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Chicago Travel & Adventure Show Announces Full Programming Lineup

The Chicago Travel & Adventure Show, scheduled to return to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center (5555 N. River Rd. Rosemont, IL) February 19 and 20, today announced its full program for 2022, including an interactive photo experience from the Florida Keys & Key West, celebrity speakers and more than 200 exhibitors , from first time attendees to returning favorites.

Providing the ultimate destination for guests to plan, personalize and book their next vacation, the Travel & Adventure Show provides visitors with the opportunity to meet and learn from top experts from around the globe, with thousands of destinations represented for guests to explore and a variety of free onsite activities. In addition, attendees will have the opportunity to attend keynote presentations and interact one-on-one with the world’s top travel experts including Pauline Frommer, Peter Greenberg, Andrew McCarthy and more.

“We’ve always designed the Travel & Adventure Show to be an adventure in and of itself and this year, we’ll continue to give visitors the opportunity to sample cultures and destinations from around the world, right here in Chicagoland,” said John Golicz, Unicomm CEO. “Whether travelers are looking to book their next cruise, find their new favorite exotic destination or uncover a hidden gem near home, they’re sure to find exactly what they’re looking for.”

The 2022 Chicago Travel & Adventure Show will showcase some of the top destinations and travel options that are open for travel now. Each exhibitor will also provide travel experts who are on-hand to answer questions, give real time updates on travel protocols, and create custom itineraries based on attendees’ travel goals. The event’s sponsors include Dominican Republic Tourism, Taiwan Tourism, Pigeon Forge CVB, Dollywood, The Florida Keys and Key West and Visit Springfield, IL. Other destinations and travel suppliers of note include Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Company, Go Touch Down Travel & Tours, AAA Travel, Celebrity Cruises, Visit Anchorage, Greater Miami CVB, Israel Ministry of Tourism and hundreds more. 

The Chicago Travel & Adventure Show will take place Saturday, February 19 and Sunday, February 20. The show floor will open at 9:30 a.m. for media and travel professionals and 10 a.m. for the general public on Saturday and close at 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

The Chicago Travel & Adventure Show will host a variety of experiences at its three educational theaters across the two-day event. A selection of the various experiences is below. For the full schedule of panels, performances and demonstrations click here .

Travel Theater

Guests will learn the newest trends, hottest tips and most reliable tools from some of the world’s top travel experts. This year’s celebrity travel speakers include:

Pauline Frommer | Editorial Director, Frommer’s Guides

Pauline will share how to make the great return to travel, featuring new travel trends, budget tools and advice, hot destinations for the upcoming year and much more.  

Peter Greenberg | Emmy Award-Winning Investigative Reporter, Producer and CBS News Travel Editor

CBS News Travel Editor, Peter Greenberg, is set to give you the tools and tips you need to travel responsibly, safely and without breaking the bank in the new post-pandemic travel landscape. 

Andrew McCarthy | Award-Winning Travel Writer, Actor and Director

Award-Winning Travel Writer, Andrew McCarthy, will discuss how to find incredible cultural experiences, deal with adversity and learn life-changing lessons while traveling. 

To view the full schedule click here . *Meet and greets follow each session.

Destination Theater

From where to go and when to go, to what to do and how to get there, destination experts give visitors the in-depth information needed to travel like a local.

Aussie Experts 

Guests will learn the most up to date information on travel protocols, itinerary advice and how to make the most of your vacation in Australia.

Viking Cruises

River cruising has become a massive travel trend in 2022 and beyond. Attendees will learn how one of the top river cruise brands in the world is delivering a safe and spectacular experience. 

Mari Masuda | Senior Director of Trade and Promotions, Tahiti Tourisme

Getting to Tahiti is easier than one might think! Learn the how, when and where to travel in one of the most exotic destinations in the world. 

Dominican Republic 

One of the top destinations in the Caribbean is back in business! Learn which hotels are open, which activities to book and the best ways to get to the Dominican Republic on a budget during this 30 minute session. 

Tia Froehle | Tourism Sales Manager, Visit Anchorage

Alaska is known for being fantastic in every season. Attendees to this seminar will learn the top itinerary options for 2022 and beyond with Visit Anchorage.

To view the full schedule click here .

Savvy Traveler Theater

Showcasing travel tips, tricks and actionable advice, you’ll learn how to travel like a pro straight from the experts. Topics include packing tips, finding the perfect tour, budget travel options and more.

Angel Castellanos | World Travel Expert, www.AngelsTravelLounge.com

With a constantly changing travel landscape, world traveler Angel Castellanos will be on-hand to discuss packing tips, travel technology advice, and general best practices on how travel has changed over the past two years. 

Julian Douglas | Travel Writer, Photographer and Experience Curator, Listen, Journey, Savor

Learn all about the top private tours from around the world in this captivating 45-minute session from Julian Douglas. Guests will receive advice on how to secure local guides, how to plan itineraries and how to make sure they get the best bang for their buck. 

Nick Reyes | Senior Author, The Frequent Miler

Loyalty points are all the rage post-pandemic. Learn how to earn, use and maximize loyalty and reward points from one of the top points bloggers in the world. 

In addition to the plethora of on-stage experiences, the Chicago Travel and Adventure Show’s exhibitors offer a range of luxurious vacation giveaways available to visitors. Giveaway items include:

• 50% of lifetime membership to Wanderful, courtesy of Wanderful
• Five-night stay at Brickell Bay Beach Club, courtesy of Aruba Tourism Authority
• Kiwi/Aussie-themed gift basket, courtesy of Aussie Experts/Travel 100 group 
• Two nights and an activity in St. Croix, courtesy of Cane Bay Dive Shop
• Eight-day trip for two to South Africa with full board, courtesy of Go Touch Down Travel and Tours 

A full list of giveaways can be found here .

The 2022 Chicago Travel and Adventure show will adhere to local health and safety protocols and will require all attendees age 5 or older to wear a mask and provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19. There will also be limited touchpoints and ample hand sanitizer stations placed prominently throughout the venue.

Attendees can purchase single-day and two-day tickets online now for the discounted rate of $11/$18 or on-site for $15/$22. Children 16 and under are free and on-site tickets can be purchased with cash only. Admission for children age 16 and under is free. For tickets and event information, visit www.TravelShows.com/Chicago .

About Unicomm, LLC and the Travel & Adventure Show Series

Unicomm, LLC is an independent business-to-business communications company specializing in originating and managing world-class trade shows and conferences. Unicomm's properties include the nation's largest and longest-running series of travel events, the Travel & Adventure Show in Atlanta, Boston, Washington, D.C., New York, Chicago, San Francisco/Bay Area, Los Angeles, Denver, and Dallas. Unicomm also produces industry-leading conferences including the annual American Traveler Trends Forum, as well as the  Virtual Travel & Adventure Show Series .

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Chicago   Travel Guide

Courtesy of jaskoomerovic | Getty Images

28 Fun Things to Do in Chicago

Chicago shines for its world-class museums, various shopping districts, vibrant neighborhoods and lively nightlife venues. Explore the city's innovative roots at the Museum of Science and Industry, where you can walk inside the U-505 submarine.

• All Things To Do
• 1-Day Itinerary
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Millennium Park and Cloud Gate Millennium Park and Cloud Gate free

U.S. News Insider Tip: Construction around the Cloud Gate sculpture will limit the public's access to this top tourist attraction until spring 2024. While you might not be able to snag a selfie with "The Bean," many other attractions are available within the park. – Cortney Fries

A first-time visit to Chicago isn't complete without a stop at Millennium Park. Situated in the Loop just north of the Art Institute of Chicago , this 25-acre space is used to showcase cutting-edge art, architecture and landscaping; it also acts as a backdrop for concerts and festivals. Most visitors come to Millennium Park to see the Crown Fountain and Cloud Gate, better known as "The Bean." Designed by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa, the Crown Fountain features two 50-foot towers that face each other at opposite ends of a shallow reflecting pool. The towers' LED screens project the faces of 1,000 different Chicago residents, which are perfectly aligned with spouts so that it appears they are spitting water on passersby. The water flows mid-spring through mid-fall, while the faces are projected year-round. Cloud Gate – created by British-Indian artist Anish Kapoor – is a 110-ton bean-shaped sculpture forged from stainless steel. The Bean's elliptical shape reflects the Chicago skyline. A quintessential Chicago souvenir is a photo of your reflection in The Bean.

Grant Park and Buckingham Fountain Grant Park and Buckingham Fountain free

U.S. News Insider Tip: If you're visiting Chicago Sept. 8 through 10, head to Grant Park early – around 11 a.m. to avoid the lines – for the Taste of Chicago. Enjoy the park and eat the best cuisine the city has to offer. Admission is free. – Sarah Estime

Often referred to as "Chicago's front yard," Grant Park is an approximately 313-acre swath of green space that starts at the eastern edge of the Loop and stretches down to the northern fringes of the Near South Side. First-time visitors should plan on spending a fair amount of time in Grant Park: This is where you'll find several of Chicago's most popular things to do, including The Field Museum , the Art Institute of Chicago and Shedd Aquarium . ( Millennium Park also rubs elbows with the northwest corner of Grant Park.) Baseball diamonds, flower gardens, walking paths and wide-open grassy terrain are available as well.

Art Institute of Chicago Art Institute of Chicago

Home to one of the country's most impressive collections of impressionist and post-impressionist art (plus works from numerous other genres), the expansive Art Institute of Chicago features nearly 300,000 works from all over the world in its permanent collection. You'll find pieces created in the Byzantine era, as well as paintings completed just a few decades ago. Highlights include Jacob Lawrence's "The Wedding," Georgia O'Keeffe's "Sky above Clouds IV" and Grant Wood's "American Gothic." The Art Institute's exhibits also include all sorts of intriguing artifacts, from European armor to the Thorne Miniature Rooms, which showcase interior design and furnishings in Europe and America from the late 13th to early 20th centuries. In addition to the permanent collection, the Art Institute hosts traveling exhibitions covering a variety of subjects and showcasing a diverse array of artists and genres.

The Art Institute of Chicago earns high praise from recent visitors, thanks in part to its impressive collection. Art enthusiasts particularly commend the museum's impressionist collection, which features pieces from famous artists like van Gogh, Monet and Renoir.

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The Magnificent Mile The Magnificent Mile free

U.S. News Insider Tip: The Magnificent Mile, known for its world-class shopping, also has plenty to offer architecture buffs. Book a walking tour with the Chicago Architecture Center and hear the untold stories of North Michigan Avenue's architectural icons. Tours start at $30. – Sarah Estime

For shopping at more than 450 retailers within walking distance in downtown Chicago, make your way to The Magnificent Mile. This portion of Michigan Avenue – which stretches between Lake Shore Drive and the Chicago River – beckons to shopaholics with department stores and luxury retailers like Bloomingdale's, Marcus, Macy's, Tory Burch and Nordstrom. Additionally, The Magnificent Mile is home to several top-notch eateries and luxury hotels, including The Drake , the Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile and the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile .

Navy Pier Navy Pier free

Extending out onto Lake Michigan, Navy Pier offers plenty in the way of family-friendly entertainment. The first thing you'll spot once you set foot on the pier is the towering Ferris wheel (which stands 196 feet tall); you'll also find a drop tower and a carousel. Once the kids have had their fill of thrill rides, you can spend some time cruising the Chicago River on a sightseeing or speedboat tour or spend a few hours exploring the Chicago Children's Museum , with hands-on exhibits ranging from treehouses to fire trucks.

But you don't have to be a kid to enjoy a visit to Navy Pier. Grown-ups can catch a show at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, flex some credit card muscle at a variety of shops or grab a drink at the Navy Pier Beer Garden. And be sure to check Navy Pier's website for a list of events: Concerts are often held here, and from Memorial Day to Labor Day (as well as New Year's Eve), impressive fireworks displays light up the skies on Wednesday and Saturday nights. Many of the city's top Segway tours offer special summer evening tours to the pier to catch the semiweekly fireworks show.

