Miscellany: A (Small) Guide to Chicago Attractions

There's plenty of stuff to do in Chicago, especially if you are in the mood to learn. Here's a rundown of some of my favorites:


The Shedd Aquarium is a very popular and fairly modern aquarium, even though it was first opened in 1930. Right when you walk in, you notice a huge tank - that's the Caribbean reef, and they hold feeding time exhibitions with a real diver swimming in there throughout the day. All along the walls are tanks showcasing some exotic marine animal life from around the world.

The main draw, though, is the awesome ocean tank with dolphins (yes, there are "shows") and beluga whales; the back glass wall gives you an incredible view of the harbor, and the tank seems to extend into it. Nearly as impressive is a walk-through coral reef that encircles visitors with stunning views of some huge sharks. And, like nearly all of today's aquariums, there's a strong conservationist message underlying all the exhibits at the Shedd, which is commendable.


The Field Museum is a natural history museum that sits alongside the Shedd as one of Chicago's most popular attractions. Smack dab in the lobby is Sue, one of the world's most complete T-Rex skeletons, so even before you pay for admission you're treated to something cool. Add to that three floors and several wings of exhibits, and you could easily spend half a day there.

The neatest exhibit halls were the ones concerning native cultures of the Americas (everything from Aztec to Inuit) and the evolution of life on Earth. In the former, the focus is on the artifacts and dwellings of these peoples, rather than stiff dioramas. The latter hall features a complete overview of life on Earth, including the oft-overlooked Precambrian era. There are some interesting multimedia moments in both halls, and overall, it was educational and fun.

Some of the exhibits are boring (think hokey 1970s-era display cases), but on the whole, it's a good museum.


The Art Institute of Chicago is a bit of a walk from the Shedd and the Field Museum. It's close to Millennium Park, and if you visit one, you'll probably visit the other. In any case, art lovers would be remiss not to pay a visit here.

While in terms of sheer volume the permanent collection doesn't hold a candle to museums like the Louvre and the Prado, there are still a lot of interesting pieces here. You'll see pieces from virtually every famous Impressionist, as well as a lot of American art. The museum, due to its proximity to the school, often showcases emerging talents, as well.

Currently, it's undergoing a big renovation. One thing I didn't like was the fact that special exhibitions carry a high ticket price. My Dad wanted to see "Nighthawks" by Edward Hopper, for instance, but it cost $20 just to get in. I like depictions of urban loneliness, but I don't like them that much.


Finally, the Shoreline Architecture Cruise is an interesting way to view most of downtown's most significant skyscrapers. These hour-long tours usually leave from Navy Pier, the tourist-y entertainment complex adjacent to downtown. You sail up and down the Chicago River, gawking at buildings and passing under bridges. Try to avoid any tours near midday; it can get blisteringly hot on the boat.

While there are some interesting views of Chicago to be had, the real draw is in the narration provided by your tour guide. If you get a lively guide, you'll hear an almost nonstop stream of trivia and archiectural information, the delivery of which borders on performance art. There's no real way of knowing if your guide will be competent in advance, however.

So there you have it. Some things to do in Chicago, mostly for the young and the young at heart.