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Itinerary Bot 2

[ "Nice place, There is a lot to look at and plenty of entertainment. We went during the Van Gogh exhibit and the check in process was very poor. One set of people said to sign up for a text and it would be an hour wait. But the people scanning tickets at the entrance of the exhibit just let you in. , Traveled with family", "Art great! Accessibility not so much, Great collection and engaging exhibits! We keep coming back when we can to avoid the \"drinking from a fire hose\" effect.\n\nOn this visit, we were stunned by \"The Language of Beauty in African Art.\" To keep our brains from overflowing, we followed that with \"A Field Guide to Photography and Media\" Maybe next time, we can see \"Himali Singh Soin: Static Range.\"\n\nThat said, the architecture (stairs everywhere) makes it less accessible than many art museums of similar caliber. On top of that, getting to the separate wings and divisions of the lower level requires a) multiple check-ins with staff for directions and course corrections, b) planning, and c) endurance for long walks. This is especially challenging for someone without an electric wheelchair, and I saw one man with a walker who clearly needed assistance.\n\nAlso, plan at least 30 minutes to pick up items from the checkroom if you're leaving when others might leave (3-4 PM for us). Personally, I'd rather not deal with your stressing and creeping close to me in line. And please help out staff by telling them if you're claiming more than one item per check tag. They aren't mind readers and deserve transparency.", "So great we visited twice, WOW. This is easily one of the best art museums I've ever been to. We're big fans of Impressionism and they have a great collection, with a huge number of Monets (plus Renoir, Seurat, Morisot, Degas and many more). Loved the Asian and African art collections as well. We ended up visiting a second day and spent that in the contemporary section. Loved the Chagall windows but I've always had a hard time vibing with modern and contemporary art. They do have quite the collection though, with some big names and some seriously famous works on display.\nThere is a highlights guide for what to see in an hour but I would highly recommend spending a full day or multiple days here to see more. Unfortunately, all the cafes and snack spots are still closed." ]

[ "Say Yes to the Bean, Visiting Chicago for the first time, I had to see everything listed here on Trip Advisor that I could. This was on the list, so I left my hotel on Magnificent Mile and walked to Navy Pier (also on the list), and then walked to Millenium Park. It was a hike because it was raining. I could have rented a bike, and that would have been faster and probably even better. \n\nSo the way we went, we could not see the park at all and had to ask for directions twice. Most of the people were tourists and were looking also. We found the right park, but there was a free Jazz concert in the park amphitheater, so we had to wait in a very, very long line to get our bags rummaged through by security. Found the Bean, and it was lovely. There was a crowd, but hey, I didn't mind. We sat at the Jazz concert for quite a while and enjoyed it. I guess it was called the Cloud Gate, but I saw no clouds nor a gate. I would highly recommend going to see this as it is pretty and weirdly random but iconic and free.", "Chicago Treasure MUST SEE , The Lakefront park has always been a Chicago treasure. However, the additions made to the park from 1998-2004 modernized in such an incredible way that it truly is one of the best attractions in the city. There are so many incredible individual parts but together they are MUST SEE for any Chicago visit. My wife and I enjoyed the park so much we visited it all 3 days we were in Chicago, and every time we found something different. This is such a great amenity for any city and it is not like size or extravagance that make it an attraction. Really it is the way it melts so seamlessly with the city skyline and lakefront. Again, I cannot tell you enough about it, you simply HAVE TO VISIT it. , Traveled as a couple", "Amazing Park, First time visit to Chicago and was glad that our Hotel Fairmont Chicago was only a 5 minute walk to Millennium Park. Enjoyed visiting Millennium Park during the day and night for some great photos. In the evening there is security and a gate to enter the park. They will use a wand to scan you and will check any bags or purses. The entrance on Michigan Ave corner of Randolph St. is where you will enter and see the Roman Columns (not sure what it is called) and then walking along the pathway up the stairs you will see the magnificent \"The Bean\" (Cloud Gate). Even at night the view of the bean is amazing with the reflection all lit up of the buildings in the background. If you continue a short distance next comes the Crown Fountain. During the day is the best fun to see how all the children react and splash when the image of a person on the structure opens up their mouth and spits out water like a fountain. Even at night it is cool to see all lit up. If you walk another 15 minutes on Michigan Ave. past The Art Institute Museum a short distance away (approx. 2 blocks) if you look to your left is a pedestrian walkway over the railroad tracks. Continue over the bridge and you will pass a statue of Abraham Lincoln on your left. Continue to the street and cross over at the crosswalk to your right. Across the street is the Buckingham Fountain. At dusk there is suppose to be a 20 minute water show. When I was at the fountain during the day I got to see a photo shoot of a young girl dressed in a beautiful hooped gown. She was probably celebrating her Quinceanera. Wish I had more time to explore the rest of Millennium Park as there is so much more to explore." ]

[ "Visit to Chicago to take part in the Marathon., Myself and my wife recently visited Chicago to take part in the Marathon.\nWe had a few days to explore and had been recommended to get down to Millenium Park and have a look at \"The Bean\".\nThe centre of the city is really clear and easy to walk around and definately recommend a trip over to see this unusual piece of art.\nThere are great photo opportunities and just watching the effects of the light against the metal is really interesting.\nWorth putting on your list of \"things to do\".", "Restrict hours to visit the bean, That was my second visit and I was so disappointed this time because the park now opens only at 8 am until 9 pm. For a big city like Chicago with that nice sculpture I couldn’t believe these hours. I got up early tans hoped to get great pictures of the bean with the beautiful sunrise but security kicked us out. At 8 am the sun was out but the pinky clouds were gone. It was such a beautiful sunrise and the reflection of the pinky clouds could have been my super great photo of the bean but the city of Chicago destroyed that experience. The same for the night. If you are into photography you don’t want a ton of people in your photo. But with these hours there is no chance that you could get a photo just with the bean or with yourself or your company. \n\nThe photo here is from the opposite side outside the park., Traveled with friends", "Quick ‘bean’ visit, Stoped by millennium park to see ‘the bean’. I had seen it before but couldn’t walk by without seeing it again. It is very impressive in person and is great to see up close. The surrounding park is lovely to walk round on a sunny day, there are many other sculptures. Do be prepared for the crowds, I’d recommend going at the start or the end of the day for the fewest people in you’re pictures. " ]

[ "Very good tour, We enjoyed our tour of Wrigley Field. The docents were excellent, enthusiastic, and informative. I didn't know much about the field or the Cubs, but the field is rich with history. It was raining, so we didn't go on the field long, but the docents adapted their presentation for us to be inside where we could hear and stay dry. There are bathrooms and elevators inside. If you go outside to the gift shop, you go around the corner to the restrooms. The gift shop is expensive, as you would expect, $30 for a cotton t-shirt.", "A must do experience , Being baseball fans, we wanted to go to Wrigley field for a Cubs game. It was jam packed with fans and the stadium felt very old school. The icing on the cake was the Cubs victory of 11-3 over the Orioles and hearing the fans sing their victory song. , Traveled with friends", "Don't Miss Seeing the Cubs...Even if you don't care about baseball!, We were Bleacher Bums for a day and it was an incredible experience. I don't even like baseball and I had a fantastic time. The fans are extremely passionate and the bleacher experience is kind of like Animal House meets Bull Durham. The fans busied themselves by making beer cup snakes and yelling at other fans when the opposing team hit a ball into the stands...\"Throw it back\" or take the consequences. The best part was when the Cubs won and the whole stadium sang, \"Go Cubs Go.\" \n\nWe also took the tour before the game. It was good to hear some Wrigley Field and Cubs facts. It was nice to go down to the field but there was no behind-the-scenes peaks, which was a little disappointing. Overall, the game is a must-see, the tour is fine if you have $30 to spare." ]

[ "Don’t miss the submarine tour!, I went to this museum not really knowing what to expect but knowing based on reviews I should take the guided tour of the submarine. When I bought my ticket at the museum, I added the U-505 experience, which is an extra cost. My tour time was about an hour and 15 minutes after I arrived, which was the perfect amount of time to go through the U-505 exhibit. The tour was EXCELLENT. My tour guide, Chris, was extremely knowledgeable. My group asked a lot of questions, and he had answers for everything. I highly recommend purchasing the U-505 experience that takes you through the captured submarine. It was well worth it! As for the rest of the museum, it is a pretty interactive children’s museum. All of the more adult interested activities are considered “experiences” which are behind a pay wall. This can get expensive rather quickly. I only paid for the submarine experience, which I loved, but left shortly after. I probably spent 2.5 hours total in the entire submarine exhibit, so the trip was worth that for me., Traveled solo", "Impressive museum with well thought out exhibits, You could spend hours at this museum which houses an array of interesting exhibits and interactive experiences. The museum is located south of downtown but is well served by bus routes. On the visit it was busy enough but never felt crowded. It’s well worth taking the tour of the U-Boat - one of only four remaining. There are good exhibits on transport, space exploration and various weather phenomena too. The one downside would be the additional cost for some of the exhibits/experiences over and above entry fee which could add up., Traveled as a couple", "Enjoyable Science museum with lots to see and do, We had a great time here with our three kids ages 8, 6, and 3. We arrived at opening around 9:30am on a Friday. Easy to park and get in. We stayed for almost 5 hours and still didn't do everything. My kids loved the Idea Factory (which is basically a kids play place for 10 and under). My husband and I really liked the U-505 Submarine. Overall, lots of cool exhibits and interactive things for the kids. We did not do any of the exhibits that have an additional fee, but found plenty to do and see without doing these.\nThe Museum Kitchen had ok food - my husband really liked the chicken sandwich, but the mac n cheese for kids was average at best. As expected it is very over-priced, so would recommend packing a lunch. We spent $46 for a chicken sandwich, chicken tenders & fries, and 2 kids meals." ]

[ "Definitely worth it, Michigan Avenue is where we spend at least some of our time while visiting Chicago. This street is packed full of restaurants and shopping, many of which are higher end. Therefore, you can expect the prices for shopping and dining to be on the higher end. Although you will spot some cheaper chain restaurants, which are good for those on the go, we try to get at least one really good meal at a higher end restaurant. Remember the old adage, “You get what you pay for”. However it’s still definitely worth seeing even if you’re not doing any shopping or dining. Even taking a leisurely stroll and enjoying the sights and architecture can still be rewarding in itself.", "Pleasant and Safe, “Magnificent” might be a bit hyperbolic, but we really enjoyed our strolls along Michigan Avenue for each of the 5 days that we were in town. The sidewalk is very wide and clean and lined with beautiful planter boxes overflowing with colorful blooms in mid-September. Many restaurants have pleasant outdoor patios, and in the evenings a few street musicians provide entertainment. We did encounter a few panhandlers, but nothing like what we see in San Francisco. We never felt unsafe, even after dinner when we were strolling back to our hotel. We’re not shoppers so didn’t really pay attention to the stores. We did notice some closed businesses, but don’t know if that is related to the pandemic or just normal turnover. There are quite a few universities and colleges in this area, so there was a constant presence of young students, which makes it even more lively.", "Love My City, Michigan Avenue, coined the “Mag Mile” is always so alive with people walking, jogging, shopping and generally having a good time. My family and I did some shopping on the Mag Mile and we had a really great time. The weather was great, we caught some sights and we thoroughly enjoyed one another. If you’re a tourist or even a resident of the city, I recommend coming down here, taking in the sights, and breaking the monotony of your daily routine. , Traveled with family" ]

[ "Highly recommend it, We had the river cruise at 2 pm and it was amazing! Originally we booked it for 3 pm but wanted to change it, luckily the ticket office staff was kind to change it, very helpful. And our docent, Kent, was very knowledgable about buildings and also the history of the city, and the river. I could feel that he was passionate about architecture, which made the experience better. This is the official architecture tour by Chicago Architecture Center, and I'd highly recommend anyone coming to Chicago to take this! I would happily do it again :) , Thank you for such a kind review! We're so glad you enjoyed the river cruise and had a great experience., Written , August 3, 2022, This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.", "Architecture river cruise, We did their river cruise. Great views, informative talk by the volunteer docent (Ross) pointing out stylistic details, explaining construction methods, and throwing in historical details when relevant. He also answered our questions about the bridges before the cruise started, and told us where we could learn more about their function. We could hear him perfectly well, and the weather cooperated (it got chilly towards the end though, where buildings aren't blocking the wind as much). We recommend walking along the river to and from the boat, the riverwalk is really nice, if you don't like stairs look at the maps to find descents with ramps, but look out for construction down there (we had to go up streetside once to get around a place where they had blocked the path)., Thank you for the fantastic review! We hope to see you again soon., Written , May 1, 2023, This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC., Traveled with friends", "White City Revisited walking tour, Wife and I went on two great walking tours last weekend - Movable Bridges in the early morning and the White City Revisited later in morning. While the Movable Bridges tour was very interesting, the White City Revisited tour was the highlight of the day. The docent was great and really helped us to envision what the Worlds Fair was like. Have done many walking tours this year with the Architecture Center and highly recommend trying them all out., Thank you for the wonderful review! Sounds like you had a full day of touring. I'm so happy you enjoyed both the Movable Bridges and White City Revisited tours. We look forward to seeing you on more tours soon!, Written , November 1, 2021, This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC." ]

[ "Great experience going with expedited ticket, Went here on probably one of the busiest days of the year (sunny Saturday before the 4th of July) and had a great experience due to the expedited line.\n\nThe city pass includes the expedited line, which means almost no waiting for the elevator to the top and limited waiting for the ledge. Without city pass or buying the expedited ticket (which starts at $55), you will face waits boarding the elevator to the top and an even longer wait for the ledge on peak days and times. \n\nThe ledge is five glass boxes that extend outside the observation area. You get 60 seconds if you have a party of two or two minutes with a larger size party. There are timers in each ledge and an attendant that keeps track of the time in each ledge. The ledge is included in admission. \n\nThe entire experience took less than an hour due to expedited entry. Sky deck entrance is on the Jackson St side of the building and you actually go down two floors from the lobby to reach the entry. If you have city pass, you don’t need to stop at the ticket booth and can proceed to the expedited line entrance. This is a very well run experience and credit to the employees to making it run smoothly., We are so happy that your experience at Skydeck Chicago was great. Thank you very much for visiting us and for your rating!\n\n, Written , December 8, 2022, This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC., Traveled with family", "Amazing views and a fantastic visitor experience!, We visited the Willis Tower Skydeck on our first morning in Chicago using our GoCity pass, and we’re very glad we did. Entry was a very simple affair, simply showing the pass and they book you on to the next available slot. \n\nOnce you’ve been through security, you enter into the interactive museum, which was a huge surprise for us, as it really told the story of a Chicago, the past and the present, and what makes Chicago so special. We didn’t really anticipate that there would be so much information and fun to be hand in these exhibits, and we do recommend setting an hour aside to give them the time they need. It was very well put together, with lots of information and some great photo opportunities too. \n\nOnce you’ve finished in the interactive experience, you can board your lift and head to the skies. Skydeck is one of the tallest observation platforms in the world, so if you’re not a fan of heights, give this a wide berth.\n\nThe views are nothing short of epic, and you literally feel on top of the world. It’s an amazing experience, and on a clear day you can see for miles and miles. \n\nIf you’re feeling particularly brave, make sure you take on The Ledge, where you can step out over the viewing platform and look right below you, over 1000ft. They take a photo of you doing it and you can also take photos yourself which is great.\n\nWe would highly recommend spending a couple of hours exploring the Skydeck in Chicago. It’s interactive museum is a great added bonus alongside the impressive views., Thank you for visiting Skydeck Chicago! It is terrific to hear that you found our one-stop Chicago experience to be epic. We encourage you to share your photos with us on Instagram and on our Facebook page! We appreciate your review and thank you very much for visiting Skydeck Chicago., Written , June 1, 2022, This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.", "Chicago from 1,000 Feet!!!, What a better way to see to Chicago than over 1000 feet from street level, seeing as far as the eye can see, and Skydeck Chicago offers some of the best views. There are map displays showing famous locations around the city, and a little of Chicago culture, but it's view that just leaves you at awe. There are glass box ledges that stick out over the side of the building giving you a view straight down, under your feet. The entrance fee was close $40, a bit pricey but you can add it on the City Pass, making it well worth it. Overall, Skydeck Chicago is a great place to spend an hour, and take ton of photos, and enjoy the view., Thank you for visiting us at Skydeck Chicago! We are glad to hear that you enjoyed the best panoramic views from our 103rd floor. It is great that you were courageous enough to step out onto The Ledge and hover 1,353 feet above the streets of Chicago! We appreciate that you took the time to write a review.\n\n, Written , May 4, 2023, This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC." ]

