18 Attractions to Explore Near Shedd Aquarium
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Museum CampusThe Museum Campus offers something for everyone! Visit Navy Pier and its exciting exhibits and interactive displays. Walk along the vibrant Lake Michigan shoreline, admiring all of the sights and experiencing life more fully. Discover fantastic green spaces such as Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo or Northerly Island Nature Preserve. There's also a variety of cultural attractions to explore – including museums such as the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium or the Adler Planetarium.
Field MuseumThe Field Museum of Natural History is a fascinating and educational place to explore. Founded in 1893 as part of the World's Columbian Exposition, The Field Museum showcases collections that span more than 4.5 billion years of history. It houses over 40 million unique specimens and objects from the natural environment, including many dinosaur fossils and ancient artifacts. Visitors can take knowledge packed guided tours through the museum or wander on their own.
Adler PlanetariumThe Adler Planetarium, has been inspiring guests since 1930. This National Historic Landmark has remained dedicated to advancing the public’s understanding of astronomy and space science. From exploring the wonders of space at their six full-dome theaters, to discovering artifacts from early space exploration in the diverse exhibition halls - Adler provides a wealth of astronomical knowledge and insight.
Grant ParkGrant Park is one of the most iconic parks established in 1869, this sprawling park has been a hot spot for locals and tourists alike ever since. With a zoo and conservatory, recreation and leisure options abound here. Sports fields, playgrounds, and picnic groves bring families together throughout the year. Special attractions such as the Buckingham Fountain feature regularly in popular Chicago tourist brochures-and offer breathtaking scenery during the summer months!
Buckingham FountainBuckingham Fountain is a Chicago landmark, Constructed in 1927, the fountain was made to honor the memory of former Chicago mayor, and later Illinois Senator, Kate S. Buckingham. The beautiful fountain rises from a lily pad shaped base and has four bronze seahorses which symbolize the states of Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana that border Lake Michigan. It operates each day from 8am to 11pm, with every hour featuring a spectacular show of water.
Museum of Contemporary PhotographyThe Museum of Contemporary Photography is the perfect place to explore the inspiring and ever-changing world of photography. With a focus on contemporary and modern work, visitors can learn about the innovative techniques used by photographers from a variety of backgrounds and look at examples from all around the world. From monochromatic street photography to vibrant prints that feature abstract shapes.
Glessner HouseGlessner House is an ornate French château-style mansion that occupies an entire city block. Built in 1887 for retail giant George Dunning Glessner and his wife Frances, the home was designed by renowned American architect Henry Hobson Richardson. With its many intricate masonry details and its decorative ironwork, Glessner House stands as a testament to the time period's transformation of style from Victorian to modern.
The Art Institute of ChicagoThe Art Institute of Chicago is a must-see landmark that has been an integral part of the city’s culture since it opened in 1879. As one of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States, this sprawling museum houses more than 300,000 works of art spanning over five millennia of history. The collection includes masterpieces from around the world. Notable exhibits include Impressionist paintings by Manet and Monet, to Rembrandt’s Self-Portrait and Chagall’s America Windows.
Chicago Symphony OrchestraThe Chicago Symphony Orchestra, is an incredible musical resource. It is the second-oldest symphony orchestra in the United States and is highly respected for its precise technical performance and powerful emotional interpretations. For over 123 years, this storied institution has been providing professional musical entertainment to audiences from across the world with its expansive repertoire ranging from beloved classic works to pieces composed by living musicians.
Historic Route 66 Begin SignThe Historic Route 66 Begin Sign, Illinois is an iconic landmark, representing the unique and colorful history of Route 66. The two-lane highway was first established in 1926 and ran from Chicago to Los Angeles, passing through eight states. The local entrance point to the route was marked with a large sign featuring an arrow pointing straight ahead with a background of a midwestern dawn sky. It was the gateway to countless memories and adventures for travelers.
Lurie GardenLurie Garden is a magnificent 5 acre public garden, which boasts a wide array of perennial and annual plants, shrubs, trees, and grasses that bloom throughout the Spring and Summer months. The garden allows visitors to view native plants while appreciating the beauty of the prairie landscape. Natural sand dunes are featured throughout the garden – creating a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. The Garden also houses several art pieces that compliment nature’s scenery.
Maggie Daley ParkMaggie Daley Park, offers an oasis of beauty and fun within the heart of the Windy City. Featuring a skating ribbon that wraps around a large centerpiece of lagoons and lily pads, walking paths, and lots of open space, the park is filled with opportunities for outdoor recreation. Here visitors can take part in rock climbing, mini golfing, tennis courts, a field house cafe and play garden. To experience some of nature’s gifts first hand there are also wildflower gardens.
Crown FountainThe Crown Fountain in Chicago’s Grant Park is a world-renown artwork created by Spanish-Mexican artist Jaume Plensa. The fountain consists of two 50-foot glass brick towers that are covered with LED screens and light up at night to create a mesmerizing experience for visitors. On the heads of the towers, water streams from the mouths, cascading down into a reflecting pool below. During the day, images of local citizens are projected onto the LED screens accompanied by music.
Monadnock BuildingThe Monadnock Building is a prime example of the American skyscraper's evolution. Constructed over a 15-year period from 1889-1893, it reflects Chicago's desire to stand out as an exemplar of modern architecture and construction. Its impressive height of 227 feet (69 meters) was intimidating for other city skyline contemporaries, and the brick façade with its steeply sloping roofline looked dramatically impressive and strong even after the Great Chicago Fire four years earlier.
Millennium ParkMillennium Park, a stunning landscape spanning 24.5 acres opened in 2004 to commemorate the turn of the millennium, this spectacular public park features stunningly designed gardens and sculptures, inspiring architecture, and an array of interactive exhibits and landscapes. From the mesmerizing reflective Crown Fountain and the underground BP Pedestrian Bridge to the stirring Lurie Garden and serene Pritzker Pavilion known for its impressive acoustics and world-renowned performances.
Chicago Board of Trade BuildingThe iconic Chicago Board of Trade Building stands as a symbol of finance and commerce. Built in 1930, it was the world’s first-ever permanent commodity exchange. Its art deco exterior is constructed with Indiana Limestone, granite, and bronze. It features a two story lobby filled with beautiful murals depicting commodities that were traded such as grain and livestock. With its 20 stories, it was considered one of the tallest office buildings at the time of its completion.
Cloud GateCloud Gate, is an iconic sculpture by Indian-born British artist Anish Kapoor. The stainless steel bean-like structure was created to be a modernist revelry to Chicago's skyline and has become beloved among locals and tourists alike. Its 110 ton form rises 12 metres from the ground and is 33 metres wide making it the largest public sculpture in the world. Visitors can walk around, touch and take pictures with the sculpture as it captures reflections of the cityscape surrounding it.
Jay Pritzker PavilionThe Jay Pritzker Pavilion is an impressive outdoor concert venue and one of the main attractions of the renowned Millennium Park. Originally designed by Frank Gehry, it boasts a stunning steel exoskeleton canopy, which gently shelters its enormous grass seating bowl. With 4,000 fixed seats and the capacity to accommodate over 11,000 people on its expansive lawns, It also allows for a wide variety of performances from classic orchestras to spectacular festivals throughout the year.
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Shedd AquariumThe Shedd Aquarium is one of the country's top tourist destinations. The aquarium hosts a wide variety of marine life including sharks, dolphins, turtles, small freshwater fish and rays. It strives to preserve ocean habitats and represents five different habitats from around the world. Visitors can explore each habitat in person or take advantage of interactive digital displays that give information about some of its inhabitants.