For those of you who don't know, I am a native Chicagoan. I was born in Chicago to immigrant parents. In fact, I was the first from both sides of my family to be born an American citizen. I wear that title proudly. I lived in the Chicagoland area my whole entire life until 2012 when God called my family down to Florida. My husband is also a native Chicagoan. He lived in the city until we got engaged. All three of our kids were born in the western suburb of Hinsdale. They were actually born in the same hospital where my mom first worked here in America back in the 60s! We visit Chicago once or twice a year - that's how much we love our city as well as the family and friends we left behind! (FYI: Chicagoans refer to Chicago as "the city.")
*IMPORTANT THINGS TO NOTE:
- If you are viewing this on your mobile device, please scroll all the way down to the bottom of this post and click on "View web version" or else your mobile version will be wonky.
- I tried my best to link up every detail possible - websites, reviews, history, and whatever else.
- I have also included photos - they don't belong to me!
- Also, I apologize for any and all typos. I'll edit as I find them. :o)
- I hope you find this list helpful. Most of all, I hope that you have an enjoyable time exploring and experiencing my city!
TRANSPORTATION
- The city of Chicago is huge so everything is spread out. In fact, there are 77 community areas (each with their own names). Most of these communities are broken down further into neighborhoods.
- IF YOU HAVE A CAR
- Keep in mind that if you are driving, it is extremely difficult to find street parking (which you will have to pay for). If you do find street parking, it will be parallel parking. Not an easy feat in the city!
- Another thing to consider, you will have to pay a ridiculous amount of money to park in a garage whether it's underground or several hundred feet above street level in one of the skyscrapers. Be prepared!
- PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: BUS/TRAIN
- There is plenty of public transportation (CTA = Chicago Transit Authority), but there are soooooooo many bus routes/lines that it gets ridiculously confusing.
- As for the "L" (the city's elevated train system), those routes are even more confusing! I wouldn't recommend either one. Unless you are super brave and are way past Pathfinders' Master Guide level with directions and a compass. If you are, I wish you the best.
- MY ADVICE
- If you don't have a car, stick with
- Uber
- Lyft
- Taxis
- BICYCLES
- There are baby blue bicycles for rent that you can pick up and drop off in multiple locations in the city. The company is called Divvy and for convenience you can download their app to your phone. They have this whole system for renting and returning that seems pretty user friendly.
- As far as cost is concerned, some customers on Trip Advisor felt ripped off. Now, I live in the land of Disney World where you pay for every. little. thing. So take that with a grain of salt.
- For more information about Divvy click HERE. If you decide to rent with Divvy, keep in mind that drivers in the city are crazy, but not as crazy as NYC or Boston or as scary as the snowbirds in Zephyrhills, FL. (I speak from experience having lived and survived on the roads in that area for three years.)
- FREE TROLLEY
- There is a free Navy Pier trolley that loops around a section of the city with multiple stops including the Art Institute of Chicago. Information HERE.
- Architectural Boat Tour - This is my favorite tour of the city as Chicago is known for its extremely diverse architecture.
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- Chicago's First Lady Cruises
- I did this tour and many years ago and absolutely loved it!
- Rated #1 architectural boat tour on Trip Advisor.
- Boarding is south of the Chicago River along the Chicago Riverwalk about 1/2 mile north of The Bean and at the start of The Magnificent Mile
- Shoreline Sightseeing
- Rated #2 on Trip Advisor
- Boarding is north of the Chicago River on the NE corner of the Michigan Ave (Dusable) bridge
- Boarding also at Navy Pier
- Wendella Boat Tours
- This is a shout out to my former 2nd grade student, Kelly. I taught her 20 years ago! (I can't believe I'm old enough to type that. I can't believe I am admitting that I am old.) Anyhow, Miss Kelly worked for Wendella and always had glowing things to say about the company and her coworkers.
- They got great reviews on Trip Advisor so that doesn't hurt either.