[ "Worth my time & money, Depending on your interest level you could easily spend more than a day here. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it for small children though as there are limited interactive exhibits and plenty of reading. The current special exhibit related to death was worth the extra fee, although I recognize not everyone is as interested as I am! Throughout this exhibit there are kiosks where you can answer a few questions about your thoughts on death and then shares the results of previous visitors. I appreciated some of the questions challenged me to reflect on my own personal views. \nI also looked forward to the Egyptian exhibit, although there is very low light in some areas which made it challenging to read some of the information. \nIt was disappointing to see the perpetuation of the myth that the first Europeans arrived in 1492 (see photo) - when will that end?!\n\nIn terms of food, I had a pretzel, small tub of berries and water for $19. As someone with post-concussion syndrome, I was grateful for the seating area just past cashier, as it was a bit quieter. \n\nI think some of the negative reviews are written by white folks who don’t want to accept the reality of colonialism. Instead of taking the opportunity to hear voices that have been silenced for a long time, some take it as a personal attack. Museums such as this have a long history of taking/buying cultural items they had no right to, so it’s refreshing to see the Field Museum be more transparent and responsible for past behaviour. Parts of this experience might make you feel uncomfortable but if you embrace it you may learn something about yourself and your fellow humans., Traveled solo", "Learn About the Past in Downtown Chicago, I always try to add a museum visit to my itinerary whenever I travel. Visiting a large city like Chicago offers many museums- more than most people could possibly cover in a short span of time. If your days in the city are few and you want to narrow down to only the very best, then one museum that needs to be on your list is the Field Museum of Natural History. \n\nI fist visited this museum back in 1978 as part of a junior high school field trip, so my recent visit was as much about nostalgia as it was about education. The museum is quite large, and it immediately impresses from the outside. Walking up the steps, you just know there is something great in store for you once you make your way inside. \n\nThe Field Museum impresses on each of its two levels and the most difficult part is deciding which exhibit to visit. If your time is limited, then I recommend selecting a few that interest you most and going directly to them. If you have plenty of time on your hands, then you can start at the entrance with the first exhibit, then proceed one by one. \n\nThis museum is all about natural history; the evolution of the earth and its many inhabitants. The exhibits focus mainly on animals, but there are other exhibits that feature plants, gems, and human history as well. There are special exhibits, too, some of which require an additional fee to view. Depending on your individual interests, some of these special exhibits are worth the price so don’t pass them up. \n\nPossibly the most popular exhibit at the Field Museum is Sue the famous T. Rex, and her large, imposing skeleton. Dinosaurs are, as expected, a major part of this museum but they are far from the only part. The earth has been home to thousands of fascinating species and the Field Museum gives many of them mention. \n\nTransportation to and from the Field Museum can be a challenge if you intend to get her by car. A better option is to use the public transportation. Trying to drive here, find a place to park, etc can be more stressful than necessary so use the public transportation instead. It is much better to leave the worries to someone else so that you can focus on the museum and its many educational wonders. You can easily spend a full day or longer at the Field Museum, so allow plenty of time. And be sure to visit the Bistro before you go for a quick meal and a beer brewed by one of the museum’s partner breweries. These partnerships were created with learning in mind, so not only do you get to drink some fantastic beer, you are also supporting education with each sip, which makes this a win- win all around. \n\nMuseums educate and inspire. They serve not only to inform us about the past but also about how to best plan for the future. The Field Museum in downtown Chicago accomplishes this and so much more. It’s an excellent way to learn more about the Earth’s past and what we need to do to protect the planet for the future. It belongs on every traveler’s list of places to visit in this midwestern metropolis.", "Tired but satisfied, The scope and size of this museum is truly incredible. If you want to see everything, you would need two days. We started at 9 and went until just after 4 and covered about 50% of the exhibits. We were exhausted by the time we decided to stop but kind of sad we didn’t see more.\n\nThe Field museum is one of the largest in the world and has over 40 million items in its collection. What is on display is just a fraction of these items. \n\nMy advice is to go online the night before you go and make a plan on what you want to see. T-Rex Sue, dinosaurs, the hall of gems, and the jade exhibits are on the upper floor. Go to these exhibits first as the top floor is less crowded early in the morning.\n\nWe had the city pass, which gets you into all special ticketed exhibits, plus a 3d movie. The special ticketed exhibits we visited (Tang Hall of China, Jurassic Oceans, and Wild Color) were all good but none of them were can’t miss. If you get the basic admission, I don’t think you will feel like you missed out. \n\nThere are two entrances into the museum. If the main entrance (up the stairs) is too crowded, there is a lesser known East Entrance (on path towards Shedd Aquarium) that will usually have shorter lines. Either way, you still have to go through the ticket line if you have the city pass to get your tickets and choose the 3d movie. \n\nThe 3d movie we chose was about Sue the T Rex and was very good. Line was long for our ticketed show but the theater is huge, so don’t worry about getting a seat. Theater is in the basement along with a cafe. \n\nMuseum cafe wasn’t very good and was quite expensive. Only kids meals options were hot dogs and pizza and they cost around $10. When we were there, the soda machine was broken too. \n\nThey do allow you to bring in your own food and drink, and there are plenty of cafeteria style tables in the basement, so bringing your own food might be a better option. There are also many vending machines by the tables that have snacks and drinks and are reasonably priced., Traveled with family" ]

[ "Spectacular views of the Lake Michigan and Chicago skyline, The 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck offers wonderful views of the Chicago skyline and the Lake Michigan shore. As the name of the attraction says (and weather permitting), one can take great pictures of the city in all directions. I strongly recommend buying the Chicago City PASS, if planning to visit other attractions in the town, since the combo price is much cheaper than buying individual tickets for each attraction., Thank you for your review of 360 Chicago! We're glad to hear that you enjoyed the views from our observation deck. We appreciate hearing your feedback and hope that you can come again soon., Written , December 19, 2022, This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.", "Touristy But Just About Worthwhile, It’s one of those Chicago tick box attractions I guess, & I did enjoy my visit. It was a clear but quiet day, so a seamless, no queue experience for me.\nGoes without saying, the views are incredible. I opted for the View & Sip ticket, which encompassed entry & a syrupy cocktail in the naff Cloudbar. I figured after the syrupy cocktail I might psyche myself up to do‘Tilt’, the touristy add on which involves being tipped at an angle via a moveable glass & steel platform, over the side of the building, enabling sick bucket inducing, downward facing views of the city streets 1000ft below. l did, & it was petrifying, but blessedly short. As with these kind of attractions, it’s a factory line, with the usual overpriced cheesy photos & tat shop. Quite a well known wheeze if you want to experience the views but avoid the queues & not pay entry, is to whizz straight up the dedicated elevator to the Signature Lounge, where you can admire the vistas for the price of a syrupy cocktail, or touristy meal!, Thank you for your review of 360 Chicago! We appreciate hearing your feedback as it helps us improve the 360 Chicago experience. Thank you for visiting our observation deck, and we hope that you can return again whenever you're in Chicago., Written , December 19, 2022, This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC., Traveled solo", "Surprised it was under construction, We visited and did Chicago 360 with Tilt, and since it was the night before my birthday, got the package with the drink. It was a good experience, but not as great as I expected. The staff who were running the downstairs activities, the elevator, and the bar were very nice, welcoming, and helpful. However , the employees who were working the Tilt were not any of those things. I basically felt as if my children and I were putting them out by being there. It was a new experience for my kids, and they were apprehensive. The demeanor of the e plain that area DID NOT help. Additionally, I feel I paid a decent ticket price for this activity, but half of the 94th floor was under construction. There was no bar, everything was canned. The area to sit was small and very limited, and one side was completely blocked off. I wish I had known about the construction before I visited., Traveled with family" ]

[ "ZooLights delivers with even more lights this year!, The ZooLights festival at the Lincoln Park Zoo is quite spectacular. You must buy timed entry tickets on-line. The $5 entrance fee and the amazing number of holiday lights on display make it a great option for families. Although you will pay for parking and “ride” tickets. \nThe only reason I did not give it a 5 star is that driving and parking can be a bit of a challenge. We found a space underground nearby at History Museum ($32) Also, leave time to get through the security check (took us 20 minutes) at the entrance. \nWhile you buy your entry Tickets online, tickets for the Ferris Wheel, Train and Carousel are separate. Tip: to avoid the long line for “ride” tickets at the Ferris wheel, buy your tickets at one of the other ticket booths. Views from the Ferris Wheel are fantastic. \nIt’s a lot of walking, but totally worth it!, Traveled with family", "A great little Zoo, We came here twice within the same vacation. The first time it was OK but many of the exhibits and animals were not on show. Because of that we spent time in the Gorilla house and African Savannah buildings which were nice to walk through.\n\nThe second visit 5 days later was on s particularly cold snowy day but this time we got to see the Lions and Polar bears which was a real highlight and totally made the second trip worthwhile.\n\nThe Zoo is free of charge surrounded by beautiful Lincoln Park so I'd definitely recommend at least one visit whilst visiting Chicago.\n\nFree Tours by Foot Architecture walking tour.\n\nThis tour was an excellent introduction to the city of Chicago and it's amazing architecture including the birth of the skyscraper. Although you can appreciate the awesomeness of these buildings just by looking at them getting their history, purpose and aesthetic choices of the architects involved is priceless.\n\nOur guide Mitch was knowledgeable, friendly. I would wholeheartedly recommend booking a place onto this tour.", "Good way to spend a day, Major drawback for me was that there were no paper maps. I understand everything is digital nowadays, but for people caught unawares, aka me, makes it easy to get lost.\n\nTime spent was about 5 or 6 hours to take it all in. Some habitats didn't have animals as they were inside, but taking a second look a short time later was a good way to find the others.\n\nCheck out the barn area to see goats and cows. Staff were very hands off with visitors (again, aka me) so it wasn't too engaging.\n\nIn the gorilla enclosure and another one (near where the polar bear is, the name escapes me) are one way through the buildings, but they aren't well signposted until you're standing at the wrong door!\n\nAlso in the gorilla enclosure be aware that some of the gorillas will bang and make themselves seem a danger. Lot of people caught unawares. You can purchase coins here, 4 designs depicting different types of gorillas.\n\nAt the gift shop they offer you to round up your purchase to the next dollar amount to help the zoo. As expected almost everything is exorbitantly priced (individual post cards .25 cents; pack of postcards makes them work out at .35 cents each). Not everything is clearly marked. Hoodies etc run at around $50-60. They have toys, magnets, tshirts etc.\n\nA lot was closed this time of year. No train, only 1 gift shop. Not sure if any eateries were open since I brought a packed lunch.\n\nInside the reptile house there is a video about the zoo which plays for a little bit. Good place to get off your feet and learn about how the zoo has evolved., Traveled solo" ]

[ "Chi-Town RiverWalk, The Riverwalk is one the best places to visit when in Chicago. There are actually two foot paths, aligning both sides of the river. The paths are full of shops, ice cream parlors, coffee shops, restaurants, and bars giving you options in case you get hungry while strolling. This is a scenic way to get from side of the city to another. I felt relatively safe while walking, it was well kept, and well lighted at night time, though I recommend keeping up current events in the city, to make sure of your safety. The river walk is home to many docks, where many people keep their pleasure boats, as well as, a few touring companies, that have tours up river deeper into the city, or down to the Lake Michigan. Weather permitting you'll be able to see folks take their boats out or have parties. As the Riverwalk expands, so those the entertainment, docks, and food scene. on my next visit to Chicago, I will revisit the Riverwalk, to take a boat tour, and relax strolling through.", "Beautiful walk in the city, If you only have a few hours to explore Chicago - spend some of that time here. The Chicago Riverwalk is beautiful and lets you see some of the city's well known buildings, memorials, restaurants, bars, and more. The Riverwalk is a great place to visit any time of day, and is centrally located near many other popular attractions in Chicago so you can easily work it into your itinerary. We stopped in Chicago for only about 4 hours on our road trip but we are so glad we went to the Riverwalk! It also makes for some beautiful pictures!", "Fun activity, It’s fun to walk along the river on the Riverwalk path. There’s vendors you can book an architecture cruise from, rent kayaks, day cruise, rent bicycles, dine at. We also saw the U.S. Navy Submarine Memorial, a historical information display about submarines which passed through the area on their way to war after Pearl Harbor. And children’s play areas. There were kids playing with their parents which was heartwarming. It’s warm when the sun is beating down so make sure to hydrate and wear sunglasses and a hat if necessary. There are portable toilets if you need provided by the businesses for their customers mostly. Hand sanitizer stations are scattered about. \nIt can get crowded and hectic with people getting on board the boats and kayaks. Watch out for bicyclists as some ride quite fast. Fun to sit in the rest areas on the benches provided and people watch or have a drink at a restaurant and look out on the river. A few restaurants are O’Brien’s Riverwalk Cafe and The Northman Beer and Cider Garden. \nWould be nice if you could walk all the way to Navy Pier but you need to exit the riverwalk and get to the road level before getting on another path to continue the journey. The Riverwalk is open from 6am to 11pm. It is a 1.25 mile long path and is divided into four areas - The Confluence, The Arcade, The Civic and The Esplanade. The path allows you to enjoy the Chicago river at your own pace., Traveled as a couple" ]

[ "Art and architecture, Another of Chicago's 'must-see' buildings, this impressive institution boasts a fine lobby, several ornately decorated rooms and two remarkable domed ceilings, both of which are well worth seeking out. We arrived a little late in the day and were pretty much the only people exploring the place which hosts a number of art exhibitions which you can also peruse at your leisure. Entrance is free and it's just across the road from Millennium Park/The 'Bean', so it's an easy addition to any city centre itinerary.", "Visit to Chicago, Visiting this landmark is free. It is made up of a four-story north side and a five-story south side. When I visited, I did the tour with the aid of a tour guide You can tour the building by climbing the stairs or taking the elevator. Its shining glory is its two large stained-glass domes. Touring it was worth the visit.", "Great free tour, very pretty building, We joined a free tour leaving from the cultural center and had a blast! Alan, our guide, was exceptional. Super knowledgeable and kind, he showed us around the center and the Loop. We also went inside a few buildings and he spoke about the history, art, and architecture of the city. Would highly recommend. It’s great that it’s free and accessible to all!, Traveled with friends" ]

[ "Great Aquarium but you pay the price, You kind of have to be in the right frame of mind when you visit here. There is more to see and do here than at other large aquariums (National Aquarium in Baltimore or the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta). However, there are also several drawbacks. \n\nThis is Chicago’s most visited attraction and the crowds range from crowded (on weekdays) to call the Fire Marshall (on winter holiday weekends). The building echoes and it will be loud with screaming kids.\n\nMost of the aquarium dates from the 1930’s, which means the building is beautiful inside but also means you have a lot of small tanks in the galleries and lines can form to see the fish in the tanks.\n\nThe entrance was chaotic even with the city pass. There are two lines but no signs indicating which line was the city pass line. City pass line saved no time because you still have to be in the ticket line to exchange your city pass reservation for tickets and the 4d show selection and time (included with city pass). \n\nArrived at 10:05 for a 10:00 reservation city pass time and didn’t get into the aquarium until 10:45 due to the slow moving line. That is unacceptable. Why can’t you get your ticket and pick out the 4d movie time online with your city pass?\n\nThe newer part of the aquarium is a lot easier to maneuver around and has beluga whales, sea otters, and dolphins. It also has a small stadium area where you can see an animal show (whales, otter, or dolphin) every hour on the 1/2 hour; however, they don’t tell you which animal they will be presenting, which is weird.\n\nEverything here is also expensive. Non resident adult is $40 for admission (if you don’t have the city pass) on top of $30 parking. Public transportation is difficult because the subway/el lines don’t run by the museums. There is a bus you can transfer from at the nearest El stop. There is a food court, which serves ok but expensive food. Had a hot dog and chips for $10 (does not include drinks.)\n\nOverall, if you have the city pass, and like aquariums, it is worth the hassle to come here. Otherwise, you may want to skip., Traveled with family", "We saw Nemo and some dolphins., Good size aquarium with a decent amount of different sea creatures to see. the dolphin show is cute but to wait 30 mins for a 6 min show is disappointing. \n\nI've heard they will be renovating and adding additional buildings and features so will be ice to see that complete in future. \n\nTry and snag some discount codes cause it's a little pricey for non-residents. ", "Amazing array of both saltwater and freshwater animals from all around the world, spectacular!, I would suggest the Shedd Aquarium should be added to any itinerary you have planned for Chicago! From the circular tank you first see, with its multitude of colourful sea animals to the Anaconda lurking deep in one of the tanks in the Amazon exhibit, you'll continue to be amazed. Not forgetting the Beluga Whales, Dolphins and Seals. Don't miss: A chance to stroke Lake Sturgeon, elegant fish that are smooth to the touch and almost seem to enjoy being \"petted\"; Sharks swim around and above you in the shark exhibit; Penguins, a joy to watch, always seem lovable, almost comic creatures; the Dolphin eco educational show, learn more about these highly intelligent animals; you can even find Nemo or someone that looks very much like him. Adult ticket costs around $38 and it's well worth it!" ]

[ "A Must-Stop for your Chicago Stay, What a beautiful place to visit and just chill. We had a river cruise booked nearby, so I thought it’d be nice to get familiar with where the dock was located. \n\nThe first day we visited, we ventured on the outside perimeter of the building. It was such a wonderful experience to walk along the pier, be near the water and also see the beautiful skyline in the distance. They have lounge chairs to just soak in the vibes and sun, which was a nice treat.\n\nThe second day, we returned to check out the inside and upper floor. Not much going on inside besides shopping and restaurants, but the upper floor is home to the noteworthy Centennial Wheel. I would highly recommend checking it out, as it’s reasonably priced, private, and offers some pretty great views of the city.\n\nNavy Pier is a must if you’re visiting Chicago, as you get your views of Lake Michigan, as well as some nice shopping, restaurants, and attractions!, Traveled as a couple", "Fireworks on Wednesdays/So Much to Do and See, Just about everything said you need to see Navy Pier for a complete visit to Chicago. I knew it had the Centennial Wheel, but I really did not know much else. Let me say we had an incredible evening with so much to do.\n\nOne of the great things Chicago did was to envisioned a much more recreational and residential waterfront as opposed to other Great Lake cities like Cleveland. With an industrial waterfront further to the south, Chicago does not really have a place for vessels in the downtown Loop area, except Navy Pier. \n\nHistorically built for possible passenger and cargo transport, it evolved into more office usage as the Navy actual user for training in WWII. Afterwards it was part of the University of Chicago and then underutilized until the late 1990s. Then there was a redevelopment idea for an entertainment destination with museum, theater, attractions and rides, along with food and hospitality. \n\nWe visited to see what was there and we loved our ride on the Centennial Wheel. However, we were totally unprepared for the number of people we saw only to realize Wednesdays are fireworks. So we stayed and enjoyed views of the city changing from sunset to night as well as fireworks over the lake. Again it was a fun evening. I am so glad we made the visit.", "LOTS TO DO ON THIS PROPERTY, FERRIS WHEEL A MUST DO, I have been to Chicago about 5 times in the last 4 years since my son moved there but had never been to Navy Pier until this last trip. The outside and grounds are very clean and well kept. WE went inside and there are 2 larger restaurants then a corridor full of all types of little shops with wears, t-shirts, clothing, souveniers and other goodies. Then when you go all the way down the hallway there are several eating small little places and drinks, desserts etc. Outside you can go on the jet boat, go into the Shakespere theater or ride the Centennial Wheel which is the huge ferris wheel on the grounds, it was very cool, it goes very slow you barely know you're moving and the view is amazing especially when the water looks so crystal clear blue, and the trees are changing colors.\nThe Ferris wheel was $19.42 per adult with taxes included, I am not sure child price as I had no kids with me.\nThere is alot to see and do so plan a couple hours there especially in the summer, spring and fall I am not sure how much stuff is open in the winter. I am sure the inside is still open but the outside activities I'm sure are closed down for the winter.\nThere is also a huge parking lot if you drive but I have no idea what the parking fee would be." ]

