A Weekend in {Chicago}
the “Second City”
Words and Photos by Jennifer Simonson
From world-class museums, a historic ballpark, comedy legends and tranquil gardens, there is nothing second-rate about the second city.
Friday
Start your weekend floating through the heart of the city while learning local tidbits like why Chicago is called the Windy City, why the city flag has four stars and why Chicago is known as the birthplace of modern architecture. The 60-minute tours navigate through downtown on the Chicago River, but for amazing views of the 26-mile skyline, take the 75-minute tour that also journeys into Lake Michigan. Spend the afternoon exploring Navy Pier by riding the 150-foot Ferris Wheel, watching a show at the Shakespeare Theatre, catching a free outdoor music performance or just walking along the historic pier with a beer and hotdog in hand. Eat dinner at Lou Malnatis’s to experience a true slice of Chicago’s deep dish, sauce-on-top of the cheese, pizza. Lou got his start working in Chicago’s first deep dish pizzeria in the 1940s before opening his own restaurant in 1971. End the evening with a show at Second City. The comedy sketch troupe that catapulted Stephen Colbert, Amy Poehler and Tina Fey into stardom always highlights the best of the comedy’s next wave.
Saturday
Grab an Italian coffee from Caffe Rom, head to Millennium Park and take an obligatory selfie in front of the Bean. From there, you have some of the world’s best museums at your fingertips. Shedd Aquarium is one of the world’s largest indoor aquariums, housing around 32,000 creatures, while the Art Institute of Chicago has more than 300,000 artwork and artifacts or check out dinosaurs and ancient Egyptian tombs at the Field Museum. Even if baseball is not in season, a trip to Wrigley Field is worth it. Built in 1914, Wrigley is one of the oldest baseball stadiums in America. If it is game day, do not miss an opportunity to watch a game with thousands of crazed Cubbie fans. If it is not, take a tour of the press box, dugout and field.
Sunday
End your weekend on a lighter note. Stroll through the gardens at the Lincoln Park Conservatory, and you will realize why the city is nicknamed the “City of Gardens.” As Chicago’s population began to explode in the 1880s, the city built the domed glass conservatory to showcase exotic plants and give its citizens a reprise from the ill effects of industrialization. The 35-acre Lincoln Park Zoo, home to some 1,200 animals, is just a short walk south. Founded in 1868, it is one of the oldest and one of the only free zoos in the nation. Don’t leave Chicago without having a cocktail at the top of the John Hancock Tower. Whether you are there during the day or night, the views from the 96th floor are so impressive they are worth the $17 cocktail prices.
Getting Around: Like most great cities, Chicago has a mix of public transportation, cabs, walkable streets and rideshare options making it a breeze getting around without renting a car.