- Boarding is right next to the Wrigley Building so you get to see the architectural grandeur of the Wrigley Building and the Tribune Tower across the street!
- Segway Tour
- Absolutely Chicago Segway - My husband and I have done the Lakefront/Museum Campus Tour with this company and highly recommend them. They have excellent reviews on Trip Advisor. They have other tours as well, listed HERE.
- Sears Tower
- Sorry, but as a Chicagoan, I cannot and will not call this building W*llis Tower - it will forever be Sears Tower!
- Tallest building in the city, 2nd tallest in the country, 20th tallest in the world
- Held the title of tallest building in the world from 1974-1998
- For fun facts click HERE or HERE.
- Skydeck Experience
- Observatory located on the 103rd floor
- On a clear day you can see four states: Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana!
- The Ledge experience - does not cost extra; included in general admission
- The Ledge’s glass boxes extend out more than 4 feet from the skyscraper’s Skydeck on the 103rd floor.
- Each glass box is made of three layers of 1/2inch thick glass laminated and tempered for durability.
- The glass panels weigh 1,500 pounds.
- Honestly, this is not my favorite observatory above the city. Don't get me wrong. It's an amazing experience in such a historical building. I've been visiting the building since I was only one year old! However, Sears Tower is away from everything else. I prefer the next option because it's in the heart of The Magnificent Mile and a stone's throw away from the historic Old Water Tower.
- John Hancock Building
- Located on North Michigan Ave, also known as The Magnificent Mile.
- The 360 CHICAGO observation deck is located on the 94th floor, 1000 feet above The Magnificent Mile.
- My personal favorite view above the city. Sunsets can be absolutely spectacular if the weather is agreeable.
- Building and observatory deck history HERE
- 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck information HERE
- The Tilt
- Costs extra - not included in general admission
- Extends out and over The Magnificent Mile and Chicago's famous skyline at a 30 degree angle
- See video of The Tilt HERE
- The Signature Room - restaurant on the 95th floor
- Food is okay for the price, but really you're paying for the view.
- View is spectacular as long as you are seated by the windows and the weather cooperates.
- The Signature Lounge - bar/lounge on the 96th floor
- Don't want to pay the observation deck fee or the cost of a full service meal? Take the elevator up to the 96th floor. Purchase a pop (soda) and enjoy the view! I've never done it, but I know friends/family who have.
ARCHITECTURE with HISTORY
- Wrigley Building
- Built by chewing gum king, William Wrigley, Jr. for his company's headquarters
- The gateway to the Magnificent Mile (North Michigan Ave.)
- Tribune Tower
- Built in 1922 for the Chicago Tribune's (newspaper) downtown headquarters.
- The creatures and figures tucked into the tracery above the Tribune Tower's entrance represent animals from Aesop's fables.
- Famous quotations from Benjamin Franklin, Voltaire, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison are carved into the walls of the lobby praising and exalting freedom of the press.
- Marina City
- Also known as the corn cob buildings
- Created to be "a city within a city"
MUSEUMS
Please note: if you have a membership to a science museum in another state, there is usually reciprocity. Check to see if your local museum is part of this program. Because admission to Chicago museums is so expensive, we purchase memberships in Florida. That has gotten us general admission to the following museums: Adler Planetarium, Field Museum, and Museum of Science and Industry. Just make sure you bring your membership ID with you.
The convention center is practically next door to Museum Campus which houses the following museums:
- Field Museum
- Adler Planetarium
- Purchase tickets HERE
- The Adler was first planetarium in the western hemisphere and the oldest still in existence today.
- More museum history HERE
- Doane Observatory
- A lot of people don't realize that there is an observatory behind the planetarium. It is home to the largest aperture telescope available to the public in the Chicagoland area!
- For observing opportunities at the Doane click HERE.
- Keep in mind that the view of the city skyline is in my humble opinion, the best in between the Planetarium and Aquarium.
