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Home , 900 North Michigan, Magnificent Mile, Parks in Chicago, Park Tower (Chicago), Shedd Aquarium

Top Places to Visit in

1.Sears Tower When the Sears Tower was completed in 1973 it was the tallest building in the world. As of 2009, it remains the tallest in the but has slipped to the world’s third tallest building. As one of the top tourist attractions in Chicago, the Sears Tower Skydeck offers visitors a spectacular view of the city. It’s located on the 103rd floor that’s 1,353 feet above the ground. Adult tickets to the skydeck start at $14.95 while children tickets begin at $10.50. The best time to visit is when the skydeck opens (times varies depending on the season) or after 6 P.M. You can find the Sears Tower at 233 South or you can just head towards the really tall building.

2. Navy Pier is 50-acres of parks, gardens, shops, rides, restaurants and attractions. Every year over eight and half million people visit this historic playground situated on a rectangle of land jutting out into . The pier’s physical address is 600 East . It was built in 1916 and then renovated into its current state in the 1990’s to the tune of $200 million. At Chicago’s Navy Pier you can ride the 15-story tall McDonald’s Ferris Wheel, take your kids to the Chicago Children’s Museum or see a movie at the IMAX Theatre. The Pepsi Skyline Stage hosts countless live shows featuring everything from dancing to rock concerts. In the summer there’s free entertainment on Dock Street and in

3. Despite being relatively new (it was completed in July of 2004) it’s commonly thought to be Chicago’s most important civic project since 1893. While its construction was wrought with controversy and budget overruns, Millennium Park is the pride of downtown Chicago. Most of the park was design by legendary architect Frank Gehry. It’s built over a parking garage making it the world's largest rooftop garden. Millennium Park is home to various public works of art that come in the form of sculptures and fountains. In addition to the art, you can also find gardens, a bandstand, an ice skating rink, a promenade, a bicycle center, a peristyle and a pedestrian bridge.Admission to the park is free.

4. Field Museum of Natural History This campus is a 57-acre park featuring the Alder Planetarium, the and the Field Museum—each one of these institutions is among the best in its field. The Field Museum is located at 1400 South and is famous for its dinosaur, Sue the Tyrannosaurus Rex. She’s the largest and most complete T-Rex in the world. The museum also contains artifacts from Ancient Egypt, the Pacific Northwest, Native Americans, and Tibet; large collections of taxidermy animals and dinosaurs skeletons; and several permanent displays dedicated to our planet and its animal life. The Field Museum is open every day, except Christmas, from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. Keep in mind, they stop allowing admissions at 4 P.M.

5. The Chicago Theatre opened its doors on October 26th, 1921 and was quickly dubbed the” Wonder Theatre of the World.” During its first 40 years, the theater offered Chicagoans the best in live and film entertainment. The theatre closed in 1985 but local and municipal leaders saved the decrepit building from demolition. It reopened in September of 1986 after a furious nine- month restoration. The gala that re-launched the hallowed theatre featured a performance by “Old Blue Eyes” himself, Frank Sinatra. Today, the 3,600 seat auditorium, that stands seven stories high and is more than one half of a city block wide, hosts performances by world renown musicians, comedians, acrobats and theatre groups. The theatre is famous for its iconic, six story-high "C-H-I-C-A-G-O" sign and its 29-rank Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ. You can find the Chicago Theatre at 175 North . The theater offers tours of its historic building—how much you get to see depends on who’s performing at the time. The one hour tour is a great way to see one of America’s most famous theaters.

6. This place is truly magnificent and it’s a mile long. That’s probably why they call it the Magnificent Mile. The mile is actually a part of Michigan Avenue. It extends from the to and serves as the main thoroughfare between the business district of the and the Gold Coast. The Magnificent Mile is home to 3,100,000 square feet of retail space. You’ll find over 450 stores, 275 restaurants, 51 , and a myriad of other worthy attractions. This upscale and luxurious stretch of Chicago retailers attracts more than 22 million visitors every year. As one of the world’s best shopping areas, visitors can find boutiques from the likes of , Chanel, Vera Wang, , , Giorgio , Kenneth Cole, and Tiffany & Co.Besides the shopping, all three of the Midwest’s five-star hotels are located within blocks of the Magnificent Mile. If shopping and five-star accommodations aren’t your style, there are several historic landmarks located on the Mile, including the , the Water Tower District and the .The Mile is also home to four of the 85 tallest buildings in the world: , , and .

7. Wrigley Field It’s not the oldest ballpark in the country, that distinction belongs to Fenway Park in Boston, but it’s the only park dubbed “The Friendly Confines.” It’s Wrigley Field and it’s home to America’s favorite baseball team, the . Built in 1914 and re-named Wrigley Field in 1927, this historic ballpark is located at 1060 West . With a capacity of just over 41,000, it’s the fourth smallest park in the Major Leagues but with its ivy covered walls and its famous marquee sign, Wrigley is first in charm and character.

8. It’s the largest public park in Chicago and you’ll find it just north of Lake Shore Drive terminus at North Hollywood Avenue. In 1843, this parcel of land began to be used as a city cemetery. Then in 1864, the city converted the 1,200 acres into a park. Lincoln Park features numerous facilities for the sports enthusiasts: 15 baseball areas, 6 basketball courts, 2 softball areas, 35 tennis courts, 163 volley ball courts, field houses, and a golf course. Since the park is situated along the lakefront, it also contains boating facilities and public beaches. Other attractions at the park include landscaped gardens, the Lincoln Park Conservatory, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, an outdoor theater, and numerous statues. Perhaps the park’s main attraction is the Lincoln Park . This is the only zoo within the city limits and features two large sections dedicated entirely to children. The zoo is opened all year around and admission is free. 9. John G. Shedd Aquarium Shedd Aquarium is not only an aquarium but a zoo as well. It is an amazing place where you can truly learn about all kinds of unique animals and aquatic creatures. Shedd is passionate about conservation, animals, and their habitat and it shows in all their displays. Some of their exhibits include Wild Reef, Amazon Rising, and Waters of the World.

10. Chicago Art Institute Museum When even non-art lovers love the Chicago Art Museum, you know it's a place that must be visited. The Chicago Art museum's bronze flank the entrance and they are a sight to behold. It can be a hangout place for many as well. The art Institute is both a school and a museum. The Art Institute's purpose is to promote artistic development in Chicago. Some highlights include Impressionist Art, European and American contemporary Art Gallery, and Ancient Gallery.