Lincoln Park Zoo Lincoln Park Zoo free

U.S. News Insider Tip: North Avenue Beach is a short walk over the North Avenue Bridge when you park at the southern end of the Lincoln Park Zoo lot. Explore the zoo, then stroll over to the beach for an afternoon in the sand. – Cortney Fries

Located 2 miles north of the Loop in the North Side neighborhood of Lincoln Park, the Lincoln Park Zoo is home to nearly 200 species, such as zebras, sloths and hippos. Visitors can view the zoo's furry (or scaly) friends in their natural habitats: Check out the gorillas in the sprawling, award-winning Regenstein Center for African Apes, or head to the Kovler Seal Pool to get up close and personal with harbor seals. Seal training and feeding occurs daily at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.

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360 CHICAGO Observation Deck 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck

One of Chicago's most notable attractions is its skyline, and one of the best places to experience it is at the 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck. Formerly known as the John Hancock Observatory, 360 CHICAGO towers 1,000 feet over The Magnificent Mile from its location on the 94th floor of the John Hancock Center (or 875 North Michigan Avenue as its more formally known). Encased by floor-to-ceiling windows, 360 CHICAGO boasts expansive views of the city; on a clear day, you can see four states. Meanwhile, the interactive screens will help you identify different landmarks that appear in your panorama.

For a different point of view (and an adrenaline rush), test out 360 CHICAGO's TILT. In this mechanized room, visitors hold on to handlebars as the top of the room's windows extend outward, tilting you toward bustling North Michigan Avenue down below. For another memorable way to immerse yourself in the views, try ClouldWalk, a 3D art experience introduced in 2022. Mural artist Nate Baranowski created an optical illusion on the observation deck that makes visitors feel as though they are standing on a crane platform in the clouds.  Should you prefer to experience the view without feeling your heart skip a beat, grab a cup of coffee, a glass of wine or a snack at the cafe and bar, or look for souvenirs in the gift shop.

The Field Museum The Field Museum

U.S. News Insider Tip: After hours of museum hopping, grab a kid-approved lunch at Kim & Carlo's Hot Dog Cart. The no-frills stand offers everything from vegan dogs to the traditional Chicago hotdog. Enjoy your lunch on the water. – Sarah Estime

This extensive natural history museum occupies half an acre of Grant Park 's Museum Campus and houses exhibits that showcase artifacts from multiple eras and destinations, making it a must-see for kids (as well as any fans of the "Indiana Jones" movies). Some of the most popular parts of the museum include the "Inside Ancient Egypt" exhibit, which features a reconstruction of a three-story replica of an Egyptian tomb, one of the largest collections of mummies in the United States and interactive representations of life on the Nile. There's also the Restoring Earth area in the Abbott Hall of Conservation, where visitors can learn more about sustainability through hands-on activities. But no visit to The Field Museum would be complete without some quality time with SUE, the facility's T. rex who just happens to be the largest, most complete T. rex ever discovered. SUE is 40 feet long from nose to tail and boasts 55 terrifying teeth.

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Chicago Architecture River Cruise Chicago Architecture River Cruise

A visit to 360 CHICAGO or Skydeck Chicago will give you a good overview of the city's layout. But if you want to learn more about Chicago's sky-high buildings, tag along on an architecture river cruise. During a river cruise, you'll gain great views and historical insight about well-known structures like the Wrigley Building, the Leo Burnett Building and the Fulton House.

Though several companies, including Wendella Sightseeing Co. and Chicago Line Cruises, offer architecture river cruises, most travelers recommend climbing aboard a Chicago's First Lady Cruises boat with a Chicago Architecture Center docent. You'll learn tons of information about the area's architecture, plus catch superb skyline photo-ops.

Maggie Daley Park Maggie Daley Park free

U.S. News Insider Tip: There are many restaurant options around the park, but Wildberry Pancakes & Café is a satisfying brunch spot. Choose from creative pancake options, a variety of omelets, crepes, sandwiches and salads. Go hungry and leave happy. – Cortney Fries

Opened in 2014, Maggie Daley Park is an expansive property located just east of Millennium Park in downtown Chicago. The 20-acre green space offers numerous activities for both kids and adults alike, including a climbing wall, a mini-golf course, a 3-acre playground, a public garden, an ice-skating skating "ribbon" during the winter and scooter and rollerblade rentals in the summer, not to mention a tennis facility. Whatever you choose to do, you'll get to enjoy fantastic views of the Chicago skyline. Recent visitors loved that the park is free to access, and they noted that the attraction is excellent for family fun.

Museum of Science and Industry Museum of Science and Industry

U.S. News Insider Tip: Mid-November through the first week of January, experience the annual "Christmas Around the World" and "Holidays of Light" exhibits. Volunteers decorate more than 50 trees in celebration of holiday traditions from around the globe. – Cortney Fries

Chicago's extensive Museum of Science and Industry is the Western Hemisphere's largest science museum, showcasing more than 35,000 artifacts and a variety of hands-on exhibits meant to inspire creativity. The museum resides in the 14-acre former Palace of Fine Arts, which hosted the famous World's Columbian Exposition in 1893. The fair brought together some of the world's greatest scientific minds, including Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla, who at the time were competing to prove which type of electricity – direct current or alternating current – was more effective. 

Wrigley Field Wrigley Field

U.S. News Insider Tip: If you're visiting during the holiday season, don't miss Winterland at Gallagher Way for family-friendly rides and games inside and around the ballpark. Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville is free to enter. Enjoy festive shopping and international food and beverage selections. – Cortney Fries

Chicagoans take their love of sports very seriously. So, for a real taste of Chicago culture, head north of the Loop to Wrigley Field to watch the Chicago Cubs play ball at the Friendly Confines. History buffs will also appreciate this sports treasure, which first opened in 1914 and holds the honor of being the second-oldest Major League Baseball stadium in the country (after Fenway Park in Boston ).

Shedd Aquarium Shedd Aquarium

U.S. News Insider Tip: If you're visiting in the summer (June through August), check out Jazzin' at the Shedd. You can enjoy jazz music and drinks with incredible views from the terrace. Plus, the lights dim in the aquarium for a unique experience. – Elizabeth Von Tersch, Senior Editor

Shedd Aquarium is one of the world's largest indoor aquariums, housing around 32,000 creatures. While you're here, you can feel stingrays float beneath your fingers, listen to sea lions bark and learn all about a variety of turtles. A visit to Shedd Aquarium will lead you through a cornucopia of habitats, where you'll find additional animals like penguins, piranhas, sharks and beluga whales. Or, for an additional fee, you can participate in specialty experiences like animal encounters, feeding experiences and virtual reality.

Chicago: Gangsters and Ghosts Walking Tour

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The Chicago Riverwalk The Chicago Riverwalk free

U.S. News Insider Tip: During the summer, there is nothing better than watching the boats go by as you relax at City Winery Riverwalk Wine Garden. Rent a retro boat from Chicago Electric Boat Company and cruise the river yourself. – Cortney Fries

When the weather warms up in Chicago, there are few better places to enjoy the outdoors than the Chicago Riverwalk. The 1.25-mile pedestrian walkway on the south bank of the Chicago River is the perfect place to take a stroll and observe the city skyline. Plus, there are numerous activity options to enjoy directly on the water, such as a boat or kayak tour . If you prefer to explore on your own two feet, visit the public gardens and art displays, or grab a meal at a popular restaurant or bar overlooking the Chicago River. And if you want to learn more about the river's unique history, check out the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum, which celebrates the city's famous movable bridges. What's more, Art on theMART – a massive digital art projection on the facade of theMART (formerly The Merchandise Mart) – is best viewed from the Riverwalk.

Skydeck Chicago at the Willis Tower Skydeck Chicago at the Willis Tower

More than 1.7 million people make their way to Willis Tower's Skydeck Chicago each year, and it's easy to see why. Occupying the 103rd floor – that's nine floors higher than 360 CHICAGO – of the 110-story Willis Tower (the third-tallest building in North America after One World Trade Center and Central Park Tower), Skydeck Chicago boasts breathtaking views of the city. Visit on a sunny day and you may be able to see far beyond Chicago's borders to Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin and other parts of Illinois.

The highlight for most visitors is the Ledge. Extending 4.3 feet beyond the building's exterior, this platform is made entirely of glass – even the floor. Travelers also liked the video screens that show what it would be like to stand 103 floors above other Chicago attractions, including Wrigley Field and Millennium Park . However, long lines quickly form for Skydeck Chicago, so plan on arriving early or purchasing a Chicago CityPASS, which covers expedited admission into the attraction. Or, simply pay extra for expedited entry, which features an express line to the elevators. For the best views, it's advised that you visit just after opening or after sunset. If you'd like to enjoy the sunset from the tower, plan on arriving 30 to 45 minutes before sunset to ensure you have enough time to get through the elevator line and up to the top.

North Avenue Beach North Avenue Beach free

Located in Lincoln Park directly on Lake Michigan, North Avenue Beach is one of the most popular swimming spots in Chicago. The sandy beach has volleyball courts, plenty of space for visitors to stretch out and multiple things to do near nearby. Plus, it offers spectacular views of the city skyline. Beachgoers can also find restaurants, sports rental companies, restrooms and more inside a 22,000-square-foot beach house adjacent to the shore.

Recent visitors said the beach is a nice spot that is perfect for relaxing, biking and running, but they warned that it can get busy on warm summer days.

The Second City The Second City

If you've seen a sketch comedy show or hilarious movie in the last 40 years, it's likely that someone from The Second City appeared in it. The Second City is one of the world's most iconic improvisational comedy theaters, and it has helped launch the careers of numerous famous comedians, including Bill Murray, Tina Fey, Keegan-Michael Key, Steve Carell and Stephen Colbert. If you're in the mood for a laugh, check out a live show on any night of the week at any number of The Second City's seven stages (which are all housed in its facility at the northwest corner of North Avenue and Wells Street in Old Town). 

Recent reviewers said that everyone in their group could not stop laughing during the shows, which typically last 90 minutes to two hours. Ticket prices vary by the show and date, but run anywhere from $30 to $100.

The Chicago Theatre The Chicago Theatre

Aside from Cloud Gate and Buckingham Fountain , The Chicago Theatre's red and yellow marquee is perhaps one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. Illuminating North State Street at the northern edge of the Loop, The Chicago Theatre first opened its doors in 1921 as an extravagant movie theater and performance venue. Throughout its history, the theater has hosted such big names as Duke Ellington, Diana Ross and Prince, in addition to screening blockbuster flicks. Though the theater fell into disuse in the 1970s, new management and a full renovation in the 1980s helped return the venue to its former glory. Today, the theater is still used for a variety of comedic, theatrical and musical performances.

According to past patrons, the theater's historic appearance enhances the overall experience of catching an event here. Just remember, cameras and video cameras, including those on cell phones, cannot be used during tours or performances. If you're not in town for a show, consider signing up for one of the venue's guided tours. Tour tickets cost $20 for adults and $15 for kids ages 12 and younger. Tours are available Monday and Tuesday at noon and 2 p.m. and last about an hour.

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Chicago Children's Museum Chicago Children's Museum

Located at Navy Pier , the Chicago Children's Museum offers temporary and permanent play-based exhibits for babies, toddlers and kids ages 4 and older. Founded in 1982 by the Junior League of Chicago as a response to cuts in arts programming, the museum was originally housed in two hallways of what is now called the Chicago Cultural Center . Today, children can dig for "teeth" and "bones" in "Dinosaur Expedition," climb through tunnels of "Cloud Buster," test their STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) skills in the Tinkering Lab and paint, draw or sew in the art studio.

Recent visitors appreciated the interactive, hands-on exhibits, which they recommend for young children.

American Writers Museum American Writers Museum

U.S. News Insider Tip: Across the street from the museum, you will find the first Nutella Café, where you can savor French and Italian dishes featuring the heavenly hazelnut spread. The gelato is roll-your-eyes-to-the-back-of-your-head good. – Cortney Fries

The first museum in the United States dedicated to celebrating the diverse voices and influence of American authors, the American Writers Museum is an interactive journey through more than five centuries of written and spoken word. This relatively small museum, which opened in 2017, features thoughtful and reflective exhibits that you can touch, smell, hear and see. 

DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center

U.S. News Insider Tip: If driving in Chicago isn’t your thing, consider taking the No. 55 bus to the museum. The bus drops you off within just a five-minute walk of the museum. – Sarah Estime

The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, named for Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable, the entrepreneur who is credited with founding Chicago, is a must-visit for anyone looking to learn more about African American history in the city of Chicago and America. It celebrates its 62nd anniversary in 2023, and is full of thought-provoking exhibits, including those that showcase fine art created by influential African American artists and historical materials. Note that visitors hoping to enjoy “The March” exhibit, an immersive experience depicting the historic March on Washington and Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech, can go in groups of no more than four at a time.

Adler Planetarium Adler Planetarium

The first planetarium in the Western Hemisphere, the Adler offers unrivaled insights into our solar system. Indeed, "Our Solar System" is one of its permanent exhibits, along with "Mission Moon," "The Universe: A Walk Through Space and Time," "Telescopes: Through the Looking Glass" and "Astronomy in Culture," among others. Its facilities include the Doane Observatory, which has the largest telescope available to the public in the Chicago area, through which visitors can glimpse celestial objects trillions of miles away. The Adler also has three full-size theaters – the 3D Universe Theater, the Definiti Space Theater and the Grainger Sky Theater – in which it screens programs like "Destination Solar System," "Planet Nine" and "One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure."

Space enthusiasts invariably find the Adler's presentations both informative and entertaining, if somewhat pricey. Most visitors suggest setting aside a few hours to explore the various exhibits and shows. Travelers recommend maximizing your parking expenses by also visiting the Shedd Aquarium or The Field Museum , which also sit on the Museum Campus. Reviewers also appreciated the Lake Michigan and skyline views as seen from the planetarium.

Offbeat Street Art Tour Offbeat Street Art Tour

U.S. News Insider Tip: If you’re looking for unique souvenirs from your Chicago trip, consider The Goddess & Grocer for its gift baskets. – Sarah Estime

In Chicago, you can find eye-catching street art nearly everywhere. As you sightsee, you’ll be greeted with unique, thought-provoking art on the sides of buildings and underneath bridges. If you’re looking for an experience that walks you through the history and cultural significance of Chicago's street art scene, look no further than the Offbeat Street Art Tour. On this two-hour tour, you’ll discover new artists and learn the inspiration behind their colorful works, along with some interesting neighborhood history. You’ll also be able to take great photos along the way.

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The Green Mill The Green Mill

U.S. News Insider Tip: For visitors looking for a bite to eat after a night of jazz music, head across the street to Damera for an authentic Ethiopian meal, or down the block to the Fat Cat for a burger. – Sarah Estime

Best known for serving gangsters during its speakeasy days, the Green Mill invites travelers to step back in time. The long bar that runs along the club's left side sits in front of smokey mirrors and is peppered with decor reminiscent of the Prohibition era. The entire place is cast in a warm reddish glow while old-time jazz plays from the jukebox. The bar – one of Al Capone’s favorites – has no set menu; order whatever cocktails you like (though the chocolate martinis are delicious). There is also a selection of beer and wine.

Garfield Park Conservatory Garfield Park Conservatory free

One of the biggest botanical conservatories in the United States, the Garfield Park Conservatory houses thousands of plant species in eight indoor gardens, as well as 10 acres of outdoor gardens.

Each indoor space has a distinct focus. The Aroid House features varieties of its namesake, which are among the most popular houseplants; it also features sculptures by the world-renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly made specifically for the Aroid House. As its name suggests, the Desert House boasts cacti and succulents, while the Fern Room arranges ferns around an indoor lagoon. The Palm House, the conservatory's largest structure, recreates a tropical landscape complete with more than 70 palm trees. Meanwhile, the Elizabeth Morse Genius Children's Garden aims to educate little ones about plants. Horticulture Hall displays a range of flowers and plants and also has tables where visitors can take a seat and have a rest.

The Richard H. Driehaus Museum The Richard H. Driehaus Museum

Occupying a restored mansion built in 1883, the Richard H. Driehaus Museum presents exhibitions relating to architecture, art and design from the 19th century to the present day.

The Nickerson Mansion containing the museum boasts an entrance hall made with so much marble that the building was nicknamed "the Marble Palace." (The museum takes its current name from the philanthropist who founded it in 2003.) Its reception room features intricate woodwork as well as items from the museum's permanent collection, such as a Tiffany Studios lamp that dates back to the early 1900s. Meanwhile, the front parlor displays Renaissance Revival furniture original to the Nickerson Mansion. The dining room, fitted with elaborately carved oak, houses a silver punch bowl first exhibited at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. Other highlights from the permanent collection include a gem-encrusted inkstand, a ceramic clock, multiple chandeliers, paintings, sculptures and an array of decorative items.

Chicago Cultural Center Chicago Cultural Center free

The "People’s Palace," a popular destination occupying a full city block in the downtown Loop neighborhood, is a stunning architectural marvel as well as a venue for a great deal of cultural programming, including art exhibits and concerts. Among its features are one of the largest Tiffany stained-glass domes in the world (made with around 30,000 individual pieces of glass) and a marble lobby adorned with mosaics made of gold, glass and precious stones.

Visitors invariably rave about the impressive structure and its elaborate decorations, saying it’s worth it to pop in for free to see the ornate ceiling.

University of Chicago University of Chicago free

Founded in 1890 by John D. Rockefeller, the University of Chicago is an urban research university in the city's Hyde Park neighborhood close to Lake Michigan. Currently, it has more than 7,000 undergraduate students and more than 10,000 graduate, professional or other students as well as nearly 2,400 full-time faculty members.

Impressive as those statistics may be, they aren't reasons to visit. But the university's 217-acre campus, which was designated a botanic garden in 1997, and its mixture of English Gothic and modern architecture are. Some of the newer structures were designed by celebrated architects like Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Eero Saarinen, while some of the older ones are adorned with gargoyles that date back to the 1893 World Columbian Exposition. The university welcomes visitors to explore its campus, and provides information about its architecture on its website. Those who've visited before routinely call the buildings diverse and beautiful, and many recommend stopping by in the spring when flowers bloom across campus, or fall when amber leaves transform the grounds.

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40 Best Things to Do in Chicago, From Iconic Sights to Can't-miss Museums

Planning a trip to the Windy City? Here are 40 of the best things to do in Chicago.

Meena Thiruvengadam is a lifelong traveler and veteran journalist who has visited more than 50 countries across six continents. Her writing has appeared in The Wall Street Journal , Departures , TripSavvy , and other publications.

Chicago may not be the city that never sleeps, but there is surely more to do here than you'll have time for. Whether it's world-class art, a cultural experience, or sports you seek, you'll find it in the Windy City. Here are 40 of the best things to do in Chicago.

Valerie de Leon/Travel + Leisure

See masterpieces at the Art Institute of Chicago.

This downtown museum isn't just an architectural gem, it's one of the best art museums in the United States. It's home to famous pieces, including Edward Hopper's "Nighthawks" and Grant Wood's "American Gothic," as well as the largest collection of works by Claude Monet outside of Paris.

Take an architecture river cruise.

With several buildings designed by greats like Frank Lloyd Wright and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Chicago is an architecture nerd's paradise. And one of the best ways to appreciate the cityscape is from the river. While there are dozens of cruise operators, Chicago's First Lady Cruises stands out for its 90-minute architecture cruise guided by experts from the Chicago Architecture Center.

Tour a submarine at the Museum of Science and Industry.

The largest science center in the Western Hemisphere, this Hyde Park museum is a great place to spend a cold or rainy day. The permanent exhibits focusing on science, technology, and nature are extensive but it's worth upgrading your ticket to include a tour of the only German submarine in the U.S. Check the schedule for special exhibitions, which can also be a treat.

Step back in time at the Chicago History Museum.

Chicago is where Al Capone once played and where Playboy was born. It's a city full of stories to tell, and there's no better place to discover them than one of the city's oldest cultural institutions, the Chicago History Museum .

Meet a dinosaur at the Field Museum of Natural History.

The Field Museum is one of the largest natural history museums in the world, and its permanent collection includes a number of fossils and the remains of Sue, the Tyrannosaurus Rex. Sue is estimated to be 67 million years old and made her debut at the museum in 2000.

Have a few laughs at a comedy club.

Several famous comedians (Tina Fey, Chris Farley, and Jim Belushi, to name a few) got their start at Chicago's well-known comedy clubs, including The Second City . New stages have since popped up, like Laugh Factory and The Revival . Who knows? You might see the next rising star of Saturday Night Live before they hit it big.

Listen to live music.

Chicago is a live music heaven, with venues that host performers of all genres throughout the year. In the mood for classical? Experience the talents of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra . Craving jazz? Head to the historic Green Mill jazz club. The city is also home to several music festivals, including Lollapalooza , Riot Fest , and world-famous blues and jazz festivals.

Go to the beach.

Believe it or not, Chicago is a beach town during the summer. Oak Street and North Avenue beaches are two sandy beaches along Lake Michigan that are close to downtown and will allow you to bask under both the sunshine and the shadows of the city's skyscrapers.

Brave the Skydeck of the Willis Tower.

Formerly known as the Sears Tower, this towering giant was once the world's largest skyscraper. That may have changed, but its expansive observation deck on the 103rd floor still offers some of the best views of the city. Those looking for a thrill can step onto The Ledge, a glass balcony extending out 4.3 feet from the building.

Stop at 875 North Michigan Avenue.

This 100-story building (formerly known as the John Hancock Center) may not be as well known as the Willis Tower, but it's another place for epic city views. There are restaurants, bars, the 360 Chicago observation deck , and occasional events like yoga classes.

Enjoy the free attractions in Millennium Park.

Located in downtown Chicago, Millennium Park is one of the city's largest green spaces. It's easy to spend a few hours here, especially since most of its attractions are free. The Frank Gehry-designed Jay Pritzker Pavilion hosts free concerts and other public events every summer. On a hot day, many cool off in the whimsical Crown Fountain , an interactive public artwork designed by Catalan artist Jaume Plensa.

Take a photo with "The Bean."

Chicago is full of public art , but this reflective sculpture by artist Anish Kapoor is one of the most recognizable pieces. While the Millennium Park attraction is officially titled "Cloud Gate," most visitors and locals affectionately call it "The Bean."

Admire Buckingham Fountain.

If you've ever watched Married with Children , this fountain set in sprawling Grant Park at the edge of Lake Michigan is one you'll definitely recognize. Opened to the public in 1927, it's one of the largest fountains in the world.

Take an architecture walking tour.

There are few better ways to experience Chicago's world-famous architecture than on foot. The Chicago Architecture Center offers several different walking tours, including some focusing on the skyscrapers that tower high above the city's streets.

See the animals at Lincoln Park Zoo.

This 35-acre zoo , founded in 1868, is one of the oldest zoos in North America. It's free to visit and hosts an annual holiday lights show .

Go to the theater.

Broadway isn't the only place to catch a show. Chicago has more than 200 theaters, including the well-known James M. Nederlander Theatre and Cadillac Palace Theatre in the Theater District. It's also worthwhile to check out the city's independent stages, such as the Tony Award-winning Chicago Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier or the innovative Steppenwolf Theatre in Lincoln Park.

Shop the Magnificent Mile.

If you're looking to do some serious damage with your credit cards, look no further than the stretch of Michigan Avenue known as the Magnificent Mile . You'll find a mix of high-end designer stores, sprawling department stores, and more affordable retailers like Marshalls.

Tour a Frank Lloyd Wright house.

If you're a fan of architect Frank Lloyd Wright's work, head to the University of Chicago campus in Hyde Park, where you'll find the Frederick C. Robie House . The house, built in the early 1900s as a single-family home, is a fine example of Prairie School design and is among nearly two dozen homes in the area designed by the famous architect.

See the "Home Alone" house.

You'll need a car to get to this house in the Chicago suburb of Winnetka, but if you grew up on "Home Alone," it'll be worth the drive. You'll recognize it the second you pull up, but remember it's a private residence, so you'll have to appreciate it from the outside.

Go ice skating.

Chicago may get cold in the winter, but the joy of ice skating almost makes you forget about the freezing temperatures. From November to March, the Maggie Daley Ice Skating Ribbon in Grant Park and the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park are popular spots for Chicagoans and visitors.

Catch a Cubs game at Wrigley Field.