[ "Excellent tour--do the guided tour, I had reserved a time slot for entry into the museum ahead of time but apparently hadn't purchased a tour. When we arrived, we purchased the tour adder ($5/person) since we had purposely arrived just before the tour started. We'd highly recommend a tour guide. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable about the house and family which helped add a significant amount of interest to the tour. The information placards are very helpful and add even more detail but a guided tour is highly recommended. The history is fascinating, especially since several families/groups have owned and occupied the building and the tie-in between Sullivan and photographer Richard Nickel adds another dimension to the history.", "Beautiful old mansion, I was not familiar with the Driehaus Museum but it is a somewhat newer museum. My son found they were having an exhibit about Richard Nickel and his efforts to document the work of Louis Sullivan before buildings were demolished. The mansion has been restored and has many original and period pieces. We looked thru the exhibit on our own and also took the public tour spending 2 hours in the museum. The first floor is primarily about the home. The second floor bedrooms are not furnished but are used for the exhibit space. You can still admire all of the fireplaces upstairs. Entry price was $20 for adults and my daughter in grad school was $10. Some reviewers complain about the cost but look at what you are seeing and helping to preserve. This mansion is in downtown Chicago. A home would not be built like this today. The woodwork and craftsmanship is incredible. The satinwood in one room can no longer be obtained. The center hall on all 3 floors is all marble (walls, floor, ceiling) including the staircase. The tour guide did a nice job. ", "Gilded Age house museum is a stunning example of splendor and beauty!!, This was our second visit to the Driehaus Museum when visiting Chicago. This house museum is amazing! From the moment you enter the house and into the marble entrance hall, you will be mesmerized! We wandered through each and every room in the house to enjoy the Gilded Age splendour....the fireplaces, the ceilings, the decor, the library/gallery, and the glass ceiling dome. On our first visit, we enjoyed a special Tiffany exhibition of pieces collected by Mr. Driehaus. Note that there are always Tiffany pieces to be seen throughout the house. On this visit we saw the Capturing Louis Sullivan: What Richard Nickel Saw exhibit, and it was worth making the time to see. So interesting!! Our first visit was at Christmas; if you enjoy the Christmas holidays, a visit is in order!" ]

[ "Still not the cleanest but worth Kayaking on at least once a year!, We launched at the put in right behind REI on Kingsbury and paddled all the way to navy pier then back around south to see Chicago architecture from a different viewpoint. It was the air and water show but the weather was not great this year, so we did not see as much as in years past.\n\nMake sure you know how to handle your kayak because some of the large sightseeing vessels make large wakes, and you definitely don't want to capsize. The river is cleaner than it used to be but still definitely not clean enough for a dip unless you want to get sick 😲\n\nWe own our own kayaks but if you don't own your one you can rent from REI or book one of their experiences with their guides. If you are a coop member you get a rental/trip discount!", "Amazing, We parked right at the marina and were greeted by friendly, helpful staff. Our tour guide, Hillary was outstanding, full of fascinating information about the history and the city, the buildings, and the architecture. She delivered the information in a fun, but informative way so it was never dull or boring. The views from the boat were incredible. We brought our teenage daughters and they loved it as much as we did. I highly recommend this tour !", "Chicago's No. 1 tourist attraction, According to the Illinois Office of Tourism, the Chicago River is the No. 1 attraction in Chicago, not Cloud Gate or Navy Pier or Wrigley Field or the Art Institute of Chicago or the Museum of Science and Industry. While most people perceive the Chicago River to be the 1.5-mile main stem that flows west from Lake Michigan to Wolf Point in downtown Chicago, passing beneath the Outer Drive, Columbus Drive, Michigan Avenue, Wabash, State, Dearborn, Clark, La Salle, Wells and Franklin Street bridges, where it converges with the North Branch to form the South Branch, which flows southwest and empties into the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. Along the way, it affords views of some of the city's great structures, including Tribune Tower, NBC Tower, Wrigley Building, Trump Tower, Marina City and Merchandise Mart. In fact, the Chicago River is a system of rivers and canals with a combined length of 156 miles that run through the city of Chicago, including its center (Chicago Loop). It is not especially long but it is notable because it is one of the reasons for Chicago's geographic importance, a link between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River Basin and the Gulf of Mexico. The river was crucial in the city's development as a major center of the lumber and meatpacking industries during the 19th century. The Chicago Riverwalk has been developed on the south bank of the main stem to provide dining, entertainment and recreational opportunities for Chicagoans and tourists." ]

[ "Views galore, I fly to Chicago regularly and there are so any great skyline views. My favorite isn't even on the ground but approaching Ohare from the east across Lake Michigan. Sitting on the left hand side of the plane (A, B, C side) you get amazing views of the entire waterfront area. Likewise, departing Ohare for the east is equally special if they take off west and loop around as then you see the city with the lake as a backdrop (again A, B, C side). Other great views are up close, coming down LakeShore from the North or from the Navy Pier or Millennium Park looking back west. They are all great views of this special city. , Traveled solo", "Most Amazing Skyline in the World, For the birthplace of the skyscraper, the skyline is perhaps one of the best attractions for the city. It is amazing to see so many incredibly tall buildings in so many different architectural styles. I had also thought the New York skyline was the most amazing in the world, but after my visit, I have to say Chicago. Additionally it is incredible to see it from so many different angles, the lakefront, the river, other buildings, even 30 miles away at Indiana Dunes National Park. Take the time to see the skyline while you are in Chicago. It is truly amazing., Traveled as a couple", "Simply spectacular, We saw the Chicago skyline from the Sky Walk toll bridge yesterday. The skyline is amongst the best in the world. The Willis Tower stands out and the buildings, from far, look like they have been assembled.\n\nI have been to Chicago twice before and do recollect having gone up the Willis Tower (then known as Sears Tower) to view the city from top. \n\nThe city’s skyline is amongst the best in the world. Also try to see the skyline after it is dark -simply stunning.\n\nMunir D., Traveled as a couple" ]

[ "Try to Figure Out When the Tall Water Spike Shoots Up, and then Let Me Know, OK?, Beautiful fountain to visit during the day and night. We sat there for a very long time waiting to see the tall water spike shoot up, thinking it was once an hour, or every 20 minutes or something. We never could figure it out. Gorgeous light effects at night. Tip: If you're tired of walking and want to take one of those rickshaw things back to your hotel, don't hop on the first one you see. They apparently have all different prices, and pricing structures. One dude told our party of three it would be $20 per person for a 10-minute ride. That sounded outrageous to me and I nixed our trip with him, and then he pointed to another rickshaw a few feet away and told us that guy charges like $5 or $10. So shop around.", "Mighty fountain with city skyline backdrop, Located in the heart of Grant Park, this is a huge fountain that puts on quite a spectacle every hour, sending up an enormous jet of water that must be one of the highest of any fountain I've ever seen. We found it quite pleasant to relax on one of the benches nearby, admiring the fountain and Chicago's skyline, which looms behind it. There's not much shade around, so you can feel a bit exposed here in warmer weather, but it's a good spot to enjoy a bit of people watching. We had fun watching a guy who was going up to tourists, offering to take their picture in front of the fountain, and then asking for money for the service - the range of reactions he got was very entertaining!", "Stumbled Across a True Gem, On the tail end of our walking tour of the Loop, we wanted to finish up a little bit closer to the lake, and we kept walking towards some music that we were hearing in a nearby park. Little did we know that had stumbled across one of the largest fountains in the world, which at that moment, was in the middle of its hourly display. The highlight of this was the very-high central jet, along with an array of smaller jets flanking it. There were plenty of benches around the perimeter, and we treated ourselves to a memorable show." ]

[ "Beautiful trail! , Renting bikes from the city bike share and biking almost the entire length of this trail was the highlight of our trip here. The bike lanes definitely get crowded during rush hour but it was so cool to see locals actually getting to use bike lanes in a functional way (Boston, take note). The views were beautiful. , Traveled as a couple", "Fun excursion on a great Chicago day, We rented bikes right at the entrance to navy pier and rode almost 20 miles on a really nice day. We headed north on the Lakefront trail (we had already walked the southern section from the fountain to navy pier the day before. The northern section was a nice break as it goes into the residential area of Chicago so was filled with people playing soccer and enjoying boats, golf, volleyball and enjoying the parks -- was a nice afternoon", "Walk, Run, Bike, Stroll, your views are excellent, This is why I really enjoy Chicago. It's a huge city but they really focus on the non-vehicular traffic. This very long and very well maintained trail is an excellent place for outdoor living. On one side is the city and on the other is the lake. You choose your speed and method of transportation and enjoy the view!" ]

[ "Beautiful Stretch of Road, I rode or crossed portions of Route 66 around Flagstaff east to Petrified Forest. While the city stretch in Flagstaff isn’t the most beautiful stretch, the section east of Flagstaff is spectacular! I used it to jump between National Monuments. It’s well worth the drive and gives you a taste of what this historic route was like back in the mid-20th Century. Definitely a must-do in Northern Arizona!, Traveled solo", "Amazing trip, Driving the entire 66 off the freeway is definitely a great experience. It takes some planning to get to see all the countless little things along the Route but that planning is worth it. While it might be hard to guess how much time you need from day to day, I'd say 14 days if you're on the faster end with lots of driving as well. My favorite parts where the beginning to Missouri and the Kansas to Tucumacari part. There are so many small and neat things along the route which makes it a truly unique experience. It's not gonna be a cheap experience and may consider doing another big trip instead of \"just driving a road\" but it time and means are here, definitely worth doing it. Great trip with so many things to see!", "Rebirth from the \"Mother Road\"....Route 66, In a new life book First chapter we found ourselves on Route 66 in Oklahoma. We followed it to Tuscon Az. Had we actually planned it out and not had a short time frame it could have been more interesting. (We need to \"coin\" a new route that goes from Portland Maine to Tuscon thru Knoxville.) So many of the things were tourist TRAPS. A warning....Any place that charges for parking is going to charge you 4x the parking fee to get a \"glimpse\" of the attraction. Mostly they want your $$$ in the gift shops. \nMay was a beautiful time to be on the road. Everything was lush Green and the desert was blooming., Traveled with family" ]

[ "Fantastic place - but just be careful of the area., First of all, let me say how wonderful the Conservatory is. It is the BEST conservatory I have ever been to, and without doubt puts many of the glasshouses at Kew Gardens in London to shame. It is well maintained, both in terms of the plants themselves and how they are spaced out so that you can see everything very clearly. The signage for the plants is very good (something many gardens fail at) and the selection of plants on display is breathtaking. It was the highlight of our stay in Chicago, and we are so glad that we made it there.\n\nNow, this is where I have to note the area where the Conservatory is situated. We were unaware on going there that Garfield is currently one of the most dangerous areas of the city - something that we had a glimpse of when we were subject to a potentially dangerous situation on the L train (Green line) that takes you to/from Conservatory to downtown Chicago. Thankfully, we left unscathed - but it could have been very different.\n\nSo, do please check out the Conservatory - it's a wonderful place. However, be mindful of the area and how you get to/from there.", "Enjoyable morning, The Conservatory was a wonderful way to spend the morning. The plants/landscapes were so nice to walk through. The staff was very friendly and plants were identified for easy recognition. I Highly recommend visiting for a peaceful 2 hours, Traveled with friends", "Loved this place, I absolutely loved this place! I had a conservatory near where I live, but this far surpasses that. There are multiple areas that focus on different types of plants of flowers, which makes for a great variety of things to see during a visit. There are also outside garden areas, including a lilypad pond area. There is even a permanent installation by artist Dale Chihuly! Even though there were some restrictions due to COVID, everyone was polite and followed the rules for masks and distancing, which was great. The staff at the info desk and in the gift shop were friendly and helpful. There were a few areas that were not open due to COVID, so I definitely plan to go back when everything is completely on view again., Hi! Wow, thank you for the lovely review!! We really appreciate it and hope you visit us again soon., Written , July 23, 2021, This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC." ]

[ "Hey it's in every Chicago movie...you simply must visit it, The Loop refers to two things:\n1. it is the most central part of downtown Chicago encircled by the Chicago river on north and west and Lake Michigan to the east, down to the Field museum on the south.\n2. It is the iconic elevated train system on massive metal structures above the streets circling that area. Consider it ugly or not, it is worldwide unique and seen in so many movies. The only downside is it is not free like in Miami.\nThe Loop area boosts with prime city attractions such as the Willis tower, Millennium park with Cloud gate, Art Institute, Buckingham fountain....to name just a few.\nPlan at least a whole day to visit it properly.", "Always Chicago to Me, I first visited downtown Chicago as a wide eyed California kid, when we came east to visit family (and fondly remember the Carson Pirie Scott and Marshall Fields of the 60's).\n\nWhenever I visit, I make sure to wander through The Loop as I recall the stories my parents told of growing up there. They, too, rode the L and went to the Chicago Theater.\n\nI was last in the city about two years ago, and was happy to see things have improved much since the early post pandemic era. May this continue., Traveled solo", "Really Cool place to spend time, Must visit when in Chicago. Lot of Bars and Restaurants, and options for Public transport. Numerous busses, and multiple train lines. Buying a Ventra Card should be the first thing on your to do list when you arrive Chicago. Buy it from any train station and start using the busses and trains. Saves a lot of money. Ventra Card (must buy)." ]

[ "Mother's Day Visit, I visited the Medieval Torture Museum with my adult and teenage daughters over Mother's Day weekend. We were all incredibly excited to visit because we find this part of history fascinating. I initially had a problem purchasing tickets online (double charged) and called the business to rectify. The female employee was incredibly understanding and helpful. And, within a reasonable amount of time, I was issued a full refund for the double charge. The museum itself was very well put together and much bigger then expected making it absolutely worth the price of admission. Gift shop had some fun souvenirs as well and we each left with a memorable keepsake. Good times!, Thank you for spending your special weekend at the museum! I'm glad we were able to give you a glimpse at this fascinating part of history in a fun enviroment., Written , June 2, 2022, This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC., Traveled with family", "Review, The Midieval Torture Museum is a great way to spend an a couple hours with friends or family. It is very interesting, as well as informative. There are hands on displays, and a ghost hunt that you can participate in which adds to the cool factor! I would not hesitate to recommend this to anyone who is interested in this kind of fun. , Thank you for the review!, Written , February 18, 2022, This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.", "Interesting and Definitely Spooky, I had a very interesting time here. The stories of the statues are very intersting, and it definitely has that 'haunted house' kind of feel. the stories are informative, and the interactive aspect of the exhibits make it a lot more fun. The audio tour is great, and even though I didn't do it, they had a ghost hunting game through the museum. Despite being small, there was a lot there., Thank you for visiting the museum! I'm glad that you enjoyed listening to the stories on the audioguide and had fun interacting with the exhibits., Written , October 9, 2022, This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC." ]

[ "Grand Cathedral, Holy Name Cathedral, built in 1874, is one of the most prominent cathedrals in Chicago, not only because it is the seat of the Archdiocese, one of the largest Roman Catholic dioceses in the US, but also due to the architectural grandeur of the cathedral.\n\nVisiting Holy Name Cathedral in the hype of the holiday season was breaking away from the chaotic hustle and bustle of the city, and finding myself in the peaceful serenity of the place of worship.\n\nThe cathedral, designed in the Gothic Revival style by the architect Patrick Keely et al, is beautiful. Everything from the tall, 210 ft spire, the west front rose window, the massive, bronze front door to the stunning, ornate interior, colorful stained glass windows, the beautiful nave, the chancel, the powerful columns, the aisles, the memorable and unique Resurrection Crucifix, the Stations of the Cross, the 70 ft high, stunning ceiling of the cathedral ... -- everything overpowers you with a sense of timelessness and eternal beauty.\n\nThe place of worship. The grand architectural creation.\n\nHoly Name Cathedral is located in the city center. In fact, it is just a short walking distance from the Magnificent Mile.", "Spectacular Catholic Church, Whenever we are in Chicago on a Sunday, we always attend the 10:30am mass. Feels like attending a mass in a church in Europe. Not sure what is going on with the protestors in front of the Cathedral, they have been there every time there is a mass. They don’t harass or bother anyone, but it’s a bit strange., Traveled as a couple", "Go for the ceiling!, Even if you’re not a religious person (I’m not), this building can be enjoyed. The ceiling is absolutely stunning! If you only go for that, it’s worth it, but the rest of the cathedral is also beautiful. It’s also impaired in that it’s right on a busy inner-city block, but you’d never know it once you’re inside., Traveled solo" ]