- Just south of the Planetarium you will find 12th Street Beach. Typically not as crowded as Chicago's more popular Oak Street Beach (located in the Gold Coast just minutes from the the most north point of Michigan Ave) or North Avenue Beach (located in Lincoln Park by the zoo).
- Shedd Aquarium
Museums not located on Museum Campus:
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Located two miles north of the convention center along South Michigan Avenue and next to Millennium Park
- Purchase tickets HERE
- The building was built for the joint purpose of accommodating the 1893 World's Colombian Exposition (also known as the Chicago World's Fair) and subsequently the Art Institute.
- More museum history HERE
- Personal favorites at the Art Institute:
- The Thorne Miniature Rooms are a family favorite, especially with the kids. Fans of dollhouses or anything miniature will have a delightful time here as well.
- A Sunday on La Grande Jette by Georges Seurat
- Water Lilies by Claude Monet
- American Gothic by Grant Wood
- Museum of Science and Industry
- Located in Hyde Park, 5.5 miles south of the convention center
- Hyde Park is the neighborhood where the Obamas live and where the University of Chicago is located
- Purchase tickets HERE
- This museum is one of two buildings that remain from the 1893 Colombian Exposition, also known as the Chicago World's Fair.
- Solder Field - home of the Chicago Bears
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- Right next door to McCormick Place (home of NAD Teachers' Convention)
- For you hardcore NFL fans, tours of Solider Field are available HERE.
- Soldier Field used to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places but was stripped of that honor in 2006 after a "spaceship" was added to the old colonnades during a major renovation in 2003.
- United Center - home of the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks
- Most people visit to take a picture with the Michael Jordan statue
- NBA/NFL fans, no tours are available. Sorry!
- If you visit the United Center, you *must* stop by Black Dog Gelato! It's 1.2 miles north of the stadium. Parking is hard and they take cash only. Their Goat Cheese Cashew Caramel and Blood Orange Sorbet are deeeelish! You can thank me later.
- Wrigley Field - home of the Chicago Cubs
- Built in 1914, Wrigley Field is the 2nd oldest ball park behind Fenway Park (1912) - more history HERE.
- It is the only professional ballpark with an ivy covered outfield wall.
- Wrigleyville rooftops of adjacent residential buildings have been used to view Cubs baseball games or other major events at historic Wrigley Field since 1914. My husband has sat on one of the rooftops for games and claims that it's an excellent view.
- If you're a "Northsider" you cheer for the Cubs. My husband and I were both born on the Northside. In fact we named our first son Clark after Clark Street, the street where Wrigley Field's main entrance is located. "Go, Cubs, Go!"
- The Cubs will not be playing at home during NAD Teachers' Convention.
- MLB fans and anyone who loves American history, tours are available HERE. I've done the tour twice and loved it both times.
- Guaranteed Rate Field - home of the Chicago White Sox
- If you're a "Southsider" you cheer for the White Sox
- The White Sox have three home games during the Convention all beginning at 7:10 P.M.
- To purchase tickets, click HERE.
FAVORITE TOURIST SPOTS
- Museum Campus (free)
- Museums:
- Adler Planetarium
- Shedd Aquarium
- Field Museum
- In my opinion, this is THE BEST location to take pictures of the world-famous Chicago skyline!
- The view is best between the Adler Planetarium and the Shedd Aquarium. The view is fantastic day or night as long as the weather is clear.
- Millennium Park (free)
- Jay Pritzker Pavilion
- There are a few concerts being held during the evenings of the convention
- If you're interested, click HERE for ticket information
- Buckingham Fountain (free)
- One of the largest fountains in the world
- Produces a major water display for 20 minutes every hour
- Lights and music accompany the water display at night
- Navy Pier
- Great place for kids - restaurants, shopping (catered to tourist), and more
- Centennial Wheel (great views of of the city)
- Free fireworks and Wednesdays and Saturdays - details HERE
- The Magnificent Mile (North Michigan Ave.)