Wrigley Field is one of the most charming stadiums in baseball. It's home to the former World Champion Chicago Cubs, and if you don't happen to be traveling during baseball season, you can still take a tour.

Learn about the history of Soldier Field.

The nearly 100-year-old Soldier Field is home of the NFL's Chicago Bears. Even if you're not into football, you might recognize it from the Clint Eastwood movie "Flags of Our Fathers" or the television show Chicago Fire . The stadium offers behind-the-scenes tours that pass through the locker rooms, interview room, skyline suite, and other areas.

Ride the Ferris wheel at Navy Pier.

If you're looking for a day of family fun, head to Navy Pier in downtown Chicago. The long pier features rides, games, restaurants, public artwork, and other attractions. Be sure to ride the Centennial Wheel for a truly spectacular view of Lake Michigan.

Take a walk in Oz Park.

There may not be a yellow brick road leading to Oz in Chicago, but there is a park that pays homage to the "Wizard of Oz," which author Frank Baum wrote while living in Chicago. Oz Park on the city's north side features sculptures of all your favorites, including Dorothy, Toto, and the Tin Man.

Explore a Chicago neighborhood.

Chicago is a city of neighborhoods — 77 of them, to be exact. Wicker Park, Bucktown, and Logan Square are worth exploring on the city's north side. On the south side, consider Pilsen and Chinatown. Architecture buffs are sure to appreciate the historical gems they'll find in Old Town.

Visit the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center.

This Smithsonian-affiliated museum celebrates Black culture and pays homage to Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, the first permanent settler of Chicago. The museum holds more than 15,000 works, including paintings, sculptures, and historical memorabilia, such as the former desk of investigative journalist Ida B. Wells.

Eat your heart out.

Chicago is a foodie paradise that offers something for every palate and every budget. You'll find everything from hot dog joints like Jimmy's Red Hots to Michelin-starred restaurants like Alinea to deep-dish pizza places like Pequod's . Be sure to pack your stretchy pants, and remember, Chicagoans don't ask for ketchup on their hot dogs.

Visit the National Museum of Mexican Art.

This museum in the Pilsen neighborhood is an ideal place to immerse yourself in Mexican art and culture within Chicago's city limits. It's one of few major museums in the U.S. dedicated to showcasing Mexican, Latino, and Chicano art and culture.

Kayak along the Chicago River.

If you're craving an active adventure in the city, you can't go wrong with kayaking on the Chicago River. Urban Kayaks organizes a range of guided excursions, including tours at sunset and during the weekly Navy Pier fireworks show.

Check out the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago.

Chicago has no shortage of museums, but when it comes to boundary-pushing exhibitions, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago (MCA) is second to none. The MCA's permanent collection includes more than 2,000 artworks from the 1920s to the present day, while rotating exhibits, performances, and talks are held throughout the year.

Hop between breweries.

Home to more than 160 breweries, Chicago is often dubbed the craft beer capital of the U.S. From cozy brewpubs to bustling beer gardens, there's something for everyone. Several production facilities, including Goose Island , Revolution Brewing , Lagunitas Brewing Company , and Dovetail Brewing , are also open for tours and tastings.

Stargaze at the Adler Planetarium.

You don't need to leave Chicago to see the stars – just head to the Adler Planetarium on Northerly Island. America's oldest planetarium is a destination for sky shows, exhibits, and special events. As a bonus, it stays open until 10 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Bike along the Lakefront Trail.

Chicago’s Lakefront Trail is a scenic 18-mile paved path along Lake Michigan between Ardmore Street on the north side and 71st Street on the south side. For a fun outing, rent one of the Divvy Bikes and explore it from top to bottom — including a break at one of the beaches along the way.

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

Chicago's Irish pride beams as bright as the green dye in the river every March. Highlights include the annual Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade , river cruises, and food and drink specials at neighborhood pubs. If you're lucky (or a good planner), your trip might coincide with some of the festivities.

Stroll along The 606.

The Bloomingdale Trail Park (The 606) is an elevated recreational trail built on an abandoned railway. Similar to New York's High Line, the 2.7-mile-long path is dotted with public art installations and scenic lookouts. Access points can be found in four of the city's trendiest neighborhoods – Wicker Park, Bucktown, Logan Square, and Humboldt Park – so you can easily hop on or off.

Marvel at art among trees at the Morton Arboretum.

The Morton Arboretum was established in 1922 as a "great outdoor museum" by Joy Morton, founder of the Morton Salt Company. And with more than 1,700 acres and 22,000 plants, it certainly lives up to its mission. The park features rotating large-scale sculpture exhibitions and wellness events like forest therapy and yoga classes, making it well worth the journey 25 miles west of Chicago.

Spend an evening at the American Writers Museum.

Located in the heart of downtown Chicago, the American Writers Museum celebrates the work of historical and present-day writers, from poets to comics to novelists. The museum regularly hosts concerts and special events, including Get Lit museum nights, which bring together bibliophiles for drinks, special tours, and activities on the second Tuesday of every month.

Stop and smell the flowers at the Garfield Park Conservatory.

Garfield Park Conservatory is one of the largest conservatories in the nation, with two acres of public greenhouse space and 10 acres of outdoor gardens. The West Side centerpiece opened in the early 1900s and continues to be a destination for lovers of landscape architecture. In addition to permanent display houses, the conservatory often hosts special exhibits and spring flower shows. 

Learn about the city's criminal history.

Joining a crime tour is a fascinating way to learn about the city's prohibition-era gangsters like Al Capone, Bugs Moran, and Hymie Weiss. Opt for the Gangsters and Ghosts Tour for a storytelling stroll around the Chicago Loop, or board a bus for the Untouchable Tours' Original Gangster Tour led by guides in character as 1920s mafia members.

Admire the skyline from a cruise on Lake Michigan.

While Chicago's river cruises get a lot of attention, sailing around Lake Michigan can be just as fun. Tall Ship Windy offers a variety of cruises aboard a 148-foot, traditional four-masted schooner, including pirate-themed tours and skyline sailings that make the most of the Windy City's namesake weather.

Related Articles

New Chicago travel show promotes neighborhood-led tourism

The program by choose chicago reimagines neighborhoods as prime travel destinations beyond downtown..

Victor and Nancy Garcia, owners of Papa’s Cache Sabroso in Humboldt Park, show off family pictures to Rob Fojtik, host of Choose Chicago’s new travel show, “The 77: City of Neighborhoods,” which explores the city’s hidden gems and histories.

Choose Chicago

Can Chicago tourism be reimagined as more than city skyscrapers and deep dish pizza? Choose Chicago thinks so.

Its new travel show, “The 77: City of Neighborhoods” hopes to uplift neighborhoods as prime travel destinations in Chicago beyond downtown. The series was unveiled earlier this month as part of broader efforts by the city’s tourism marketing agency to support community-led neighborhood tourism.

Hosted by Rob Fojtik, vice president of neighborhood strategy at Choose Chicago, the series journeys through five distinct communities: Humboldt Park, Little Village, Uptown, Bronzeville and Pullman/Roseland.

“I think our neighborhoods really are a proof point that our diversity, our history — even if it’s challenging — has created this amazing, beautifully vibrant city where we have so many different cultures calling Chicago home,” Fojtik said.

Longtime community residents might recognize their favorite bites on the screen, from the jibarito at Papa’s Cache Sabroso in Humboldt Park to a vegan messab at Demera in Uptown or a handmade old-fashioned doughnut in Roseland.

Choose Chicago’s new travel show, “The 77: City of Neighborhoods,” features the city’s culinary staples, including the jibarito, which was created in the Humboldt Park neighborhood.

Though food is a central component of each episode, aimed at increasing tourism and investment in the community, it is not the main objective of Choose’s Chicago’s marketing.

“If you get a million ads to come to the best restaurants in this neighborhood, but think that neighborhood has nothing going on, you’re not going to go there,” Fojtik said.

The goal is to shift the narrative of neighborhoods that have long been siloed through a “community-led” approach, Fojtik said.

Every episode includes a deep dive into that neighborhood’s history and culture as told by the people who live there.

“[Tourism] needs to be in the service of the folks who live there because otherwise you do see displacement [and] gentrification,” Fojtik said.

From community interviews with 26th Ward Ald. Jessie Fuentes, the Puerto Rican Cultural Center’s José E. López, urban historian Shermann “Dilla” Thomas and many more, the series explores the city’s hidden culinary gems as well as hard truths, like disinvestment and gentrification.

Ambrocio Gonzalez, owner of La Catedral Cafe & Restaurant, discusses restaurant success in Little Village over coffee with Rob Fojtik, host of “The 77: City of Neighborhoods.”

Little Village resident Jennifer Aguilar , who participated in the series, agrees that storytelling is crucial to how a community is perceived. In her role as executive director of the Little Village Chamber of Commerce, Aguilar is tasked with promoting dozens of family-owned businesses in the 26th Street corridor, which has boasted the second-highest tax revenue in Chicago after the Magnificent Mile.

“It’s important to do a lot more storytelling to show people that, despite the violence, there’s also much bigger things [in the community],” Aguilar said.

With many of Little Village’s brick and mortar shops owned by Mexican and Latino community members, Aguilar hopes that increased tourism will stave off business closures and preserve the community’s cultural essence.

“Our target audience for tourists is other Mexicans in the Midwest and other Mexicans throughout the country … so they make the trip all the way over here to get their essentials and enjoy feeling like they’re in Mexico,” Aguilar said.

Aguilar’s clear that tourism should not come at the expense of displacing Little Village residents, which has been an ongoing issue in recent years.

“That’s why we were very intentional with talking about the possibility of gentrification and putting it in [the Little Village] episode,” Aguilar said, “so that whoever sees it and wants to come visit knows that it’s not an invitation for you to come live here.”

All 30-minute episodes of “The 77: City of Neighborhoods” are now available for viewing on YouTube and the Choose Chicago website, with upcoming community screenings in the next two weeks.

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New figures show tourists flocked back to chicago in 2022.

Danny Ecker is a reporter covering commercial real estate for Crain's Chicago Business, with a focus on offices, hotels and megaprojects shaping the local property sector. He joined Crain’s in 2010 and previously covered the business of sports, as well as the city's convention and tourism sector.

Nearly 49 million visitors came to Chicago last year in a mammoth comeback from the COVID-19 pandemic for the city's hospitality industry. But there is still plenty of road ahead on the path to a full recovery, which the city's tourism arm doesn't expect until 2025. Officials from Choose Chicago announced today that visitation to the city during 2022 was up 60% from 2021 as public health restrictions faded and a surge of leisure travelers poured in during peak tourism months. The total, reported by the city's official destination marketing group using data from travel research firm DK Shifflet, was roughly 80% of the 2019 figure, when the city boasted a record 60.8 million visitors.

The numbers reflect an important bounceback in travel demand last year that pulled in crucial tax revenue and began lifting local hotels out of a historic pandemic-induced hole. Choose reported that tourists spent $16.9 billion in the city last year, or 89% of their collective 2019 outlays, and noted that the city's hotels averaged 60% occupancy last year, up from 43% the year before but still below the 74% average in 2019. 

Resurgent tourism also suggests Chicago can still attract visitors despite public safety concerns, which carried over into this year after widely publicized outbreaks of violence last weekend and in April.

The continued recovery is vital for a city and state that have leaned harder on taxes tied to tourism and the convention business over the past decade, yet were slower than most other parts of the country to lift COVID-related bans on large group gatherings. Chicago is slightly behind other major urban centers like New York City and San Francisco, which reported that 2022 visitation was 85% and 84% of 2019 totals, respectively. Los Angeles' tourism promotion arm said the city pulled in 91% of its pre-pandemic tourism total last year, while Orlando, Fla. — one of Chicago's top competitors for large conventions — said visitation was 98% of its 2019 figure.

Choose Chicago CEO Lynn Osmond, the longtime Chicago Architecture Center top executive who took the reins of the tourism organization just more than a year ago, called 2022 a "really good recovery year" for the city's tourism sector and said the city is on track to reach its 2023 goal of 54 million visitors.

"The energy we're seeing of people returning to travel is really significant," Osmond said.

