WHERE TO TAKE GUESTS COMING TO CHICAGO AREA?

I was asking myself the same question whenever some friend, family or client was about to visit me. This is my list of interesting places that any visitor would like:

 1.      CHICAGO DOWNTOWN: This should be definitely first on your list. This is why they want to come to Chicago. I would even suggest to take the train to downtown and walk from there. Since there should be lots of walking, it is better that you wear very comfortable shoes. Walk along Michigan Avenue where you can see lots of prestigious buildings (one of them is Chicago Tribune Building that has inset of stones from famous buildings all over the world) and is great for shopping. You will pass by the famous sculpture Cloud Gate (I call it Bean, because looks like a bean), where many people stop to take photos of the their own or downtown reflection on it. Another place to sit and relax would be by Crown Fountain, or 2 glass towers down which flows the water and which reflects faces of some Chicago citizens. When you come to Chicago Water Tower and Pumping Station, be sure to mention to your guests that these two buildings were the only public buildings that survived the fire of 1871. I would suggest that you take your guests to John Hancock Center. The restaurant on 96th floor is called “Signature Room” and for almost the same amount as your ticket for observatory, you can get a cake, drinks or meal there, while enjoying the amazing view from the above. Go east toward Michigan Lake and walk to Navy Pier, that was once a dock for freight ships, jail, training center, UIC campus and now a place where people enjoy walking, eating in many restaurants, going on rides, theater, different fun events, museum or just making lots of pictures of downtown. From Navy Pier you can take a water taxi to go back to your train station, or architectural boat tours and really enjoy the amazing views of Chicago famous buildings from below, like a Trump Tower, 2 Marina City towers (that look alike a corn), Merchandise Mart, or Civic Opera building. In the evening, you can take them to Rush Street for dinner, which is always full of people and nice restaurants.

 2.      BROOKFIELD ZOO or LINCOLN PARK ZOO: If you live in Chicago, it is closer for you to take your guest to Lincoln Zoo. For Brookfield Zoo, which is bigger and located in near west suburb Brookfield, you will need at least half a day to see everything. Here you will find the animals from tropic world, sea world, Australia, Africa, deserts, rain forest, swamp etc., and sometimes some special exhibitions. Lincoln Zoo you can see in about 2-3 hours. Close to Lincoln Zoo is also Michigan Lake, so after you finish viewing the zoo and small botanic garden in a pavilion nearby, you can take a walk along the lake too.

 3.      CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN: It is located in northern Chicago suburb Glencoe and, if you like flowers, you will spend really nice day there. Since there are 27 gardens that sit on 385 acres, plan to stay here all day in order to see all waterfalls, trees, flowers and plants from different parts of the world.

 4.      NAPERVILLE: This is a very nice town located in west suburb. It has an European feel, with little stores, narrow streets and beautiful river walk. If you have not been in Europe, this town with give you some idea how it is there. You can also take your guest to Naper Settlement, 19th century historic museum village, where you can see costumed villagers as well.

 5.      CANTIGNY PARK: It is located in Chicago west suburb Wheaton. Here you can enjoy the tranquility of the gardens that surround 2 museums: Robert McCormick House and First Division Museum. Visiting Robert McCormick House is like stepping back in time and the way of life in early 20th century, while during your visit of military First Division Museum you can walk through life size dioramas and have a sensation that you are part of some war scenes. 

 6.      MORTON ARBORETUM: If you enjoy nature, you can follow the paths through forests and along the lakes or climb up the tree house in Children’s Garden. Since you can drive through the park, you can chose in which parking you want to park the car and start your hike from there. Morton family motto was always to plant trees, and that’s why you can see here trees, plants and shrubs from around the world. It is located in Lisle, west Chicago suburb.

7.      CHICAGO MUSEUMS: There are many museums in Chicago and based on the interest of your guests, you can take them to Field Museum, Aquarium, Planetarium, Art Museum, Museum or Science and Industry etc.

 8.       RAVINIA: During a summer you can come here and enjoy this unique picnicking. Bring a blanket and look for your favorite spot on the lawn and listen symphony, pop and jazz open air concerts from June to September. As the night comes, you will enjoy great concert at the candlelight, as you gaze at the stars above. Your guest will love this unique experience. Ravinia is located in Highland Park, north Chicago suburb.

 9.      ERNEST HEMINGWAY BIRTH HOUSE AND MUSEUM and FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT HOME AND STUDIO: When you come to Oak Park, Chicago closest west suburb, you can view houses of famous American novelist Ernest Hemingway and architect Frank Lloyd Wright at the same time. Oak Park is a city full of interesting stores, restaurants and historic homes that anyone in love with history would love.

 10.   GRAUE MILL AND MUSEUM:  Located in Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve in Oak Brook, it was once a family home used also to hide runaway slaves on their journey to freedom in Canada. President Abraham Lincoln reportedly visited Graue Mill. I like to take my guests there because there is a beautiful river walk too.

11. GENEVA: This picturesque town on the banks of Fox River holds lots of history. History lovers will really enjoy the trip to this Chicago west suburb. You can go to Geneva History museum if you want to learn of this town’s history or go to Friends of the Viking Ship museum, if you want to see the first Viking ship replica. Nature and art lovers can visit Fabyan Villa Museum and beautiful Japanese Garden that surrounds it. Fabyan Villa Museum was remodeled by the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1907. Fabyan was a millionaire businessman who lived here at the beginning of the 20th century. Throughout the years he collected many interesting artifacts that are here on display. This Villa is also the birthplace of cryptology and most of cryptography in World War I was done here. Fabyan Windmill is an authentic Dutch windmill from the end of 19th century. In Geneva you can also find lots of interesting antique shops and restaurants.

 I hope you enjoyed this Chicagoland tour the same as your guests. I know that I did.

Written by Natasa Glamoclija