Chicago Attractions

If you are looking for a charming way to enjoy your trip to Chicago then the Looking glass Theater Company ought to be you first choice. I would recommend the Peter Pan show. The kids absolutely loved it. The theater is very cozy and you will get the feeling that you are dealing with some sort of family production company. On visiting the show, I felt that it could work for both adults and children. This is a rather unique attribute given the demarcations that have become part of the tourist sector. The interpretations were wonderful and yet they did not lose that quality of childhood dreams. As part of the audience, we were invited to interact with the actors. You can sit on the edge of the stage and see the actors in close proximity.

This is one of the smaller theaters but has still been able to hold a special place in the hearts of the visitors. The family loved the shows including the puzzling “Alice in Wonderland”. There are also some acrobatic shows from time to time. The seats are not expensive and the sitting arrangements mean that you can see the main action from any vantage point. The staging has been very imaginative and dramatic in its conceptualization. Hephaestus is another show that is highly recommended. The kids will love the tightrope walk depending on when you visit. The place is well within the vicinity of a restaurant.

If you want to get away from some of the standard tourist activities then the Looking glass Theater Company will give you the opportunities you need. There is a clear system for keeping visitors entertained and their shows are rather interesting. You can book a series of shows and then watch them throughout your stay in Chicago. I also thought the prices were fair.

For sheer innovation, the Looking Glass Theater Company cannot be faulted. I think that I am going to be generous by giving them 4 stars out of 5.

I must admit that I was rather curious to know what the Apollo Theater Chicago was all about. For my sojourn I choose one of their signature shows called “Million Dollar Quartet”. Boy…was it worth a million dollars? The music was just spectacular and the cast really did their thing in style. To crown it all, my tickets were at 50% discount rates.  I like the old theater although some people may not find it to their taste. In a culture where modernity almost hinges on vulgarity, the Apollo Theater Chicago stands out as a bastion of the old style of things. They are very successful in this sort of presentation and I declare myself a fan. You get a certain energy which is sadly lacking in many modern shows. They have been really successful at running this project and the effort shows in the presentations.

The audience has a lot to play for at the Apollo Theater Chicago. They clap and applaud all the shows. Likewise the cast has responded with a family atmosphere. They meet fans and sign autographs….a particular treat for the younger members of the audience. With over four hundred seats, you are not likely to lose out in the sitting arrangements. This is a great show that has been organized with impeccable pedigree. As family entertainment, you get the full value of the things that you pay for. I like the fact that they are not so commercialized that they forget the audience that has brought them success so far. The Apollo Theater Chicago represents the best of Chicago. I would even go as far as saying that it is a good alternative to Broadway or the West End productions. Moreover you do not have to give up your entire pension just to have a season ticket. That is a distinct advantage.

This is a great place to see plays. I love the family atmosphere and the way that they have made the arrangements. On the basis of their ingenuity, I would offer them a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

I was looking for something special to do over the mini holiday in Chicago. A friend suggested the Art Institute of Chicago. It provided me with a contrast against the bustling night life. The pieces are unique and you get to learn a lot about the place and the people who patronize it. I like the fact that the collection is not so big that you have to spend days trying to cover all the items. It is just right for a short break. Some guys simply stroll around while others are intent on taking notes. It really is a place where you can choose the model for your entertainment. There is nothing “staged” about the Art Institute of Chicago. Instead you get a feeling of casual enjoyment. If you are under stress then this is the perfect place to be.

I recommend Chagall’s stain glass window as the centerpiece of your visit. The only thing that I might worry about is the parking at the Millennium center which comes in at about $25. Interestingly this is a good $7 more than the entry price at the Art Institute of Chicago. You can save a whole day to visit the exhibition if you want to spread the money around. There are plenty of pieces that will keep you happily occupied throughout the sojourn. The water in the café is at an astonishing $3 for just 8 oz! Perhaps you can come with your own water to save those precious dollars.

If you can handle the Thursday long day, then you will get treats right up to 8pm.  I understand that they rotate the days on which they can open for longer. You should also watch out for the sponsorship days where you might just get a free ticket. You can introduce the kids to culture through the Art Institute of Chicago.

This is a great place to see art and culture in Chicago. Often such places are pretentious but I cannot say that for this venue. I give them 3 out of 5 stars for giving us a wonderful taste of art.

I took my kids to the Chicago Children’s Museum and there were no complaints. In fact this was one of the most peaceful breaks I have ever had. I was a bit concerned that the shows would be beyond their years (the eldest is 5). Instead I was delighted to find that they have pitched the shows just right. You can relax and let the children enjoy the various excursions. It is almost like a giant play room with occasional phases of learning and general education.  I commend the interactively of the Chicago Children’s Museum where the visitors can create different types o food using inorganic material.  Paper, felt and plastic toys are put to excellent use when you visit.