In addition to her 2023 target, Osmond today released a strategic plan for Choose Chicago laying out a goal of drawing at least 61 million visitors in 2025. The plan also sets other planned benchmarks by then, such as increasing the economic impact of leisure travel by 20% and growing the number of international travelers to Chicago to 1.8 million. That would be up from nearly 1.5 million last year but still below the 2.2 million that came to Chicago from outside the country in 2019, Choose Chicago data shows.

Business travel has been slower to come back than the leisure set as virtual meetings have replaced a segment of travel that used to fill many downtown hotel rooms midweek. Choose hopes to offset some of that slow recovery with new group business, working with companies on regular corporate gatherings in the city. "That's a market opportunity we're exploring," Osmond said.

Helping her cause this year are some extra financial resources. Choose said its 2023 budget, which relies heavily on pandemic-hampered hotel tax proceeds, is up 10% year-over-year to $29.1 million. On top of that, the group recently got another $3.5 million boost from the state of Illinois under the budget passed last week. That one-time grant, which will be put to use during the second half of this year and the first half of 2024, will be primarily dedicated toward international and domestic marketing campaigns.

Chicago hasn't had billboards and ad campaigns in other markets in recent years because of Choose's reduced budget, Osmond said. "We need the additional funds to spread the word across the country (and) to have more people in our global tour department," she said. While some large cities have more than half a dozen staffers who work directly with tour operators to attract them to the city, Choose Chicago has two.

Choose and the Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority — the agency that owns and operates McCormick Place — also recently got some breathing room on using up the nearly $10 million that remains in an incentive fund to help recruit conventions. The fund, which the state legislature approved during the pandemic to help McCormick Place compete with rival cities, previously needed to be used only on conventions that would be coming by 2026. The group recently won approval to dole out those funds for events that would come later than that, though all the money must be used by the end of 2026, according to a Choose spokesman.

Choose faces a challenge rebuilding a convention lineup depleted by high-profile defections like the Sweets & Snacks Expo, which recently staged its last confab in Chicago after meeting here for 25 of its 26 years.

One key win on the horizon is the 2024 Democratic National Convention, which Osmond said the city needs to leverage as a brand-builder coming out of the pandemic. The same goes for a crucial conference coming in 2025 known as IPW, a gathering of international tour operators that hasn't been held in the city since 2014.

Osmond has added 14 people to the Choose Chicago staff since taking over as CEO, bringing the organization's full-time headcount to 62, down from 75 before the pandemic. Choose is close to hiring a new chief marketing officer to help align its various departments "so we're all singing from the same choir book," said Osmond, who spent the early part of her career programming for symphonies in California, New York and her native Canada before moving to Chicago.

Choose intends to maintain its "When You Go You Know" marketing campaign through at least the end of this year, a tagline it has used mostly on social media. For traditional ad campaigns planned nationally and internationally, Osmond also plans to promote Chicago's "Best Big City in the U.S." title bestowed by Condé Nast Traveler in 2022, the sixth consecutive year the city has enjoyed the recognition.

"We're going to market the heck out of it," Osmond said.

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Home » Travel Guides » United States » Illinois (IL) » 50 Best Things to Do in Chicago (IL) in 2023 by a Local

50 Best Things to Do in Chicago (IL) in 2023 by a Local

The Windy City has awe-inspiring skyscrapers, hunger-stomping food and culture to match almost any city in the world. But what never ceases to amaze me is just how much you can do for free in Chicago. Donations by philanthropists have bestowed the city with superlative museums and more than 700 works of public art, by Picasso, Chagall, Miró – the list is huge. These have turned the skyscraper forest of the Loop and the Millennium Park into one big outdoor gallery.

There are free events too, like Taste of Chicago , the largest food festival in the world, and music festivals to honor the city’s enviable music heritage. Chicago is also great to get around on foot, along the Lakefront Trail or the new Riverwalk, or even underground in the sophisticated Pedway system.

I’m a Chicago local and an avid traveler of my home state Illinois. I’ll guide you through some of the finest attractions the city has to offer, and there’s a lot so I made sure I included something for everyone. Let’s have a look at my list of the best things to do in Chicago :

1. River and Lake Cruises

Out on Lake Michigan and along the Chicago River you can sit back and give Chicago’s cityscape the attention it deserves. There’s a selection of cruises , from gentle lake tours to exhilarating speedboat rides. I took The Classic Lake Tour which is a 40-minute sightseeing trip giving you plenty of time to soak up the sights, and with a recorded commentary for interesting titbits. For the architecture admirers, I’d recommend the guided architecture tour .

At the old Navy Training Center on Navy Pier you can jet off on a speedboat for a 75-Minute Architecture Cruise, starting on the lake and heading upriver as far as the Willis Tower. The Chicago River Architecture Cruise has a more sedate pace, and gives you a clear view of more than 40 listed landmarks, accompanied by live commentary from an expert guide. I’ve done several cruises and think it’s one of the best ways to admire city.

The 442-metre Willis Tower was the tallest building in the world for 25 years, and is is still among the top 25. In my experience the Chicago Skydeck Experience Ticket  is great value for money, you can waste no time, skipping the line and speeding up to the Skydeck 412.4 metres above the west side of the Loop.

On the meandering route to the elevator, there’s a movie detailing the 45-year history of the Willis Tower and Chicago’s other architectural wonders. After a swift ride you’ll be struck by a view extending over 50 miles and four states. The Ledge at the Skydeck will either give you a buzz or make your stomach flutter: This is a set of four all-glass boxes projecting over a sheer drop of more than 100 storeys. While this was an amazing experience I realized I didn’t like heights as much as I thought.

3. Food Tours

If it’s big portions and bold flavors you’re after, Chicago is the town for you. Chicago may be America’s top food city, and you would be brave to disagree. The staples are deep-dish pizza, hot dogs piled with seven toppings, Italian beef sandwiches, brownies and beer. Lou Mitchell’s and Twin Anchors have nationwide fame, but if you want local spots that might escape the attention of out-of-towners, there are a range of tours for hungry visitors.

The Secret Food Tour lets you in on these undisclosed locations. You can also take a Tasting Tour of Chinatown on foot. A nice alternative is filling up up on Mexican tortas and Polish pierogis on a Bike Tour .

4. Art Institute of Chicago

Three of the most studied and celebrated paintings of the past 150 years await at an art museum to match the best in the world. These works are Nighthawks by Edward Hopper, American Gothic by Grant Wood and Seurat’s A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte. They are all obligatory, as is Picasso’s Old Guitarist, but are only a gateway to a whole feast of art.

The Art Institute of Chicago has the largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist painting outside Paris, with more than 30 paintings by Monet, as well as works by Cézanne, Renoir, van Gogh and Toulouse-Lautrec.

For modern art there’s Jackson Pollock, Warhol, Jasper Johns and Matisse, while the modern architecture and design collection has drawings and models by Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier and more.

You can also delight in ancient Greek, Egyptian, Etruscan and Roman artifacts, from mosaics, to pottery, glass, coins, bronze and jewelry. If you don’t want to stand in line for tickets I suggest booking a ticket online. I recommended planning to spend at least a few hours at the museum as there’s a lot to see.

Related article : You may also like my guide on the most beautiful places to visit in Illinois .

5. Grant Park

Affectionately known as “Chicago’s front yard”, Grant Park fronts the Loop on Lake Michigan and is the city’s prime open space. These 319 acres contain lots of Chicago’s top attractions like Millennium Park, the Museum Campus Chicago, the Art Institute of Chicago, Maggie Daley Park and the epic Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears NFL team.

You could write a whole article on Grant Park and the layers of things to do in its boundaries. But it’s also worth remembering that the park is a lively place for Chicagoans just to unwind and be active, with baseball diamonds, tennis courts and lush boulevards to wander down.

In July Grant Park hosts the Taste of Chicago Festival, the biggest food event anywhere, and in October is the start and finish line for the Chicago Marathon.

6. Millennium Park

Created to herald the new millennium, this award-winning space in Grant Park is the most popular visitor attraction in the Midwest. Free to enter, the Millennium Park has bold public art, spellbinding architecture and some forward-thinking initiatives.

For a taste, the 2.5-acre Lurie Garden is part of the world’s largest green roof, while the McDonald’s Cycle Center is a sleek indoor bike station offering rental, repair and an array of services for Chicago’s cyclists. I’ll bring up a few of the showpiece sights in Millennium Park later, but you can’t miss the Jay Pritzker Pavilion.

This 11,000-capacity band-shell was conceived by Frank Gehry, and from spring to autumn has a packed calendar of concerts by major recording artists and the likes of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

7. Riverwalk

Chicago is a city that knows how to treat pedestrians, as you’ll see along the main branch of the Chicago River as it cuts through the downtown . A feat of urban planning, the Riverwalk is 1.25 miles long, made up of six coves or “rooms” up to Wolf Point. The route will take you past photo opportunities like the Wrigley Building and a whole of host of head-turning works of public art.

These might be bright graffiti panels or large-scale installations like Ellen Lanyon’s Gateway, recording Chicago’s story through 28 ceramic tile murals. You can board a cruise boat or water taxi of course, or take matters into your own hands on an urban kayak or “cycleboat” tour. With dramatic urban scenery, terraces stepping down to the water and bars grills and cafes, it’s no shock that the Riverwalk has become a go-to on date night.

8. Navy Pier

Set where the Chicago Portage enters Lake Michigan, the Navy Pier is a multifaceted visitor attraction extending over the water for six city blocks. As one of the top days out in the Midwest, an attraction of this magnitude is hard to sum up in one paragraph. But in 50 acres you’ll come across the vast multisensory Funhouse Maze and, my personal favorite, the nearly 200 feet Centennial Wheel, footed by fairground rides and amusements.

There’s also weekly fireworks in summer, an IMAX Theatre, the Chicago Children’s Museum and the Crystal Gardens botanical garden with more than 80 palms. You can use the pier as the jumping off point for cruises on the lake or river, take in some live music at the Miller Lite Beer Garden and watch the drama unfold at the non-profit Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

9. Cloud Gate

The anchor for the AT&T Plaza in Millennium Park is an enchanting piece of public sculpture by Anish Kapoor. Installed in 2006 and affectionately dubbed “The Bean”, Cloud Gate is a rounded arch, clad with 168 highly reflective stainless steel plates. After a few teething problems due to its complicated design, Cloud Gate has quickly become an emblem for 21st-century Chicago.

The monument was designed to bring to mind a blob of liquid mercury, and its value lies in how interactive it is. You can take photos of your own reflection against the distorted Chicago skyline, and while passing under the 12 foot, look up into the “omphalos”, a concave chamber that twists and multiplies reflections. I’ve seen countless tourists take a selfie here, it’s quickly become one of the most iconic sculptures in Chicago. Fun fact: it’s nicknamed ‘The Bean’ because of its shape.

10. John Hancock Center

A mainstay of Chicago’s silhouette, 875 North Michigan Avenue (formerly the John Hancock Center) is a 1,500 feet skyscraper on the Magnificent Mile. Tapering as it rises, the tower was topped off in 1969 and appears in pretty much any movie that needs an establishing shot for Chicago. Up close you can watch its characteristic X-shaped bracing zigzag up the facades.

The view from 360 Chicago on the 94th floor has been rated as one of the best in the country, and the ride up there takes less than 40 seconds. There’s a cafe and bar up, as well as interactive displays labeling the landmarks on the horizon in each direction. If you have a steely disposition try “Tilt”, a glass capsule that tilts forward at 15°, 25° and 40° for a bird’s eye view of the city streets 1,500 feet below. Might seem obvious but I recommend visiting on a clear day so you have a great view of the city.

Also see :  Amazing Hidden Gems in Illinois

11. Chicago Cultural Center

Formerly the home of the Chicago Public Library, in 1991 this striking Neoclassical building in The Loop became the first free municipal cultural center in the United States. There are more than 1,000 exhibitions and  here every year and they’re as diverse as you’d expect from a city like Chicago.

All for free, you can catch theater, dance, music, lectures, film screenings and family-oriented events.

No matter what’s on, you have to take the opportunity to look inside this building from 1897. The nation’s top craftsmen were hired for the interiors, working with valuable materials like fine hardwood, rare imported marble, polished brass and mother-of-pearl.

