Ways To Discover The Best Of Chicago For The Avid Traveler

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The best way a person touring Chicago can do is actually have an itinerary in mind and plan to visit if not a few, all of its tourist attractions that will make your trip worthwhile. Here, you will find a wide array of museums, quality restaurants serving different types of cuisines, majestic buildings, diverse zoos and many, many more. Take a look at the best ways to visit Chicago and make that vacation trip worth the while!

The Field Museum

 Field Museum from Perosha

Field Museum from Perosha

The Field Museum is the site where you will find biological and anthropological displays of consolidated Columbian Exposition of 1893. This huge museum has more than thirty permanent exhibitions that consumes about three hundred thousand square feet of area. Within which, you will find scowling dinos, come close to ancient artifacts that were extracted from royal Egyptian tombs and even be lectured on how cannibalism in the “Pacific Spirits” or just cruise around the Halls of Gems and Jade that would make you feel so glamourous just by being around them.

Art Institute of Chicago

 Art Institute of Chicago from raleigh.mike

Art Institute of Chicago from raleigh.mike

This institution is like a living encyclopedia with tons of artistic works and ancient crafts since time memorial from all other points of the world and from any type of era up to the present. Some of which are the Japanese prints, fragments of local buildings established by Frank Lloyd Wright and Thorne Miniature Rooms, the light-illuminated Modern Wing designed by Renzo Piano and all other contemporary and modern art pieces. While enjoying the masterpieces, you will also get to have a picturesque view of the Millennium Park.

Museum of Contemporary Art

 MCA's Bouroullec exhibit - Hall from Mike Miley

MCA’s Bouroullec exhibit – Hall from Mike Miley

Holding one of the largest group of modern art in America, The Museum of Contemporary Art is the center destination if you want to witness major tour exhibits hosted by different art institutions in the world. Apart from its galleries, this place also has establishments like a bookstore, gift store and a restaurant for the guests to have an accommodating experience. They also have a theater that can cater up to about three hundred people while you will also have a nice view of the sculpture garden.

Shedd Aquarium

 Beluga Whale - Shedd Aquarium, Chicago from Katy Silberger

Beluga Whale – Shedd Aquarium, Chicago from Katy Silberger

For the most gorgeous of them all, giving guests the pleasure of live aquamarine life roaming around their man-made habitats such as frogs, piranhas, turtles, rays, moray eels of the Caribbean, predator sharks, snakes of the Amazon and a one hundred year old Australian lungfish that’s been believed to be the oldest living fish in any museum is the Shedd Aquarium. It composes of a tide pool, a lifelike river, a reworked otter habitat and is also attempting to relive a daily mammal presentations in talent shows where you will see dolphins attending to the trainer’s whim. All in all, you will find up to thirty-two thousand specimens and a thousand and a half creatures of the water. This establishment is open during the weekdays from nine in the morning until five in the afternoon but is open until six in the evening during weekends and holidays.

Chicago History Museum

 World's Columbian Exposition exhibit from no22a
World’s Columbian Exposition exhibit from no22a

This unique museum would tell you everything you need to know about Chicago from its ancient history until its modern developments. They present archived photographs and curio. Through the years, items like permanent and temporary exhibits like the “Chicago: Crossroads of America”, ‘Sensing Chicago” that’s a picture of kids cluttered around a huge Chicago dog, surrounding displays of various costumes and historical pieces like a piece of the original Fort Dearborn were added to the exquisite collections.

The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

 Bromptons at the Peggy Notebaert Nature from W.D. Vanlue

Bromptons at the Peggy Notebaert Nature from W.D. Vanlue

Do you remember the Ice Age? When you visit here at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, you will see river ecosystems and biological specimens of the said Ice Age from mammals, nature and its conservations and hands-on lively presentations that the kids can interact with. There are also tons of butterflies fluttering around the spacious Judy Istock Butterfly Haven that would amaze both adults and kids.

The Dusable Museum of African American History

 DuSable from reallyboring

DuSable from reallyboring

It’s no secret that America was once divided among the Blacks and the Whites. This museum, opened in 1961, depicts the struggles of racial discrimination of the different cultural institutions. Composing of the oldest African-American focused museums in America, the Dusable Museum shows visitors tons of displays, various documents and artifacts that tell the tale of these struggles that changed a huge part of history. This museum also shows the masterpieces of African-American artists.