[ "Very Nice Venue for a Blues Concert, Traveled 300 miles to attend a concert and found the venue to be well suited for Blues Artists Susan Tedecshi & her husband Derek Trucks. It was a tremendous concert, well attended, and just out the backdoor of our hotel (making it easy for us olds to get right to bed when it's over). It was a great evening, though I will say that being from a small town, I was not prepared to shell out $15.00 for a box of mediocre popcorn and a plastic cup 8 oz. cup 3/4 full of ice and pepsi. God knows what they might have been charging for beer, wine, or hard liquor.", "Gorgeous venue, If you have any opportunity at all to see a show here, please do! This gorgeous theater harkens back to the glory days of theatres, with a beautifully adorned ceiling, comfortable seats (although they're on the smaller side), and ample space for a lot of people. There's a concession stand, and although the lines are long, they move quickly - the staff are efficient and friendly, and know how to move large groups of people along so nobody's waiting for long. This theatre attracts great shows (e.g., Hamilton, various Christmas shows), so shows are generally packed, especially since the theatre is centrally located in the Loop/downtown area.", "Amalgam of numerous shows, The venue is beautiful. The seats have great sight to the stage. The sound is excellent (dependent on performers). Stop and look at the ceiling. Drinks are a bit pricey but they have plenty of bars, and they are well made. The staff are friendly and organized. I've been to 20 shows at the Chicago Theatre over the 15 years I lived in the city and it is always an A+ experience. We'll be back this summer for more." ]

[ "Another great concert outing here!, I returned here to see Phil Collins and Genesis on their The Last Domino? farewell tour. United Center did a fantastic job with the crowd during our Covid era as vax cards or a negative Covid test result was required to get in. Masks were also required. This made for a safer outing for everyone. As far as the concert - simply awesome and a fantastic way for Phil Collins fans to say thank you and farewell! Acoustics were great. The light show part of the concert was also the most spectacular one I've ever witnessed! UC official parking was also convenient, well-lit, safe, and relatively reasonable at $22.75, and there is always quick egress out of the area after an event.", "Stunning & safe venue for sports & more!, It had been years since we were at the United center. Was there last night for the Bulls game & was SO IMPRESSED! What an amazing venue! The entertainment value is unmatched beyond the game to the music, performers at breaks & more. A great way to remind us of why we love Chicago. We (senior couple) felt super safe especially using the new Uber Zone. What forward thinking way to run ride shares from such a busy venue! SUPER organized, well lit, easy to find & only a couple minutes from entering, ordering a car & being ushered to the correct lane to find it. Instead of hanging around outside hoping you find your driver, you are INSIDE a terminal it was great! We were lucky to be guests at the BMO club which is crazy cool but the normal seats looked great and fun as well. Oh & every staff member was awesome & patient even when I had some \"technical difficulties\" finding the tickets on my phone ha! It's a while new world and happy to be a part of it in retirement!, Traveled as a couple", "United Center and Blackhawks Provide Great Evening Event, We went to our first Chicago Blackhawks game and were extremely impressed with the United Center and Blackhawks operation. The atrium was decked out for the holidays and there were several things for fans to experience before the game. The game itself was fun and the entertainment during dead times was excellent. The United Center staff was fantastic all the way around and do a gret job of interacting with fans. The food was good and not too bad ein price for stadium food. We chose not to park in the UC lots and used a firm called Spot Hero online. The lot was about .7 miles away from the venue and it was a nice evening to walk. Using that company saved us about $12 in parking cost." ]

[ "Not your ordinary theater, When we went in July 2022, patrons had to have proof of Covid vaccination or negative Covid test and masks were required. \nThe actors were talented and take their craft seriously (but not too seriously). They could make each other laugh as well as the audience. When a member of the audience was out of line (intoxicated and belligerent), they halted the performance until the offender was removed. We were not sure what to expect regarding the performance and were pleasantly and unexpectedly surprised. I am not sure if they change up performances but the one involving Alice and the Looking Glass was what we saw.\nParking might be costly, but there is a lot across the street from the theater.\nThey do offer student rates.", "Always good, Looking Glass Alice is fun; the cast is great, especially the caterpillar lads, who deliver great energy through every bit they do - the red queen is especially delightful (GREAT costumes). It's a touch long (the conversation w/ HD on the ladder bores a bit), and too bad the chairs aren't more comfortable. Glad they're enforcing vaccine status, but masks are a hindrance that aren't really needed in this type of venue.", "The Steadfast Tin Soldier, At just over an hour long, this production is a sweet little seasonal treat, full of whimsical charm & colour. Based on the Hans Christian Anderson classic, it involves 5 very talented actors in addition to a musical quartet. No words are spoken, it’s all performed via imagery, mime & dance. The set is chocolate box pretty & the costumes spectacular. \nLoved it." ]

[ "Another great park, This is a nice and well maintained park. Has beautiful grounds. There’s a small parking lot that charges $21 for up to 3 hrs and it’s only a block away from the Zoo entrance. The Zoo is free but they take donations, Traveled as a couple", "Lincoln Park -- something of everything for everyone., My wife and I have lived in Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood since 1983, a half-block south of North Avenue, which is the southern terminus of Lincoln Park. We are retirees so we take daily walks through Lincoln Park and Lincoln Park Zoo and North Avenue Beach. It is a thoroughly relaxing and refreshing and exhilarating experience, especially the view of Chicago's magnificent skyline. Lincoln Park is to Chicago what Central Park is to New York City, one of the most affluent and most expensive neighborhoods in the city and home to many of its popular tourist attractions. Bounded by Diversey Parkway to the North, the Chicago River to the West, North Avenue to the South and Lake Michigan to the East, it is Chicago's largest park. It is home to Lincoln Park High School, Francis W. Parker School and DePaul University and five architecturally significant churches, including St. Michael's Church, one of few survivors of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. It also is home to many upscale national retailers, boutiques, bookstores, restaurants, bars, clubs and coffee shops. Tourist attractions? Lincoln Park boasts the world renowned Lincoln Park Zoo, Lincoln Park Conservatory, Chicago History Museum, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Alfred Caldwell Lily Pond, North Pond Nature Sanctuary, North Avenue Beach and prominent statues of Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, Benjamin Franklin and Alexander Hamilton. While the average single-family house is priced around $1 million, many homes in the area sell for more than $10 million. In 2007, Forbes magazine named the area between Armitage, Willow, Burling and Orchard as the most expensive block in Chicago. Lincoln Park also is home to Chicago's only three Michelin star restaurant, Alinea; the nationally known Lettuce Entertain You empire's first restaurant, R.J. Grunt's, also home to one of the nation's first salad bars; the first Potbelly Sandwich Works restaurant; and The Wieners Circle, one of the city's leading hot dog and Polish sausage venues. Lincoln Park offers something of everything for everyone.", "Nature area in Chicago, Wonderful place. I never thought that Chicago would have so much nature, vegetation and wildlife. The people there have made a fantastic job restoring the nature with native plants, ponds, lakes and trees. I had a great time walking in the park and at the beach and I definitely want to see more. It also felt pretty safe for a single woman." ]

[ "Kids loved it!, We walked here with our 3 kids ages 8, 6, and 3 while we stayed in the city for a weekend. They loved it and did not want to leave. My 6 year old keeps asking when we can go back to this super cool park.\nWe went in early March on a Saturday morning and were lucky to have a nice day with sunshine and weather in the low-40s. This made it nice enough to play, but also not very crowded.", "Terrific free park - #1 free place in city for kids, Having been to Chicago many times, I'd say this is the #1 free place in the city to go with 5-12 year olds (with possible exception of Lincoln Park Zoo). \n\nThere are a number of free towers, slides, and other very creative places for kids to play; plenty of benches for adults to sit in, and some other options like a climbing wall and bunji jump if you want to spend a bit of $.\n\nEasy to get to on public transportation or uber. Not a \"hidden\" gem but definitely a gem.", "Ice ribbon in the evening, We had a wonderful night of skating at the Maggie Daley Ice Ribbon. We were able to reserve our spots and skate rentals online. \nThe ice ribbon at night is holiday magic. You feel like you are in a Christmas movie. The beautiful lights in the trees and buildings set the scene. There was fun Christmas music playing. People of all ages and skating abilities were on the ice and it seemed all we’re having a wonderful time., Traveled as a couple" ]

[ "Superb Collection, This small museum far exceeded my expectations. Had to admit that I found the term \"Oriental\" a little confusing, as the numerous items on display were mostly from the Middle East and Egypt, with a smaller display of Roman statues.\n\nThe items were all stunningly displayed with good captions. There were only six other visitors there so it made me feel very select.\n\nThis was a real highlight of my visit to this city, and was only a five minute walk from the famous Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House., Traveled solo", "A Hidden Treasure, We were visiting our son who is attending grad school at the Univ. of Chicago and as he was showing us campus he said--\"you've got to see the OI!\" I was like, okay, what's the OI? He took us to the Oriental Institute and we were blown away! Admission is by donation so anyone can go in regardless of means and the displays of ancient Far Eastern artifacts is phenomenal. Most was collected by professors at the university pre-World War II or donated. There is an abundance of Sumerian and Persian artifacts and excellent examples of cuneiform writing as well as ancient texts.\nMost impressive was the complete coffin, sarcophagi and mummy on display.", "Superb. Extremely well-curated exhibits. Don't miss it., Loved our visit to the Oriental. The exhibits are beautifully displayed and curated. Small enough to thoroughly enjoy each piece and to learn about each of the cultures. Often the pieces on exhibit are real treasures, with lesser pieces also displayed in cases. One of our favorite museum experiences in Chicago. A real jewel." ]

[ "Chicago Overview , This well set our museum tells the fascinating story of this great city. It follows the development in a chronological order and there's more than enough to hold any viewer's attention. Also interesting exhibits on \"rights\" along with Martin Luther King.\nReally nice staff, spotless toilets and a pretty reasonable cafe., Traveled solo", "So many interesting exhibits, The Chicago History Museum has reopened. My wife and I are long-time members who live only a block away and we really missed our frequent visits. It doesn't matter whether there is a special exhibit to see. There are so many permanent exhibits, all focused on the history of Chicago. Located at 1601 North Clark Street, at North Avenue and Clark Street, in the Lincoln Park and Old Town neighborhoods, the museum features over 22 million artifacts, exhibits and interactive programming. Plus a book store and cafe. There is always something to see or something you want to see again. Like Lincoln Chicago, a glimpse of the city that Abraham Lincoln knew; Remembering Dr. King, 1929-1968, which depicts key moments in Dr. Martin Luther King Junior's work and the Civil Rights movement with special focus on his time in Chicago; Millions of Moments, the Chicago Sun-Times' photo collection of 150 images, highlights from 5 million negatives spanning the 1940s to the early 2000s; and Women's Activism in Chicago, tales of women and their struggle to earn the right to vote. More good news from the Chicago History Museum: Ground was broken in early March on a multifaceted park beautification project, construction of the Richard M. and Shirley H. Jaffee History Trail, an interpretative path through the park space to the north, east and south of the museum. And, yes, Lincoln's deathbed is still there.", "A Great Overview of Chicago’s Dynamic History, We entered not knowing very much about the city and left feeling incredibly informed! Checked out a fascinating exhibit on the fire of 1871 as well as a bunch of smaller exhibits on the second floor. Loved the stately area with all the stained-glass windows — an unexpected surprise! Front desk and museum staff were very friendly., Traveled as a couple" ]

[ "So much beauty!, It was worth having to register online for free admission (since it's enclosed, they need to limit crowd size). From the giant sausage tree inside the front door to the brilliant colors in the Show House, this place is a plant lover's dream. The botanist in me appreciated the fact that most of the plants are identified, while the artist in me just enjoyed the outstanding variety of forms and colors, all laid out perfectly. I could have spent twice as long in there and enjoyed every minute. Staff were friendly and knowledgeable. Definitely go!", "Small Yet Sweet, It is a nice little, free conservatory. You must register your visit in advance and they give you an hour to view the plants. It is very small and not as extravagant as other conservatories or botanical gardens, but it is very nice to visit while enjoying the zoo or park as well. Wouldn't go unless I was visiting those other places as well.", "An opportunity to view \"Nature's loveliest forms\", Lincoln Park Zoo has reopened. So it gives young and old an opportunity to visit the zoo and the adjacent Lincoln Park Conservatory in one day of viewing Nature's loveliest forms, animal and botanical. Located at 2391 North Stockton Drive, south of Fullerton Avenue, west of Lake Shore Drive, in spacious Lincoln Park, the Lincoln Park Conservatory is a conservatory and botanical garden housed under a extraordinary Victorian Era glass dome which was built in 1893. The conservatory contains four rooms displaying exotic plants from around the world, including rare orchids. A formal garden, one of the oldest public gardens in Chicago, designed and planted in the late 1870s, is situated in front of the conservatory. Of special interest is the Palm House, which contains Garden Figure, a sculpture by Frederick Hibbard, and the Fern Room, which was opened in 1895 and contains plants of the forest floor, primarily a vast collection of ferns and one of the most historical plants, the cycads, whose fossils date back at least 250 million years. Other points of interest include the Schiller Monument, at the south end of the garden, which is a copy of an original monument to German poet Friedrich Schiller; the Eli Bates Fountain, also known as Storks at Play, which is located in the center of the formal garden, was installed in 1887 as a gift from Eli Bates, a wealthy Chicago businessman; and the Conifer Garden, trees and shrubs with needle-like leaves that bear cones, mostly evergreens, which is located along the west side and front of the conservatory." ]

[ "Interesting experience for the family, Our family toured the Robie House while in the Chicago area and had a great experience. This is definitely an activity for adults or older children; my child is a very mature tween and she enjoyed seeing the house and asking questions, but is accustomed to these tours and behaved accordingly. Our guide was fantastic, and I believe he runs the site, so perhaps has greater knowledge and interest than other reviewers commenting on the guide. Having never seen a FLW home in person, I thought this was well done and I appreciate the restoration that ensures the house is true to its 1920’s original appearance. My child was disappointed there was little furniture to see (there is some), but the house has changed hands a few times. \n\nGift shop had a range of items at several price levels and all staff we spoke with were wonderful. Would highly recommend this experience,as it was convenient from downtown Chicago on the Meatra ($2 reduced fare ticket each way, per person) and our taxi was $20 for the family from the downtown - note we didn’t see many taxi options going back to Chicago so we rode the train. On street parking is plentiful BUT school was not in session. Gorgeous area with many other cool buildings on the University of Chicago campus. Also close to the Museum of Science and Industry., Traveled with family", "Excellent and informative guided tour, Robie House is one of the signature houses built by Frank Lloyd Wright. It is on the UNESCO world heritage list. Guided tours of the interior and extorior for USD 20 pp - guides are excellent and know a lot about the house and its former inhabitants, bringing the house to live. Really nice experience. It is located in Hyde Park, next to the Univ of Chicago - very easy to combine. Recommended trip., Traveled solo", "Robie House Tour, My wife and I went on the Robie house tour for the first time and found it super interesting. Wright's design are quite beautiful and unique and this tour is a great way to experience his talents and family life. Great tour for out of towners and life long Chicagoans." ]

[ "Infinite Inspiration & Joy, A place, a space, a magical energy, where a true lover of writing gets lost, flows with the deepest inspiration, joy, and resilience that lies within you. This museum is a treasure to protect and persevere. The interactive elements and creativity of all different ways it can engage a visitor is mindblowing, heartmelting, and mesmermizing. So many spaces to tap into different writing styles in history so far and within you as a writer, reader, and lover of ideas. I visited twice in the same week in my first ever Chicago visit. Both times my heart just didn't want to leave. I learned and amazed myself with many different forms of writing and lives of writers and poets. There are many fun elements to the place that could captivate from kids to people of all ages, identities, and values. This is place is definitely worth a visit, especially to travel worlds and infinities within one museum. , Traveled solo", "Readers Will Love This Museum!, Readers and writers will thoroughly enjoy this interactive, “easy to pace yourself” museum. So well displayed and easy to navigate and enjoy. The exhibits bring a smile or a thought or a memory of a writer, book, or favorite quote. Well worth 2 hours or more. Highly recommend for teen age and above. Stools are located for relaxed time at the different exhibits. A wonderfully conceived and created museum!, Traveled solo", "Well done and interesting museum., This museum is in the center of tourist activity but people walk by it all the time. The museum is extremely well done with lots of interactive exhibits. It would be easy to spend two hours here and go through all the rooms. Altho’ there is one small room devoted to children’s books, most children would be very bored. This is definitely a place of interest to adults. The senior rate is half price." ]

[ "Worth the visit even without a tour, At some point in my trip planning I was told you didn't need to get advance reservations. This perhaps is true usually but this was the weekend of the Frank Lloyd Wright Housewalk so there was a lot of interest in the building. To be safe get advance reservations for the tour! Go to flwright.org for tour availability. Without reservations we were still able to see the lobby which is wonderful. Information is posted in the lobby so you can get the history and the understanding of what FLW changed from the original lobby. Well worth the visit!, Traveled as a couple", "I got a private tour through the Rookery and it, I got a private tour (by accident) through the Rookery by Jennifer from the FrankLloydWright Foundation and man, was I one lucky chic. Not only the dazzling beauty of this building is impressive; the story about the construction and its constructors/architects etc is just as impressive. Thanks so much to Jennifer; She made this tour an experience to never forget. ", "Most Famous and Ornate Building in Chicago - MUST SEE, What do you get when you combine the two most famous architects in Chicago, Daniel Burnham and Frank Lloyd Wright? The Rookery, one of the most famous and ornate buildings in buildings in the center of Chicago, is the transition between traditional buildings and skyscrapers with load bearing walls and a steel skeleton. The building at the corner of LaSalle and Adams is literally the center of the Loop and the oldest high rise in Chicago. It is incredibly functional and beautiful both inside and out. What Burnham did to ornately show off the exterior, Wright did the same to the public portions of the interior which can be visited during working hours. The importance of this building to American architecture can not be overstated. This is why you must see it. It really is the base of every modern high rise in every American city. Yet it is not just it function and design, it is also one of the most ornate and beautiful edifices in Chicago. For all those reason you need to make every effort to see it." ]

