Top 10 Things-to-do in Chicago This Summer  (#6-10)
by Zahra Ink - Chicago Writing Services

Summertime is a great time to see Chicago and all that it has to offer. There is a wide spectrum of attractions waiting to be discovered; kid-friendly and open all summer long, these top ten things to do in Chicago will be sure to please! Whether you want to enjoy the outdoors or get inside to beat the heat, you can find the ideal attraction for you and your family. Chicago Traveler presents “Ten Things to do in Chicago this Summer”.

See #'s 1-5 Chicago Summer Top Ten Things-to-do.

6. Experience the Arts

Chicago is home to a stimulating and dynamic art scene. River North is an area of Chicago that boasts an extremely high concentration of galleries; there are over 100 in the area. With so many galleries, diversity is unavoidable. There are galleries featuring all kinds of art, including contemporary, American and European Impressionist, international and ethnic paintings; sculpture; installations and even furniture.

Another stop on the art circuit is the Museum of Contemporary Art, , located just north of the Loop in Streeterville. The museum, called the MCA by locals, holds over 6,000 art pieces made after 1945 and is one of the largest collections of contemporary art in the nation. The museum also houses a bookstore, a theatre, a garden overlooking Lake Michigan and a restaurant featuring the world renowned chef, Wolfgang Puck.

Perhaps the best-known collection of art in the city, however, is the Art Institute of Chicago, . A piece of Chicago’s history, two huge lion sculptures guard its gates and welcome art patrons from around the world. The Art Institute houses an enormous collection of art, covering a span of 5,000 years and including American, African, Asian, Contemporary, European and Modern art. There are sections for Photography, Textiles, Architecture and even Armor. The museum offers year-round exhibitions as well as special temporary ones. On a daily basis you can find lectures, workshops and other special programming.

Children are welcome at the Art Institute; children under 12 get free admission and there are special activities in place to help them discover the world of fine art. In the two Family Guides offered at the Museum Shop, you can find tips about how to make art accessible to younger children. Also check out the Kraft Education Center, which offers exhibits, games and even a library especially for children; all of this is meant to make the Art Institute a source of wonder and delight for the entire family.

If you plan to visit the Art Institute, see Chicago Traveler's Guide to the Art Institute of Chicago.

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7. Go Shopping

There is no better way to unwind than to go shopping, and Chicago is the place to do it. There are several shopping venues around the city, boasting almost every store you’ve ever wanted to visit. State Street is one of these venues; recently renovated to better reflect its heyday, this shopping location in the middle of the Loop offers a great shopping experience. Shops on State Street include Old Navy, Sears, Forever 21, H&M, Borders, Urban Outfitters and many, many others.

North Avenue is another great shopping destination, and a definite plus to this area is that most shops have parking lots, making the area one of the most convenient you will find in the city. Popular specialty shops such as Restoration Hardware, World Market, Crate and Barrel and Whole Foods can be found at North Avenue.

Water Tower Place, , on North Michigan Ave., is one of the city’s most famous malls, with stores on 8 levels. Water Tower Place has over 100 stores, including The Gap, Banana Republic, Express, Victoria’s Secret, Nine West and several others. Restaurants in the mall include the Mity Nice Grill, California Pizza Kitchen and a food court.

Of course, the most popular and scenic shopping destination is the Magnificent Mile. This mile is studded with over 400 shops and restaurants and is an energy-filled, upbeat haven for everyone from the serious shopper to the tourist who just wants to breathe in the unique atmosphere of Chicago’s Mag. Mile.

Shops on this stretch of Michigan Avenue include upscale stores such as Coach, Burberry, Louis Vuitton and Cartier; more affordable stores such as Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, North Face, Guess and Levi’s; and specialty shops such as Crate & Barrel, Borders and American Girl Place. American Girl Place is a draw for any young girl; the store gives each girl a chance to create a doll that reflects her own unique appearance and personality.

There are malls along the Magnificent Mile as well; besides Water Tower Place, there is 900 North Michigan, Chicago Place at 700 N. Michigan and Westfield North Bridge at 520 N. Michigan.

For more information about shopping in Chicago, check out Chicago Traveler’s Shopping page.

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8. See Chicago from Above

What better way to see Chicago than from above? Visiting an observatory is an excellent way to rise above the city and get a real idea of how it’s arranged.

