Now that the weather is nice and warm, it’s time to take a break and have some fun discovering the amazing city of Chicago. Springtime offers so many fabulous things to do for all ages, whether that’s checking out the latest museum exhibitions, enjoying the fresh open air or exploring the world-famous attractions. Here’s the scoop on all the exciting experiences to add to the travel itinerary this season.
Museum Days
Culture abounds in Chicago and families planning a ‘field’ trip should start at the Field Museum, where two new and notable additions are attracting curious minds. Astonishing images of nature from one of the most prestigious photo competitions in the world are currently on display at the “Wildlife Photographer of the Year” exhibit through January 2020. Afterward, head to the Brooker Gallery on the upper level to see floor-to-ceiling size illustrations of beautiful winged creatures in “Audubon’s Birds of America” which just opened in late April.
Only a few more weeks remain to marvel at four exquisite masterpieces at the Art Institute of Chicago where “Rembrandt’s Portraits” are available for all to admire until June 9, 2019. Meanwhile, cinema and couture converge brilliantly at the Chicago History Museum where “Silver Screen to Main Stream: American Fashion in the 1930s and ‘40s” presents dazzling designs by Chanel, Vionnet, Valentina and more through January 21, 2020.
Finally, if you can’t get enough of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s smash Broadway musical, you’re in luck because “Hamilton: The Exhibition” just made its debut on Northerly Island. The 360-degree immersive experience takes visitors back to the days of the Revolution and follows the rise of one of America’s Founding Fathers through a sensory experience of lighting, music, multimedia, artifacts and more.
Out and About
Travelers who prefer the outside have plenty of options to bask under the sun. Everyone knows that no visit to Chicago is complete without taking a few smiley selfies in front of the sculpture “Cloud Gate,” a.k.a. “The Bean” in glorious Millennium Park. Spanning 24.5 acres, the outdoor public oasis is home to several points of interest such as the interactive Crown Fountain projecting eye-catching videos by Catalan artist Jaume Plensa and the pretty Laurie Garden. Other activities include morning nature walks, yoga and concerts under the stars at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion outdoor amphitheater.
Baseball fans who want to enjoy America’s pastime can catch the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field when they’re in town. One cool way to learn more about the legendary stadium is to go on a behind-the-scenes 90-minute tour that includes visits to the press box, the dugout and other spots during non-game days.
Active types probably already know that Chicago ranks as one of the best cities in the country for biking. While the popular Bike the Drive event on May 26 draws a huge crowd, there is ample opportunity to travel around on two wheels with one of the tours offered by Bobby’s Bike Hike and Bike and Roll. Or you can rent a bike on your own from Divvy and take a self-guided ride along scenic Lake Michigan, The 606 elevated trail or on Milwaukee Avenue.
As you can see, there is never a dull moment in Chicago. So what are your plans?