[ "It Came From Outer Space - great play, acting, It Came From Outer Space - outstanding play, the actors were very impressive, the set was a great job of improvising. It was a lot of fun and I think most, if not all, of the audience enjoyed it.\n\nThe only reason I gave four stars instead of five was the website for booking seats at the Upper Theater. They show a normal theater design with a center and two side aisles. But they don't tell you that the side aisles are not accessible, they are blocked off. So when I booked seats F1&2 I thought naturally we had an aisle and easy access. But no - we were 14 seats down the row. I would have not bought these tickets if they told me this. It would be easy to fix this on their website.", "Simply the best theatre company, I’m a chicago newbie, a NYC transplant and resolved not to buy any theatre subscription( one play is excellent, one terrible , one meh , and one can’t go and no one wants my freebie ticket) but I fell for the hot lineup at Shakespeare theatre.\n I am so glad I did. Loved Notebook and its music, was so very familiar with Measure for Measure and thought it well done and enjoyable ( people sitting next to me knew nothing in advance and were confused and disappointed). I’m a Bronte fan and can’t wait for Wuthering heights. Reviews from London and NY were brilliant and I think Shakespeare theatre will do the same production.", "As You Like It Oct. - Dec. 2021, Remarkable! Energetic! Fresh! Joyous! Sunshine! What a way to venture back into live theater after a 20 month dearth. Chicago Shakespeare Theater delighted us with their current staging of As You Like It. They cleverly wove Shakespeare's story with many popular Beatles songs set in the 60s and it worked wonderfully. I was surprised to hear of the 2 hour and 35 minute running time before the show started, but I sat on the edge of my seat taking it all in and the time flew by. I couldn't help dancing in my seat and was thrilled when we were encouraged to clap along. The actors/musicians were marvelous and deserving of the standing ovation. I plan to spread the word to family and friends to pack the house for the run of this innovative and sure to be a hit production. You really shouldn't miss it., Traveled as a couple" ]

[ "Mix of Old and New, Visited here with friends and attended a scheduled College tour and admissions talk. Our student guide was extremely receptive and friendly, giving us a nice tour of all of the University's facilities including the athletics center, the art museum, multiple libraries, the bookstore, the hospital/med area, and more. She gave us a lot of fun facts about the university too!\n\nThe university itself featured a lot of old buildings from the 19th/early 20th century but there were also numerous new buildings with far more modern designs which include an egg-shaped domed library. \n\nWe also grabbed lunch at the Quantum Cafe, which served a nice range of food ranging from pre-packed sandwiches and salad, to hot coffee, donuts, and burgers, and was thematically quite cool being located on the ground floor of the Quantum Physics building (i think) and open to the public.\n\nFun Fact: UChicago has over 20 coffee shops!", "Beautiful South Side Campus, It feels a little strange reviewing a University like it was a hot dog stand, and you're not going to find many good hot dogs here. If you're looking for a peaceful visit, as a complement to other south side attractions (most notably the Museum of Science & Industry), this campus fills the bill. Gothic architecture mixed with modern, grassy quad, the Midway to walk along. And if you're in the neighborhood, you're very close to Court Theater and the Oriental Institute Museum (although it says it's about to change its name, so look for it).", "Gorgeous, imposing campus, This gorgeous campus is well worth a visit just for the sake of the university, which is one of the best in the world, although the campus itself is also strikingly beautiful. It's very close to the Museum of Science and Industry, so you can walk over from the museum. In warm weather, the vines and flowers are all in bloom, which add to the grandeur of the campus, but even in cold weather, the Gothic architecture is breathtakingly wonderful. It's a free way to spend an afternoon, and there are coffeeshops around campus to invigorate you." ]

[ "The Center of Chicago, For me this was the center of Chicago. The River was the divide between the Magnificent Mile, retail and residential district of downtown, north of the river and the Loop, commercial and visitor district of downtown, south of the river, while Michigan divided the Lake from the Interior. We crossed this bridge multiple times during our visit and it was such an impressive place to be over the water surrounded by the tallest and most important buildings in the city. It is here at the bridge that you find landmark buildings like the Tribune Tower and the Wrigley Building. This does not even include the bridge itself which is adorned with architectural features. Finally, we did a river cruise which allowed us to go under the bridge. Again for me, this was the center of Chicago.", "DuSable bridge with most amazing city views, The Michigan Av Bridge is also called DuSable bridge in honor of Jean Baptiste du Sable, where his first homestead used to be and who is considered the Chicago founder and its first resident.\nOn the bridge southern side, the 19th century Fort Dearborn was established. The bridge was opened to public in 1920.\nAround the bridge are some of the city most historic landmarks - the Tribune and Wrigley towers, and from the newer era the Trump tower.\nDuSable bridge offers terrific city views standing in the middle of Magnificent Mile.", "Slide Up To The Railing, The views up along the River and Michigan Ave. are well worth a few minutes of your time. Weather / the season allowing for it, take a River Taxi or cruise on the River and along the Lake-front. Chicago at its best." ]

[ "A modern take on the fountain experience, a perfect fit for the park, This fountain fits in well with the rest of MIllenium Park. The massive LED screen adds a modern element that is very intriguing. The fountain itself is shallow if you just want to walk across it or you can get wet if you choose to have the massive LED person \"spit\" at you. A really new vision on what a fountain can be.", "Unusual but interesting, Crown fountain stands in the Millennium park, close to the Cloud gate. Likewise, it's a big attraction and kind of fountain I've seen nowhere else.\nTwo glass towers facing each other with changing human faces projections and spilling water all around. Fun for kids and interesting for adults.", "Watch the Lips Fountains, Amazing! Delightful! Creatively Inspiring! Work of genius! Refreshing! Cooling! Fun for youth of all ages. The puckering lips let you know when the water is going the spray. Side benches give a place to rest as well as a place to take off your shoes and join the fun. Kids, teens, and adults splash in the waterlogged area between the faces. A great way to cool off on hot summer days, to cut loose the youth in all of us and to stand in inspirational awe of creative genius." ]

[ "Visit to Chicago to run the Marathon, Myself and my wife recently visited Chicago to take part in the Marathon.\nWe had a few days spare during our trip and this was one place we wanted to visit on our \"to do\" list.\nThe park is really easy to find and is a really relaxing place to just take stroll and enjoy the view. You can walk further on towards Lake Michigan or up to the main centre of the city at your leisure.\nWe basically got some lunch and a drink and chilled for a few hours taking in the views or having a leisurely walk.", "Chicago's Front Yard, Chicago was very smart to keep its waterfront on the south end of downtown open to the public. I had thought it was created by the great plan for the city after the fire, but no, the park area had been there from the beginning. It has been expanded with fill multiple times.\n\nIt is a great green place surround by skyscrapers. We are fortunate enough to walk it on two different mornings when we were in the city and both times it provided great views of the city. However, the best way to see it may be from the water with the skyscrapers as a back drop. You should do this in the morning from the Aquarium or Planetarium. \n\nThere is a little bit of every thing in the park, fountains and gardens as well as recreational fields and jogging trails. It is a great place to get some exercise and see wonderful views of the city. See my pictures as they are incredible.", "Nice area in Chicago, The Buckingham fountain is worth a visit to the park. The park is across the street from Lake Michigan where there are bike and walking paths. The area around the fountain is huge but lacking in benches and shaded areas. There are some benches and some trees but not enough for a city this size. Just FYI. At the time we were there, they were setting up for the Lallapalooza festival, so several areas of the park were closed off., Traveled as a couple" ]

[ "A great adventure., This past March I took a friend to the opera with me to see Tosca. We had a great time experiencing box seats for the first time! I highly recommend the box seats, and would purchase them again because of the excellent view and privacy. Totally worth the price! We also enjoyed dinner after the Sunday matinee at the Florian in the opera house. That was also an enjoyable experience.", "A beautiful place, What a fabulous venue to experience The Nutcracker! Such a beautiful place and the staff was amazing. It was a very special evening for a group of 8 ladies who came to Chicago from all over the country to spend time together.\nI'd like to especially thank your usher Cal for his kindness and care. I am type 1 diabetic and needed to exit the ballet to control my blood sugar. Cal was very attentive and kind to me and made sure I was doing okay. He's a caring and kind employee!", "Donizetti and Verdi --- two nights -- two operas, First of all I want to commend the staff for running a well organized, safe and friendly operation. The opera was one of our main reasons for visiting Chicago. We first saw L'Elisir d'Amore which was staged really well and was done in a humorous fashion without overdoing it. The singers were good but nothing out of the ordinary. The second day, we saw Macbeth which was directed by McVicar and was great on every level. The setting, while not traditional, evoked the feelings of terror which are one of the themes of the opera. The singers, especially Sandra Radvanovsky, were terrific....the cast in our view was superior to the Macbeth we had seen at the Met in New York. The orchestra and conductor were of the finest quality." ]

[ "Great experience from the cheap seats, We stopped in to see A Christmas Story over the winter holiday. The show was almost sold out and we needed up with last row Mezzanine seats. I was a bit concerned that we would feel “removed” from the performance being so far back, but it was a pleasant surprise. The theatre is small and cozy, with incredible acoustics. You will not be disappointed!, Traveled as a couple", "A Christmas Carol, The Goodman is a beautiful theatre & the production of A Christmas Carol in December 2022, outstanding. I’ve seen the show in various theatres over the years & with an array of fine actors in the role of Scrooge, including the fabulous Jim Broadbent. Well this one topped the lot for me - absolutely superb. The lead actor, Austin Tichenor, was mesmerising …… & I’ve just discovered he’s the understudy in this long standing Goodman Theatre show!! Apart from a handful of dates, Scrooge is usually played by Larry Yando, & has been for 14 years. Well I have to take my hat off to Austin & say I can’t imagine anyone doing a more amazing job in the role. Fantastic!!", "Not a bad seat in the house, Took my family from Belgium to see A Christmas Carol. It was fantastic. I waited to long to get tickets and we were the second to last row, but the view was still excellent. The theater gets people in & out very efficiently. The production was spectacular. I suggest visitors & locals catch the performance next year. Not to be missed. And very very reasonable priced for a matinee." ]

[ "Chicago's most distinctive skyscraper, While Chicago has many other skyscrapers which are taller, shiner, bigger, more modern.....etc, the Tribune tower is a Chicago icon considering its age and style.\n It was built 100 years ago (1923-25) in an amazing neo Gothic style. It has a fab location on the plaza just after the Dusable bridge, adding to its beauty.\nPay attention to unique worldwide stones embedded into its facade, each one is marked. Enter the lobby and admire it - further you cannot go.\nImo, it is the most elegant and stylish office bldg worldwide, along with the Chrysler bldg in NYC.", "Best Neo- Gothic Skyscraper in Chicago, The neo-gothic tower on the banks of the Chicago River on the bottom end of the Magnificent Mile is a great example of early 20th Century architecture. Again, Chicago has amazing examples of every architecture, especially on the river and this combined with the Wrigley building are the city's best examples of neo-gothic. Where the Tribute Tower really distinguishes itself with its slender verticality topped by the buttress tower. It is a modern gothic temple to media and for nearly 100 years it has been the of an American publishing giant. Of course today media has changed, certainly newspapers but the building is a testament to longevity of media in Chicago.", "Unique Historical Building with cool Artifacts and Rocks, This Building is iconic as it is beautiful. I walked around the building and took pictures of every rock or artifact that was embedded into the exterior walls, there were several artifacts from places I've been to like the Rock from the Battle of Little Big Horn, or Scott Bluff just to name a few, but the real gem is the Big Map in the lobby. It appears to be three stories high. The Desk Staff are very professional but please obey the rules. This is a Residence Building so please respect their privacy. If you ask nice you may be allowed to take a picture of the Big Map. They just don't make buildings like this anymore." ]

[ "COOL BREWERY BACK IN AN INDUSTRIAL PARK, We were in Chicago visiting my son and his girlfriend for a long weekend and they had never been to this brewery so they wanted to go as they live in the city and have no car of their own. \n\nWe stopped in on a Saturday afternoon for a few beer tastings, I found it was weird you cannot get flights of beer to taste that your tastings come in a 5 oz glass.\n\nThe 3 of them had several tastings found some they liked and some they didn't that were too bitter for their taste. I simply had a rootbeer as I was the driver for the day.\n\nThe inside of the brewery is super cool, you can see the vats from the tables thru the glass which is super cool. The decor in the brewery is very Chicago style, maps on the walls, outlines of the cities, and the rest of the motif is done in grey, blacks and whites. The shelfs behind the bar look like they are floating with the products on them.\n\nThere were also tables outside for seating with umbrellas in the shade. They are cute little box like cubes for seating they hold like 4-6 people.\n\nIt was a neat place to try for something different. It is not on the main street it's back like in an industrial section of the city not right out in the open. From what I understand there are a few breweries back in that vacinaty. They had hand santizer on the tables and were constantly cleaning up good behind patrons who vacated their tables, I felt very safe at this establishment during Covid.", "Ghost Town Goose Island, Good beer but a bit of a slow crowd. I was anticipating a bit more of a younger scene. The area it is located in was very industrial and a little deserted. I came from the South Loop and I wouldn’t recommend walking it by yourself. We tried the Flamingo IPA and a simple lager. The 8 oz taster glasses were really nice to try beer without committing to a whole pint. The service was great and everyone was very friendly. I would recommend the brewery if you were looking for a good place to catch up with someone or have a quite beer., Traveled with friends", "GOOSE ISLAND BEER TOUR at Fulton Street, Our party of 3 enjoyed our one hour tour with about 7 others on a Saturday PM with Grace, our tour guide. Grace was very informative and we learned a lot, although at times it was hard to hear her in the production area. We did get to sample 3 or 4\nbeers , Paper Umbrella, Matilda, and Sofie (Parise) We all got a complimentary beer glass as well... We stayed for a beer at Tap Room which was busy, and bought some packed goods for home--An enjoyable day" ]

[ "Great Experience! They care about mobility-challenged patrons!!, I was incredibly impressed by the fact that they have a dedicated reservations department for special needs patrons. I wish all theaters were as dedicated to helping patrons with a variety of challenges be able to have great theater experiences. Every person we encountered was helpful and polite. While we did have a little issue with people sitting in our seats because they were confused and stressed and the labeling of the seats was a challenge for them to understand, we worked things out. The usher tried to get the lady to understand she was in the wrong seat, but we compromised to avoid a scene. The bathroom dedicated for people with mobility issues is nice, but after the show it could use more attention as other patrons found it more convenient to use than going downstairs to the other restrooms. The theater is incredibly gorgeous and happily very accessible. They know how to take care of people.", "Wicked, the show was good, seat was good except for very cramp and no leg room. The bathroom facilities were poor, almost missed the 2nd part of the production waiting in line. No chance for any refreshments during intermission.", "Tina Turner on Broadway, The Tina Turner Musical was spectacular. Superb performances, and the cast was terrific. The adult Tina Ari Grover and the child Tina Ayvah Johnson were marvelous. I recommend people see this Broadway musical before it's gone., Traveled with friends" ]

[ "A Grand Great Hall, While killing time before heading to O’hare we decided to stop by and see the historical Union Station.\n\nConsidering this was a large transportation hub there was a lot of available metered street parking right along the street.\n\nThe outside of the station was a little grayish but it was so much more impressive inside. \n\nThe Great Hall with its soaring glass ceilings was quite spectacular. It seemed like I had the whole place to myself. Maybe it was a quiet weekend or time of day but very little people were walking through or sitting on any of the benches. \n\nAs I walked to the train tracks there was a little more activity but passage was restricted to ticket holders. I did pass by a number of plaques (National Historic Railroad Landmarks, Great Public Spaces and American Institute of Architecture) recognizing the importance of this Station. \n\nOn the Mezzanine level there were some fast food options like Starbucks, Jersey Mikes.\n\nOverall a nice place to visit or spend some extra time before or after your Amtrak or Metra train, the L or bus ride., Traveled with family", "Wow! This is one large space!, We rode the Amtrak Empire Builder down and back from Minneapolis/St Paul, Minnesota. Only our second time riding inter-city rail service in the United States. We came into Union Station on an 80 degree day in April and your first impression of the station is semi-underground with unattractive platforms dimly lit, poorly marked and permeated with the smell of diesel smoke. All part of the rail experience you might say. Of course, in the history of the United States, the rails converged upon Chicago in order to circumvent the Great Lakes and also was the beginning of the gateway to the East Coast of the United States. This grand old station has welcomed millions over the last centuries to the architectural heights of one of the greatest American cities. Worn by time, trains, and a lack of upkeep, it is somewhat of a confusing series of hallways and rooms which require a bit of concentration to find the way out. Getting in is a bit easier if you come in the door marked “main entrance.” We walked by this giant place a few times while we were in Chicago and some doors are marked with no access to Amtrak. There’s a place called the Great Hall, but we never actually saw it, we were relegated to the Amtrak dungeon. We never really got lost here, but we only found our departure gate by following the Empire Builder signs. Unfortunately, we pushed on a large glass door to get out to the platform that made a massive screeching sound and were immediately admonished by the Amtrak guy who did the same ritual with several other unsuspecting guests. The line for Minneapolis/St Paul is not marked and to make it more confusing, the train for Milwaukee is in a different line behind the blue line. It’s confusing because the train we are going on also stops in Milwaukee and none of the electronic signs work next to their corresponding gates. \n\nThere is another station for the local Metra trains just to the North of the Union Station. Although Amtrak and the local trains use the same tracks we thought there was another station for the local trains. When we arrived and departed from Union Station we found the Metra Trains coming in next to the Amtrak Trains. Fortunately, we never had to broach the subject of transferring to a local train, but there is a way to do it and then you have access to virtually the entire city. Chicago has an amazing mass transit system, but like the Union Station, it’s old, dirty, and seems like it could use more than a little updating. \n\nWe had a great experience on the train, but the Union Station is not like flying into a large, unfamiliar airport. The electronics are rickety, signage confusing and requires turns and never quite knowing where you will come out. If you want to get the best overview of the freight and passenger rail in Chicago, go up into the Willis Tower Skywalk and you will see the vastness of this rail network., Traveled as a couple", "Train ride. , We never went anywhere by train. We live in La Crosse, Wi. As beautiful as our little town is driving 5 hours by car and paying for the parking hundreds of dollars or having someone to drive us and go back the same day results in 10 hours of driving in one day. You feel the pain. And then our sons went by train one time and had an easy and nice ride. We followed the young generation and we felt that experience was amazing. We went by Coach ride and were amazed at the leg room and comfortable atmosphere on the train. It was late only 12 minutes from La Crosse and making it on time to Union Station, Chicago. Uber ride came in no time and Asan from Bulgaria was friendly and professional. We loved it and looking forward to going back to La Crosse with Amtrak, of course. , Traveled as a couple" ]