National Museum of Mexican Art

 Dia De Muertos XXV - National Museum of from gozamos

Dia De Muertos XXV – National Museum of from gozamos

Much like the previous museum, this one is also dedicated to showcasing art from a specific race living in the Americas. Here, you will discover about six thousand permanent collections, rotating exhibits, performing arts collections and educational programs that would present the colorful and diverse Mexican culture.

Adler Planetarium

 Closer look at the planitarium from Alin S Living with Autism

Closer look at the planitarium from Alin S Living with Autism

For the geeks who love outer space, this museum is definitely the place for you. Various top-notch researchers showcase their talents here along with magnificent displays of the heavenly bodies. There is also the Sky Theater which presents high definition and quality views of the galaxy. The main theme of this establishment is centered at the known and unknown phenomenon of humans that have interacted or studied outer space.

Bavette’s

 Bone Marrow #Bavettes #bar #boeuf #chica from john_Onate

Bone Marrow #Bavettes #bar #boeuf #chica from john_Onate

This steakhouse is designed with a jazz-era feel along with soothing music and an exceptional service of quality steaks. Here, they serve not just steak but also heavenly fried and roasted chicken, lavish cocktails and lustrous pies with flavors like lemon meringue or chocolate cream.

Vito and Nick’s

 side trip to Vito and Nick's for some pi from The Shifted Librarian

side trip to Vito and Nick’s for some pi from The Shifted Librarian

This restaurant’s specialty is serving the best and tastiest pizzas in town. It has been serving the locals since 1949 making it absolutely the perfect place to go for those touring Chicago. Their pizzas are inspired with Chicago flavors. As their waitresses pounce around serving freshly baked pizzas with thin crusts and quality sausages, luscious pies and a pitcher of drinks, you’d definitely leave with a filled stomach!

Anteprima

 Anteprima from reallyboring

Anteprima from reallyboring

This cute, bustling and customer-friendly restaurant offers unique dishes such as lemon kissed grilled octopus, salumi plate, antipasti platter, homemade pastas with rabbit ragu, bright fava beans, back patio and ricotta. After you’re done eating, you would definitely want to come back here.

Alinea

 Alinea-7381cs from banditob

Alinea-7381cs from banditob

Alinea is the reigning top restaurant in the country as rated by the Gourmet Magazine. Chef Grant Achatz would serve the guests with unknown dishes that are just to die for. You will be entertained as they will cook your food just right in front of you. Their best sellers include the squab with peppercorn custard, sorrel and strawberries and the cocoa-coated watermelon with cubed Kobe beef. This unique restaurant will most definitely take you to another dimension in fine cooking.

TAC Quick Thai

 Shrimp Paste Fried Rice from Ron Dollete

Shrimp Paste Fried Rice from Ron Dollete

Be taken to Asia as you bite through Thai food and feel the essence of the spices and flavors of Thailand. Their food here is simple yet very tasteful and rich with exquisite flavors and hot dimensions. They serve tart and smoky pork-and-rice sausage, chicken with crispy basil and preserved eggs, warm sweet-and-sour beef jerky and many more. Their best seller is that of a basil duck stir friend with garlic and mushrooms, lettuce wrap-ready deep-fried mackerel with apples, cucumbers, fish sauce and chillies.

The Bristol

 Baconskin Krispie Treats 2 - The Bristol from opacity

Baconskin Krispie Treats 2 – The Bristol from opacity

This restaurant has been open for about fifteen years and has been famous throughout the locals because of its quality service and delicious dishes. It serves guests with cocktails, desserts, and pastry personally prepared by Chef Amanda Rockman. There are also the dishes of Chris Pandel such as the salad of heirloom apples. The egg-and-ricotta-filled ravioli and other dishes such as beef tendon salad to cold-smoked salmon with bacon-dill dumplings.

Fat Rice

 FAT RICE from cherrylet

FAT RICE from cherrylet

Fat Rice offers guests with a taste of Macau. Their menu composes of dishes inspired by the Portuguese such as the bacalhu and salt cod and Chinese dishes such as pot stickers and Szechuan peppercorns. Their best seller is the paella-like dish also known as the Fat Rice and the lustrous crock of tofu, pork belly and steamed fish called the Balichang and Catfish.

