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DOWNTOWN. A highlight of any trip to Chicago, this museum is home to one of the best and most diverse art collections in the world. People are drawn first to the vast Impressionist collection, including the world's largest group of Monet paintings. But treasures abound, including the haunting "American Gothic" and Seurat's groundbreaking Pointillist work. The contemporary section has been expanded and now includes pieces by Picasso, Matisse, Dali, Pollock, and Warhol. The temporary shows are also well known and always receive critical acclaim. A recent retrospective focused on the life and works of Van Gogh.
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OAK PARK. Renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright began building this house in 1889. As his style developed, so did the home, and Wright continued to make unique additions to it to suit his personal needs. Today, guided tours showcase his studio and its chain-hung balcony, along with a playroom designed for his children that offers treetop views. The architect's signature style and taste are clearly evident throughout the intricately designed home. Tours depart from Ginkgo Tree Bookshop and run from 45 minutes to an hour in length.
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MUSEUM CAMPUS. The exterior of this hulking marble facility only hints at the historic treasures inside. The architect's goal was boldness, and he achieved it with massive columns and striking galleries filled with natural light. Visitors are immediately greeted by two massive elephants and Sue, the museum's famous Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton (she was acquired for $8.4 million)! Keep going and you'll delve into paleontology, geology, botany, anthropology, and much more. With nine acres of space to set up, curators can change displays regularly – they have more than 20 million items to choose from!
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WRIGLEYVILLE. This cozy stadium's friendly atmosphere asserts strong appeal for Chicago Cubs fans. First opened in 1914, the facility boasts ivy-covered brick walls in the outfield and a manual scoreboard that helps promote a good-old-days ambience. The place is such a local legend that any visit to Chicago must include a day at "the old ball game." And just to avoid potential heartache: any home run ball hit by the other team must be thrown back onto the field. Tours, on days they're scheduled, are offered from 9:30am till 4:30pm.
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GLENCOE. Located in a suburb 25 miles from the city, these gardens are well worth the drive. See recreated prairies, Japanese gardens, and giant topiaries, along with more than 20 other gardens. An added attraction is the Bee Line, a glass case that features over 10,000 pollinating bees. Managed by the Chicago Horticultural Society, this 400-acre preserve is also home to lagoons, waterways, and various botanical environments.
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THE LOOP. Standing 1454 feet high, this skyscraper is easily Chicago's most dominant structure. Visitors can shoot to the top of the 110-story building via a 70-second elevator ride and catch magnificent views into Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin from the 103rd floor skydeck. Informational exhibits for both adults and children teach the history of Chicago, the construction of the tower, and interesting "did you know" facts.
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7. Navy Pier
600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 · 312-595-7437
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STREETERVILLE. Since 1916, Navy Pier has been home not only to the military but to scores of special attractions. Now purely commercial, the pier offers everything from an IMAX theater to performances by a Shakespeare troupe. You can view dancing in a grand ballroom, ride the splendor of a fifteen-story ferris wheel (a replica of the one at Chicago's 1893 World's Fair), or relax to the sounds of waves quietly lapping on the lakeshore.
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STREETERVILLE. When this museum opened in its new aluminum-lined facility in 1996, it became the country's largest museum of contemporary art. Featured works go far beyond two dimensions and include such diverse media as sculpture, photography, dance, performance, and music. Three large exhibition floors showcase more than 7000 objects, including pieces by Sol LeWitt, Alexander Calder, Jeff Koons, and Rene Magritte. Don't miss the sculpture garden, which covers more than an acre. If you're there in the summer, check out the summer solstice celebration that includes a number of unique, art-related events.
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MUSEUM CAMPUS. This aquarium, the largest of its kind, houses both saltwater and freshwater exhibits, along with the Caribbean Coral Reef. When you go, you'll want to see the Oceanarium, which showcases marine mammals from the Pacific Northwest and includes sea otters and beluga whales. A colony of penguins in a naturalistic Falkland Islands environment is also a highlight. Other exhibits include an Amazon riverbank display that focuses on sloths, iguanas, and piranhas.
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WILMETTE. Beautifully manicured gardens frame this magnificent, white-stone structure, which was completed in 1953. Its soaring, 191-foot dome has an airy atmosphere, courtesy of a lacy piercework exterior. The Middle Eastern-inspired structure is one of only seven Baha'i temples in existence and the only one present in the western hemisphere. The interior is as breathtaking as the exterior, and guided tours are available on request. The temple is an active place of worship, so be mindful of others when you visit.
You want only quality attractions and activities to occupy your leisure hours. To that end, we've researched a diverse list of options, ruled out the wastes of time, and delivered only the 10Best. We provide detailed information about historical sites, theme parks, sporting events, and city sights that you won't want to miss. Peruse our lists, see what grabs your fancy, and then head out for some personal time!
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