[ "Very Serene, I grew up near here and in High School (went to school down the street at Ashland and Irving) we used to go here and walk around. In grade school we came on a field trip to do etchings with art class. I wanted to bring my husband. It didn't disappoint. So serene and quiet. The monuments are beautiful and it is very green with beautiful trees. The pond and walking bridge, as odd as it is, makes it a very romantic place. This is an old cemetary and a lot of stones are from the 1800's. Cool place to stroll around and get lost in your thoughts. , Traveled as a couple", "So much history, We came here to do a history tour through Chicago Architecture Tours and loved every minute of it. There’s so much history in this cemetery, many legendary architects and who’s who of Chicago are buried here. Our tour guide was amazing. If you’re looking for a good history related activity that isn’t the downtown tour, I highly recommend doing this through Chicago Architecture.", "Photgenic, Peaceful stroll, Having family here provides added reason to visit. However, I have been coming here before anyone related to me ended up in permanent residence. Before my sister died she would come here to photograph the beautiful and historic grave markets and mausoleums. There is much history of Chicago here. When I travel I enjoy the peace and historical interest of cemeteries. I have visited them in London, Paris, Warsaw, Mexico City and elsewhere. Not for everyone, but for those who are interested, this is a great place on a sunny summer day or a forbidding grey winter day." ]

[ "FREE Fun,beautiful, educational museum!, A beautiful art museum that is both fascinating, colorful and educating! The museum has street parking around it as well as its own pay parking lot that isn’t expensive. Museum entry is FREE but you can make a donation. The museum is tastefully done, very well organized in sections and displays many art mediums (painting,sculptures, glass mosaics, pottery etc…). The history of Mexico is explained simply for everyone to understand and differentiate their culture from other Hispanic origins. We really enjoyed the day of the dead items, Diego Rivera sketch and Frida Kahlo wing exhibits. The gift store was amazing and had so many interesting hand made items and crafts. There is so much you can learn in this museum and I can’t wait to go back again to visit and broaden my knowledge of Mexico!, Traveled with friends", "Small, but Powerful, Highly recommended. Our only caveat is that there was quite a bit of love (like a lot) for Frieda here. That probably matches the love she has around the world, but it does mean that space is used in the museum that could have also been used for other pieces/artists. It’s a small thing though, and you should absolutely make this museum a stop. We loved the social commentary that came with a lot of the artwork.", "Great Small Museum, I have visited this museum many times and we love to take out of town visitors here. Chicagoland friends who we take are amazed they hadn't heard of it. The permanent collection is a great spectrum of Mexican American art, some very unusual. The seasonall exhibits like Dios de Muetre are outstanding and often there is a special exhibit which is always interesting and often challenging. And, a plus--it is free." ]

[ "Go if you have the City Pass, Gave this place 5 stars because of City Pass. This was one of our two additional choices on City Pass, so I didn’t have to pay $35/adult and $24/child admission to the museum and two shows. If I had to pay the actual admission, maybe I wouldn’t have rated it so high.\n\nThe museum has some hit and miss exhibits. Great artifacts from the Apollo 13 mission and an actual spaceship from one of the Gemini missions. The exhibit of the historic telescopes was also good and my kids enjoyed the kids play area. \n\nHighlight was the planetarium shows. Kind of reminded me of watching an IMAX movie. The planet nine show was great and significantly more interesting than the average Imagine the Moon show. Have two kids under 10 and they both enjoyed the planetarium shows and were not bored.. \n\nShouldn’t need more than 3-4 hours to see everything and planetarium shows are about thirty minutes each.\n\nIf going on a busy day, make sure to come here in the morning and get your planetarium show tickets early. The shows do sell out and the Planetarium closes at 4. You can go out of the museum and re enter., Hi there, we're glad you enjoyed your visit to the Adler using CityPass and that your family got to enjoy two sky shows while you were here! Thanks for the review and we hope to see you again soon., Written , March 29, 2023, This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC., Traveled with family", "Inspiring the exploration and understanding of the universe, Of the three museums on the Museum Campus in Chicago's Grant Park, the Adler Planetarium probably is the least visited compared to the Field Museum and the Shedd Aquarium. And the Museum of Science and Industry farther south on Lake Shore Drive. But space exploration in recent years has sparked more interest. The Adler Planetarium is dedicated to astronomy and astrophysics. Founded in 1930, it is located on northeastern tip of Northerly Island on Lake Michigan, a brisk walk east of the Shedd. Added to the National Register of Historic Places and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987, it has three theaters, space science exhibitions, including the Gemini 12 space capsule, and a collection of antique, scientific instruments and print materials. In addition, the Adler hosts the Doane Observatory, a research-active public observatory and the largest aperture telescope available to the public in the Chicago area. Visitors are encouraged to view the exhibit dedicated to retired NSAS astronaut Jim Lovell, the movie \"The Ninth Planet\" that highlights recent scientific discoveries about orbiting objects beyond Neptune, an informative display of the solar system, a fascinating look at Chicago's Big Sky and the Universe: A Walk Through Space and Time, witnessing how the universe has evolved over 13.7 billion years, from the Big Bang to this morning's sunrise. I recall a midnight astronomy class at the University of Illinois when our instructor pointed out each of the significant stars and major constellations. Our visit to the Adler brought back all of those fond memories. Very educational., Hi Taylor, thanks for your great review! We're so glad you appreciated our exhibits, shows and museum history. We're always adding stellar new things to the museum, so come back again soon!, Written , February 10, 2023, This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.", "Space for Everyone!, Hard to go wrong with any of the museums in Chicago but the Adler never disappoints. Stopped by this past weekend and had an excellent time seeing what's new since our last visit nearly a decade ago. Highly recommend any of the shows in the Sky on the upper level and I still get emotional walking through the moon landing exhibits. Great collection of artifacts and lots of interesting information to teach kids and adults alike., Hi Matthew, we're so glad to hear you enjoyed your visit and got a chance to see our sky shows! We're always adding new things to the planetarium, so we hope you can come back and visit us again soon! \n\nThanks for the great review, have a wonderful rest of your day! , Written , March 28, 2023, This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC." ]

[ "What a Treat!, In Chicago for a conference - the ONLY thing my student wanted to do was see this fire house as she is a huge Chicago Fire fan. We stopped by expecting to just get a picture outside. Instead, this very kind fireman invited us into the house, let us look around, take pictures. Very cool! ", "Chicago Fire- firehouse engine 18 experience, HUGE fan of the show and it was surreal to see the firehouse up close. We first came to the house and took a bunch of pictures out front. It was a pretty chilly and windy day so the doors were closed and we didn’t see any employees- I definitely wanted to see the inside so we called the firehouse and asked if it was possible to get a tour. They were super nice! Keith showed us around and gave us all the insides on the show. It was an amazing experience. I highly recommend it. For anyone in the same boat as I was, Keith said the firehouse is always open just ring the doorbell by any of the side doors and come in. \nAlso FYI when I first pulled up to the house I was thrown off bc it literally says 51 on the doors even though it’s engine 18., Traveled as a couple", "Visit to Firehouse 51, We really enjoyed visiting the real firehouse used in Chicago Fire. It was really fun walking through and seeing everything in the fire station. We were welcomed and the firemen at the station were so friendly. While we were there, other fans were visiting as well. We learned they were filming the show during our visit to Chicago, but unfortunately we didn’t see them. Overall, great visit!, Traveled with family" ]

[ "A Free Gem in Chicago, A beautiful library with a wealth of resources for Chicago. I love the winter garden, it's a lovely space. The building has free programs, workshops, demos, visual arts, and wi-fi. You must also visit the winter garden on the roof!", "Make time for this!, Ask for the Art brochure and Guided Tour brochure at the main desk, and then explore. The building itself is gorgeous, and then there is all of the art inside… and then books! Truly a terrific place to spend a few hours. Make sure to go all the way up to the Winter Garden., Traveled as a couple", "Great building with art and atrium space on top floor, I love architecture and this library built in the 90s has some really nice details. I just happened to walk through out of curiosity on my way to the Monadnok Building. There is a Jacob Lawrence mosaic on the ground floor and a great Vietnam Memorial in an unexpected place, right over the escalators from the ground floor." ]

[ "Our girls LOVED this place!!!, The children’s museum was the perfect recommendation from one of our friends who lives in the area. Our girls absolutely LOVED the floors upon floors of interactive hands-on exhibits. Museum is large enough where no one area felt over-crowded and diverse enough to hold interest of our young ones. We highly recommend this museum and look forward to a return visit during our next trip to Chicago!!!, Traveled with family", "Lots of choices for active kiddos!, We visited the museum on a Thursday night to play late (4-8). The value was amazing, $20 for a family of four verses the regular admission price of $19/per person. My 7 year old enjoyed all the choices, including the water play and fire house play area. It was clean and staffed well, staff even engaged with children. Would highly recommend for families with younger children!, Traveled with family", "Entertaining and interactive, Went with two toddlers (1.5 and 3) and they had so much fun. Interactive and varied spaces. My oldest loved \"cooking\" in the Castle and putting out fires at the Fire Station. The engineering section was a blast for the whole family. I highly recommend it for a nice afternoon with the kids." ]

[ "Stadium Club Guaranteed Rate Field, The Stadium Club @ Guaranteed Rate field was absolutely wonderful! The buffet was offered at $30 before first pitch after first pitch $5 more. Gourmet buffet that is well worth the experience! Seafood, salad, nice beef & chicken dishes done to perfection!\nThe bar is the other option where you sit facing the field. Drink choices are endless & made to perfection. Bar food is great with beef & burgers that were excellent. French fries were $3 extra but sooo good. For the healthy fare a lovely romaine salad with the option of adding chicken $4. Veggie burger made with all the trimmings on a wheat bun.\nOverall it’s buffet or bar that are both great, Traveled as a couple", "Walk Around and Try the Food!, Visited here for a game on a weekend trip to Chicago. Had low expectations going into the game as far as stadium experiences, Guaranteed Rate Field is consistently ranked low on MLB stadium sites. We had a great time and the experience exceeded my expectations. Would recommend the subway to get to the stadium. Very easy convenient way to get to the stadium from downtown. The stadium experience is great. There is an area with kids activities in left field. Walking in the outfield area is cool, there are statues of former White Sox greats on the concourse. The highlight is really the food. This is some of the best stadium food we have encountered at an MLB ballpark. Definitely eat at the ballpark., Traveled with family", "Great In Seat Service, We did the Wintrust Scout Seats. The staff was amazing at this ballpark. Servers especially, great job.\n\nThis was my 17th ballpark and we gun for the VIP (don't consider myself one though haha as nothing screams important about me) section of each one (should it exist).\n\nAround the homeplate side of the stadium is a well marked entrance for these seats. You go through security and then get a wrist band. Then you enter the WinTrust Club which is specifically for the ticket holders. It's all inclusive but bring USD for tips. There is a buffet and a bar, however it is slammed in there with people as the scout seats at this field allow for quite a few people. The food was not great and neither were the choices at this ball park. That's where instead of a 5, it get's a 4. Remember though, everyone has their opinion, and mine isn't universal. My wife thought it was good.\n\nAt your seats, the servers start coming around after 1st inning and until the 7th they are pretty on top of things. Drink and food choices are fairly limited, but the quantities are unlimited. One drink at a time, but they will bring more when you're done. Remember to tip the server generally on her last trip over to see you is a good time, rather than on every single transaction.\n\nFrom your padded seats (there are tiny tables between some of them allowing for more space) you can go back into the club and order whatever you'd like from the bar if something on the seats menu doesn't hit the spot. Serve yourself ice cream, candy, popcorn, soft drinks.\n\nSox lost 3-2 to the Astros :( Always gotta root for the home team while travelling. Good luck and enjoy the game." ]

[ "Architecture, This review is for the building, not Macy's. Reservations are now required for the Walnut Room & I couldn't get one. We went to the store anyway. You're allowed a selfie \nwith the Christmas tree, you just can't go into the restaurant without reservations.\n\n We looked at the Frango Mints (too expensive for the amount you get).\nAdmired the Burnham fountain & the Tiffany Dome. The Tiffany Dome alone is worth a trip into the store.\nIt was nice looking at the Christmas decorations. Macy did get that right. The windows were only ok this year.", "5th floor, Although I generally despise department stores (can never find what I want, higher prices, hate the giant perfume section that makes my nose burn, lack of access to sales staff, etc) we decided to check it out based on the recommendation of friends who live here. On their advice we headed to the 5th floor to check out the ceiling - that did not disappoint! From an architectural standpoint it was worth our time. I’d love to experience it around Christmas time for the decorations. , Traveled as a couple", "Beautiful store, Beautiful building in downtown Chicago. We got there right before they closed. My daughter wanted to purchase her first Chanel (lipstick) on our recent trip. Staff very helpful. Didn't feel rushed at all. My interest was that it was where Mr Selfridge of Selfridges in London got started. It reminded me a little of that store too." ]

[ "Easy parking and venue navigation, Came here for a Rammstein concert for the first time (first time at the venue and first time seeing Rammstein). Not being used to 'the big city' we were a little nervous about how parking and venue navigation would go. No worries. They have well managed parking lots (we prepaid for South Lot). The route to walk to the venue was easy to follow. Once in side there was plenty of signage to help you figure out where to go. Plenty of vendors on all levels for refreshments and plenty of decently clean restrooms. We arrived 2 hours prior to our showtime and had less than half the parking lot full at that time. The line for merchandise was 10X longer than the line to enter the venue. For exiting we left during the last song, which we could hear anyhow. We hotfooted it out to the lot and were among the first to leave the lot. I am sure later the lot was quite congested but they do have people managing the exits so that it went quickly when we were ready to go.", "Brilliant tour of Soldier Field, The tour was amazing. I think any Bears fan will love this, but hopefully non-Bears fans should too. We were allowed in the the changing rooms, the stands, and next to the field. The tour guide was superb. He's a really nice chap and a fountain of knowledge.", "Big venue, long walks, but great shows!, My friends and I came here to see Rammstein on 09/03. It was an amazing show! Although if you're afraid of heights, dislike walking up/ down steep inclines (or walking a lot in general), or become short of breath easily, I would not recommend getting seats in the top sections. The open ceiling with giant gusts of winds were a little nerve-racking. It was a little difficult to figure out where to get to our section, we walked right by some of the ramps without even realizing it. Once we finally figured out where to go, we kept going up and up and up.. By the time we got to our seats, we were all out of breath. I saw another reviewer state that when your show/ event is over, be patient. I cannot stress that advice enough. There are thousands of people all trying to get out at the same time, it's gonna be crowded and you'll be walking at a snails pace. Wear your comfy walking shoes!" ]

[ "One of Chicago's landmark skyscrapers just north of the Chicago River, The Wrigley is a historic skyscraper on N. Michigan Ave. just north of the Chicago River. Built between 1920-24, it is an elaborately designed building with two towers connected by full second floor and higher floor covered bridge. The towers are 21 stories and 30 stories in height. The south tower has an embedded clock face on each side and spire. It is an impressive skyscraper that fits nicely within the Chicago Skyline at the Magnificent Mile and Chicago River.", "Best Landmark Building in Chicago, When you come to Chicago you come to see great buildings. One that is just turning 100 years old holds one of the best pieces for property within the city. Wrigley Building was built and completed in 1924 to house the Wrigley chewing gum company. It was the first skyscraper north of the river and it was build in an ornamental style bordering on neo gothic. It was modelled on the Giralda in Sevilla with its tower. The building is really 2 different buildings at different heights. Also it has a very unique angle that allows it to really be noticed on Michigan Avenue. The building with its location and architecture is made for pictures.", "What you can build from a chewing gum, The Wrigley building is another Chicago iconic skyscraper, standing just across the street from Tribune tower. It's just aside the Dusable bridge, and Wendella boat tours depart beneath it. It belongs to the chewing gum magnate, built some 100 y ago.\nPlaza of the Americas is between the two buildings." ]

[ "Monetary Mecca, This small museum on the ground floor of the Federal Reserve Bank, is a shrine to all things monetary. Much of the museum is given over to the way currencies developed over time and were affected by various global events, with plenty of old coins, bank notes and other such historical artefacts to illustrate this. The other half of the museum is full of eye-catching displays such as the cube holding a million one dollar bills and the game that allows you to take control of the nation's purse-strings. You can get a picture taken with a million dollars and take home a bag of shredded bank notes too. We got chatting to a very friendly lady working here, who told us a lot about the museum and had some funny stories about the questions kids ask when they visit on school trips. This was a lot more fun than I expected and a nice way to pass a bit of time in the heart of the financial district., Traveled as a couple", "Free, informative museum about $$$, I hadn't been to this museum since I was a kid in the 80s, but happened to be in the area with husband and 2 teenage boys in tow, and thought we'd take a look. \n\nFree museum with a little bit of something for everyone-- more to read/see/learn for adults, and some interactive exhibits to keep the kids learning, but also entertained. \n\nDon't miss the free Fed Shreds shredded money packs as a souvenir and also the opportunity to take/print a photo of you with a suitcase of lots of $$!\n\nBecause this is located within the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, be prepared to go through a thorough security screening before entering the museum.", "Great little museum, I would recommend this museum to all ages. The federal staff of all jobs and responsibilities volunteer for an informational talk in a meeting room. We had a gentleman who was up the corporate ladder who loved to talk. He was delightful and funny.\n\nThe museum is small and the space is used wisely. Go see a million dollars. Or pick up free money (shredded) Get educated." ]

