Regarded as a “big, small city” optimal for walking and sightseeing, Chicago is set to host the NACS Show in mid-October, a time when the city lights up with fall colors.
Attendees can leave their hotel lobbies and conveniently access a number of local treasures—some free of charge. Chicago offers a multitude of daily sightseeing excursions and other attractions, including world-class architecture, the arts, sporting events, concerts and lakefront strolls.
Read on for a list of prime options to consider during your Windy City stay.
Show Details:
When: Oct. 14-17
Where: McCormick Place, Chicago
Windy City icons
Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park. Get to the fountain before it’s officially shut off for winter on October 31. The Chicago landmark is considered one of the finest ornamental-style fountains in America. Featuring captivating water displays at the top of every hour and at :40 after each hour. (301 S. Columbus Drive, chicagoparkdistrict.com, 312-742-7529)
The Bean (Cloud Gate) at Millennium Park. “The Bean,” with its well-loved mirrored exterior, reflects the city’s famous skyline and surrounding green space. A sculpture regarded as one of the world’s largest permanent outdoor art installations, its steel exterior is attached to the inside frame with flexible connectors that allow it to expand and contract as the weather changes. The Bean’s Millennium Park home has multiple attractions, including Lurie Garden, a naturalistic place of rest and renewal. (201 E. Randolph St., open daily 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.)
Navy Pier. From recreation to relaxation, Navy Pier celebrates the city’s storied first century to present day. In addition to a wide range of culinary options available at the Pier, boats cruises via lake and river serve as a major attraction. Lake Michigan and Chicago River cruises depart daily from Navy Pier: the Shoreline Sightseeing boat tour offers terrific views of the city’s famous landmarks with historical stories delivered by professional guides. The 75-minute Architecture River Boat Tour is led by tour guides, who impart how Chicago’s buildings, architecture and engineering made the city what it has become today. (600 E. Grand Ave., navypier.org, 312-595-7437)
Willis Tower Skydeck/The Ledge. Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears Tower) is a 110-story building in the heart of Chicago’s downtown. Explore the city from above with a 3-in-1 experience of The Skydeck. Inside the 103-floor skyscraper, visitors can check out the Chicago Museum, step out onto The Ledge and take in breathtaking views from America’s highest observation deck. Suspended 1,353 feet above Chicago on the 103rd floor, The Ledge dares visitors to step into the sky as five all-glass balconies extend 4.3 feet outside the building. On a clear day, a visitor can see up to 50 miles and across four states—Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan. (233 S. Wacker Drive, theskydeck.com, 312-875-9447)
Big Bus Tours’ Sunset Live Tour. The global leader in open-top bus sightseeing, the 1-hour and 45-minute live-guided tour offers breathtaking skyline views and unforgettable photo opportunities as the sun sets on the Windy City, painting it in a stunning evening glow. Tours take riders to the Gold Coast and Lincoln Park neighborhoods, the “Magnificent Mile” and through the Loop. (618 N. Clark St., bigbustours.com)
Open House Chicago. In its 14th year, Open House Chicago is one of the largest architecture events of its kind in the world. The free public festival, which takes place Oct. 18-19, courtesy of the Chicago Architecture Center, provides behind-the-scenes access to more than 170 architecturally, historically and culturally significant sites across the city. The center is also the starting point for a variety of walking, bus and boat tours that cover downtown and neighborhoods. (111 E. Wacker Drive, architecture.org)
The arts
Field Museum. One of the largest natural history museums globally, the Field Museum boasts extensive scientific specimens and artifact collections. Permanent exhibitions include full-size dinosaurs, gems, fossils and interactive programming demonstrating today’s urgent conservation needs. (1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Dr., fieldmuseum.org, 312-922-9410)
11th Annual Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade. Arts in the Dark is a magical evening parade celebrating Halloween as the “artist’s holiday” and drawing together world-renowned institutions, celebrated Chicago cultural organizations, important youth programs and aspiring artists in every field. This dazzling production, which takes place on Oct. 18, is certain to delight its audience with unique floats, spectacle puppets and creative performances–all set against the backdrop of historic State Street. (205 E. Randolph St., artsinthedark.com, 312-286-0297)
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry. The iconic science museum is housed in the Palace of Fine Arts from the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. Among the notable exhibits are a German U-505 submarine captured during World War II, United Airlines Boeing 727, Pioneer Zephyr (first streamlined diesel-powered passenger train in the U.S.) and a 3,500-square-foot model railroad. Also check out a full-size replica of a coal mine (takes guests down the mineshaft, along the rails and through the walls of a true-to-life mine). Permanent or special exhibits cover manufacturing, environmental science, chemistry, physics, computers, the brain, mechanics of the human body and agricultural science. (5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, msichicago.org)
The Art Institute of Chicago. Home to a collection of art that spans centuries and around the globe, the Art Institute allows guests to explore thousands of artworks—from renowned icons to lesser-known works from around the world. Don’t miss Raqib Shaw: Paradise Lost. The paintings of the Kashmir-raised, London-based artist offer fantastical meditations on identity, transformation and the redemptive power of beauty. It’s one of the museum’s many prime attractions. (111 S. Michigan Ave., ticketing@artic.edu)
Historic Pullman House Tour. Step back in time during the Historic Pullman House Tour, offering rare access to stately mansions and charming workers’ cottages for more than 50 years. (605 E. 111th St., www.pullmanathome.org)
Entertain us
The Second City. Opening its doors in 1959, The Second City started as a small cabaret theater and grew to become the most influential and prolific comedy empire in the world—all the time developing an entirely unique way of creating art and fostering generation after generation of superstars. Don’t miss “The Best of Second City: 65 Years of Funny,” Oct. 13, 8 p.m. (1616 N. Wells St., secondcity.com, 312-337-3992)
Jusuf/Cat Stevens. Join the legendary singer/songwriter on a journey through music, memories and mystery as Stevens embarks on his highly anticipated book tour, “Cat on the Road to Findout.” The intimate evening of tales and tunes takes attendees deep into the art of one of music’s most beloved figures. (The Chicago Theater, 175 N. State St., Oct. 14, chicago-theater.com)
TwoSet Violin at Symphony Center. Known for their hilarious sketches, viral videos and stunning musicianship, TwoSet Violin (Brett Yang and Eddy Chen) bring their unique blend of humor and artistry to Symphony Center. Other notable performances are also scheduled in October at the CSO, whose mission is to enrich and inspire lives through music, community engagement and education. (220 S. Michigan Ave., October 14, 7:30 p.m., cso.org, 312-294-3000)
Sports
Bank of American Chicago Marathon. Navigating a 26.2-mile course through 29 Chicago neighborhoods, the 46th Bank of American Chicago Marathon serves as one of the most prestigious events in the world and is one of the six “World Marathon” majors. Watch amateur and elite athletes—45,000 strong—race for glory. The marathon field is represented by all 50 U.S. states and more 100 countries. (Oct. 12, race starts and finishes in Grant Park, chicagomarathon.com)
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