Top 10 Chicago
1) Navy Pier – Navy Pier is Chicago’s most popular attraction drawing around
8.6 million visitors per year. Located on Lake Michigan, Navy Pier has free
admission and a ton of family activities. Must sees at Navy Pier include the IMAX
Theatre, Ferris Wheel, fireworks on Wednesday and Saturday nights during the
summer, Smith Museum of Stained Glass, Shakespeare Theatre, and the
Children’s Museum. Cost: FREE (attractions & shows are additional) Website:
www.navypier.com
2) The Art Institute of Chicago – The Art Institute of Chicago has the world’s
largest collection of Impressionist paintings outside of The Louvre in Paris. The
Art Institute of Chicago features the works of El Greco, Monet, Van Gogh, Warhol,
and many others. Debatably the most popular painting at the Art Institute is
Georges-Pierre Seurat’s Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte made
famous by the movie “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”. Cost: $23 for Adults (available at
Concierge Desk) and $17 Students/Senior Website: www.artic.edu
th
3) Wrigley Field – This year Wrigley Field will celebrate its 100 birthday. It is
a new century, but Wrigley Field still has a lot of historic charm from the ivycovered walls to the hand-operated scoreboard. Fans pack the park for every
single game, hoping for a Cubs win. Fans enjoy the surrounding Wrigleyville
Neighborhood for its bars and restaurants that are always busy on game days.
Starting in March behind the scenes tours of the famed Wrigley Field are offered
both game and nongame days. A Cubs game or tour of famed ball park are a
must for any sports enthusiast! Tour Cost: $25 Website: www.chicagocubs.com
4) Millennium Park - Millennium Park is the closest attraction to the Fairmont
hotel and is popular attraction for locals and visitors year round. Celebrating its
th
10 Anniversary, summer guests can enjoy nightly live music in the Pritzker
Pavilion and kids will love the interactive splash pad at the Crown Fountain. The
24.5 acre park has sculptures, Lurie Garden, a bike station, and the famed Cloud
Gate (aka the Bean), and dining at the Park Grill. During the winter guests can
enjoy ice skating at the McCormick Tribute Ice Rink. Cost: FREE Website:
www.millenniumpark.org
5) The Magnificent Mile - Chicago’s most famous mile, The Magnificent Mile,
has some of the best shopping in Chicago! Three shopping centers – 900 Shops,
Water Tower Place, and The Shops at North Bridge are joined by flagship stores
Saks Fifth Avenue, Tiffany & Co, Nike, Burberry, Victoria Secret, AT&T, Banana
Republic, Ralph Lauren, and many more. Historic buildings along the mile include
the Tribune Building, Wrigley Building, John Hancock, and Historic Water Tower.
Early spring is the best time to stroll when The Magnificent Mile as it is lined with
colorful tulips! Cost: FREE Website: www.themagnificentmile.com
6) Willis Tower - Locals may still call it the Sears Tower, but the now named
Willis Tower is one of the tallest buildings in America and one of the most
rd
spectacular views on Earth! On a clear day from the 103 floor observatory you
can see the neighboring states of Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin plus the
gorgeous blue of Lake Michigan. Adventure seekers can step onto “The Ledge” a
thick glass box that allow visitors to see the city below. Due to the Willis Tower’s
popularity advance tickets for the Skydeck are recommended. Please see the
Concierge for VIP tickets that will allow guest to skip the ticket line. Cost: $20
(available at Concierge Desk) Website: www.theskydeck.com
7) Architecture River Cruise - The best way to spend 90 minutes in Chicago
is on one of the Architecture River Cruises. Our top two recommended tour
companies are Chicago Line Cruises sponsored by the Chicago History Museum
and Chicago’s First Lady which is ran by Chicago’s Architecture Foundation. Both
tours will guide you along the Chicago River while tour guides point out buildings
along the trip. You’ll learn history, facts, and have new appreciation for Chicago’s
beautiful skyline! Advance tickets are recommended and reservation can be made
through the Concierge. Cost: Chicago Line ($42/Adults, $35/Seniors, $23/ Youths
ages 7-18) and Architecture Foundation’s First Lady ($39.43/per person)
Websites: www.chicagoline.com and www.cruisechicago.com
8) The Field Museum – The Field Museum was built after the 1893 World’s
Fair to house artifacts and exhibits from the World’s Fair creating a huge archive.
The Field Museum most famous permanent resident is Sue, the World’s largest,
most extensive and best preserved Tyrannosaurus Rex dinosaur.
Cost:
$18/basic admission or $30 All Access Tickets through hotel concierge Website:
www.fieldmuseum.org
9) John G. Shedd Aquarium – The Shedd Aquarium is the largest indoor
aquarium in the world with more than 8000 aquatic animals. The aquatic show is
a must see and kids will enjoy the Polar Play Zone. See the concierge about hotel
VIP tickets. Due to the Shedd Aquariums popularity advance tickets are
recommended. Cost: $34 Fairmont VIP Shedd Pass (available at Concierge Desk)
Website: www.sheddaquarium.org
10) Lincoln Park Zoo – The Lincoln Park Zoo was founded in 1868 and is
dedicated to connecting people with nature through a free family oriented wildlife
experience. The Lincoln Park Zoo is a great way to spend an afternoon in the
summer and during the winter Zoo Lights are a favorite holiday tradition! Cost:
FREE Website: www.lpzoo.com