[ "Hidden Gem, My friend and I have been living in Chicago for many years and finally decided to sign up for a few different local tours. Visiting the Holy Trinity Cathedral was one of them. Our docent was Grace, who was absolutely delightful, funny, and very knowledgeable. She explained the history of the church, paintings, and various religious artifacts located inside the cathedral. You can tell that she’s truly passionate about history and architecture. This cathedral is a beautiful hidden gem! Can’t recommend this tour enough., Traveled with friends", "Prairie School Fans Delight, While the Cathedral is somewhat small, the experience is anything but. Ornate icons, stunning frescoes and precursor forms/features of the Prairie School surround you throughout the tour experience. Grace was a phenomenal tour guide. Her experience as a guide and personal connection to the Cathedral really elevates the religious and architectural significance of The Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral. 10/10 would recommend & do again.", "Stunning Louis Sullivan Church in Chicago., Although I knew of a number of Louis Sullivan’s work I was unaware of this one until a friend of mine who grew up in Bucktown shared it with me on Facebook. Since we were in Chicago a few days after he shared it with me and we were only a mile away at Lottie’s Pub we went to see it. Unfortunately it was closed that day but we were able to see the outside and snap a few pictures of this beautiful church. Parking was extremely limited, however, there was a small lot behind the church that we were able idle there for the short time it took to take pictures and admire the craftsmanship of a great architect., Traveled as a couple" ]

[ "Some Actual Shopping This Visit, We were back in Chicago in September, and once more staying at the Westin on Michigan Ave, just a block, or so, from the Water Tower Place shopping center, 835 N Michigan Ave on the Magnificent Mile, and anchored by a Macy’s. On this visit, the weather was gloomy, cool, overcast with sporadic rain.\n\nWhile my wife was in meetings, I was tasked with picking up some makeup for her, and she knew that Macy’s carried this particular brand, so off to Water Tower Place I headed.\n\nOne of the things, which I saw (how could I have missed this before?) was a stepped water feature, between the escalators, with interesting “tubes” of water between each level. Maybe I had been focused on going to a specific store in Water Tower Place, or just not looked in the right direction. On this day (really was in no urgent need to go back outside in the weather), I took the time to study this water feature - intriguing, for certain, and maybe I was able to pick up a few ideas for one of our water features back home, due for a remodel?\n\nWater Tower Place is a large shopping center, built close to the original Water Tower, which is probably the oldest building in downtown Chicago, and which holds historic significance due to the devastating Chicago Fire.\n\nWith my wife’s makeup in hand, I was off to survey the Water Tower Place namesake buildings - one on either side of Michigan Ave.\n\nEven if the weather had been great outside, Water Tower Place would still be a great indoor space to spend a few hours. Besides the retail, there are dining options, as well, though I only was shopping, and for specific items, on this visit. I could well imagine one spending several hours in Water Tower Place, and especially so, if they enjoy shopping.", "I love the Lego store, Picked up a few Christmas gifts at the Lego Store. My nephews are Lego fanatics. The prices are higher up, but the vast selection makes up for it. Looking at some of them makes me wish I was a kid again. The rest of the mall has many restaurants on each floor. The lego store was my main objective so I don’t remember too many of the stores we passed.", "Nice stores, very expensive, Lego store is very fun. American Girl is great for young women and grandparents. Neither are cheap. Dr. Seuss shop is amazing array of his work - very expensive but fun to look at. JoJo's shakes are very expensive and very elaborate." ]

[ "Chicago Public Art Symbol from Picasso, In the center of the open square in front of City Hall stands an untitled sculpture to the City of Chicago. Picasso, who rarely did large civic art, gave this to the city free of charge as a gift to a gangster city. The steel was manufactured near by in Gary and assembled here.\n\nLike most public art, the untitled sculpture was hated initially. However, over time it has become a cultural icon of the city and one of the top attractions. It has appeared in numerous Chicago movies. After 55 years it is accepted as a Chicago pop icon and something I made an effort to see in the Loop.", "If you think it's \"just\" Picasso, you don't have to see it, It's Picasso! If you take your time and read the story, you'll surely find something about to be amazed with. Sadly, you still can see the left overs of the vandalism few years ago, but it doesn't diminish the grandiosity of the piece. Check it out from every angle, it's worth it (along with the Miró, Chagall, Calder,... etc. you can experience as a part of the same short self-guiding walking tour). Only in Chicago!, Traveled with family", "Larger than expected, Not very far out of the way off Michigan Avenue is the Picasso statue. My daughter & I recently visited Chicago and we both love Picasso, so we had to take the short walk to see it. It's a lot bigger than I thought it would be. We both enjoyed seeing it." ]

[ "Excellent Afternoon at The Peggy, My granddaughter and I recently experienced \"The Peggy\" on a December afternoon. What a great activity for the \"littles\" on a gray day! \n\nThere are two indoor play areas (one was closed for maintenance at the time we were there) that my granddaughter used to its fullest. There are many different and fun things for the kids to engage in, which exercise both their bodies and their minds. Everything is so well planned and laid out. All the kids that were playing there were polite and kind, and waited for my granddaughter to finish her turn on whatever she was doing, which was great as she was the smallest kid there that day. \n\nMy daughter is a member, and all I had to do was give the front desk her name; our admission & coat check were free. Staff were very accommodating and professional. We'll definitely be back.", "Fun Visit!, My family and friends had a great time here. We spent about 2 hours seeing the animals and playing in the interactive exhibits. The toddlers mostly enjoyed the turtles and fish, slide play area, flower building toys, and butterflies. Would definitely recommend for kids!, Thank you, Maureen!, Written , January 7, 2020, This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC., Traveled with family", "Butterfly exhibit and friendly staff, So refreshing to interact with such welcoming, friendly, and knowledgeable volunteers and staff members. Everyone seemed to genuinely enjoy answering our questions and showing us the exhibits. Beautiful butterflies, awesome turtles, and more! Great for the whole family, Traveled with friends" ]

[ "Fascinating history, I recently participated in a walking tour of the South Prairie Avenue Historic District which included the Glessner House, and our tour guide, William Tyre, was incredible. Our group of 21 people remained captivated throughout our time. The stories he shared made the area come to life, and the facts and figures were mind-boggling. William was wonderful to work with as my group had a time limit. He was accomodating and gracious, a perfect host.", "Awesome tour, I had read about Frances Glessner Lee and became interested in visiting her family's home. The house its architecturally very interesting and one of the few examples of a mansion form this time period still standing. The interior design is very unique. The tour guides were very informative, interesting and friendly. They keep the tour group small so you can see and hear very well. The area it is located in is very interesting and worth a visit as well. We had to park a coupe of blocks away but it wasn't hard to find a spot.", "Quiet and quaint, Love love this place! Learn the history of Chicago's South Loop most oldest home. Stuart our guide, knew so much about the family and the city. It is really remarkable to walk through the house and see the \"modern\" improvements they already had built at the end of the 19th century. If you are in the area, do visit. It's quiet and quaint." ]

[ "A fashionable place to see and be seen, Oak Street Beach is a fashionable place to see and be seen. Located at 1000 North Lake Shore Drive, at the curve that divides the Gold Coast neighborhood from the Streeterville neighborhood, in the shadow of the famous Drake Hotel, across the street from the north end of North Michigan Avenue or the Magnificent mile and the glitzy Oak Street shopping district, it is a popular gathering place for residents and tourists as a summer social spot amidst the hoopla and hubbub of Chicago's downtown. Food and beverage items are available at the Oak Street Beach Cafe. Beach-goers also can take advantage of many amenities, including swimming, chair rentals, bike rentals and volleyball rentals. The Lakefront Trail runs through Oak Street Beach, allowing joggers and walkers and bicyclists to go as far north as Montrose Beach and as far south as Navy Pier, even farther. In 2011, a mural measuring 260 feet in length and nine feet tall at the very center was created by Jeff Zimmerman entitled \"You Know What You Should Do.\" It is located along a wall running parallel to the Lakefront Trail and is the access point to the Oak Street Beach underpass. It helps raise awareness of beach health and water quality issues. Its message reminds the public to help keep the beaches clean by not littering or feeding wildlife. The only downside to all of this is parking, or lack of it. There is no parking adjacent to Oak Street Beach, only street parking (if you can find a space) across Lake Shore Drive. Neighborhood residents walk to the beach while others take public transportation.", "Great place to relax or exercise, The bus stop was nearby. To reach the beach, we had to cross the street and use an underpass beneath the highway. There is a wide paved area with two designated lanes for walking or running and two lanes for biking. Pet friendly. There is a “shelf” that we used as a bench. It was nice to sit there instead of in the sand or having to carry a blanket or chair. Many were swimming, but we used the time to relax, listen to waves,and read a book., Traveled as a couple", "Clean Metro Beach, This beach is surprisingly clean for being located in the middle of a large metropolitan area. The large city buildings make for some awesome background for your pictures. Nice hotels and restaurants surround the beach so even if the weather is not ideal you can have a nice day. Great activity for families as well as couples." ]

[ "Ten out of ten, Saw musical “Six”. Great show in a nice small, older theatre. Good sight lines and a unique presentation. Live band was plenty loud and the “wives” sang and danced their stories.", "Theater Gals see a musical, Beautiful old theater, we were told ahead of time some seats may have obstructed views so I was very careful with our seat selection. We were in the mezzanine row G aisle seat and 3 more, we all liked the seating, we were center stage. There is an elevator but it is small, we climbed the 3 levels of steps, gets a bit crowded before the doors open so it was pretty tight for a while, beverage sales and merchandise for the musical made it a little congested. We loved this beautiful theater, be aware there is no railing getting down to or up from your seat and It can be a step pitch if you our uneasy at that height, I noticed one women using the aisle seat back to help her. I would choose a seat closer to the door if that would concern you. Great sound system, would definitely return and also booked the adjoining hotel, very convenient!", "Great Theater, Good Seats and Good Shows, Great Theater that was so convenient to our hotel across the street at the Palmer House. We saw Six here while we were in town and enjoyed it greatly. In addition to being convenient to our hotel and restaurant, the theater really had great seating despite being a little small. It was kind of intimate for a theater with shows of its caliber, tight but more vertical. We were on the second row of the mezzanine so our seats were great. Again, good theater that made our stay that much better." ]

[ "Where is the food?, We had a convention there lasting several days. I have been to many conventions, and most if not all convention centers have food options throughout, it's must when you have several thousand people gather, with no eateries in the immediate vicinity. This center however had a food court that was simply closed. The only option was one coffee vendor, of course that one had a humongous line to wait. Our group had to bring some vendors from outside, but those vendors had very limited options of food and drink - even having those onboard, the experience was underwhelming compared with other convention centers I have been to.", "Great convention center., What I absolutely \"hate\" about this place is the Starbucks monopoly and having to stand in line for overpriced average brew. Well, and then you go to the Hyatt and this \"proudly brewed\" stuff is the only choice you have. Oh well. ", "Huge, Was there for sweet snack convention which has huge expo! This convention is so big does not even but a dent in the place. Clean, good food available in the food court. Connected to hotels. Seem like a safe neighborhood., Traveled on business" ]

[ "94th Floor, This building offers a 360 degree view of Chicago and Lake Michigan. The view is from the 94th floor and is spectacular. The interactive signs and markings on the windows help you to identify what you are seeing.\nWe went during the week in March and there were no crowds to speak of, which made it very pleasant. It's a fun outing for adults and children.", "Take you guests there, they will love it!, We had family members visiting from Europe & we took them for a drink at 96 th floor. We got there an early Monday evening so it wasn’t crowded at all. We had table at the window. Views are incredible, city view, water, beach. Our guests had the chance to see the Windy City from perspective. We ordered raspberry mule, Cuba libre, bottle of wine. All drinks were delicious. We stayed over 3 hours. Crowd started picking up in later hours but that didn’t bother us. The bill was $180 for 5 people , Traveled with friends", "Great alternative to the Willis Tower, We visited the John Hancock Centre in the evening to see Chicago by night, and took the elevator to the 95th floor where you can enjoy the views from comfortable window-side seats for the price of a drink. Sure, the drinks aren't exactly cheap, but this is a much more budget friendly option than the $22 observation deck or indeed anything at the Willis Tower. Service was friendly and prompt, the drinks selection was pretty good and we had no problem securing a window seat, albeit on the 'wrong' side for views of The Loop, instead getting good views up Lake Shore Drive. If you're planning on visiting at night, be aware that there is nothing to see in the direction of the Lake - just darkness - so make sure you head left or right from the elevator, as the seats straight ahead only look out to the lake. This was a great way to get a good value night time view having already experienced the day time view from the Willis Tower." ]

[ "What a beautiful iconic landmard., We went to see Come From Away. The Theatre is awesome and we had a great time. The staff were very helpful. Al gave us instructions on where to go and he was very nice. The musical was tremendous, and the music was great. It was nice to see the musicians interact with the actors on stage at different times. ", "Beautiful theater, needs clearer Covid communication, We went and saw Jesus Christ Superstar 50th anniversary tour. When we were getting our bags checked, one security guard said masks were required but then the next security guard said they were optional. After we scanned our tickets and went into the lobby, some lady came up to us (not wearing a name tag or anything indicating she worked there) and told us we had to wear our masks. Then over the intercom they said masks were optional. Long story short I don’t know if you need a mask at this theater as of July 2022. All of the attendants and the doors giving out the Playbills were very polite and kind. The bathrooms were clean and there was a nice bar. They could probably use an additional elevator, as there was always a line., Traveled as a couple", "Beautiful theater!!, We went and saw Phantom of the Opera. Very beautiful older theater. Sound was great, could hear the actors clearly. We were in row N and the seats had an awesome view! Drinks and snacks can be bought in the lobby. We had a great time!" ]

[ "Jazz On The Lawn, A great museum, user-friendly and beautifully curated. Lucky to have heard about the summer Tuesdays on The Terrace free jazz concerts(walk ups are welcome) Food and Bev available on site. A place to see and be seen and a terrific way to end the day. Bring a blanket., Traveled with friends", "Marvellous building, space with some interesting exhibitions, Contemporary art can wow, frustrate or at times bore. This museum thankfully kept me engaged, interested and occasionally wowed - it did not bore. A very interesting building with interesting space for the exhibits. It is free and the cafe is accessible without going into to the main part of the gallery. At the north end of the magnificent mile it a delightful way to shut out and forget the mayhem of designer shops and christmas consumerism. Loved it.", "Good contemporary art museum, The museum is not very large compared to other contemporary art museums but it makes good use of the space. You can easily see all exhibitions in a couple of hours. There is a good mix of different artistic styles on display. , Traveled as a couple" ]

[ "Fun, Went to check out the neighborhood with my teen who is an LGBTQ+ person. They loved this place and I can imagine we would really have fun if they were of drinking age. Loved loved loved the rainbows everywhere and the legacy walk. We didn’t get to explore all of Halsted because it was super cold, but we liked what we saw., Traveled with family", "Great!, As a proud LGBTQ+ ally, I was pleased to stay in this wonderful neighborhood while visiting family.\n\nEverything is terrific, from the amazing artwork to the buzzing club scene. Lots of great spots to eat, too. \n\nThe vibe is positive and welcoming to all., Traveled solo", "not just for gays !, I just LOVE Boystown ! I usually go Fridays or Saturday nights with some of my gay friends. Although I myself am straight , you get to meet SO many different interesting people ! Also they have the best stores and cafe's there. I totally recommend this community to people who are open minded and like to meet new people .\n" ]

[ "Fun activity with great staff!, This is a nice, entertaining and well-run little museum!\nMy teenage son and I were wrapping up a weekend in Chicago and had about an hour to kill before heading to the airport. He was interested in this place, so we dropped by, and it was a perfect end to our visit.\nTickets are timed, so it's not crowded, and you don't have to stand and wait to get in. There is a good variety of attractions, including walls of illusion art (some of which you have seen before), as well as interactive spaces where you can take cool pictures of yourself. For example, they have forced perspective stuff where it looks like one of you is tiny and one huge, etc. It's fun! There are also tables with brain teaser type puzzles.\nWe spent about an hour here and felt like we experienced everything we wanted to. You could probably spend a couple of hours or longer if you really took your time over every item.\nThe whole space was very clean and well organized, and the staff were friendly and helpful, without being intrusive. They get you started and then let you wander through at your own pace. On a couple of the main illusions, they helped us arrange ourselves for photos and took the photos for us, with my phone. They also offered me a charger when they heard me mention that my phone was dying. (They did NOT take their own photos of us and try to sell them to us, which was refreshing.)\nI would recommend this place for kids starting around 8-10, through the teen years for sure. Very young kids probably won't understand the illusions and might get bored. I would be cautious with anyone who's epileptic or very sensitive to weird visual stuff. There were some spinning things and disorienting stuff, but the worst ones weren't too hard to avoid.", "Fun way to spend about an hour, Chicago has some amazing museums that will take you all day to explore and are reasonably priced. We paid about the same amount for this museum that we paid for the museum of science and industry. It was a good time with plenty of interesting exhibits, but you may really only get about an hour out of it and there may not be much re-visit value. That said, I don't regret going at all - VERY cool exhibits and a ton of cool photo ops. I just can't imagine going back any time soon.", "Unexpected Highlight, This museum was not on my radar of “must-do” activities in Chicago but I would totally recommend it. It was a fun, interactive experience. The staff were great and approached us to further explain the illusions, take pictures and show us how to make the most out of each experience." ]