- What's the big deal about the Magnificent Mile? This stretch of North Michigan between the Chicago River and the Drake Hotel has been known to be a global retail destination.
- South end of Magnificent Mile: both buildings are known from their architecture and are located across from each other immediately North of the Chicago River
- Wrigley Building (left)
- Tribune Tower (right)
- North end of Magnificent Mile
- Old Water Tower
- One of the few buildings that survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871
- Its limestone design helped save it from the fire. Most buildings in Chicago during that time were made of wood.
- Because of its Gothic style, it looks like a castle that sticks out among the modern high-rise buildings that surround it.
- John Hancock Building
- Refer to information above in Skyscraper Experiences
- Drake Hotel
- Located next door to the John Hancock Building
- Part of the Historic Hotels of America®, the Drake hosted important VIPs such as Winston Churchill, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip, Paul Newman, Oprah Winfrey, and Princess Diana.
- Palm Court
- An ideal setting for Afternoon Tea, Palm Court has been serving tea for nearly a century in the Gold Coast neighborhood of Chicago and is the quintessential Magnificent Mile afternoon tea experience.
- Princess Diana, Queen Elizabeth II, and the Empress of Japan have all been seen in the Palm Court.
- Details and to make reservations HERE
- American Girl
- Refer to information below in Kid Friendly Experiences
- State Street was the #1 shopping destination in Chicago before Michigan Avenue's Magnificent Mile became famous
- Historic Marshall Field's Building - now a Macy's
- Field's as in the same Field of the Field Museum of Natural History
- Top floor has a mini-museum of sorts, not sure if it's still there (free)
- Tiffany Ceiling is comprised of 1.6 million pieces of iridescent glass and is the largest Tiffany mosaic in the world. Get a closer look up on the 5th floor!
- Historic Great Clocks outside of the building
- Chicago Theater
- Most people come here to take photos of/with the iconic signage
- "The Picasso"
- The Chicago Picasso is located in Daly Plaza on Dearborn and Randolph Streets
- It's a five minute walk SW from the Chicago Theater
FOOD
- Portillo's
- Chicago locals' favorite - all my Chicago friends who move away always dream/crave about Portillo's
- What to get:
- Italian beef
- Chicago-style hot dog
- Chocolate cake
- Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza (woohoo!)
- Lou Malnati's
- I'm allergic to dairy, but every time I go home I will have deep dish from Lou's!
- Lou's cheese to sauce ration makes a lot more sense than Giordano's. The locals know to eat at Lou's over Giordano's. Trust me on this!
- Order the "Lou." It's my personal favorite. You can thank me later. ;)
- South Loop location is just 1.6 miles from convention center: 805 S. State Street 60605
- Gino's East
- My #2 pick if I can't go to Lou's
- Personal favorite: stuffed spinach
- Kids will get a kick out of the decor. You can sign your name on the walls.
- There's a location on the Magnificent Mile where I experience my first Gino's deep dish more than 30 years ago! Gino's East Mag Mile: 162 E. Superior Street 60611
- Garrett's Popcorn
- Legendary Chicago snack
- Oprah Winfrey's Favorite Things winner 2010, and rightly so!
- It's all about the Chicago Mix. Get it!!!!!
- Locations
- Millenium Park Plaza - just north of Millenium Park
- Navy Pier
- Water Tower Place - the shopping building, not the historic Old Water Tower that survived the Chicago fire
- Joy Yee - Asian everything
- If you are brave enough to venture into Chinatown, this is the place to go! Just 2.5 SW of the convention center.
- Huge menu selection
- Personal favorite: Szechwan string beans in garlic sauce
- The real reason why I come here is for my favorite Mango Fresh Fruit Freeze with Mini Pearls. If you like boba, this is a must!
- If all you want is a boba drink, they have a window and you line up outside to order drinks only. Menu HERE.