Bistro Bordeaux

 smoked saury from nyaa_birdies_perch

smoked saury from nyaa_birdies_perch

From the name itself, you would get the impression that you would enjoy a tasty French dish here at the Bistro Bordeaux. The restaurant offers guests with a comfortable and cozy feel while they serve dishes like French onion soup, croquet-madame and the juicy seared flatiron steak that would make every person just drool and want some more.

Kai Zan

 Kai Zan Appetizers from Sean Davis

Kai Zan Appetizers from Sean Davis

This twenty-seater restaurant, owned by Melvin and Carlo Vizconde, offers guests with Chinese dishes such as maki, fried tofu makimono with elaborate sushi twists much like that of a scallop wrapped in salmon, you are sure going to feel so Asian! It is also the ideal spot for the locals to enjoy the best sushi in town. There is also the choice of the Omakase tasting menus that would probably cost you at least $50.

American Girl Place

 Chicago '10 (2 of 9) from AmateurX

Chicago ’10 (2 of 9) from AmateurX

If you want to do some shopping during your tour of Chicago along with your kid, you should take her to the American Girl Place. Here, your little one can choose from tons of dolls that are just so beautifully made, some of them are even known worldwide, and your kid can likewise have a snack or tea as she flitters happily with her new beautiful friend.

Clark Street Sports

 20081227TRD060855A from reverendkomissar

20081227TRD060855A from reverendkomissar

Are you the type of tourist that is likewise a sports buff? You should visit Clark Street Sports. Here, you can buy merchandise from various baseball, basketball or any sports team you could think of. From autographed items to authentic jerseys, you are sure going to enjoy buying your sports items here.

Oak Street Store

 Tuxedo in Burdi Men's Store Window, Oak from danxoneil
Tuxedo in Burdi Men’s Store Window, Oak from danxoneil

 Find all the things that you wish to buy from jewelry to luxurious items, to shoes and accessories here at the Oak Street! This area is likened to Barneys New York where you’re able to find various clothes and accessories specifically designed by world-class famous designers. Apart from it being a shopping destination, here at the Oak Street Store, you can likewise drop by a spa and relax your way to your next stop in Chicago.

Lincoln Park

 Campus Gear from ShutterRunner

Campus Gear from ShutterRunner

Lincoln Park is one of the most famous tourist destination in Chicago. Here, you will find a zoo which is home to thousands of animals as their roam around their almost-natural habitats. Other attractive features here in Lincoln Park include the Victorian houses that are just lovely to take pictures of, and shopping boutiques where you can buy clothing for men, women, kids, decorations, souvenirs and even treats for your lovely pets.

Skydeck Chicago

 The Glass Box from niXerKG

The Glass Box from niXerKG

This Observatory Deck is situated at the world-famous Willis Tower. It is a thousand and three hundred feet from the ground and will give tourists a whopping view of the magnificent city of Chicago. You will head on up to the 103rd floor and stand at a transparent glass floor where you’ll feel like you were actually flying! There are also exhibits available in the establishment and historical displays where the tour guides will educate you with its interesting stories.

Navy Pier

 More Navy Pier 022 from rbieber

More Navy Pier 022 from rbieber

The Navy Pier is the perfect destination in Chicago if you want it to be all-in-one. Here, you will find the Chicago Children’s Museum, an IMAX theater, Chicago Shakespeare Theater and the world-famous Navy Pier Ferris Wheel. Not only that. You will also find other establishments such as amusement parks, shops, restaurants and many more. Truly, you can experience everything at once here at the Navy Pier.

Brookfield Zoo

 Brookfield Zoo Chicago 131 from Michael Kappel

Brookfield Zoo Chicago 131 from Michael Kappel

Last but not the least, the Brookfield Zoo, located at downtown Chicago, is the largest one in town. It is open to visitors all year round not only displaying various animals, but also exhibits, an animal-themed carousel that the kids would truly love, a nature park for you and the family to roam around at, and many more. The Motor Safari is what most people engage at here.

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