[ "So much fun!, So much fun. Nice and complex, had a great night with friends. Highly recommended! The space was inviting, surprises around every corner and there are selections that will captivate any and all. We ran the special ops scenario and finished it. We were so happy I bought a t-shirt. I want to go back to do their prison break scenario. ", "Amazing time!!, This escape room was the best one I have done. It was not extremely difficult, but was challenging enough to trip you up a little bit. Our guide was really nice and gave us helpful clues when we were stuck. I went with a group of 7 and we finished with 10 minutes left. I recommend this room for teenagers/adults., Traveled with friends", "AMAZING team-building activity, My team of 15 split into two groups to go through the Gold Rush and the Special Ops Rooms. I was a part of the Gold Rush group and this room was EXCELLENT! A huge variety of puzzles kept everyone engaged and a number of fun surprises made this hour-long exercise go by way too fast. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone as a fun event and/or for team building because we had to work together to get out!" ]

[ "Getting Around, Chicago has a Transit system that is very expansive and will get you to just about anywhere your travel itinerary warrants. I can tell you Chicago is a very walkable and lovely city, that being said, yeah you can Uber it all you want, but when you need to take a trek to Peqoud’s Pizza, or Wrigley Field, the CTA will get you there.\nAnd for $5 you can get a day pass that’ll give you bus and train access. It’s worth it.\n\nThanks Tripsters\nChef Edwin Padilla\nGood Food…Good Vibes, Traveled as a couple", "Excellent for getting around, After doing google-fu and asking in the forums, using the CTA is easy as 1, 2, 3.\n\nBuy a day ticket, it's pretty cheap. The staff are very friendly and helpful to find where you want to go. You can use the ticket on trains and busses.\n\nOnly ran into one person trying to sell a used ticket (they kept showing it was 'valid' for the day but I didn't want to risk it. The person was very polite and backed away.\n\nThe lines are easy to follow. The trains are 99% clean. Only had one issue with folks smoking on the train, but that's everywhere I suppose.\n\nTrains are accessible, and patrons will help you if you need it (held doors open while individuals with limited mobility needed more time etc). Open during all weathers, with some shelter areas in place. Trains were very quick, smooth rides.", "Affordable ride, Took the train from Midway airport to downtown Chicago. The station is a ground level station and on the Orange Line. There is indoor and sheltered bike parking available. This is also a bus stop. The $10 1-day CTA fare pass is affordable and you get to ride as many times as you want in a day. The ticket machines are easy to operate and if you take your time and follow the instructions it is not complicated. I had a little trouble with entering the terminal as I didn’t see the sign change on the display on the turnstile. So I had to be let in by the agent. I’m a hot mess. \nThe train was already waiting so we got on board. There are maps on the top so you can see the different stations and find the one you need. The ride was smooth for the most part and it was not crowded both times we rode. The train is on a platform downtown and it was strange to ride between buildings and be able to look into someone’s room since we were so close. It feels like the buildings press against the train. \nWhen we got out, we made our way through the turnstile and down to the street. On the return, we found a station and took the stairs up and went through the turnstiles. There are elevators if you need. And the signage tells you which side of the platform you need to be on depending on your route. It’s actually pretty easy compared to other train systems I’ve ridden on. They announce the stations where you can transfer to another line at so that’s convenient., Traveled as a couple" ]

[ "Iconic and special., Been here on the 39th floor for a year now. I LOVE IT. Although every person has there individual tastes and opinion I feel this location and building cannot be beat. Especially for the price. Nobody has balconies this size. They are huge. I'm facing the river and I can see Lake Michigan I can see all the way up and down the river in both directions. I can walk to the greatest theaters, restaurants, Riverwalk, lakefront and museums. It doesn't have some of the amenities newer buildings have. There is no pool. The workout room is a workout room, not an expansive gym. It has about 10 treadmills a set of free weights one bench and a few other pieces of equipment. There's rarely more than one person in there. That works for me. The elevators are fast. The employees are kind. I always feel proud as I walk up to the building. Not to mention House of Blues is in my basement lol. I'll let my pictures speak for themselves. Oh...the roof top is open, hosts movie nights weekly, often supplying beer and pizza. This is old school, real deal Chicago., Traveled solo", "Corncobs - Anther Chicago Architectural Icon, Today, downtowns across the US are experiencing a Renaissance in large part due to what this historic property did, bring mixed-use residential to the city. Prior to the 1960's downtowns were office, public, finance, commercial retail and industrial property uses. Today, residential and mixed-use are dominating cities and providing most of the growth. \n\nThis development was one of the first attempts to bring people back to downtown on a 24/7 basis. The \"Corncobs\" as they are affectionally known look to maximize living space while also offering urban amenities like parking garage. While the building's Jetson style futuristic design may not be as prevalent, the concept has been wildly successful, thus just another trend stetting structure in Chicago. Today the property has been swallowed by larger buildings around it. However, it still has a prominent location on the Chicago River which is where we saw it on our Architectural Boat Tour. And yes there actually are some marine amenities associated with the complex, thus the name.", "Marina City: Living High, Quite spectacular views of the twin Corn Cob Towers and from those towers. We visited this unique high-rise residential complex long time ago and were shown one of the condos -- the aerial 360 degrees views of the whole city and its suburbs were fascinating. The condos, in fact, don't have right angles in them at all, but every condo has a balcony.\n\nThe 65-story concrete towers (built in 1968, architect Bertrand Goldberg) are decorating the RiverWalk part of Chicago, and they are virtually 'the city within a city', with the 19 floors of parking, high-speed elevators, a concert hall, several restaurants , and the Hotel Chicago. Marina City in all its splendor!\n\nOne can also admire these two 'Wonders of the Chicago World' when taking the Chicago River cruises. \n\nQuite a masterpiece of modern architecture!, Traveled with friends" ]

[ "historically interesting artifacts, instruments and artwork, This museum is an interesting find. The exhibits are arranged by topic and offer an array of neat artifacts and actual instruments with brief descriptions and information easy enough for those not in the medical sciences to comprehend. The artwork helped tie in the history of these devices and practices. The building (a former home) is an exhibit all to itself. My teen who is considering a career in the medical field gave it a 4.5 star rating for our 2 hour morning visit. My pre-teen was done looking at everything in half the time. Be sure to get participating parking lot validation from museum ticket desk for a very big discount on parking. Afterwards, we walked to the Lincoln Park Zoo for lunch and the rest of the afternoon.", "A wonderful hidden gem, I've lived just outside of Chicago for over 30 years and only recently heard about this place. But it was a wonderful surprise! They have various artifacts showing how medical procedures have been performed through the years, as well as sculptures and paintings. There is a life size model of an 1890s apothecary, an iron lung, the many styles of eyewear, and various tools used for surgery. I spent about an hour and a half here and was impressed with what they have. , Traveled solo", "Worth a trip, adults and teens, not littles, Read about this online and had never been. There are 4 floors (we started at the top and worked down). Some displays are better than others—love seeing the old fashioned surgical tools and the apothecary. Hall of the Immortals included statues of important people in the history of medicine with helpful signage. Very interesting displays. If your kid is a student, be sure they have their ID, saves some $, Traveled with family" ]

[ "Helpful staff; temporary exhibits, too, For casual visitors, the Newberry offer a range of temporary exhibitions (free admission), as well as a small selection of items on show from their permanent collection. There's also a good bookstore as part of the souvenir store.\n\nI was primarily at the Newberry to undertake some academic research and found the staff consistently helpful and engaged - but you do need to arrange with them in advance if you want to use the library facilities and register (there's no charge). Rules are strictly enforced, so you can't take bags or food in (though there are free lockers) and there's a small coffee station on the ground floor, so you don't have to leave the building for refreshment. My only disappointment is that the catalog is a little patchy, and it's not always easy to determine what to get from the stack.", "More than a library, Beautifully restored old building, with helpful staff, interesting rotating exhibits, and unique gift shop. Located in lovely neighborhood across from small park. \nIf you have any interest in old maps this is the place for you! Free and near public transportation.", "Beautiful and suggestive library, I liked this library because it was the main setting of The Time Travellers' Wife novel. A bit disappointing though as I wanted to have a silent wander around and they told me it wasn't possible unless I was there to consult books. Understandable but..., Traveled solo" ]

[ "Odd mixture of Art Deco and brutal Soviet architecture, Huge, enormous, grandiose....are adjectives to describe this edifice. \nFirst we saw it during our 90 min architectural boat tour. The guide stated many hard to believe figures about its construction in terms of miles of wiring, concrete used, window numbers,...etc and that until recently this building only had its own zip number.\nTomorrow we walked the Riverwalk and standing in front of it felt like ants. \nIt's an enormous shopping and event venue with an odd mixture of Art Deco and massive brutalist Soviet architecture.", "Dominates the Chicago River, This building dominates the Chicago River just east of the river branch junction. You will get great views of it from a river tour. It was the largest building in the world when completed in 1930 as the consolidation market for Chicago's wholesalers. Along with the Chicago Board of Trade building, they are the best examples of Art Deco architecture in Chicago. Along the river, the building displays bust of the great US retailers, most of whom were from Chicago. Another great building in this city.", "EHHHH..., This beautiful Art Deco building is not worth a visit unless you have interpreters that can tell you what you're looking at. Building personnel do run tours. Every couple of weeks in the winter Chicago Architecture Center offers 45\" tours, but our guide merely did a lot of historical name-dropping and couldn't answer questions about how the art deco elements were incorporated into the structure. While it's nice current owners have been restored the gorgeous lobby and made the building economically viable with corporate offices, its working environment offers little for visitors with few shops. Eating choices reduced to a fast food court. It didn't help that not all the information screens that were supposed to guide you around were not functioning properly." ]

[ "Small but interesting museum, This museum is devoted to the history of the Chicago River and its raised bridges. It’s located in one of the bridge towers and includes a view of the gears and ingenious counterweight system that allow the bridge to operate. There are tiny galleries on each level with panels about the bridge, the terraforming of the river, how it became polluted and then cleaned over time. There’s more than I expected and it is free on Sundays. One star deducted for a climate change panel that notes how Chicago - where snow in April is common - will suffer from higher average temperatures that will lead to more hot summer days. Anyone trying to convince me that warmer Chicago weather would be a bad thing is pushing an agenda, not providing information., Traveled solo", "Opening Day 2021, For a small museum, it's presentation is very effective. The wall placards share history in text and images on the first four levels, then predictions about the future on the uppermost level. Windows on each floor provide new perspectives. The mechanical workings of the bridge can be viewed, and diagrams explain the operation. Because of the space limitations, you won't want to take a large group; half a dozen people per level would be a crowd. And it's all stairs, no elevator, so not handicap accessible, but it was a pleasant and educational hour on a Saturday morning for us., Traveled as a couple", "Fascinating Museum, A fascinating little museum detailing the history of the Chicago River and its bridges. \n\nGoing up 5 stories of an actual bridge house we understood what a brilliant feat of engineering these movable bridges were. \n\nFrom the top there’s a great view of the river and its buildings." ]

[ "So why is it called the 606?, The Bloomingdale Trail is a 2.7-mile elevated rail trail running east-west on the northwest side of Chicago. In 2015, it was converted into an elevated greenway, which forms the backbone of the linear park and trail network called The 606 that passes through the Chicago neighborhoods of Logan Square, Humboldt Park and West Town. At 2.7 miles, the Bloomingdale Trail is the longest greenway project of a former elevated rail line in the United States and the second longest in the world. So why is it called The 606? Because the system's numeric name is a homage to the city's Zip codes, the prefix for nearly all of which is 606. Used by walkers, joggers, runners and bikers, the trail runs from Ashland Avenue all the way west to North Ridgeway Avenue. It follows along West Bloomingdale Avenue, hence the name Bloomingdale Trail. On a clear day, pedestrians on the trail get a spectacular view of Chicago's skyline. ", "Excellent Urban Trail, We stayed in an excellent airb&b adjacent to the 606 trail. We were able to use this trail to get to our grandson’s pad and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Sure it got crowded and could have been wider, but we are sitting on our deck watching all different types of people having an enjoyable time. It’s not the High Line in New York - so what., Traveled with family", "Lovely trail for walkers, joggers, biking., We enjoyed this urban trail for three days in a row. It does get busy, but it is walkers, joggers and bikers only. The neighborhood has shops, restaurants, apartments, houses. We enjoyed this 2.7 mile trail very much and will return whenever we are in the area. I recommend!, Traveled as a couple" ]

[ "Teen Favorite, My husband and I took our 15 year old granddaughter and her friend to Chicago for their Spring Break. We wanted to make the trip interesting and enjoyable for all of us. The teens wanted to go to the Color Factory which they had seen online. I didn't know what to expect but thoroughly enjoyed watching them have so much fun. The staff gives you a little card which you use to scan a camera so you can get your photo taken in the different rooms and all the photos are emailed to you at the end. The senses of sight, taste, smell and hearing each had their own separate rooms and allowed the kids to use their own creativity interacting with the displays. There was a room with giant colored balloons and colored backdrops. A room had them explore their own creativity by drawing each other's portraits. One room had a calendar of each day of the month and you pick out your birthday, see what color it corresponds to and find out what qualities area attributed to that day. Another room was a light green melon colored ball pit with slides and green melon ice cream as a treat when you're done. I saw all ages enjoying themselves here. Our teens ranked the Color Factory as the favorite thing they did in Chicago. The entire experience lasted a little over an hour so this is on the pricey side for experiences compared to the museums or other attractions that take more time to see, but given that it was something the teens really wanted to do and loved doing so I would recommend it.", "Great Sensory Experience in Chicago!, I was pleasantly surprised. I was a bit taken aback by the price of tickets for something that said average time takes about 2 hours. My 12-year-old wanted to visit after seeing it on-line. They have a complementary coat check which was fantastic as it was cold and rainy outside. There are several little treats throughout. Each room seemed well thought out. We enjoyed taking pictures with our cameras and the ones in the exhibits. This is a sensory experience with not only colors for a visual experience but also scents, sounds, and tastes. I saw plenty of adult groups without kids, teen groups, and families with younger children. I was with my husband and daughters (14 yo & 12 yo). We all enjoyed the experience. I highly recommend. ", "Cool with 7 yr old, Indoor and Interactive, Nice art interactive installations, which you can get through pretty fast if you go through each door quickly enough. \n\nIt can get crowded especially the IG crowd wanting to take photos.\n\nMy 7 yr old was happy enough to play through each place. \n\nMany unique experiences with color appreciation and can make you delve into color culture immersion if you try.\n\nTickets are petty pricey and souvenirs as well. There are free snacks inside and some free souvenirs. Lots of digital photo places inside which sends to your email some GIF or mostly stills so you can walk around without taking pictures constantly. The whole experience took us around 1-2 hours to finish but we were doing a very chill loiter around the museum.\n\nThis is at Sears tower so very walkable from Union Station only around 5 minutes. \n\nIf parking, lots of places to park use Spothero or Parkwhiz for cheaper options., Traveled with family" ]

[ "Family Fun, We had a lot of fun. This is an event that works well for a broad span of ages. Our six family members included my parents in their mid-70s to my nephew who is 13. Everyone had an active role - the younger family members nimbly figured out mechanical lock opening challenges while the eldest members with their years of wisdom ultimately figured out the final codes to the breakout. It's fun to see the hidden talents that rise to the occasion. It was exciting. And, we had a lot of laughs afterwards retelling the various foibles and a-ha moments that led up to our victorious adventure., Escape rooms have a great way of bringing out the best in everyone! We're so happy your family had such a great time! Thanks for such a wonderful review!, Written , February 15, 2022, This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC., Traveled with family", "Thank you, Ben!, Party of 3. We did the Prison room and had a great time! This was our first time doing an escape room together and Ben was super accommodating and helpful. He gave us options for how we wanted to proceed and had a good attitude the entire time. Super fun guy. He even drew each of us some personalized pictures based on our codenames :D Highly recommend. Give Ben a raise., Thanks for visiting our Prison room and leaving such a rave review! We are ecstatic to hear that Ben made your experience so fun and we hope you'll be back to do another room with us in the future :) , Written , June 16, 2022, This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.", "Fox in box, Blake, and the Zodiac Killer!, My friend and I completed the Zodiac Killer, and we had a ball. Our host, Blake, was awesome, giving us hints when necessary and bravely detaining the Zodiac Killer for a few seconds near the end so we could complete the final part of our final clue. A great experience and I would love to do more of these rooms!, Thank you for taking the time to leave such a great review! We're so happy that Blake could help you escape, we'll make sure to thank him for holding off the killer :), Written , May 24, 2022, This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC." ]

[ "Nice public art, A nice piece of public art representative of the artist’s style and in his “signature” color. It was a surprise to see a smaller version of it at the Art Institute the next day. Worth a walk by if you’re in the area., Traveled with family", "Cultural Symbol for Chicago, For me this public art sculpture was Chicago. It is featured in many movies set in the city. It sits in an open space surrounded by tall buildings. We saw it between our hotel and a visit to the Willis Tower. We could even see it from the Willis Tower but the shadows make it difficult to see. Still this is a cool piece of public art that for me symbolizes Chicago. I simply had to see it.", "The pinnacle of Chicago's public art, Very large Alexander Calder sculpture on a bustling plaza in Chicago's financial district. For me, this is the pick of the city's many excellent pieces of public art, trumping even the 'bean'. Easily found if you're heading to or from the Willis Tower, this is well worth stopping off to admire and wish your hometown had stuff like this stood around!, Traveled as a couple" ]