The John Hancock Observatory takes you 94 floors into the sky and gives you a view of the entire downtown area from the northernmost edge. At 1000 feet in the air, experience the Skywalk, an open-air viewing area. Kids will enjoy the Soundscope, a talking telescope that provides sound effects as you view different parts of the city. There are also Sky Tours, a History Wall and unique Photo Opportunities. The observatory is open daily from 9 am to midnight. For more information, check out the Hancock Observatory official site, and Chicago Traveler’s Hancock Observatory info page.

To climb even higher into the sky, there is a second observatory in Chicago. The widely visited Sears Tower, the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, is considered one of Chicago’s icons. The observatory here, the Sears Skydeck, is located on the 103rd floor and gives you a view of several states, including Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin. In addition to the stunning view, there are several exhibits about Chicago’s history, as well as interactive kiosks and powerful telescopes. For children there is a Knee-High exhibit that educates kids about the city and its history. The Skydeck is open everyday from 10 am to 8 pm or 10 pm, depending on the season. For more information, check out the Skydeck official site, or Chicago Traveler’s Skydeck info page.

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9. Take in a Game

Chicago has passionate sports fans and several teams to which the locals show their dedication. There are two baseball teams in Chicago, resulting in a friendly rivalry that puts all sports fans in the city on one side or another. The Chicago White Sox are found at Comiskey Park on the South Side. Winning the World Series in 1906, they have a strong history in Chicago and are a tough team with a loyal following.

Of course, the Chicago Cubs, are the other baseball team in Chicago. Getting their start in 1876 as the Chicago White Stockings, the Cubs gained their new moniker in 1902 by a local newspaper. Wrigley Field, home of the Cubs, was built in 1914 and is the second-oldest ballpark in the nation, after Boston’s Fenway Park. Wrigley is nicknamed The Friendly Confines and has witnessed several historic moments in Major League Baseball.

Toward the end of the summer, football fans can find the Chicago Bears just beginning their season. This football team makes Soldier Field its home. On game days thousands of orange-bedecked Bears fans can be seen walking through the South Loop, excited about a home game. Gone are the days of legendary Mike Ditka, yet the Bears are still a huge part of Chicago culture. Recently having played in the Superbowl, the Bears unite the city in their quest to be the best.

For more information about sports in Chicago, check out Chicago Traveler’s Sports page.

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10. Go to the Zoo

The zoo is a great place to spend the day with the entire family. Chicago’s Brookfield Zoo, outside the city in suburban Brookfield, is an enormous zoo with gorgeous indoor and outdoor animal exhibits. With an Adventure Trail, dozens of daily tours and programs and sprawling natural environments in which animals roam freely over beautifully kept habitats, Brookfield Zoo is an incredible way to experience wildlife right here in Chicago.

In the heart of Lincoln Park, just north of downtown Chicago, is another zoo; Lincoln Park Zoo which has no admission fee and doubles as a public park. There are over 1000 animals at the zoo, in a variety of exhibits including a Bird House, a Primate House, a Lion House, a Sea Lion Pool, a Reptile House and an Antelope and Zebra Area. There are also tours and educational programs for individuals, families and school groups.

For kids, there is a Children’s Train Ride that goes all around the zoo and gives kids a chance to see everything in a delightful, unique way. There is also the “At Home in the Woods” exhibit, which is designed to let children come face-to-face with bears, beavers, turtles, snakes and even wolves!

For more information on Brookfield Zoo, check out the Brookfield Zoo’s official web site. For information on Lincoln Park Zoo, visit LPZ's official web site. Chicago Traveler has information about both zoos at Brookfield Zoo page and Lincoln Park Zoo page.

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Conclusion

Certainly, summer in Chicago is a wonderful time. There are many options for spending an educational and enjoyable day in the city. Whether you want to take in a show or an outdoor concert, or gaze upon some of the finest art in the world; whether you want to watch bears in their natural habitat or watch the Cubbies lead their team to victory; whether you want to shop all day or watch life in the city from a thousand feet in the air, Chicago has what you want. Visit the city’s eclectic and varied neighborhoods and take in all that Chicago has to offer. Enjoy summer in the city!

See #'s 1-5 Chicago Summer Top Ten Things-to-do.