The third largest city in the country and the metropolis of the Midwest, Chicago offers attractions that residents and visitors alike regularly enjoy throughout the year. Whether you're looking for an event that the whole family will enjoy, or you're a couple on vacation in the Windy City, there's never a lack of things to do in Chicago.
Chicago is one of the great sports cities in America, with two baseball teams and professional football, basketball , soccer and hockey teams that regularly have sell-out crowds. It doesn't matter what time of year it is in Chicago, there's always something going on in sports. If you can get to any game, make it a part of your trip. Wrigley Field's Cubs are the hottest ticket in summertime, but the south side's White Sox are just as popular in the Windy City. Chicago sports are not just a form of entertainment, they're a cultural phenomenon. If you want to get a true feeling of the Chicago lifestyle, go to a local sporting event.
Some of the largest and most historic museums in the country are in Chicago. People of all ages head to the Field Museum or Museum of Science and Industry to engage in education in a hands-on environment. If you have kids, a favorite attraction is Navy Pier's Children's Museum. Art lovers have a wealth to choose from, with the famed Art Institute of Chicago downtown and the Museum of Contemporary Art on the near Northside. Wildlife is also easy to access in Chicago, with the beautiful Lincoln Park Zoo open for free every day of the year. And the Shedd Aquarium is one of the most impressive in the world.
Tourists often go on architecture tours of Chicago. Some of the key spots are the tallest building in North America--Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower), the John Hancock building, the Marina Towers and Millennium Park's Pritzker Pavilion. Nearby, on AT&T Plaza, is one of the most-popular attractions--Cloud Gate, often called "The Bean." It is a 110-ton stainless steel sculpture. It shouldn't be missed. The largest fountain in the world, Buckingham Fountain, is located in the center of Grant Park. Serious architecture buffs should visit the many Frank Lloyd Wright homes in the Oak Park area of Chicago.
