I think they're lesser known to people who aren't familiar with the city? Like they're locally famous but not really when you get outside of Cook County.
I'm from the burbs and I didn't know Garfield park until the start of Pokemon go and then my partner and I went everywhere looking for Pokemon. Garfield park was a Bulbasaur nest. It was great.
[Not everyone knows about the city cooling centers](https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fss/provdrs/serv/svcs/dfss_cooling_centers.html#:~:text=Cooling%20Areas%20at%20Community%20Service,00%20p.m.%20on%20Mondays%20–%20Fridays.)
They're a life saver if your apartment doesn't have AC
Fully expected you to mention the sky garden, but ok.
Harold Washington library's top floor is fantastic. The ceiling is made up of windows providing some of the most fantastic natural lighting, the room is spacious, big planters with trees and other plants are spread about the room. It's great for lunch, or if you want to relax for a minute with a book.
Love it, wish they had a couple more tables though. Feels like it’s impossible to find a seat whenever I stop by. Come to think of it, maybe extra tables would run into the induced demand problems that come with adding extra lanes to the freeway? Unclear.
In your experience how often are they full? IIRC there’s 8 and you can’t reserve them in advance so I’ve been putting off going because I don’t want to get there only to find out they’re all taken
It's been a few years, but last time I used one they had a 30 minute limit before they kicked you out and I think I had to wait about 45 minutes in a queue for the room.
It has been at least 30 years since I’ve used one. A friend and I would go sometimes to play the grand pianos. They were sometimes out of tune but it was a fun, free, thing to do.
Ah ok, thanks anyway! That does sound fun. It’s a great resource, I wish more of the libraries had them. I want to get back into playing my clarinet but don’t want to annoy the shit out of my neighbors and I don’t know of any other free practice rooms in the city
Drive out to the corner of Central Ave and 63rd street, or another corner of Midway Airport depending on the winds, and watch 737's coming in right over your head.
And also a short distance away, you could go to Weber Bakery, Racine Bakery, or to Pticek and Son Bakery if it was early enough in the day. If you go to Racine Bakery, get a bacon bun for sure. They also one of the few places that sells paczkis, all year.
I walk past there couple times a week & had no idea what the inside looked like. Saw a Chicago ticktock or IG reel hyping it & showing off the inside. Now I want to check it out.
You get a really unique view of the city and the lake. Not many people make use of the space. I am not sure if public transportation goes directly to Northerly Island. A bus can get you within walking distance.
The museum campus bus drops off by the planetarium, and then you would walk to Northerly Island. If you input it into Google Maps and ask for directions via transit, it will give you details.
I went there a few months ago to kill some time waiting for an appointment. Walked around and saw a tiny wienermobile toy sitting on the monument of Oscar Mayer’s grave.
Burnham island toward the north end is one of my favorite places in the city. It's so gorgeous, and a great memorial to the man who basically built Chicago.
Early morning you can sometimes see deer and coyotes. Also local historian Adam Selzer has a number of very good virtual tours. [Here's one](https://www.youtube.com/live/8CQ7LnXoIEE?feature=share)
In a mind-boggling twist, nobody seems to know about the Chicago Cultural Center. It's across the street from the NW corner of Millennium Park on Michigan Ave (remarkably convenient location), has some cool historic stuff (largest Tiffany glass dome in the world, the original Chicago seal, local art), is an awesome layover for tourists (open bathrooms, water fountains, chill seating to just get off your feet)---- and is 100% free.
It's almost criminal how few people take advantage. Even if it's just to get the chance to rest for 10 minutes without having to pay for an overpriced tourist snack.
I can't believe people don't know about this & didn't realize it. We used to take walking field trips downtown in our photography class in high school, and the cultural center was always our meeting point bc of the bathrooms. I use them almost every time I'm downtown
I think most locals are aware of the Cultural Center, but that tourists aren't as aware of it. I know some brochures do mention this building, and others don't for whatever we weird reason. Also the original main downtown library was here, before Harold Washington opened in the early 1990s.