The two domes are not to be missed: The south is the largest stained glass Tiffany dome in the world, while the larger Renaissance-style dome on the north side is 12 meters in diameter and has 50,000 glass panels. I recommend visiting their website for more info on exhibits and tours.

12. Wrigley Field

The Chicago Cubs play at the second-oldest ballpark in the Major League. Wrigley Field (1914), nicknamed “The Friendly Confines” by the legendary Ernie Banks, is noted for its ivy-clad outfield walls and has an iconic manual scoreboard.

The stadium may catch you off-guard, as it sits in the middle of a residential neighborhood and has no car park, now a rarity for US sports venues. The wind blowing towards or away from Lake Michigan (out or in) can turn potential home runs into outs, or send balls out of the stadium altogether.

Come to see the 2016 World Champions at one of 66 regular season games, checking out the famous red entrance marquee from 1934 and to treat yourself to a Chicago hot dog .

As parking can be a nightmare I suggest to either to take a cab or to take the Red Line to get there.

13. Maggie Daley Park

In Chicago with kids? Visit Maggie Daley Park! Named for a former first lady of the city who passed away in 2011, Maggie Daley Park is one of Grant Park’s newest treasures.

Laid out by landscape architect Michael Van Valkenburgh, the park opened in the northeast corner of Grant Park 2014 and shines for its recreation and family facilities.

The whimsical Play Garden, for kids up to 12, is a playground like you’ve never seen, with six different zones like the Watering Hole which has a giant breaching whale, and the Enchanted Forest where you’ll walk under upside down trees . There’s also an ice skating ribbon, a quarter of a mile in length, picnic groves, an 18-hole mini golf course and rock-climbing walls.

14. Richard H. Driehaus Museum

In the Driehaus Museum you’ll step back into America’s Gilded Age at the refined Nickerson House, built in 1883 for the banker Samuel M. Nickerson. Close to the Magnificent Mile, on the Near North Side, the house looks a little out of place, dwarfed by the city’s bold Neoclassical monuments and glass-clad skyscrapers.

In 2003 the Chicago fund manager and philanthropist turned the Nickerson house into a museum, blending the original furnishings with luxurious Art Nouveau glazed tiles, stained glass, onyx, carvings and marble all sourced from other places.

The museum is heaven if you like decorative arts. You’ll find some lovely pieces by Louis Comfort Tiffany, like a large fire screen, a set of vibrant stemware, a blown-glass humidor and a peculiar centerpiece lamp.

The ballroom has Edward Colonna furniture you can sit in, while some other exceptional pieces include Sèvres vases, a suite of George A. Schastey neo-Empire chairs, pre-Raphaelite paintings and a rare Chickering and Sons grand piano. In case you’re looking for a bite I had a great pizza at nearby Giordano’s.

15. Buckingham Fountain

At the center of Grant Park, between the ornamental North and South Rose Gardens is a sight that needs a double take. Hewn from Georgia pink marble, the Buckingham Fountain (1927) is one of the largest in the world, nearly 280 feet in diameter, with nearly 200 jets and a pool.

The Rococo design is borrowed from the Latona Fountain at Versailles, and is an allegory for Lake Michigan, with four pairs of sea horses representing the states of Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana.

At any one time there’s 1.5 million gallons of water in the Buckingham Fountain. Stop by for the 20-minute water display on the hour, shooting jets up to high into the air.

16. Lakefront Trail

Eighteen miles of Chicago’s shoreline can be accessed on a waterfront path, threading through all four of the city’s lakeside parks. The Lakefront Trail is shared by cyclists, joggers and families.

People use the trail to get to work, and to stroll next to Lake Michigan and savor Chicago’s skyline. You can use the path to get to a whole catalog of interesting places, from the South Shore Cultural Center to Navy Pier and the Shedd Aquarium.

In summer you can hop from beach to beach and to get a dose of greenery at Grant Park or Lincoln Park. There are bike rental companies all along the trail, or you could buy a day pass for Divvy, Chicago’s bike sharing system. This is actually one of my favorite places to go jogging with my dog.

17. Museum of Science and Industry

Limitless inspiration for kids, the Museum of Science and Industry has show-stopping exhibits on an amazing scale. The venue is the old Palace of Fine Arts, built in 1933 in Jackson Park for the World’s Columbian Exposition.

Some of the jaw-dropping sights here are a full-size German U-505 submarine captured during the Second World War, the Pioneer Zephyr, a glorious stainless steel diesel locomotive from 1934 and the first Boeing 727 to enter commercial service.

Young scientists can wrap their heads around big concepts at the Science Storms exhibit, which has a Tesla coil, Foucault pendulum and Wimshurst machine.

There are relics from the Apollo missions at the Henry Crown Space Center , while the central pavilion has a replica of a deep-shaft bituminous coal mine, in which you’ll take a mine train and see historic equipment from the 1930s.

18. Magnificent Mile

Squeezed into eight blocks on the arterial Michigan Avenue is a whole world of shopping, entertainment, dining, dazzling architecture and more things to do than you could manage in a whole holiday. Many of the sights or attractions on my list are on this street, or a stone’s throw from it.

There are 275 restaurants and more than 460 retailers here, from flagship stores for Zara, Disney and Nike to scores of boutiques and ritzy emporia for Rolex, Boss, Burberry and any other high end brand you can think of.

Soaring overhead are icons of the Chicago skyline like the Tribune Tower (1925) and the Wrigley Building (1924) in the south and 875 N Michigan (1969) towards the north end.

For a more unassuming sight, stop for a snap of the castle-like Chicago Water Tower, dating to 1869 and the second oldest surviving water tower in the United States.

19. Garfield Park Conservatory

Well west of the Chicago Loop, Garfield Park warrants the 15-minute cab ride into a slightly down-at-heel neighborhood. The trip is for the world’s third largest garden under glass, an astounding botanical conservatory with eight indoor display gardens. The conservatory was completed in 1908 and designed to resemble the haystacks of the Midwest. As it’s indoors I’d recommend this activity if there’s a rainy day forecast during your trip.

The moment you step inside you’ll be in the Palm House with more than 80 varieties of palm tree. Also see the incredible ferns and cycads against the waterfall in the Fen Room, and one of the nation’s most varied collections of cactuses and succulents in the Desert House.

Come by any day in summer and there will be something going on, like free yoga, gardening demonstrations and a chance for kids to get up close to animals like harmless snakes and goats.

20. Mob and Crime Bus Tour

Now their misdeeds are in the distant past, there’s no denying the fascination evoked by Chicago’s prohibition-era mobsters. Names like Al Capone, Bugs Moran and Dion Johnny Torrio remain household names.

The city has changed so much in the last century that you’d never guess that benign looking neighborhoods witnessed a bitter war that claimed scores of lives in the 1920s and 30s. So you have to turn to local historians, and I found that GetYourGuide.com offers a 90-minute Mob and Crime Bus Tour . A similar tour is available on Viator as well.

This uncovers the dark past of the Windy City, profiling notorious men like Capone and John Dillinger. You’ll visit the site of the Valentine’s Day Massacre and the Biograph Theatre, where Dillinger was gunned down by FBI agents.

21. Shedd Aquarium

Sharing the Museum Campus Chicago with the Field Museum and the Adler Planetarium, the Shedd Aquarium (1930) was for some time the largest indoor aquarium in the world. Donated by the philanthropist John G. Shedd, the attraction has an incredible 32,500 aquatic creatures from across the planet.

These are in immersive zones like Amazon Rising, which has caimans, anacondas, piranhas and freshwater stingrays in tanks among the roots of rain-forest trees. Also mandatory are the Caribbean Reef, housing a rescued green sea turtle, the Wild Reef with four varieties of sharks and the historic Waters of the World gallery home to colorful starfish and seahorses.

Stingray Touch lets you find out what a cownose ray or yellow spotted ray feels like, while marine mammals like sea lions, penguins and sea otters can be found in the Oceanarium.

22. Field Museum of Natural History

One of the best and largest natural history museums in the world, the Field Museum’s museum collection has swelled to more than 24 million objects since it opened in 1893. This a place to feed your fascination for the natural world, with grand Neoclassical halls housing fossils, priceless gemstones and animal and plant specimens.

There’s also compelling anthropology for the Ancient Americas and Ancient Egypt, as well as Tibet, China, Africa and cultures in the Pacific Islands. The Geology Halls meanwhile have an exquisite collection of Chinese jade, and a stained glass window by Louis Comfort Tiffany.

The star of the show is the 28 feet tall Titanosaur in the Stanley Field Hall. In 2018, this herbivore from Argentina replaced SUE, a T-Rex specimen, which will reappear at the Evolving Planet Gallery in 2019. It took me a few hours to explore the entire museum so great value for money.

23. United Center

There was a time in the 90s when a seat at the United Center was the hottest ticket in town.

The Chicago Bulls moved to this arena in 1994 when Michael Jordan was on his strange hiatus in Minor League Baseball, and he’d return to lead them to three straight titles between 1996 and 1998. Out on the east side of the building is a statue in his honor, named The Spirit and showing him mid-dunk.

Fair to say that the 2010s aren’t a golden age for the Chicago Bulls, but if you are a fan or want to make a pilgrimage to this hallowed ground you can watch a game in the regular season from October to April.

At roughly the same time of year, the Bulls share the United Center with the Chicago Blackhawks NHL team, which has had a much more successful decade, winning the Stanley Cup in 2010, 2013 and 2015.

24. Chicago History Museum

In Lincoln Park you can lift the lid on Chicago’s rich history, perusing fascinating thematic exhibitions. Facing Freedom goes into depth on the various struggles for freedom to beset Chicago from the 1850s to the 1970s, covering the Civil War, Women’s Suffrage, the formation of labor unions and Japanese internment.

At Crossroads of America you can step into a jazz club or climb aboard Chicago’s very first L train, while the Chicago dioramas tracks Chicago’s breakneck rise from a lonely frontier outpost to an immense metropolis.

Sensing Chicago lets kids jump into a gigantic Chicago-style hot dog, ride a vintage high wheel bike and hear the roar of the Great Chicago Fire.

25. Lincoln Park Zoo

In 37 acres and dating back to 1868, this zoo deserves extra credit as one of the last remaining free admission animal parks in the United States. There are more than 1,100 animals here, in habitats that are constantly being revamped.

The polar bear and African penguin enclosures for instance have just been reopened, while a recent arrival in 2014 is the Regenstein Macaque Forest where you can see Japanese macaques bathing in a hot spring as they do in the wild.

There’s a hint of the great age of the zoo at the Kovler Lion House, constructed in 1912, while some other family favorites to tick off are the Helen Brach Primate House (1927), seal pool, family petting zoo, the superb Regenstein Center for African Apes and the Regenstein African Journey. This has indoor and outdoor habitats for giraffes, pygmy hippos, ostriches, gazelles and many more.

Best of all might be that entrance is free. However parking costs can be quite expensive so I’d recommend going there by public transportation, or foot if you’re located close by.

26. Chicago Picasso

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 50 feet tall.

Since it was unveiled in 1967, the work, rumored 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.

Early on, in a city that previously only dedicated statues to historical figures, the Chicago Picasso was a source of controversy, but now inspires affection as a famous meeting point and backdrop to public events on Daley Plaza like the Christkindlmarkt at Christmas.

27. Holy Name Cathedral

Chicago’s Gothic Revival Catholic cathedral, by Chicago Station on the Red Line, was completed in 1875 after its predecessor burnt down in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Eagle-eyed visitors will be able to spot an overarching Tree of Life Theme in the building’s fittings.

On arrival you’ll be confronted by the cathedral’s immense bronze doors, each weighing more than 500 kilos and cast to resemble planks of wood.

Inside, a few of the fixtures worth closer inspection are the Stations of the Cross in red Rocco Alicante marble, bronze sculptures depicting the Evangelists and the cathedra (bishop’s throne) for the Chicago Diocese.

There’s also a slice of Chicago gangland history outside, where a cornerstone inscription is still chipped from the 1926 murder of mob boss and Al Capone rival Hymie Weiss.

28. North Avenue Beach

Another of the many things to love about Chicago is the way the city has been planned to grant access to the lakeshore. In hot weather this means you can slip off your shoes and set foot in Lake Michigan, or plan a whole day at the beach. Being slightly removed from the fabric of the city, Lincoln Park has what many people agree to be the best beach in the city.

