after a treatment, guests can gaze dreamily at the skyline; with premium snack and glass of port."
"With an indoor swimming pool, hot tub, cozy lounge by the fireplace, fitness center, and yoga room, The Peninsula Spa offers a wide range of amenities. They even carry an extensive menu of both current and classic treatments, from Hot-Stone to Bamboo massages. And they’re highly skilled and attentive, making sure that you leave totally revived."
"The Peninsula Chicago has maintained its Forbes Five-Star rating for 17 years. Among the many perks for guests, the spa, spanning the 19th and 20th floors, is a 15,000 sq.ft. oasis in the middle of the Mag Mile."
"Every treatment at the Langham’s Chuan Spa begins with a bathing ritual that progresses from herbal sauna to salt stone sauna to aromatherapy shower to chamomile steam room. The series boasts a range of benefits, like loosening muscles, opening the respiratory system and easing skin ailments. On the downside, it might take some of the glow off your normal morning shower-loofah routine."
"Helping you reach tranquility through the essence of water, Chuan Spa Chicago offers a water journey potent to your replenishment. Once you enter through their Moon Gate doors and secret garden, the excursion begins. Bathing rituals, saunas, a steam room, and utterly exquisite interior all join to create the utmost relaxation experience."
"Chuan Spa at The Langham, Chicago has been rated Illinois' first and only Forbes 5 star spa - and it shows. Ensconced in The Langham Chicago, rated a Five-Star hotel by Forbes Travel Guide, Chuan Spa is the best spa in the city. Complete a five-element questionnaire to ensure you get the most from your treatment."
"Another way to enjoy some family fun in Chicago is at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. This might seem like an odd recommendation for a holiday with kids, but the showcases put up at this theater also include several kid-friendly productions. There are special abridged versions of the classic plays for the younger ones and students to enjoy."
"We know, it might seem like a stretch to include a theater—and Shakespeare, no less—on a kid’s map. But the Navy Pier’s Chicago Shakespeare Theater showcases a ton of kid-friendly performances, including shorter 75-minute abridged productions geared toward families and students. Check their website for the latest shows and schedules."
"For theatre lovers, check out a performance at The Chicago Theatre. If you feel like doing an activity, head to 10pin Bowling Lounge under the Marina Towers north of the Chicago River. They offer a selection of beers and upscale snacks."