Many Americans refer to Chicago as an improved version of New York since the city is very clean, the skyscrapers are amazing and there are not so many tourists in the streets. In three days you can see a lot of sights. For instance, you can go to Millennium Park, then admire the Cloud Gates sculpture and go to the Lincoln Park Zoo or climb the observation deck of a skyscraper.
It comes as no surprise that in Chicago, you can also taste delicious pizza, explore plenty of exciting cultural traditions, attractions, and family entertainment. Don’t forget to find a good hotel with reasonable prices on the Hotels-Scanner service so you don’t have to worry about your stay. Families visiting the Windy City for the first time may be a bit astonished by how much there is to sightsee and do here.
The First Day of Travel
We advise you to start your trip to Chicago by going for a walk to Millennium Park. Particularly fun in the summer, it has the Crown Fountain with two 50-foot LED columns and a cascading waterfall. It’s the ideal way to cool off on a torrid day.
In fact, Millennium Park is the center of Chicago’s social life. Entrance is free everywhere. Volunteers conduct tours of the park, tourists watch spiders through microscopes, and actors give free theatrical performances. From May to August, open-air training sessions are held in the park to house or gospel music – these are church chants that you probably heard in American films: artists sing the gospel to their tune.
Having been in Chicago, you should see the most famous sculpture of the park, namely “Bob”. This 110-ton structure, created of 168 stainless steel plates, is like a huge mirror in a funhouse. Lots of children enjoy running around and under the sculpture, enjoying their reflections change. During the summertime, the park hosts family programs and concerts.
By crossing the road, you can continue your travel to Grant Park and visit the famous Buckingham Fountain. It should be noted that it shoots water 45 meters into the air during a marvelous 20-minute water show. The view is amazing.
A few steps from the park is the Museum Campus. It includes three family-friendly facilities:
- the Adler Planetarium;
- the Shedd Aquarium;
- the Field Museum of Natural History.
It is impossible to visit the world-famous city without looking at the Navy Pier. When the sun goes down and the carnival lights come on, kids will love riding the Ferris wheel, the Light Tower, or the music carousel. What matters here is that the pier is home to the city Children’s Museum, shops like Build-A-Bear, and restaurants like Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville. At the end of an eventful day, head to the hotel selected using Hotels-scanner.com.
The Second Day of Travel
Whether you’re an avid Chicago Cubs fan or not, Wrigley Field is America’s second-oldest baseball league stadium to visit. You will see the platform from which Babe Ruth made his “Calling Punch” in 1932 during the World Series. Visitors will get to know about the exciting connection between Wrigley’s chewing gum and see indoor whipping cages, the team’s dugout and clubhouse, and the glorious press box.
Then, you can spend your afternoon at Skydeck Chicago. It is situated inside the Willis Tower. Usually, tourists take a 60-second elevator to the 103rd floor, where they find themselves 353 meters above the ground. On a clear day, tourists can see Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan right across Lake Michigan. Vacationers are invited to go to one of the Skydeck retractable glass balconies, which protrude 1.2 meters from the building. You will look straight down and watch nothing but the busy street.
Afterward, you can embark on a boat tour up and down Lake Michigan with Wendella Boat Tours. The architectural city tours take place close to Trump Tower and Wrigley Building and last from 75 to 90 minutes. Guided tours give you the chance to relax and take in the sights along the Chicago River and the shores of Lake Michigan.
Spend a wonderful evening at Tommy Gun’s Garage Dinner and a Show. In Chicago’s only drinking establishment, the whole family will be transported to Prohibition-era Chicago. You will see period memorabilia, silent movies, and old autocars. The price includes dinner followed by an action-comedy show including dancing, singing, and audience participation. In addition, children under 11 receive a free souvenir.
The Third Day of Travel
For 360-degree views of the Chicago city, take the kids to the famous John Hancock Lookout and then dine at one of the several restaurants at the John Hancock Center. Across the street from the tower is American Girl Place, which originated right here in Chicago on the Magnificent Mile.
If you need a break from downtown Chicago, head to the Brookfield Zoo, located about 20 minutes away. If you plan to visit the zoo, dedicate a whole day to it. It’s a huge area and can get very crowded.
Chicago is an amazingly beautiful city with interesting past and cultural attractions. It definitely has something to do for serious, business people, and gambling merry fellows. A noisy, populous metropolis deserves the attention of tourists. Before leaving for Chicago, Compare hotel prices at Hotels-scanner.com and enjoy great views of Chicago.