The setting was simple enough with a mini stage. You can take to the stage with your microphone or the kids can try out some of the musical instruments. The dressing part is quite fascinating for the kids especially if they have never visited the Chicago Children’s Museum before. Boys will love the firehouse as well as the fire truck. For educational purposes they have an activity that involves digging up dinosaur bones. The waterworks room is a fascinating insight for younger children who will be interested in the figures on display. Take your kids to the waterworks room and give them a taste of different facets in life.

Perhaps the most attractive feature on the Chicago Children’s Museum is the attention that they give to kids. As we all know it is tough taking them out because of the short attention span and the invariable tantrums. This is an ideal opportunity for the kids to enjoy their time out and yet the parent can also have some sort of relief. It is a great event and you really can have fund with the whole family.

I feel that this venue meets the brief that was set. They are really geared up for the kids. For their efforts I would give them 4 out of 5 stars. My children had a wonderful time there.

The Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier has managed to take an English tradition and give it an American twist without losing some of the charm that those plays used to bring. I had the pleasure of watching Romeo and Juliet. I was particularly impressed by the sitting arrangement where the audience was almost participating in the play. This is the sort of thing that can make a difference when you are trying to get interest in the play as a whole. We have all read about the characters but on the stage it is all about the acting skills and the presentation. On both these fronts the Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier has just been excellent. You will be able to watch these classics in the relative comfort of your seat. The views are evenly distributed so that you get to sample all the various dramatic gifts on offer.

The booking system for the Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier is based on the phone but they give you an ID so that they can track your bookings. There are some small details such as the free coat check and the charming bar on the side. The Ice Cream stand is a favorite with the kids as well as the sandwich bar if you are feeling ravenous after some English prose. When it was time to get home, the taxis were abundant. For just a few dollars you can get to your home or the main station. The theatre has an air conditioning system so you will not feel as if you are being steamed for dinner. Some people might not like the fact that they tend to use modern costumes but that is neither here nor there. The basic facilities in the theatre are just excellent. You will certainly have good family entertainment.

This was an experience of Shakespeare that I am not likely to forget. I am always trying to get my kids to take up literature and this theater helped me a lot. On that basis I think that they deserve 5 out of 5 stars.

Life does not have to be about sitting down in some plush hotel. You can use the City Running Tours to get your legs going. This is one of the ways that you get the real Chicago. I try to use the walks to get away from some of the hackneyed tourist routes. It also reduces the boredom factor when I am trying to enjoy my trip. You can request for a tour guide or even two. Invariably they have vast knowledge of they are and will make you feel at home. Moreover they will let you explore the area according to your expectations. It really is the best of both worlds and you can improve your knowledge of the area. I love the fact that you can take pictures as well as meeting people that live in Chicago. If you feel like leaving your hotel, then this is a great option. The City Running Tours are organized according to your plans. There is no pressure to meet certain time deadlines or to see certain “tourist attractions”.

Try the City Park Run for size. The skyline is to die for and you can always stop to do some shopping. If you are not happy with the guided tour, there is nothing stopping you fro going back on your own to explore the place further. I think Lisa and Merlin are the regular tour guides because they seem to be there all the time. I have to say that they are truly wonderful and bring some expertise to the journey. If you feel physically fit then you might even try to run around the locality. It is all part of the entertainment and you can really improve your understanding of Chicago. At the same time you will get to shed some of those excess pounds.

I find that being in a strange city; you need someone to hold your hand. The City Running Tours did that job perfectly and I am giving them 4 stars out of 5.

I must admit that I was daunted by the idea of interactive sculpture but have been converted by the experience on the Cloud Gate tour. I was visiting for a weekend break and therefore did not have time to look at all the things that were on the itinerary. I chose Cloud Gate as something unique and I was not disappointed at all. I was able to take some photos that are now in my collection. The sculptures look so natural and yet they fit in very well with the modern locality. I decided to take my kids on the next trip and they absolutely loved laying in the sunshine and looking at those hideous distortions. There are plenty of people on the scene and therefore loners are not really suited to this sort of thing. The Cloud Gate is located within the other tourist attractions in Chicago and so we were able to do other things as we waited for the crowds to die down a bit.

