Romantic Restaurants, Getaway Places in Riverside

"The Field Museum houses some 30 million artifacts and includes everything but the kitchen sink – beetles, mummies, gemstones, Bushman the stuffed ape – all tended by a slew of PhD-wielding scientists, as the Field remains an active research institution. The collection's rock star is Sue, the largest Tyrannosaurus rex yet discovered. She even gets her own gift shop. Special exhibits, such as the 3-D movie, cost extra."

"The Field Museum traces its roots back to the Columbian Exhibition of 1893, when its collection was on display for visitors in Jackson Park. Marshall Field donated $1 million to house the collection in a permanent Neoclassical building in Grant Park in 1921. Only a fraction of the museum’s 40 million objects are on display—the most iconic being SUE the T."

"We walked to the Field Museum from the RV park we were staying at and had a couple of hours to explore. We love how the museum pass gives us the opportunity to do this!. Since we get in for free."

"Museum Campus/South Loop, Chicago—10 minutes from the Loop More than 32,000 aquatic animals are on display at this lakefront museum, giving visitors the chance to see fish, sharks, whales, and more from all over the world. The centerpiece of the Shedd Aquarium is the Caribbean Reef, a 90,000-gallon circular aquarium with 360-degree views of sharks, parrotfish, sea turtles, and rays. Around the reef, several hallways extend where visitors can explore sea life from different regions, from nearby rivers and lakes to the Amazon to polar areas."

"Next, head down to Chicago’s Museum Campus and pay a visit to its crown jewel – the Shedd Aquarium. Home to 32,000 fascinating and unique creatures from a range of diverse habitats, Shedd is one of the best (if not the best) aquariums in the country."

"The entire marine world—from the Caribbean reef to Arctic waters—is on view on the banks of Lake Michigan. Some 32,000 animals live here. Big draws include Pacific white-sided dolphins, beluga whales, sharks, stingrays, and some awfully cute otters."

"There is no admission fee to enter the Navy Pier, which offers free fireworks shows throughout the year and hosts a lineup of free entertainment and music each season. Head to the Navy Pier to see local arts and crafts vendors presenting their wares and to enjoy the scenic views of Lake Michigan."

"Encompassing more than 50 acres (20 hectares) of prime Chicago lakefront territory, Navy Pier is truly a city within the city. With shopping, restaurants, parks and gardens, museums, stages and attractions galore, this Chicago landmark attracts millions every year."

"Restaurants Steakhouse River North. This steakhouse chain's Marina City digs—a Chicago River fixture since 1998—sports all the classics, from prime-aged meat cuts to creamed spinach and truffled mac and cheese. Head to the restaurant's covered patio area for peak river views, or grab a table near the interior's floor-to-ceiling windows."

"This cafeteria-style restaurant has a well-deserved reputation for putting out some of the area's best pizzas, breads and desserts. The menu includes appetizers, soups, salads, pizzas, sandwiches, pastas and desserts. Start with a Marie's Special salad which includes chunky hearts of romaine, red onions, fried prosciutto and blue cheese with their signature thick homemade vinaigrette."

"Just beyond Wrigleyville lies this section of Lakeview; it's been a major "gayborhood" since the 1970s, which also makes it one of the…"

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user One Homo Sapiens used under CC BY 3.0. Heading to the Southwest Side of Chicago?. Ford City Mall has stood there since 1945."

"Express is an international fashion chain with women’s clothing and men’s clothing for work, play and all kinds of parties. Shop Express for women’s jeans, leggings, dresses, sweaters and shirts, and men’s jeans, suits, graphic tees and polos, plus shoes, jewelry and other accessories..."

"Circle back toward the river, making a quick stop inside Macy’s State Street which is designated as a National Historic Landmark thanks to magnificent touches that make it feel more like a museum than a department store. Of note are the Great Clocks which weigh seven tonnes each, granite pillars that are the second-tallest of their type in the world, and the ornate Tiffany Ceiling which was painstakingly designed from 1.6 million pieces of hand-fired iridescent glass."

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Ken Lund used under CC BY-SA 2.0. One of two Macy’s outlets in Chicago - the other is located on the Magnificent Mile - this world famous department store brand features a range of men’s and women’s clothing alongside kids, juniors, and home selections. A host of big-name designers are represented, including Ralph Lauren, Estee Lauder, and Calvin Klein."

"One of the biggest department stores in the world and recognized as a National Historic Landmark. Flex your plastic around eight floors of amazing fashion, from DKNY to Ralph Lauren to Michael Kors."

"BridgeportWhen you think of Bridgeport, the first thing that comes to mind usually isn’t nature. And this park (nicknamed “Mount Bridgeport” and formerly known as Stone Quarry) fits right in with a 27-acre site that has transformed itself from quarry to landfill to park. Cruise the crushed stone running path and peep the fishing pond and wetlands as you stroll the grass amidst preserved quarry walls at this neighborhood hidden gem."

"Palmisano Park has gone from coral reefs to quarry to landfill to park. At this park, you’ll find a fishing pond, wetlands, preserved quarry walls, walking trails and more. There is also a giant hill, perfect for gazing over the park and all of its beauty."

"27 acres of wetlands and urban fishing make Palmisano Park a fun place to visit. The park also offers a phenomenal view of Chicago. In winter, it’s a great place to go sledding."

"This slag-filled site at the confluence of Lake Michigan and the Calumet River was once home to the massive South Works U.S. Steel manufacturing plant that employed 20,000 workers at its peak. But the steel giant closed in the early ‘90s and the Chicago Park District acquired the vacant land. In 2014, it re-opened as Steelworkers Park—a 16.5-acre lakeside landscape dotted with pleasant walking paths, artifacts of the old U.S."

"Restaurants Ice cream parlors Beverly. For more than 80 years, the awning-covered picnic tables of this South Side ice-cream shop have been packed with locals indulging their sweet tooth. The signature five-flavor Rainbow Cone features layers of chocolate, strawberry, Palmer House (vanilla with cherries and walnuts), pistachio and orange sherbet stacked one on top of the other to form an unbeatable classic."

"Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing. Original Rainbow Cone is an iconic seasonal ice cream shop in Chicago that serves a wide array of desserts including banana splits, cones, sundaes, and shakes. This long-standing ice cream parlor offers layers of delectable orange sherbet, pistachio, Palmer House, strawberry, and chocolate flavors in a deliciously looking sugar cone."

"Must Try: Original Rainbow Cone This iconic store can be found in Millennium Park. If you often find yourself not be able to decide which flavor to get, this may be the ice cream shop for you. Their famous Rainbow Cone stacks Chocolate, Strawberry, Palmer House (New York Vanilla with cherries and walnuts), Pistachio, and tops it all off with Orange Sherbert."

"Pablo Picasso produced this monumental piece of public art for Chicago in the mid-1960s. Standing in Daley Plaza, the Chicago Picasso weighs almost 147 metric tons and stands over 15 metres tall. Since it was unveiled in 1967, the work, rumoured to depict French model Lydia Corbett who sat for a series of drawings for Picasso in the 1950s, is a landmark for the city and something for kids to clamber on."

"This massive cubist sculpture by Pablo Picasso was the first major piece of public artwork of its kind in downtown Chicago, and today, this Daley Plaza piece is a major landmark. Choose your selfie position — “The Picasso” looks quite different depending on where you stand."