Concierge Tips for Exploring Chicago

Concierges' Favorite 40 Cultural Attractions - 2012

Written by Mike Chamernik

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Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago

It is a proven scientific fact that concierges know more about Chicago than everyone else. And that’s everyone else combined. So what do they say the city’s top attractions are? Read on to find out!

Get Cultured

Art Institute of Chicago: Some of the most famous and visually appealing artwork resides here, including Vincent Van Gogh’s self-portrait, Edward Hopper’s “Nighthawks,” and Grant Wood’s “American Gothic.”
Museum of Contemporary Art: There are large sections of this museum where you’re encouraged to interact with the art. Their most famous piece isn’t guarded by velvet rope; it’s a functional modern staircase.
Field Museum: Take a crash course in the history of the world. Among the museum’s features are exhibits on ancient Egypt, gems, pre-Columbus Americas, DNA discovery, and Sue the T-Rex.
Chicago History Museum: Anything and everything that is Chicago can be found here, including dioramas depicting the Great Chicago Fire, souvenirs from Chicago’s world’s fairs, and jerseys worn by Walter Payton and Michael Jordan.

Go Explore

Untouchable Tours: Explore the former stomping grounds of Al Capone, Bugs Moran, and John Dillinger and other places associated with the Jazz Age, Prohibition, and the Roaring ‘20s in Chicago.
Shoreline Sightseeing: This tour company offers a number of boat tours and cruises taking place on Lake Michigan and the Chicago River, including architecture cruises, fireworks cruises, skyline tours, and night architecture cruises.
Chicago Architecture Foundation: They offer a ton of tours, with excursions by foot, bus and boat, and then each transportation method has several options, with special tours covering the Magnificent Mile, downtown art deco, and modern skyscrapers, among others.

See the Sights

Navy Pier: The pier has a plethora of shops, restaurant, bars, and attractions, with some of its biggest draws being the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Chicago Children’s Museum, fireworks during the warmer months, and a huge Ferris Wheel.
Willis Tower: Take a trip to the top of the tallest building in North America to take in stunning views of the lake, the skyline, and cityscape. While you’re at SkyDeck Chicago, dare to stand out on “The Ledge”.
Lincoln Park Zoo: Animals galore! See everything from lions to wolves, from apes to flamingos, from vicious carnivores to friendly barn animals. It’s also one of the last remaining free zoos in the country.
Cloud Gate: You might know it as “The Bean.” It’s a mesmerizing large reflective metal sculpture in Millennium Park and a must-see for any visitor to Chicago.