My kids loved the Crown Fountain. You can see many people making faces and squirting water. Of course this is not the time for your Sunday best. The whole thing is designed for spontaneous fun and you need to take it in that spirit. The pictures can be taken from different angles and maybe for the first time ever you will see how the world really sees you. You can spend about thirty minutes there but it seems that some tourists spend considerably longer as they sample the fun activities. This is a unique opportunity to see the tourist side of things in a different light. You need to have the ability to laugh at your reflection or else you will look somewhat out of place. The family will add this to one of their great experiences on holiday.

I am in too minds about Cloud Gate. It is true that they are innovative but that might not appeal to everyone. Therefore I will offer a conservative 3 out of 5 stars for this one.

Quite strangely, the John Hancock Center and Observatory is linked to a restaurant. That is because we discovered that this was the prime location for the observation part. We were advised to book a table and request that we would like to sit on the south side. You might have to wait if someone else has booked the spot. There is a free meal and admittance to the top level. I am telling you that there is simply no better way to see Chicago. You will have a bird’s view of everything as well as the wonderful food. To my shock the prices on the meals were fairly reasonable. I would have assumed that they would add a premium for the wonderful views on the John Hancock Center and Observatory. When I travel with my family I like to combine two things in one if it is possible. This was the perfect opportunity for a great meal and then some wonderful views to complete the experience.

They give you two options if you want to watch the city. You can go on the Willis Sears Tower or straight to the John Hancock Observatory. Willis Tower is not as interesting as its counterpart. There is an elevator if that is your kind of thing. The crowds are well controlled and you will generally get the feeling that this is a well planned excursion rather than a haphazard attempt at the same things over time. There are perfect views of Lake Michigan as well as the Lake Shore Drive. We loved the views on the Navy Pier. Take a good quality camera with you because there will be plenty of opportunities to take some great photographs. If you want to go about the city quickly then the Fast Pass option will allow you to do this.

I like to see where I am going and the John Hancock Center was perfect for this. I will give them 4 out of 5 stars. I would give them the full score if the food was exceptional.

Downtown Chicago would not be the same without the imposing presence of Lake Michigan. This is one of the best places to spend your summer. If you are feeling puckish then there are plenty of eating places. We visited the lake on our way from the observation tower and found it to be an excellent stop for tourists. The closeness to the beach makes it seem that you are actually living on the lake. This is an idealized version of the tourist attractions but that is what you get with all the marketing hype. I have to say that Lake Michigan was genuinely interesting. I did not feel as if I was being cheated of a great experience. Instead I felt right at home with all the arrangements. The grass patches near the beach are perfect for kids to enjoy some time out. You can go for walks or take up other hobbies depending on the weather.

There are some restrictions in order to preserve the natural beauty of the place. For example you are not allowed to do barbecues there.  Likewise we were not allowed to carry alcohol. There are some beaches further down the road which takes on a more liberal approach. The bottom line is that you get to enjoy Lake Michigan with all the trappings and none of the drama. Make sure that you do not park in the wrong place. We nearly got a ticket for some sloppy parking. The police are very vigilant here. The lake is a public resource and therefore you should expect that the crowds are quite significant. However that is what the tourism sector is all about. You need to see the local people in their elements in order to fully understand how the place operates. I was extremely pleased with my stay near Lake Michigan.

The lake really does nothing but it is just perfect in its beauty. Therefore 4 out of 5 stars would reflect the joy that you get from visiting it.

There is some controversy that is attached to zoos of any description. However the Lincoln Park Zoo is just the kind of thing that will make the trip much more enjoyable for your kids. I took the family during the holiday season and therefore we were a full house. I cannot say that I was disappointed by the quality of shows or the way that they looked after the animals. The entrance is fee and that is very attractive for people in the midst of a recession. If I was recommending the ideal time I would say that the night is wonder. The animals are often still active after nightfall and you get a different feel. From large cats to small rodents, this is diversity personified. I love the quaint little notes that are written on the cages to tell you more about the animal. My kids were fascinated by all the facts about the animals.

The fact that the attraction is free means that they are never short of visitors. You will need to book your spots carefully because it is open. You are also just a bus route away from the Jewel Supermarket. The animals are broadly divided into the winter and summer seasons. Therefore you can visit twice a year. The indoor section is quite convenient especially for families that are travelling with kids. The kids can be introduced to exotic animal species during the trip. You also get to relax in the public areas. I thought the barriers were secure and the arrangements to keep humans away from dangerous animals were excellent. This was one of the best attractions. The fact that it was free was just the icing on the cake. I would recommend it to any family that wants to take advantage of the wonderful settings in order to have a great time.

I am a sucker for zoos and I love jewels. The Lincoln Park Zoo was a favorite and I am happy to give them 3.5 stars out of 5.