How to Spend 24 Hours in Chicago, Illinois
While we were living in St. Louis Logan and I decided to take a quick weekend trip to Chicago for a concert. We took a ride on the Amtrak from St. Louis to Chicago. After a great show at the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, we headed back into the city to wake up the next morning with a full day in the city before heading back on our train. Although all of these things are touristy, I still believe they are great things to do for the first time in Chicago. Here are some of the top things we did with our one day in downtown Chicago!
Top Things to Do in 24 Hours in Chicago
Visit The Expansive Millennium Park
During our 24 hours in Chicago, we spent most of our time exploring the Millennium Park area. Millennium Park is by far one of the most popular attractions in downtown Chicago offering ample green space for picnics, reading, or lounging, sculptures and art installations, a splash area to help combat the summer heat, and even free concerts and movies during certain times of the year.
A Few Popular Attractions in Millenium Park
Cloud Gate
Cloud Gate, also known as “The Bean” is one of the most iconic places within Millennium Park. Typically when people think of Chicago, this is one of the first images that come to mind. Cloud Gate was created in 2004 by Sir Anish Kapoor who got his inspiration for Cloud Gate from liquid mercury. It is made from 168 steel plates that were welded together and polished.
Crown Fountain
Crown Fountain is really close to Cloud Gate and an incredibly popular to visit during the summer but is open from May to October each year. Not only is it a splash zone where you can cool off during the hot summer months, but it is also a piece of interactive art. It was designed by artist Jaume Plensa and opened in July 2004.
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
While we didn’t get to enjoy entertainment at Jay Pritzker Pavilion during our 24 hours in Chicago this is perfect to add to your itinerary for a weekend in Chicago, especially in the summer. Each summer, the City of Chicago hosts various summer film and music series – most of which are free to attend. However, even if there isn’t an event it’s a great space to relax or have a picnic.
Enjoy Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza
Of course, while in Chicago you can’t miss out on having some Chicago-style pizza. One of my favorites is Lou Malnati’s but Gino’s is another favorite too. The thing about pizza, especially in cities known for their pizza, is that everyone has their preference. So I hope to try a few additional pizza places in Chicago the next time I visit.
Regardless, Chicago-style pizza is a deep-dish pizza with a high crust. It is then loaded with cheese and topped with chunky tomato sauce and other toppings, which is different from most pizzas you’ll try in the U.S.A., which has sauce first, then cheese.
Explore the Art Institute of Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago was founded in 1879 making it one of the oldest art museums in the United States. It is also a highly regarded place to visit during a weekend in Chicago. It features art from around the world with collections featuring Japan, China, Greece, Africa, and the Americas including one of the greatest Impressionist art collections in the world.
Experience and Learn From the Chicago Cultural Center
The Chicago Cultural Center is located inside a stunning building that was originally built in 1897 as the first public library of Chicago. Each year there are many performances and cultural exhibits such as classical concerts and oral history projects for visitors to attend for free.
Grab A Snack for the Road at Garrett Popcorn
Before hitting the road make sure you stop by one of the Garrett Popcorn shops in Chicago which first opened in 1949! Sure, getting this popcorn is a little touristy but it makes for an excellent snack if you can take it with you on a plane, in the car, or on the Amtrak. All of their popcorns are air-popped daily so you can be assured they’ll be fresh. I recommend getting the Garrett Mix which has both their signature flavors – caramel crisp and cheese corn!
Enjoy the Architecture of Union Station
The last thing I’ll include in this guide to 24 hours in Chicago is a visit to Union Station. This is where you can take the Amtrak if you’ve traveled by train but even if you didn’t it’s worth a visit to see this iconic building. Union Station originally opened in 1925 after years of planning and preparation. It is considered to be the 3rd busiest train station in the United States averaging 300 trains per day.
What do you recommend visiting in 24 hours in Chicago?
Comments & Reviews
Liliane Fawzy says
I’d really recommend the Planetarium! It was so cool. But I definitely agree with Millenium Park!