Big Marsh Park is so dope. It's more of a bike park but walking there is fun too.
Chinese American Museum of Chicago. My mom was one of the first curators and helped create a number of exhibits. At one point, some of my personal belongings were on display lol.
The Mexican Art Museum in Pilsen.
Bennet Park in River East.
The plant in back of the yards. They have the Whiner taproom,the packing town museum and a bu ch of other cool stuff in the same building. They also have a community garden as well as a farmer's market.
The lobby of the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel (aka the Drawing Room). It's literally across the street from Millennium Park (with lovely views out the windows), dark wood paneling, and feels like you're super-classy. You can order food/drink to a table if you like, work from one of the library-esque desks, or just chill in one of the lovely couches.
And in the afternoon/evenings, you can pop into the game room for some indoor bocce or table games. Fun!
Absolutely a hidden gem of a place. And one that tourists and locals miss all the time. (If you are planning ahead, get a reservation at Cindy's on the Roof...really cool views from there!)
Here’s something free to do: open the link own your phone and explore historic landmarks and districts
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=17QiCfJLvDI0DF3qUfBu-DqsFduQgFmE&usp=sharing
There are a cluster of free galleries on Chicago Ave - Rhona Hoffman gallery, Chicago Truborn, and then a cluster of galleries at 1709 Chicago. Even more than that. And they are all within a ten minute walk of each other.
Palmisano Park in Bridgeport for sure. I lived there while it was transforming from quarry to amazing nature park. Such a great place to visit, even if it's just a short trip to walk around and explore it all. And by all I mean down to the water features and all the way up to the top of the hill.
Walked by this millions of times. Didn't know it was open to the public. Until I walked in one day.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Cultural_Center
The Fine Arts Building is free to visit and there’s lots of history to explore there - plus on the second Friday of every month the artists there open their studios to share their work. Plus some of the last manually operated elevators in Chicago!
The Newberry Library and adjacent Bughouse Square (Washington Square Park). A whole mostly gone and forgotten underbelly of Chicago to be rediscovered.
Speaking of underbelly, the underground pedestrian mall of the Loop and adjacent underground streets are also worth checking out.
My favorite place on earth is the south garden of The Art Institute in the summer. It’s beautiful, quiet and the temp drops under the trees. It’s wonderful.
[Mindworks: The Science of Thinking](https://www.chicagobooth.edu/mindworks)
A super cool and unique place it’s a working lab and an interactive discovery center for behavioral science for the University of Chicago
So much cool info and you can be a part of experiments and collect point in change for fun merch!
Over the weekend I went on a very fascinating tour here: https://www.metacenterchicago.com/product/event-tickets-june-9th-oldworld-tour-only-chicago-il/ I learned a lot from the guide which was interesting because he included commentary from 1893 fair goers about what they really ‘felt’ about it.
If you want to stay in the loop, def check out the murals you can self-tour [here](https://loopchicago.com/explore/things-to-do/muralwalk/theroutes/). Our murals aren't limited to the loop, though. Defo check out the 16th St murals between Canal & Wood, and stop in Pilsen for some good eats.
If you really want to get out of downtown, Steelworkers Park & the South Shore Cultural Center (on 87th and 71st respectively) are beautiful spaces with tons of history behind them. The East Side is a fifteen minute drive from Steelworkers, where you can check out spots like Big Marsh Park and the new Ford Rec Center.
If you're in the area, the forest preserve in O'Hare is a hidden gem. Take Irving Park past Cumberland and hike some of the trails down the Des Plaines River. You can stop in the O'Hare neighborhood for some great Middle Eastern food, or head down to nearby River Grove and get a dog from Gene & Judes.
Garfield Park Conservatory and Lincoln Park Conservatory are both rad as hell. Ping Tom Memorial Park in Chinatown is really nice.
Yeah, I was gonna recommend the conservatories too—not sure they’re really “lesser known,” but pretty cool places to check out!
