Mentioned by Family Destinations Guide
25 Best Things to Do in Chicago, IL (for 2021)
"There's more than shopping at Water Tower Place, an eight-level shopping center located at the northern tip of the Magnificent Mile. In addition to 104 stores, there are myriad dining options, a theater that is part of Broadway in Chicago and the Chicago Sports Museum. Shops like a massive Lego Store, Macy's, Forever 21 and Sephora share space with foodlife, which features 14 kitchens serving food made from scratch daily."
"Whether you have the money for a Chicago-style shopping spree or just want to walk around window shopping while pretending that you do, the Water Tower Place is a great place to check out while you're in town. Here you'll see the big retailers and plenty of high-end stores. This seven-story complex also has a food court and the Lego and American Girl stores if you're there with the kids."
"900 North Michigan in Chicago is a world-renowned skyscraper that stands 871 feet tall and is the eighth-tallest building in Chicago. Completed in 1989 by Urban Retail Properties, 900 North Michigan was built as an upscale sister building to Water Tower Place one block away and was the second vertical mall built on the Magnificent Mile. The skyscraper is home to an upscale shopping mall known as 900 North Michigan Shops spanning more than 450,000 square feet of space with luxury stores like Bloomingdale's, Gucci, MaxMara, Kate Spade New York, Micheal Kors, L'Occitane and J."
"900 North Michigan Shops is a visually stunning shopping destination stunning 465,000 square feet on 7 floors. With their massive shopping complex, they feature more than 70 luxury retailers and host a 22,000 square-foot food hall. Their food hall includes a wide range of cuisine from street tacos to sushi, coffee to cocktails, bread-bowl chowder to vegan bowls, and many more."
"The 900 North Michigan Shops are located in the iconic Chicago skyscraper, which was built in 1989. This monumental building is home to many offices, condominiums, and a vast shopping mall. Similarly to the Water Tower Place, the place has a vast multi-story atrium, of which the rear is occupied by Bloomingdale’s."
"Now open This unique museum, dedicated to work by self-taught artists, has reopened to the public. Intuit has taken several new precautions, including directional signage, reduced touch points, and enhanced sanitation. They’ve even re-installed their exhibition Outsider Art: The Collection of Victor F. Keen to increase spacing and allow more distancing."
"This is a term coined by its founders to describe art created by self-taught artists or those without any formal training. The focus here is on artists who for any number of reasons exist outside of mainstream art. The permanent collection features artists including Minnie Evans, Miles Carpenter, and William Hawkins."
"Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art features a large number of artworks presenting intuitive and outsider art. They have been featuring various artworks since 1991. Their world-class exhibitions give an opportunity for the public to explore this kind of art."
"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."
"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Roman Boed used under CC BY 2.0. Bloomingdale’s needs little introduction. One of three such sites dotted around the city, the store at 900 North Michigan Avenue is well-placed in downtown Chicago for those looking to pop in while sightseeing or visiting the lake front."
"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Daniel X. O'Neil used under CC BY 2.0. Another outdoor shopping centre on our list is located in Bronzeville, known for being the centre of African-American life and culture. If you are planning to visit this area in August, check out the annual Bud Billiken Parade."
"There are only a couple ways around cooking our own fish issues: move to a picturesque fishing village on the Mediterranean or head to Oyster Bah where you can get classic seafood dishes and fish from around the planet presented to you. The Original Seafood Roll does a New England lobster roll one better with Maine lobster, King crab, shrimp, celery and mayo tucked into a buttery bun. There's fish 'n' chips, Seattle style barbecue salmon, "wicked fresh" calamari and lots of modern seafood items such as poke and sesame tuna tacos."
"If you decide to eat at this establishment you need to make certain to make reservations in advance. The atmosphere is a wonderfully rustic and nautical theme in a multi-level structure wtih two bars and a dining area. The menu items are New-England-inspired seafood dishes."
"The food is great, but the atmosphere is really chill and casual. Definitely not a stuffy seafood restaurant at all. For instance, start by splitting some oysters and garlic shrimp!"
"Since opening in 2013 they now have a small collection of well-located coffeehouses and restaurants in River North, Streeterville, Fulton Market, and Oak Brook. The original in River North offers incredible breakfasts, lunches, and dinners with exceptional coffee and an extensive variety of vegan options. It has a patio, a gluten-free menu, some unparalleled risottos, and vegan home-made desserts that will have you coming back for more."
"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."
"With attractions as varied as the Chicago Children’s Museum and the Chicago Shakespeare Theater to a massive concert venue, you can practically spend the entire day here! One of the most popular attractions on Navy Pier is its iconic Ferris wheel, visible from many vantage points across the city."
"Southport's main claim to fame is this 1929 movie house, which shows independent and classic films on its two screens. Live organ music…"
"The Field Museum has come along way since 1893 when it was built for the World’s Columbian Exposition. This place is truly a natural history heaven with towering dinos, Egyptian tomb jewels, and so many more archaeological gems. It’s even home to the world’s largest T-Rex."
"More than 400,000-square feet of exhibit space fill this gigantic museum, which explores cultures and environments from around the world."