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Things To Do in Chicago, Illinois

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Chicago Places of Interest

Aerial view of Chicago's Navy Pier and Lighthouse

Chicago Navy Pier
Chicago Navy Pier is a 50-acre renowned amusement area of parks, shops, restaurants and attractions. Around eight million people visit the Navy Pier every year to relax and enjoy area attractions including: the Crystal Gardens, the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, the Imax Theater showing 3D films, the Chicago Children's Museum with educational interactive exhibits, the Music Carousel, the Skyline stage ice-skating rink, miniature golf, the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows and tour boats at Navy Pier. Firework shows are scheduled each Wednesday and Saturday night in the summer and during the holidays.

Sears Tower Skydeck

Sears Tower Skydeck
The 110 story Sears Tower is the tallest building in the U.S. and the third-tallest building in the world. Visitors can see impressive views of Lake Michigan, the Chicago cityscape and suburbs. The Skydeck also has high-tech, high-powered telescopes for a closer look at the city. On a clear day, the states of Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin can also be seen from the tower. The Skydeck Tour offers information about the views from all areas of the skyscraper, a display and a multimedia presentation. The tour also features interactive exhibits highlighting Chicago's history and historic characters. Interactive kiosks provide virtual tours of Chicago's landmarks. Knee-High Chicago is a kid-level display that extends all the way around the Skydeck.

Chicago Entertainment

There is so much to experience in Chicago that it's difficult to know where to begin. There are lake cruises, amusement parks, museums, theaters and many other thrilling opportunities in Chicago.

Chicago Odyssey Cruises
Odyssey cruises provide the ideal setting to create an unforgettable memory. Chicago's most luxurious dinner cruise vessel has recently undergone a spectacular renovation. This $1 million plus venture has resulted in the finest furnishings and most advanced apparatus available today for an event. The cruise offers a selection of award-winning wines to accompany entertainment like dancing and live music to suit a variety of tastes, from classic jazz to contemporary favorites and from a live five-piece band to soft solo piano music. Passengers can enjoy the musical entertainment and unmatched skyline views. For more information: 866-305-2469

Lincoln Park Zoo
Established in 1868, Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo is among the oldest zoological gardens in the country. A premier Chicago attraction, Lincoln Park Zoo welcomes more than three million visitors each year, providing them with incredible educational experiences as well as fun and enjoyment. Its cherished setting enables its guests, both young and old, to look directly into the eyes of a lowland gorilla and stand toe-to-toe with grazing giraffes. For more information: 312-742-2000

Chicago Restaurants

For a food lover, Chicago is bliss. From hot dogs to haute cuisine, Chicago has many diverse restaurants. These varied eateries provide scrumptious offerings ranging from the classics like steak, pizza, hot dogs and ribs to ethnic cuisines like Greek, Mexican, French, Italian, Brazilian Steakhouses, Thai and more.

Signature Room at the 95th
Signature Room at the 95th is located atop the John Hancock Center, in the heart of Chicago's Magnificent Mile. The restaurant offers contemporary American fare with incredible views of the city. The elegant wood design and art-deco interior creates an inviting and intimate atmosphere for patrons. The Signature Room features entrees ranging from $29 to $44. Along with top-flight food and incomparable service, the restaurant has live jazz on the weekends and a wine selection of dizzying proportions. For more information: 312-787-9596

Gibsons Bar and Steakhouse
This American steakhouse boasts unbelievable food, extensive variety of wine, efficient service and an exciting setting in the Gold Coast/Streeterville neighborhood. Gibsons also offers valet parking, a bar/lounge, a cigar room and smoking area, a non-smoking area and a full bar. The excitement and energy make it like Saturday night every night at Gibsons Bar and Steakhouse. For more information: 312-266-8999

Chicago Nightlife

Chicago's nightlife options are endless. What better way to end your day than taking in one of the city's most entertaining hot spots. Chicago will provide you with a night of live music at venues like Blue Chicago, the Readhead Piano Bar and many more. You can enjoy a cozy night at the Cru Café and Wine Bar or at the Pops for Champagne Lounge.