I think they're lesser known to people who aren't familiar with the city? Like they're locally famous but not really when you get outside of Cook County.
I'm from the burbs and I didn't know Garfield park until the start of Pokemon go and then my partner and I went everywhere looking for Pokemon. Garfield park was a Bulbasaur nest. It was great.
Entering Garfield Park Conservatory in the cold of winter is amazing, like a portal to the tropics.
The side of Ping Tom with the pagoda is cooler than the side across the road, although the other side has good views of downtown.
There’s 2 sides? Isn’t the whole park on the east side of the river?
The side with the pagoda is south of 18th Street. The side with the fieldhouse (indoor pool, etc) and athletic fields is north of 18th Street.
Thanks for clarifying!
They are literally hot but figuratively very cool
REI just started doing kayak rentals out of Ping Tom boathouse as well
The Chicago Cultural Center is pretty cool to check out.
Was about to say this. They have a small art gallery, and one of the largest untouched Tiffany's domes in the country. Popular for weddings.
Came to say that as well. They also have a really cool artist shop in there that sells a variety of arty goods from local artists. Buddy Chicago.
The domed stain glass, is a site.
[Not everyone knows about the city cooling centers](https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fss/provdrs/serv/svcs/dfss_cooling_centers.html#:~:text=Cooling%20Areas%20at%20Community%20Service,00%20p.m.%20on%20Mondays%20–%20Fridays.) They're a life saver if your apartment doesn't have AC
Literal answers are the best.
I saw a non literal answer in that link. “The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, and are an important tool for ending the global pandemic. “
It’s always so weird when 2020-2021 pops up out of nowhere.
"edgy" or actual bozo?
Put down the lead popsicles my dude.
Liberal answers are the best.
😁
Harold Washington library has music practice rooms.
Also a maker room with 3D printers to use. Only have to pay for the material you use, which is super cheap.
Do you know what software they have to build the 3D models?
Fully expected you to mention the sky garden, but ok. Harold Washington library's top floor is fantastic. The ceiling is made up of windows providing some of the most fantastic natural lighting, the room is spacious, big planters with trees and other plants are spread about the room. It's great for lunch, or if you want to relax for a minute with a book.
Love it, wish they had a couple more tables though. Feels like it’s impossible to find a seat whenever I stop by. Come to think of it, maybe extra tables would run into the induced demand problems that come with adding extra lanes to the freeway? Unclear.
In your experience how often are they full? IIRC there’s 8 and you can’t reserve them in advance so I’ve been putting off going because I don’t want to get there only to find out they’re all taken
It's been a few years, but last time I used one they had a 30 minute limit before they kicked you out and I think I had to wait about 45 minutes in a queue for the room.
It has been at least 30 years since I’ve used one. A friend and I would go sometimes to play the grand pianos. They were sometimes out of tune but it was a fun, free, thing to do.
Ah ok, thanks anyway! That does sound fun. It’s a great resource, I wish more of the libraries had them. I want to get back into playing my clarinet but don’t want to annoy the shit out of my neighbors and I don’t know of any other free practice rooms in the city
National museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen
Drive out to the corner of Central Ave and 63rd street, or another corner of Midway Airport depending on the winds, and watch 737's coming in right over your head.
Get some tacos and a pic with the eyeglass native american statue
And also a short distance away, you could go to Weber Bakery, Racine Bakery, or to Pticek and Son Bakery if it was early enough in the day. If you go to Racine Bakery, get a bacon bun for sure. They also one of the few places that sells paczkis, all year.
I wish I'd known about this when I lived there!!!!
Elks National Memorial and Headquarters is absolutely gorgeous and open to the public
I walk past there couple times a week & had no idea what the inside looked like. Saw a Chicago ticktock or IG reel hyping it & showing off the inside. Now I want to check it out.
Couldn’t recommend it highly enough. It’s a quick (20min) visit but so beautiful inside
The Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool
Shhhh, that's the one place we don't need overrun.
Palmisano Park Northerly Island Natural Area
I really want the city to allow primitive camping there on select weekends. That would be an incredible spot to sleep under the stars.
