#01. Go to the Lincoln Park Zoo. This 35 acre zoo featuring big cats, polar bears, monkeys, gorillas, penquins, and reptiles is free to visit.
#02. For baseball fans: See a Cubs game at Wrigley Field or a White Sox game at US Cellular Field (doesn't have quite the same ring to as Wrigley Field, does it?)
#03. See live music at one of the many great venues in Chicago like The Chicago Theater, Allstate Arena, Rialto Square Theater, United Center, Toyota Park, UIC Pavilion, Union Park & Grant Park.
#04. Go to Lollapalooza. It's held in Chicago at Grant Park each summer (through at least 2018.)
#05. For basketball fans: See a Bulls game at the United Center. Michael Jordan hasn't been a Bull for over 10 years, but you can still see his statue!
#06. Visit a museum. This city has many museums worth exploring including the Oriental Institute Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Chicago Children's Museum, the Museum of Science & Industry, the Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum, and the Art Institute of Chicago which features Grant Wood's famous painting American Gothic (pictured below.)
#07. For hockey fans: See a Blackhawks game at the United Center.
#08. Eat. Chicago is famous for its deep-dish pizzas, hotdogs, and beef sandwhiches.
#09. Go to the Pitchfork Music Festival. This three day festival features many of the most popular indie bands in the world. It's been held at Union Park every July since 2005.
#10. For football fans: See a Bears game at Soldier Field.
#11. Nightlife. There's plenty of bars and clubs to choose from. Pick up The Reader (weely free newspaper) for full listings of what's going on in the city during your stay.
#12. Shopping. Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom, Gap, Banana Republic, Ralph Lauren, Lord & Taylor, Pottery Barn, Tiffany, and much more can be found here. Michigan Avenue will likely be of particular interest to the shopaholic.
#13. See the view from "Skydeck" at the top of the Sears Tower (in 2009 it was officially renamed Willis Tower.) This is the tallest building in the United States.
#14. Visit the Navy Pier and take a ride on the famous ferris wheel.
#15. Check out the John Hancock Center. There's a observatory on the 94th floor of this 100 story building. You get a full 360 degree view because there are windows all around. On a clear day you can see for 80 miles.
#16. Visit Millenium Park. This 24 acre public park is located near Chicago's Lake Michigan shoreline. It features the Jay Pritzker Pavilion and the reflective Cloud Gate sculpture (featured in the 2011 movie Source Code.) The Cloud Gate sculpture is sometimes called "The Bean."
#17. See Supernatural Chicago starring Neil Tobin.
#18. See the Blue Man Group.
#19. Go to the Shedd Aquarium. One of the largest aquariums in the world with over 1500 different species.
#20. Visit the Garfield Park Conservatory. Named after President James A. Garfield this is one of the largest conservatories in the world. Among the things you can see here (for free) are 84 different varieties of palm trees in the Palm Room.
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