While your friends from the coast or the next state may want to go to the aquarium and take #beanselfies all day, there are so many more underrated places you should introduce them to. Give your guests a new perspective of the city with these 11 fabulous attractions.
From places to eat to the best unique views of the city, these are the places you should be going in Chicago. Keep reading for all the details.
- Promontory Point
Wikimedia Commons/Kim Scarborough Constructed from a landfill, this man-made peninsula is best known for its amazing views of the city skyline. Let your guests take unique pictures for their Instagrams here.
- Chicago Pedway
Wikimedia Commons/Jaysin Trevino This interesting trail is a system of tunnels and streets that connects locals and tourists to restaurants, shops, and other businesses. Your guests will come across many treasures down here.
- Calumet Fisheries
Facebook/Calumet Fisheries Located on E 95th, this iconic fish shack has been serving hungry locals for decades. Everyone is familiar with this iconic building, but only the most lucky are familiar with its smells and tastes.
- Chicago Riverwalk
Flickr/Cristina Bejarano Many forget that Chicago has two great bodies of water. The Chicago River is a prime part of what makes the city great, and walking the cobbled paths and bridges will transport you to another world.
- Oz Park
Flickr/vikramjam Located in Lincoln Park, this is one of the most underrated places in Chicago. Overlooked due to nearby attractions like the Lincoln Park Zoo, this oasis contains statues of characters from the classic story.
- Maggie Daley Park
Wikimedia Commons/Monicaacosta34 Part of Grant Park, this little-known oasis is a wonderland of fun for kids of absolutely all ages. Rock climbing walls, mini golf, and a plethora of other imaginative activities can be explored here. This is the place to go when you’ve seen enough of Millennium Park.
- University of Chicago
Flickr/Quinn Dombrowski People overlook how gorgeous this campus truly is. Locals know that it is a beautiful place to walk around, and your guests will be happy to see it. The grounds are expertly landscaped, and it is fun to watch them change with the seasons.
- Headquarters Beercade
Facebook/Headquarters Beercade Nothing is more fun than an arcade, and Chicago is home to many barcades. The Chicago style is to get drunk and play old-school Pac Man, Pinball, and Tekken games in a fun atmosphere.
- Swedish American Museum
Facebook/Swedish American Museum This heritage museum is located in Andersonville and has been around since 1976. It houses a large collection of cultural artifacts that tell the story of Swedish immigrants in Chicago. It is best recognized by this three-story historic building as well as a bright blue water tower.
- Garfield Park Conservatory
Wikimedia Commons/Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz Many may have heard of this wonderful place, but as it is slightly off the beaten path, many do not get a chance to explore it. Take your guests to this majestic greenhouse for a trip they’ll never forget.
- Ohio Street Beach
Wikimedia Commons/Jabab No matter the time of year, this is a great place to get unique views of the Chicago skyline. You’ll feel like you’re in a tropic city as the turquoise water rushes up on shore.
Don’t have room to keep your guests at home? Put them up in one of these seven unique bed & breakfasts in Chicago.
Wikimedia Commons/Kim Scarborough
Constructed from a landfill, this man-made peninsula is best known for its amazing views of the city skyline. Let your guests take unique pictures for their Instagrams here.
Wikimedia Commons/Jaysin Trevino
This interesting trail is a system of tunnels and streets that connects locals and tourists to restaurants, shops, and other businesses. Your guests will come across many treasures down here.
Facebook/Calumet Fisheries
Located on E 95th, this iconic fish shack has been serving hungry locals for decades. Everyone is familiar with this iconic building, but only the most lucky are familiar with its smells and tastes.
Flickr/Cristina Bejarano
Many forget that Chicago has two great bodies of water. The Chicago River is a prime part of what makes the city great, and walking the cobbled paths and bridges will transport you to another world.
Flickr/vikramjam
Located in Lincoln Park, this is one of the most underrated places in Chicago. Overlooked due to nearby attractions like the Lincoln Park Zoo, this oasis contains statues of characters from the classic story.
Wikimedia Commons/Monicaacosta34
Part of Grant Park, this little-known oasis is a wonderland of fun for kids of absolutely all ages. Rock climbing walls, mini golf, and a plethora of other imaginative activities can be explored here. This is the place to go when you’ve seen enough of Millennium Park.
Flickr/Quinn Dombrowski
People overlook how gorgeous this campus truly is. Locals know that it is a beautiful place to walk around, and your guests will be happy to see it. The grounds are expertly landscaped, and it is fun to watch them change with the seasons.
Facebook/Headquarters Beercade
Nothing is more fun than an arcade, and Chicago is home to many barcades. The Chicago style is to get drunk and play old-school Pac Man, Pinball, and Tekken games in a fun atmosphere.
Facebook/Swedish American Museum
This heritage museum is located in Andersonville and has been around since 1976. It houses a large collection of cultural artifacts that tell the story of Swedish immigrants in Chicago. It is best recognized by this three-story historic building as well as a bright blue water tower.
Wikimedia Commons/Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz
Many may have heard of this wonderful place, but as it is slightly off the beaten path, many do not get a chance to explore it. Take your guests to this majestic greenhouse for a trip they’ll never forget.
Wikimedia Commons/Jabab
No matter the time of year, this is a great place to get unique views of the Chicago skyline. You’ll feel like you’re in a tropic city as the turquoise water rushes up on shore.
What other underrated places in the city would you recommend? Your secrets are safe with us.
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