North Avenue Beach runs for a few hundred yards up to Diversey Harbor, with piers at short intervals to stop the sand being washed away. There’s a bar on the beachfront, as well as companies offering rentals and tuition for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding.

International competitions take place at the South Volleyball Courts here, while in August North Avenue Beach is the place to catch the Chicago Air & Water Show.

29. Crown Fountain

The wonders keep coming in the Millennium Park, because we haven’t even mentioned the Crown Fountain (2004) yet. Here the Catalan artist Jaume Plensa designed two glass brick towers, 15 meters in height. They face each other across a black granite reflecting pool.

Those glass bricks are installed with LEDs displaying changing photographic facial images of citizens’ faces, filling the towers. For a playful touch, water spouts from the a nozzle between their lips from May to October.

Like most of the works in the Millennium Park the Crown Fountain is interactive, and on hot summer days you’ll see children paddling in the reflecting pools and cooling off under the waterfalls that cascade down the sides of the towers.

30. Michigan Avenue Bridge

The Burnham Plan of 1909 helped shape Chicago’s cityscape, and brought about this trunnion bascule bridge conducting Michigan Avenue over the main branch of the Chicago River. An official Chicago Landmark, the bridge opened in 1920 and once completed helped spur the flurry of development that gave rise to the Magnificent Mile.

Be sure to go in for a closer look at the north and south pylons, which have bold reliefs depicting scenes from Chicago’s past, carved by Henry Hering and James Earle Frasier respectively. The south pylons depict Defence and Regeneration, while the north pylons show the Discovers and Pioneers.

The southwest bridgehouse holds the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum, chronicling the history of the bridge and the Chicago River. If you’re in for a burger I recommend the nearby Billy Goat Tavern which has a delicious cheeseburger.

31. Robie House

To look at this house on the University of Chicago campus and know nothing about its origins, you’d never guess that it was built in 1910. Residential architecture would never be the same after the great Frank Lloyd Wright designed this home for Frederick C. Robie, the assistant manager of a company on the South Side.

The Robie House is considered the pinnacle of the early-20th-century Prairie style, and you can go in for tours Thursday to Monday.

The Prairie style expresses the sense of space in the prairie landscape of the Midwest, and this is captured by the low profile, long cantilevered eaves, broad balconies and even the use of narrow red bricks.

The Robie House has marvelous art-glass throughout, personally designed by Wright, along with the house’s curtains, rugs, furniture, bathroom fittings, fireplaces and lighting.

32. Museum of Contemporary Art

Dedicated to art from 1945 to the present, the Museum of Contemporary art is endowed with a serious collection, spanning surrealism, conceptual art, pop art and minimalism. You’ll get to see works by Chuck Close, Andy Warhol, Jasper Johns, Francis Bacon, René Magritte, Alexander Calder, Ann Hamilton and Richard Serra.

From June to September, Tuesdays on the Terrace is a programme of summer performances by members of Chicago’s dynamic jazz community.

33. Symphony Center

As one of America’s “Big Five”, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra is among the most prestigious classical ensembles on the planet. You can see them at the Symphony Center, a National Historic Landmark on South Michigan Avenue.

This venue is a complex made up of the Grainger Ballroom, Buntrock Hall and the 2,522-seater Orchestra Hall. On the frieze above the facade’s arches windows you’ll read the names “Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Wagner”. By 2018 Riccardo Muti had been the conductor for eight years.

34. Second City Chicago

An absurd amount of comic talent has come out of Chicago over the last 60 years, and one of the reasons for that is Second City. This fabled comedy club and improv company on Wells Street counts Steve Carell, Billy Murray, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Stephen Colbert, Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi and John Candy among its alumni.

There are three stages at Second City, “Mainstage” and “e.t.c. Stage” for sketch comedy and improv acts, and the UP Comedy Club for stand-up. Chances are you’ll get see a future TV or film star honing their comedic powers here.

35. Chicago Theater

One of five Tony award-winning venues in Chicago, the Chicago Theater warrants a photo, even if you’re not planning to see a show. That’s partly because of the marquee and vertical sign, which often appear in movies set in the city.

The venue opened in 1921 as an opulent motion picture house, and if you step back across State Street you can get a good look at the facade. This has a beautiful central arch that mirrors the false-perspective effect of the Palazzo Barberini in Rome, and is glazed with Tiffany stained glass.

Now one of Chicago’s best spots for performing arts, the theater is owned by the Madison Square Garden Company and puts on a varied program of comedians, world-famous musicians, dance companies and lectures by renowned cultural figures. Madonna, Hamilton, Trevor Noah and more are all in store for this year. I recommend checking their event calendar.

36. Oriental Institute Museum

While you’re down at the Robie House, head to this awesome museum at the University of Chicago’s Oriental Institute. Opened with funding from John D. Rockefeller Jr., the ivy-clad museum is a treasure chest of ancient artifacts discovered during digs in Turkey, Israel, Egypt, Iran, Iraq and Syria.

A couple of the most remarkable exhibits are an imposing statue of King Tutankhamen and a giant human-headed winged bull from the Assyrian city of Khorsabad.

From around the same period there’s a set of ornate Luristan Bronzes produced in western Iran in the early Iron Age, and a stunning array of paper-thin ivories carved in the ancient city of Tel Megiddo, now northern Israel.

Like so many places on this list, I really like that the museum is free (it does encourage donations).

37. Tribune Tower

Built in the mid-1920s for the Chicago Tribune, this iconic Gothic Revival skyscraper on the Magnificent Mile is now being turned into condominiums. The Tribune Tower is clad with Indiana limestone, and came about after a design competition to mark the paper’s 75th anniversary.

At night you’ll get a clear view of the buttresses and tracery at the very top, while there are lots of details to discover on the lower storys. In the years before the tower went up, the Tribune’s publisher Robert R. McCormick had asked his correspondents to bring him fragments of famous monuments from around the world.

So, embedded in the stonework are pieces from the Hagia Sophia, Taj Mahal, the Butter Tower of Rouen Cathedral, the Alamo, the Great Pyramid and the Great Wall of China, to name a few.

38. Adler Planetarium

In Grant Park, the Adler Planetarium (1930) is both a respected institution at the Museum Campus and a noble landmark in its own right. The planetarium occupies a nub of land sticking out over the lake on Northerly Island. By the water to the north is the Adler Planetarium Skyline Walk, blessed with the ultimate view of Chicago’s skyline.

Inside, kids can interact with exhibits dealing with topics like the Solar System, the composition of planets and the Moon missions. You can also find more fact-heavy exhibitions about the history of telescopy and the origins of the universe.

Projected shows are the cornerstone of any planetarium, and the Adler has a big choice, showing the sky above Chicago with light pollution filtered out, and sparkling presentations about the mysterious Planet Nine and nebulae.

39. Chicago Children’s Museum

The Chicago Children’s Museum, which I first visited in my younger years on a school trip, promises a few hours of active, engaging fun for youngsters. On Navy Pier the museum has 15 interactive exhibits over three storys, each mixing play with learning.

In that spirit, the Tinkering Lab for instance features genuine tools and materials giving kids the freedom to create whatever comes to mind, while Skyline is a crash course in architectural engineering, letting children experiment with skyscraper designs.

Play It Safe is a fun indoor play zone in partnership with the city’s Fire Department, teaching little ones about fire safety as they escape from a room filled with pretend smoke and shoot down a fire station pole.

There’s a whole calendar of special activities and workshops, and something different happening on a every visit.

40. Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST)

Based on Navy Pier, this adored non-profit theater company has done as much as anyone to help keep Chicago on the cultural map over the last 30 years.

In short order the theater has earned three Laurence Olivier Awards, as well as a regional Tony in 2008. Its main aim is to introduce people to the works of William Shakespeare, through school tours, summer plays in parks and productions at its own majestic venue, adding up to 600 performances a year.

The Chicago Shakespeare Theater has been at Navy Pier since 1999, in a complex with two auditoriums: The 510-seater Courtyard Theater and the more intimate Upstairs theater.

The program is crafted for everyone, and has meaty productions of Macbeth and Hamlet, and light family musicals like Peter Pan and Bedknobs and Broomsticks.

41. Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool

People go out of their way to visit a masterpiece of landscape architecture in Lincoln Park. This pond is named after its designer, Alfred Caldwell who worked on it in the second half of the 1930s.

In the same vein as the Robie House, the environment is laid out in the Prairie style. You’ll definitely sense the Prairie school’s love for low horizontal forms and the natural landscapes of the Midwest.

A National Historic Landmark since 2006, the pool is traced by winding stepping-stone paths, wide stratified slabs of limestone, circular benches, plants native to the Midwest, a waterfall and waterside pavilion.

42. Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

This child-friendly museum in Lincoln Park presents the natural history of the Chicago region in smart and interactive ways.

As an institution the museum was founded back in 1857 and moved into a new home in the park in 1999. The old museum, now used by the zoo, was known for its detailed static dioramas, and while these are still here, they’re joined by spellbinding living environments like the astonishing Judy Istock Butterfly house, where 1,000 butterflies flutter in a 250-square-meter greenhouse.

During the “Critter Connection” every day at 11:30 kids can get an up close look at more than a dozen different amphibian species at the Animal House.

There’s also a bird walk, leading to a platform over Lincoln Park’s North Pond, as well as hands-on stations where kids can learn about rivers, solve nature-inspired puzzles and explore a beaver lodge.

43. Chicago Pedway

Under the city streets and spanning more than 40 blocks north to south, Chicago has a vast network of pedestrian tunnels, as an answer the vicious winter weather and to provide easy links between “L” stations.

The oldest sections, between State and Dearborn streets date back to before the Second World War. The rest of the network was begun in the 1950s and expanded in the 60s and 70s. Not all of the Pedway is subterranean, as there are enclosed raised footbridges.

As ever, there are works of public art adorning the tunnels, along with restaurants and shops. In the Pedway by Macy’s check out the beautiful display of 22 stained glass panels, a holdover from the defunct Smith Museum of Stained Glass. There are free walking tours available but in my experience the free tours cost you just as much, because at the end of the tour they do ask to contribute whatever price you think the tour is worth and most people will feel obligated to pay a decent price.

44. Chinatown

Strolling along the Chicago River you’re sure to see the yellow Chicago Water Taxi zipping past. In this part of the city, these boats stop at Michigan Avenue and further west along the Riverwalk. One idea for a trip is to catch the taxi down to Chinatown.

The scenic journey through the Loop and South Loop will take about 40 minutes and there are services all day in summer, but especially around lunchtime. And that’s because one Chinatown is a Dim Sum paradise.

Head for Dolo Restaurant and Bar and MingHin Cuisine where there are so many options you won’t know where to start. But people come a long way for MingHin’s Macau pork belly at deep fried taro puffs. I started exploring from Chinatown Square which is a great place to start.

45. Chagall’s Four Seasons

Under a glass canopy at the Chase Tower Plaza in the Loop is another exceptional piece of public art ready to enchant passers-by. This figurative mosaic is by Marc Chagall and was donated by the stockbroker Frederick H. Prince. The Four Seasons is big by any measure. I’ve walked by countless times and each time I take a sec to admire it.

It is made up tens of thousands of inland chips in more than 250 colors, and has hints of the Chicago skyline, suns, flowers, birds, fish , lovers and musicians. While we’re talking about Chagall – when the artist came to install the mosaic in the 70s he produced a set of stained glass windows for the Art Institute of Chicago to celebrate America’s Bicentennial.

They are among the most treasured works in the collection, and you may recognize them if you’ve seen Ferris Bueller’s Day Off!

46. Brookfield Zoo

A Metra train ride out to the suburb of Brookfield, this zoo is in 216 acres of green parkland and boasts more than 450 species. The Brookfield Zoo made waves when it opened in 1934 as it pioneered the use of moats and ditches instead of cages, and was also the first in America to have giant pandas. I loved wandering around and enjoyed spotting all the different animals.

One of the most recent additions is the Great Bear Wilderness, letting you get within inches of North Americas mightiest carnivores. Also new is Wild Encounters, where you can pet tame goats, walk through a wallaby enclosure and enter one of the largest free-flight parakeet aviaries in the world.

