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Greatest Hits
Home » Chicago » Chicago: One Week Itineraries » Greatest HitsThis is the itinerary that keeps you from missing any of Chicago's "can't-miss" attractions. Hey, there are lots of good reasons to take the path more-traveled-by -- especially in Chicago, where the most popular attractions are all deservedly so.
Day One: Start BIG by going up in the Sears Tower. From the 110th floor, you'll have a majestic view of the city, which will also help you to orient yourself in the city. Then take in some sights at street level on your way to meet an Architectural Foundation Tour. The Chicago Architectural Foundation offers wonderful, educational tours by foot, bicycle, bus, and boat. Louis Sullivan, Frank Lloyd Wright, Mies van der Rohe and many others not only put Chicago on the architectural map -- they made it the city of modern architecture, and the place where you'll find some of the most breathtaking buildings in the world. Since there are dozens of tour options, visit www.architecture.org to choose one and buy advance tickets.
Day Two: Now that Chicago has introduced you to its architectural splendors, it's time to get acquainted with the Art Institute. Allow yourself the luxury of several hours in this incredible museum, with a break for lunch in the Loop. Afterwards, stroll through Grant Park and see the Wildflower Works, Rose Gardens, and Buckingham Fountain.
Day Three: Spend day three on the Magnificent Mile. Start at the Chicago River and make your way north through a shopper's paradise. At Chicago Avenue, detour east two blocks to the Museum of Contemporary Art. Have lunch in the John Hancock Center, and check out the half-price tickets for that night's theater performances at Hot Tix, right near the Water Tower. If the weather is nice, retreat from the fast pace and glamour of the Mag Mile to Oak Street Beach, northeast of Oak Street and just five minutes from the Water Tower. After a delicious dinner and taking in a play, return to the John Hancock building and ascend to the 96th-floor Signature Lounge. It's two floors above the observation deck, and costs only the price of the drink you’ll savor as you look out over Chicago's night lights. The sky deck is also open until 11:00 PM, and is family-friendly.
Day Four: Today, travel to the Museum Campus in the south of Grant Park. Here you'll find the Field Museum of Natural History, the Shedd Aquarium, and Adler Planetarium. The three are usually open 9 to 5, and will provide ample scope for curious minds of all ages to explore and learn. To make up for your late night last night, turn in early and rent one of the many great movies set in Chicago: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Risky Business, North by Northwest (all rated PG), or The Untouchables or High Fidelity.
Day Five: Head south again; this time farther south to the Hyde Park area, University of Chicago campus and Jackson Park. In Jackson Park, you'll find the Museum of Science and Industry. Have lunch on 57th Street and visit Frank Lloyd Wright's celebrated Robie House and the University of Chicago campus.
Day Six: On day six, enjoy the beautiful scenery, the zoo and the conservatory in Lincoln Park. Spend the late afternoon and evening on Navy Pier, where you can visit the Ferris wheel, the Crystal Gardens (a six-story greenhouse) the Children's Museum, and/or the IMAX theater.
Day Seven: This is the perfect day for you to return to the Loop and pick up some loose threads. Start by taking the El to the Library stop, and visit the Harold G. Washington Library -- the largest public library in the world. Don't miss the rooftop Winter Garden. Then wind your way through the Loop, visiting the Chicago Board of Trade, the Rookery, the Marquette Building, and the Auditorium Building; and keep your eyes open for outdoor sculptures like the Flamingo, the Picasso, the Four Seasons, and Miro’s Chicago.
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