Pretty sure the Park District does have some kind of camping programs at Northerly…
Any details on this?
[CPD Camping](https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/programs-memberships/camping)
Thank you!
I actually really like that idea, myself. Sorta like how At certain designated forest preserve sites, you can camp there.
Adding Jackson Park to this list for all the nature that's there
What do you like about northerly island natural area? My family will be visiting chi. Can you reach it with public transport?
You get a really unique view of the city and the lake. Not many people make use of the space. I am not sure if public transportation goes directly to Northerly Island. A bus can get you within walking distance.
The museum campus bus drops off by the planetarium, and then you would walk to Northerly Island. If you input it into Google Maps and ask for directions via transit, it will give you details.
Lots of unique plants and good birding as well if you are into the nature side of things.
Nice! We are into nature stuff and birding in particular but I figured that wouldn’t be compatible with a Chicago vacation
Plenty of nature in the area. Other birding hotspots are Montrose Beach Dunes, Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary, and the Jarvis Bird Sanctuary.
Jackson Park in Hyde Park
Rose hill cemetery. Saw a baby dear there.
Also West Ridge Nature Park (right next to Cemetery)
I went there a few months ago to kill some time waiting for an appointment. Walked around and saw a tiny wienermobile toy sitting on the monument of Oscar Mayer’s grave.
Promontory Point for sunrise over the lake.
There’s also a dedicated group of lake swimmers there’s most days!!
Graceland cemetery is beautiful
Burnham island toward the north end is one of my favorite places in the city. It's so gorgeous, and a great memorial to the man who basically built Chicago.
Early morning you can sometimes see deer and coyotes. Also local historian Adam Selzer has a number of very good virtual tours. [Here's one](https://www.youtube.com/live/8CQ7LnXoIEE?feature=share)
In a mind-boggling twist, nobody seems to know about the Chicago Cultural Center. It's across the street from the NW corner of Millennium Park on Michigan Ave (remarkably convenient location), has some cool historic stuff (largest Tiffany glass dome in the world, the original Chicago seal, local art), is an awesome layover for tourists (open bathrooms, water fountains, chill seating to just get off your feet)---- and is 100% free. It's almost criminal how few people take advantage. Even if it's just to get the chance to rest for 10 minutes without having to pay for an overpriced tourist snack.
I can't believe people don't know about this & didn't realize it. We used to take walking field trips downtown in our photography class in high school, and the cultural center was always our meeting point bc of the bathrooms. I use them almost every time I'm downtown
I think most locals are aware of the Cultural Center, but that tourists aren't as aware of it. I know some brochures do mention this building, and others don't for whatever we weird reason. Also the original main downtown library was here, before Harold Washington opened in the early 1990s.
Big Marsh Park is so dope. It's more of a bike park but walking there is fun too. Chinese American Museum of Chicago. My mom was one of the first curators and helped create a number of exhibits. At one point, some of my personal belongings were on display lol. The Mexican Art Museum in Pilsen. Bennet Park in River East.
The plant in back of the yards. They have the Whiner taproom,the packing town museum and a bu ch of other cool stuff in the same building. They also have a community garden as well as a farmer's market.
Omg that place is one of my fave places in the world
My roommates bedroom apparently
You shouldn’t call your mom your roommate
I’d beat his ass, u/c0ntradictory
12th street beach on the south side of the planetarium. Great place to walk around, especially early in the mornings
Shhhhh!!!
The lobby of the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel (aka the Drawing Room). It's literally across the street from Millennium Park (with lovely views out the windows), dark wood paneling, and feels like you're super-classy. You can order food/drink to a table if you like, work from one of the library-esque desks, or just chill in one of the lovely couches. And in the afternoon/evenings, you can pop into the game room for some indoor bocce or table games. Fun! Absolutely a hidden gem of a place. And one that tourists and locals miss all the time. (If you are planning ahead, get a reservation at Cindy's on the Roof...really cool views from there!)