Naturally, kids’ favorites (and mine too) like big cats, rhinos, giraffes are all at Brookfield Zoo, while Humboldt penguins are the stars at the Living Coast habitat.

47. Live Music

In a city that gave its name to whole genres of blues and house music, you can bet that Chicago is a big live music town. To tap into the city’s jazz and blues heritage, look for a few spots that have achieved legendary status.

This an apt time to bring up Buddy Guy’s Legends, founded by the blues veteran on South Wabash in 1989, and where he still plays a series of shows every January.

Kingston Mines in Lincoln Park dates back to 1969 and has two live shows a night without fail, while the venerable Green Mill Cocktail Lounge (1907) was run by mobsters in the Prohibition era, and Al Capone’s favourite booth is still here.

On a wider scale, there are 225 live music venues in all, as well as some of the nation’s most exciting festivals, both free and ticketed, from the Chicago Jazz Festival to Lollapalooza and Pitchfork.

48. Taste of Chicago Festival

In mid-July Grant Park puts on the world’s largest food festival. The Taste of Chicago Festival drives home the full diversity of Chicago’s dining options.

Bring an appetite and you can take a culinary trip around the world, discover the creativity of Chicago’s contemporary restaurants or renew your love affair with Chicago classics like Italian beef, cheesecake, pizza and hot dogs.

There are pop-up restaurants, a whole armada of streetfood trucks and stands representing Chicago’s top eateries. You can go sample crazy, or see highly skilled chefs doing their thing at live demonstrations. And as the perfect accompaniment the festival organizes live music by famous acts and the best of Chicago’s music scene.

49. Chicago Jazz Festival

This totally free four-day music extravaganza takes place across the Labor Day weekend in Millennium Park. The event is now in its fifth decade, and dates back to 1974, when a festival was organised in Grant Park to honor Duke Ellington who had just passed away.

The list of performers who have taken the stage at the Chicago Jazz Festival is a who’s who of jazz, gilded with names like Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis and Sun Ra. Each year there’s a helping of Jazz royalty sharing the bill with stars of contemporary jazz and some undiscovered talent.

Shows take place at the pavilions in Millennium Park (headliners play at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion), as well as Chicago Cultural Center.

50. Chicago Air & Water Show

To round the whole thing off, here’s another big event that the city lays on for free. The Chicago Air & Water Show goes back to 1959 and remains the city’s second favorite festival, as well as the largest free show of its kind in the United States.

Across a weekend in mid-August more than two million people line Lake Michigan, particularly the North Avenue Beach, for an exhibition of supersonic jets, formation flying, sky-diving and skywriting.

These are normally Army and Air Force groups, like the Golden Knights parachute team and the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.

Tip: There’s no better time to visit 360 Chicago, the Skydeck or take a cruise on the lake, while shore-side restaurants and bars put on viewing parties, though tickets will sell out months in advance.

I truly hope you enjoyed my picks for Chicago, if you have any comments or tips feel free to contact us !

50 Best Things to Do in Chicago (IL) in 2023 by a Local:

• River and Lake Cruises
• Art Institute of Chicago
• Millennium Park
• John Hancock Center
• Chicago Cultural Center
• Wrigley Field
• Maggie Daley Park
• Richard H. Driehaus Museum
• Buckingham Fountain
• Lakefront Trail
• Museum of Science and Industry
• Magnificent Mile
• Garfield Park Conservatory
• Mob and Crime Bus Tour
• Shedd Aquarium
• Field Museum of Natural History
• United Center
• Chicago History Museum
• Lincoln Park Zoo
• Chicago Picasso
• Holy Name Cathedral
• North Avenue Beach
• Crown Fountain
• Michigan Avenue Bridge
• Robie House
• Museum of Contemporary Art
• Symphony Center
• Second City Chicago
• Chicago Theater
• Oriental Institute Museum
• Tribune Tower
• Adler Planetarium
• Chicago Children's Museum
• Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST)
• Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool
• Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
• Chicago Pedway
• Chagall's Four Seasons
• Brookfield Zoo
• Taste of Chicago Festival
• Chicago Jazz Festival
• Chicago Air & Water Show

"Bluey's Big Play" on the Chicago stage

Chicago's hottest celebrity this weekend may be a big blue dog.

Driving the news: " Bluey's Big Play, " a live-action adaptation of the hit series "Bluey," kicks off a five-performance run Friday night at the Auditorium Theatre.

Catch up quick: The Australian hit streams here on Disney+ and has become one of the hottest shows in the world .

• The series follows the adventures of Bluey Heeler, her family and her dog pals in Brisbane.
• Episodes generally run less than 10 minutes and feature hijinks that crack kids up, along with real-world issues that engage parents.

What they're saying: " I like Bluey because it's a family and the dad always plays a game, and when the dad's not [in it] it's always so fun," Martin Roulo, 6, tells Axios.

• "I'd say most parents are fans because the storylines are relatable, thoughtful and present learning moments," Robyn Farrell Roulo, Martin's mom, adds.

The latest: The series recently caused panic when Bluey premiered an extra-long episode that teased the Heeler family was leaving Brisbane and all their friends.

• Many viewers saw this as the end of "Bluey."

Reality check: Creators say the series will go on .

If you go: Tickets are still available for performances on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What's next: Later this month, families can go inside Bluey's house at Bluey x Camp in Lincoln Park .

Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Chicago.

Chicago's Premier Hospitality And Events Industry Conference And Trade Show!

April 30, 2024  |  Navy Pier

Celebrating 23 years, The Hospitality & Tourism Summit is an industry conference featuring a trade show, educational sessions, and networking opportunities. Join over 1,250 top meeting and event planners, concierges, hotel salespeople, social media influencers, business representatives & industry professionals who come together to connect, learn, and build business before the busy summer season!  

Check out this 2-minute video to see the summit for yourself.

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• Key Street: Michigan Ave. Leads to 7 Key Hotels in Chicago

A brief guide to all the MICHELIN Key hotels in Chicago.

Travel Hotels Chicago MICHELIN Keys

On April 24, 2024, the MICHELIN Guide announced its very first Key hotels in the United States — a brand new distinction recognizing the most outstanding hotels in the country. We're thrilled to report that in Chicago, eight hotels earned at least One Key. Of those, half make their home in the kinds of historic buildings that give this city its well-earned reputation as one of the most architecturally distinguished cities in the country. Follow Michigan Avenue north from the heart of the Loop to the Gold Coast and you’ll pass within two blocks of all but one of them. The Chicago Athletic Association sits within a Venetian Gothic landmark. The Gwen makes its home in a storied 1929 Art Deco skyscraper. The Pendry sets up shop in the masterpiece that is the 1929 Art Deco Carbide & Carbon Building. And the lower floors of the Viceroy make use of the meticulously-preserved, 1920s-vintage Cedar Hotel. There are Key hotels too in newer builds, among them the Peninsula (with uniformed bellboys and staffers who seem to know the name of each individual guest) and the Waldorf Astoria , its lobby a marble marvel. Below, explore the map and scroll down for more about each of the MICHELIN Guide’s eight hotels in Chicago.

The Eight KEY Hotels in Chicago:

Chicago Athletic Association — One Key

Pendry Chicago — Two Keys

The Langham Chicago — Two Keys

The Gwen — One Key

The Peninsula Chicago — Two Keys

Waldorf Astoria Chicago — One Key

Viceroy Chicago — One Key

Nobu Hotel Chicago — One Key

Top image: Pendry Chicago

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Watch CBS News

American tourist facing possible 12-year prison sentence after ammo found in luggage in Turks and Caicos

By Kris Van Cleave

Updated on: April 25, 2024 / 7:28 PM EDT / CBS News

Valerie Watson returned to Oklahoma City's Will Rogers World Airport in tears on Tuesday morning in a drastic departure from how she imagined her long weekend trip to Turks and Caicos would end.

Watson is home, but her husband, Ryan Watson, was jailed on the island and is facing a potential mandatory minimum sentence of 12 years behind bars after airport security allegedly found four rounds of hunting ammo in his carry-on bag earlier this month. 

"We were trying to pack board shorts and flip flops," Valerie Watson told CBS News. "Packing ammunition was not at all our intent."

Valerie Watson, who learned Sunday she would not be charged and would be allowed to return home, said the trip "went from what was supposed to be a dream vacation to a nightmare."

Ryan Watson was released on bail after two nights , but must remain on the island and check in with police twice a week.

The Watsons are not the only ones going through this ordeal.

Bryan Hagerich is awaiting trial after ammo was found in the Pennsylvania man's checked bag in February.

"I subsequently spent eight nights in their local jail. Some of the darkest, hardest times of my life, quite frankly," Hagerich said. "These last 70 days have been kind of a roller coaster, just the pain and suffering of having your family at home and I'm here."

Possessing a gun or ammunition is prohibited in Turks and Caicos, but tourists were previously often able to just pay a fine. In February, however, a court order mandated that even tourists in the process of leaving the country are subject to prison time.

Since November 2022, eight firearms and ammunition prosecutions in total have been brought involving tourists from the United States, three of which are currently before the court with each of the defendants on bail.

Last year, a judge found Michael Grim from Indiana had "exceptional circumstances" when he pleaded guilty to accidentally having ammunition in his checked bag. He served almost six months in prison. 

"No clean running water. You're kind of exposed to the environment 24/7," he told CBS News. "Mosquitoes and tropical illnesses are a real concern. There's some hostile actors in the prison."

The judge was hoping to send a message to other Americans. 

"[His] sentencing was completely predicated on the fact that I was an American," Grim said. 

The U.S. embassy last September posted a travel alert online, warning people to "check your luggage for stray ammunition," noting it would "not be able to secure your release from custody."

In a statement, a State Department spokesperson told CBS News, "We are aware of the arrest of U.S. citizens in Turks and Caicos.  When a U.S. citizen is arrested overseas, we stand ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance. In a foreign country, U.S. citizens are subject to that country's laws, even if they differ from those in the United States." 

Last year, TSA found a record 6,737 guns at airport security checkpoints, and most of them were loaded.  

"I can't even begin to think that this very innocent, regrettable mistake would prevent me from being able to watch my son graduate or teach him to shave or take my daughter to dances," Ryan Watson said. "It's just unfathomable. I do not — I can't process it."

The Turks and Caicos government responded to CBS News in a lengthy statement confirming the law and reiterating that, even if extenuating circumstances are found to be present, the judge is required to mandate prison time.   

Kris Van Cleave is CBS News' senior transportation and national correspondent based in Phoenix.

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Jon Stewart and 'The Daily Show' are coming to Chicago this summer

The famed political satire program is hitting the road this summer.

Comedy Central’s The Daily Show will be visiting Chicago this summer for the Democratic National Convention. 

As a part of its Indecision 2024 special, the program will continue its tradition of visiting the cities that host election year conventions. This year, Chicago and Milwaukee will be hosting the Democratic and Republican National Conventions, respectively.

We'll see you in Chicago and Milwaukee. 🫡 https://t.co/1g4ySaQen7 — The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) April 29, 2024

The convention is scheduled for August 19-22 at the United Center and is expected to host over 5,000 delegates from U.S. states and territories, alongside nearly 50,000 visitors, according to NBC Chicago . It will be the first time the Midwest has hosted the DNC in nearly 30 years.

The show will be in Milwaukee from July 15-18 for the Republican National Convention. 

In February, Jon Stewart rejoined as host of The Daily Show , ten years after the end of his original tenure from 1999 to 2014. He currently hosts Monday night shows, with the rest of the week emceed by guest hosts and correspondents. The presidential election year and Stewart’s return has sparked a considerable uptick in viewership for the infamous satirical news program, according to  Variety .

Stewart’s involvement and specific events have not been confirmed, nor has a venue been revealed. The show’s Indecision  series dates back to 2000 and has also typically visited battleground states like Florida and Ohio, but tapings have only been announced for Milwaukee and Chicago at the moment. 

Guests, scheduling and tickets are to be announced later.

The Daily Show isn't the only program coming to town for the DNC— The Late Show With Stephen Colbert  will broadcast from the Auditorium Theatre that week as well .

• Isaiah Reynolds Assistant Editor

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