- Joy Yee is part of Chinatown Square, a two-story outdoor mall. This outdoor mall is the largest Chinese mall in the US east of San Francisco and west of New York City. In the middle of the mall, there are statues of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac. Other landmarks in the mall include twin pagodas.
- Serious hole in the wall restaurants and more on North Clark Street, within two city blocks of each other! Located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, just south of Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs. If you decide to visit Wrigley Field, this would be an excellent place to stop for food. You'll definitely need to Uber/Lyft/taxi from the convention center. If you drive, parking is tough. It's only parallel street parking. Consider yourself warned!
- Aloha Eats - Hawaiian
- Complete and utter hole in the wall, but a family favorite.
- Favorite: Chicken katsu with macaroni salad and white rice - don't forget the katsu sauce!
- Lito's Empanadas
- Personal favorite: vegetarian
- Husband's favorite: BBQ chicken
- If I remember correctly, there are only 4 places to sit here. Hole in the wall, indeed! Best to take these on the go.
- Del Seoul - Korean & Tex-Mex Fusion
- Personal favorite: Hot Stone Bowl Bibimbop - vegetarian
- Check out Yelp reviews for more suggestions
- Molly's Cupcakes
- Winner of Cupcake Wars Season Finale - Food Network
- Voted one of ten best cupcake bakeries by USA Today
- Personal favorite: carrot cake with cream cheese frosting - I have tasted cupcakes from sea to shining sea (literally - San Francisco to Boston), and Molly's is hands down, the best!
- Others worth trying from their menu: Lemon Meringue, Blueberry Cheesecake, Chocolate Mousse
- Vegan options available
- Firecakes (donuts)
- Personal favorite: Tahitian Vanilla Iced
- Others worth trying: Valrhona Chocolate & Espresso (mini), Meyer Lemon (mini), Strawberry Mascarpone (mini)
- Husband's favorite: Classic Sandwich - Honey Glazed donut with Tahitian ice cream and a Valhrona chocolate sauce
- Gluten free/vegan option available
- Other restaurants in this area that I have bookmarked and hope to visit soon based on their ratings on Yelp:
- Sultan's Market - Quick-serve Mediterranean
- The Pasta Bowl - Casual Italian
- Not really a hole in the wall
- Gluten free pasta available
- Restaurants by famous people - sports related
- Michael Jordan's Steak House (basketball's G.O.A.T. - you can't convince me otherwise)
- Harry Carey's Italian Steakhouse (legendary Chicago Cubs announcer, may he R.I.P.)
KID FRIENDLY EXPERIENCES
- Definitely check out categories listed above:
- Museums
- Skyscraper experiences
- Other options not listed above
- Chicago Children's Museum
- Located in Navy Pier - actually, tons of kid friendly options at Navy Pier plus shopping for souvenirs and a food court (see above)
- Parking fee at Navy Pier is not cheap!
- Ask about free admission if you are a science museum member in your state
- Lincoln Park Zoo
- It's free!
- Parking is a pain; the lots fill up fast, especially in the summer. Plenty of side street parking. If you can find a spot!
- Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
- Great for the littles!
- Across from Lincoln Park Zoo
- Ask about free admission if you are a science museum member in your state
- Brookfield Zoo
- For those of you who are brave enough to venture outside of the city
- This zoo is not free, you must pay admission and a parking fee
- American Girl
- Located on North Michigan Ave's Magnificent Mile
- Across from the Old Water Tower building that survive the great Chicago Fire
IMPORTANT DEAL $$$ - for those interested in visiting the museums and/or having a skyscraper experience
- CityPASS - See Chicago's top attractions, handpicked and packaged together at a significant savings.
- CityPASS is valid for 9 consecutive days starting with the first day of use, there’s no need to rush through each attraction.
- An added perk is skipping the lines which are typically long in the summer due to the increased amount of tourists visiting the city.
- For those of you with museum memberships in other states, keep in mind that you may or may not be saving money with CityPASS since you will more than likely have free general admission to a few of the museums.
- More information HERE.