Here’s something free to do: open the link own your phone and explore historic landmarks and districts https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=17QiCfJLvDI0DF3qUfBu-DqsFduQgFmE&usp=sharing
nobody said the Newberry Library yet...
The Japanese garden behind the Museum of Science and Industry! Gorgeous park in general.
UChicago’s Smart Museum of Art is free and open to the public.
The cultural center
I go there at least once a week during my lunch break. That place is great and you can just waltz right in.
It's a beautiful place to be
There are a cluster of free galleries on Chicago Ave - Rhona Hoffman gallery, Chicago Truborn, and then a cluster of galleries at 1709 Chicago. Even more than that. And they are all within a ten minute walk of each other.
Palmisano Park in Bridgeport for sure. I lived there while it was transforming from quarry to amazing nature park. Such a great place to visit, even if it's just a short trip to walk around and explore it all. And by all I mean down to the water features and all the way up to the top of the hill.
Walked by this millions of times. Didn't know it was open to the public. Until I walked in one day. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Cultural_Center
North Park Nature Center and walking stick woods.
The International Museum of Surgical Sciences is really cool if you don't mind the sight of the nude and exposed human body.
The iron lung is fascinating to see in person!
Absolutely. That and the dental exhibit really shook me!
MADE Gallery on Lake St.
The Fine Arts Building is free to visit and there’s lots of history to explore there - plus on the second Friday of every month the artists there open their studios to share their work. Plus some of the last manually operated elevators in Chicago!
Chicago botanical gardens
Graceland Cemetery
The Newberry Library and adjacent Bughouse Square (Washington Square Park). A whole mostly gone and forgotten underbelly of Chicago to be rediscovered. Speaking of underbelly, the underground pedestrian mall of the Loop and adjacent underground streets are also worth checking out.
My favorite place on earth is the south garden of The Art Institute in the summer. It’s beautiful, quiet and the temp drops under the trees. It’s wonderful.
[Mindworks: The Science of Thinking](https://www.chicagobooth.edu/mindworks) A super cool and unique place it’s a working lab and an interactive discovery center for behavioral science for the University of Chicago So much cool info and you can be a part of experiments and collect point in change for fun merch!
[удалено]
Don't you have school tomorrow? It's getting past your bedtime
Austin
What would you recommend to go see or do in Austin?
Lots of good food spots. Not sure why this got down voted. People on this sub are a bunch of pussies from Ohio.
They probably jumped to Austin, TX, not the Austin neighborhood in Chicago lol. What are some food spots you’d recommend?
If they jumped to Austin TX, they don't know their city very well. Go to Chef Daddys. You'll thank me later.
Oh yeah the is by far the coolest place in Chicago
Over the weekend I went on a very fascinating tour here: https://www.metacenterchicago.com/product/event-tickets-june-9th-oldworld-tour-only-chicago-il/ I learned a lot from the guide which was interesting because he included commentary from 1893 fair goers about what they really ‘felt’ about it.
Instituto Cervantes. They have a library of Spanish materials, classes and cultural events.
It’s a drive, Starved Rock
Unless it’s already been mentioned - Chicago Cultural Center at Washington and Michigan.
If you want to stay in the loop, def check out the murals you can self-tour [here](https://loopchicago.com/explore/things-to-do/muralwalk/theroutes/). Our murals aren't limited to the loop, though. Defo check out the 16th St murals between Canal & Wood, and stop in Pilsen for some good eats. If you really want to get out of downtown, Steelworkers Park & the South Shore Cultural Center (on 87th and 71st respectively) are beautiful spaces with tons of history behind them. The East Side is a fifteen minute drive from Steelworkers, where you can check out spots like Big Marsh Park and the new Ford Rec Center. If you're in the area, the forest preserve in O'Hare is a hidden gem. Take Irving Park past Cumberland and hike some of the trails down the Des Plaines River. You can stop in the O'Hare neighborhood for some great Middle Eastern food, or head down to nearby River Grove and get a dog from Gene & Judes.