Sure. It can be a pain to get into Chicago whether you drive or take the train, and some of the things to do there are expensive, but these seven Windy City attractions will help you have a good time both by avoiding high fees and even by possibly staying out of downtown, if you please (see No. 7).
Most of these points of interest are completely free, and if not, they’re definitely worth every penny. Scroll on for more details.
- Northerly Island Park
Facebook/Northerly Island Park Sitting at the heart of Chicago’s Museum Campus in downtown, this 120-acre peninsula juts out into Lake Michigan and is known for its magnificent views of the lake, skyline, other natural scenery as well as its extensive trail system, and, of course, the Adler Planetarium, which sits just north of this island-like structure. Locals also love it for its regular live entertainment events, fishing opportunities, and other happenings. Click here to learn more about this all-in-one attraction from previous coverage.
- Indian Boundary Park
Facebook/Indian Boundary Park Cultural Center This historic park was opened in 1922 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It spans 13 acres and contains a playground, tennis court, spray pool, and much more for all ages to enjoy. There is even an on-site cultural center to teach visitors about Native American life. Learn more about it here.
- Oz Park
Google/Demian Carter Since 1974, this magical park in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood has been one of the best hidden Windy City attractions you can come across. Statues of all your favorite characters are just waiting to be discovered throughout this 14.4-acre park. Get more details about it here.
- Museum of Surgical Science
Facebook/International Museum of Surgical Science Not for the faint of heart, this museum, which has been around since 1954, teaches visitors how lucky we are to have modern science. It contains 10,000 square feet of exhibits and galleries depicting the evolution and progress of surgical science as well as about 7,000 medical artifacts that explore everything from x-rays to acupuncture. Click here for more information about this popular and historic museum.
- U.S. Pizza Museum
Facebook/U.S. Pizza Museum Open in its current location since 2018, this museum is the first of its kind, and it features everything from artwork to pizza boxes to books to clothing and anything else that is pizza-related. Toys, games, buttons, vintage artifacts, music, and so much more amaze and astound. Get more information about this unique spot here.
- Villa D’ Citta
Facebook/Villa D’ Citta Situated within a historic vacation home from 1887, this bed and breakfast has been in business since 2009 and is known for its stunning architecture, luxury, and romance. Rooms come with whirlpool tubs, private porches, and a homemade breakfast so good, you’ll never want to leave. Click here to learn more about this top-notch city getaway.
- The Chicago Outerbelt
Wikimedia Commons/Bohao Zhao If you love nature and want to see a bit of all the Windy City attractions, this loop trail will take you past a large handful of them. It begins at Buckingham Fountain at Grant Park and skirts 210 miles around the city, using various trail systems that have existed for years to form a continuous path. Learn more about it here.
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Facebook/Northerly Island Park
Sitting at the heart of Chicago’s Museum Campus in downtown, this 120-acre peninsula juts out into Lake Michigan and is known for its magnificent views of the lake, skyline, other natural scenery as well as its extensive trail system, and, of course, the Adler Planetarium, which sits just north of this island-like structure. Locals also love it for its regular live entertainment events, fishing opportunities, and other happenings. Click here to learn more about this all-in-one attraction from previous coverage.
Facebook/Indian Boundary Park Cultural Center
This historic park was opened in 1922 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It spans 13 acres and contains a playground, tennis court, spray pool, and much more for all ages to enjoy. There is even an on-site cultural center to teach visitors about Native American life. Learn more about it here.
Google/Demian Carter
Since 1974, this magical park in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood has been one of the best hidden Windy City attractions you can come across. Statues of all your favorite characters are just waiting to be discovered throughout this 14.4-acre park. Get more details about it here.
Facebook/International Museum of Surgical Science
Not for the faint of heart, this museum, which has been around since 1954, teaches visitors how lucky we are to have modern science. It contains 10,000 square feet of exhibits and galleries depicting the evolution and progress of surgical science as well as about 7,000 medical artifacts that explore everything from x-rays to acupuncture. Click here for more information about this popular and historic museum.
Facebook/U.S. Pizza Museum
Open in its current location since 2018, this museum is the first of its kind, and it features everything from artwork to pizza boxes to books to clothing and anything else that is pizza-related. Toys, games, buttons, vintage artifacts, music, and so much more amaze and astound. Get more information about this unique spot here.
Facebook/Villa D’ Citta
Situated within a historic vacation home from 1887, this bed and breakfast has been in business since 2009 and is known for its stunning architecture, luxury, and romance. Rooms come with whirlpool tubs, private porches, and a homemade breakfast so good, you’ll never want to leave. Click here to learn more about this top-notch city getaway.
Wikimedia Commons/Bohao Zhao
If you love nature and want to see a bit of all the Windy City attractions, this loop trail will take you past a large handful of them. It begins at Buckingham Fountain at Grant Park and skirts 210 miles around the city, using various trail systems that have existed for years to form a continuous path. Learn more about it here.
What other Windy City attractions do you think are worth a trip into Chicago? Share your thoughts with us below in the comments!
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Address: 1146 S Delano Ct, Chicago, IL 60605, USAAddress: 1524 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60610, USAAddress: Northerly Island, Chicago, IL 60605, USAAddress: 2021 N Burling St, Chicago, IL 60614, USAAddress: 2500 W Lunt Ave, Chicago, IL 60645, USAAddress: Villa D’ Citta Bed & Breakfast, 2230 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