House of Blues
House of Blues in Chicago is committed to providing guests with an enjoyable entertainment experience. Of special interest is the award-winning Gospel Brunch, a one-of-a-kind live music show and dining experience. Guests enjoy a delicious southern style buffet that features breakfast favorites plus a host of southern specialties. The music is uplifting and guaranteed to get the crowd standing on their feet. House of Blues also offers a great selection of unique merchandise for the entire family and is available for special events and seasonal parties. For more information: 312-923-2000

Horseshoe Casino Hammond
With 46,679 square feet of gaming space, there's no doubt you will find your lucky slot or table at Horseshoe Hammond. A wide variety of slots and tables are available and with games ranging from video poker to blackjack to roulette, there's no shortage of action. There is a variety of dining options to choose from including Jack Binion's Steak House with its view of Lake Michigan, to the around-the-globe variety offered at the Village Square Buffet, the true taste of Chicago available at Benny's Home Cooking, the scrumptious fare at J.B.s Gourmet Sandwiches and Salads and the delicious Asian cuisine at Fai Choi.

Whether you are out on the casino floor or in the boardroom, sometimes you have got to be all business. As an added advantage, Horsheshoe offers three different banquet halls for your meetings and events, plus equipment and facilities to serve all of your business and group needs. For more information: 866-711-SHOE (7463)

Family Activities in Chicago

Apart from events and meetings, Chicago also offers amusement parks, theatres, casinos, museums and many more attractions.

Chicago Children's Museum
With 14 interactive exhibits and new activities daily, the Chicago Children's Museum is a special place for education, exploration, stimulation and delight for children and adults. Exhibits include BIG Backyard, Play It Safe, Dinosaur Expedition, Waterways, Kovler Family Climbing Schooner, Inventing Lab, Playmaze, Treehouse Trails, and Kraft Artabounds Studio and Gallery. For more information: 312-527-1000

Brookfield Zoo
Brookfield Zoo provides an extraordinary setting for any special occasion: corporate events, charity fundraisers or just spending time with family and friends. Its unique venues and top-notch staff will make any event truly unforgettable. It includes the world-class exhibit "Cocktails with the Animals", where guests have an amazing opportunity to get close to giraffes, great apes, alligators, and other animals. Elegant plated dinners at the Bocaditos restaurant and buffets at the Discovery Center banquet facility are other great options for animal lovers. For more information: 708-688-8000

Recreation and Outdoors in Chicago

The great outdoors are at Chicago's doorstep. Tour options abound, from adventure sea tours to biking, hiking or sightseeing.

Adventure Sea Tours
U.S. Naval architects and U.S. Coast Guard personnel designed Adventure Sea Tours' 87-foot luxury yacht, Valara VI. The Valara VI was designed to be different from all other yachts in Chicago, in order to serve the needs of Chicago's corporate businesses, as well as businesses from around the world. Valara VI can hold up to 150 people, and is capable of hosting out-of-the-ordinary weddings as well as the fine family gatherings on the waters of Chicago's lakeshore. For more information: 773-788-9494

Bobby’s Bike Hike
Chicago has been voted as the best bicycling city in the country. Since the summer of 2002, Bobby's Bike Hike has offered a special take on the sights and attractions of Chicago, incorporating education, group interaction, exercise and most of all, fun. Bobby's hand-selected guides make brief stops at Chicago's most popular sights, providing light-hearted commentary to entertain you and learn about 'The Windy City.' For more information: 312-915-0995

Chicago Tours

When visiting a new city, it's always a good idea to take a narrated tour to get your bearings and discover places you plan to return to for a closer look. Chicago offers a variety of tours, some very general in nature, such as a lakefront skyline boat tour and some very specific to unique interests.

Shoreline Sightseeing
Shoreline Sightseeing has established a new service called Shoreline Tour & Travel, offering clients a variety of Chicago touring options from pre-set itineraries to completely custom packages. It offers Tour & Travel programs year-round, including top Chicago sightseeing and cultural attractions, casual to fine dining, shopping, theater, entertainment and transportation. For more information: 312-222-9328

Bike Chicago Rentals and Tours
Bike Chicago offers the largest bike rental fleet in town. Bike Chicago offers a number of tours, for corporate and other groups up to 400 people. Bike types include mountain, comfort and road bikes, cruisers, hybrids, tandems, kids' bikes and more. Chicago's lakefront is a biking paradise and the Amazing Lakefront Tour includes it all: beaches, lagoons, gardens, animals, architecture and good times. Top sights include Lakefront Trail and Beaches, Millennium Park, Navy Pier, Lincoln Park Zoo and Conservatory, Notebaert Nature Museum and North Avenue Beach. For more information: 773-404-2500