Culture of Chicago. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces
Among many attractions of Chicago area there are scenic squares, modern skyscrapers, sculptures and architectural complexes. The city also features an abundance of cultural centers; there are hundreds of museums and theaters here. One of the most attractive areas of the city is Michigan Avenue or rather part of it called the Magnificent Mile. It is the center of futuristic buildings, luxury stores, hotels and attractions. The Magnificent Mile is one of the busiest tourist areas.
The modern metropolis amazes with an abundance of restaurants, cafes and bars. In total, the city has more than 4,500 dining places, among which there are modest budget restaurants and … Open
Chicago is a major cultural center; it is a beautiful and prosperous city with rich traditions. Many travelers associate this modern metropolis with music. Chicago is annually visited by … Open
Art lovers will like Art Institute of Chicago; it is the second-largest art museum of the United States. A significant part exhibits is represented by works of contemporary artists. There are often interesting cultural events at the museum. The main part of important historical sites can be found in Old Town. Here you can see picturesque buildings of the early 20th century and the church of St. Michael that has been operating for over a hundred years.
In the section below, you can get one of our excursion, activities or city discovery tours over Chicago and surroundings. Our website offers 10-30% lower ticket prices, when compared to the offline purchase on the spot.
City tours, excursions and tickets in Chicago and surroundings
Plan your own excursion through Chicago: churches, museums and castles
Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago
Location on the map: Facts:
» The Museum of Science and Industry was opened in 1933 on the initiative of D. Rosenwald, a rich businessman and fan of scientific and technological progress. » The museum is a very interesting modern complex that attracts a lot of visitors. There are 75 halls that house 35 000 exhibits.
» The most attractive thing here is that visitors can touch any exhibits and even take part in phenomena and processes.
» In the museum, permanent and temporary exhibitions are organized. Not so long ago, an exhibition where natural phenomena, e.g. tsunami, tornado, and Tesla coil, are demonstrated. Also, there are: a full-size replica coal mine that uses original equipment of 1933, German submarine U-505 captured during the Second World War, and the first Apollo 8 spacecraft.
» The number and variety of exhibits is really huge. In the Omnimax Showroom, you can watch contemporary popular-science films.
The Field Museum, Chicago
Location on the map: Facts:
» The Field Museum is named after Marshall Field who founded a charity organization in 1894 and donated a million dollars for the construction and opening of the museum. At that time, 600 first exhibits were collected. » Now, the museum fund contains 21 million exhibits collected in all parts of the world. The most unique exhibits are skeletons of dinosaurs and scarecrows of such big animals, as African elephants and lions.
» In the museum, there are 30 permanent exhibitions. You can also see here artifacts from Ancient Egypt, Tibet, China, and Africa.
» Visitors with children who visit the Underground Adventure can become 100 times smaller and look for the way among plants’ roots like spiders, earthworms, and grasshoppers.
» The museum offers an interesting promotion: everyone can stay overnight when the museum is closed. They get a sleeping bag for it.
Chicago Children Museum, Chicago
Location on the map: Facts:
» The Chicago Children's Museum in Chicago is an interesting place for children and adults. It does not look like a classical museum. » It is a big playground where children can do everything their parents do not allow them to do, for example, play with water or construct “houses” of pieces of furniture (sofas, chairs, drawers, or blankets).
» Here, they can become a seller, a pilot, or a driver.
» The museum is divided into sectors where children of all ages study the world and conduct experiments.
» The museum has an “open house” once a week.
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What to visit during two-day excursion in Chicago
Magnificent Mile
Where: Michigan Ave. Chicago River to Oak St, Chicago;
Where: Michigan Ave. Chicago River to Oak St, Chicago;
Architectural River Cruise
Where: Michigan Avenue & the River. Southeast corner of the bridge. Blue awning., Chicago; Telephone: +1 312.902.1500; Opening hours: Seasonal, see home page for more information.;
Where: Michigan Avenue & the River. Southeast corner of the bridge. Blue awning., Chicago; Telephone: +1 312.902.1500; Opening hours: Seasonal, see home page for more information.;
Art Institute of Chicago
Where: 111 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago; Telephone: +1 312.443.3600; Opening hours: Mon, Tues, Wed & Fri 10:30am-5pm Thurs 10:30am-8pm Sat & Sun 10am-5pm;
Where: 111 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago; Telephone: +1 312.443.3600; Opening hours: Mon, Tues, Wed & Fri 10:30am-5pm Thurs 10:30am-8pm Sat & Sun 10am-5pm;
The Field Museum
Where: 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago; Telephone: +1 312.922.9410; Opening hours: 9am-5pm Daily;
Where: 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago; Telephone: +1 312.922.9410; Opening hours: 9am-5pm Daily;
John G. Shedd Aquarium
Where: 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago; Telephone: +1 312.939.2438; Opening hours: Open Monday - Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday - Sunday 9am-6pm;
Where: 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago; Telephone: +1 312.939.2438; Opening hours: Open Monday - Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday - Sunday 9am-6pm;
Navy Pier
Where: 600 E. Grand Avenue, Chicago; Telephone: +1 312.595.7437 (PIER) or +1 800.595.7437; Opening hours: Pier itself is always open. Shops & attractions vary in hours.;
Where: 600 E. Grand Avenue, Chicago; Telephone: +1 312.595.7437 (PIER) or +1 800.595.7437; Opening hours: Pier itself is always open. Shops & attractions vary in hours.;
Robie House
Where: 5757 S. Woodlawn Avenue, Chicago; Telephone: +1 708.848.1976;
Where: 5757 S. Woodlawn Avenue, Chicago; Telephone: +1 708.848.1976;
Reference information
Art galleries in Chicago and around
♥ Art museum 'Art Institute of Chicago' Chicago, 0.3 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Art museum 'Museum of Contemporary Art' Chicago, 1.7 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Art museum 'National Museum of Mexican Art' Chicago, 5 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Art museum 'Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art' Chicago, 5.3 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Art museum 'National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture' Chicago, 6.9 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Art museum 'Art Institute of Chicago' Chicago, 0.3 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Art museum 'Museum of Contemporary Art' Chicago, 1.7 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Art museum 'National Museum of Mexican Art' Chicago, 5 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Art museum 'Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art' Chicago, 5.3 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Art museum 'National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture' Chicago, 6.9 km from the center. On the map Photo
Cathedrals and basilicas near Chicago
♥ National Shrine of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, Chicago, 5.4 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica, Chicago, 6.6 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ National Shrine of St. Anne, Chicago, 8.7 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Basilica of St. Hyacinth, Chicago, 9.6 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ National Shrine of the Poor Souls, Berwyn, 14.1 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Basilica of Queen of All Saints, Chicago, 16 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ National Shrine of St. Jude, Chicago, 18.1 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ National Shrine of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, Chicago, 5.4 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica, Chicago, 6.6 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ National Shrine of St. Anne, Chicago, 8.7 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Basilica of St. Hyacinth, Chicago, 9.6 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ National Shrine of the Poor Souls, Berwyn, 14.1 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Basilica of Queen of All Saints, Chicago, 16 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ National Shrine of St. Jude, Chicago, 18.1 km from the center. On the map Photo
Photogallery of cultural heritage of Chicago
Landmarks of culture on Chicago map: art-galleries, monuments, palaces, etc
Culture guide to Chicago. Which fascinating sights to visit once you are in Chicago: temples, churches, museums, theaters and castles. Recommendations (with addresses, phone numbers and links) on the places 'must visit' in Chicago. Plan your own city excursion by using this page info!