Chicago’s Top 5 Attractions at Christmas
Q.) We are traveling to Chicago this Thanksgiving Weekend, what attractions do you recommend?
A.) Hi Pam! Unfortunately, you caught us here at Smart Destinations at a time when we were all gearing up for the Thanksgiving holiday. I apologize that we were too late to answer you question about what attractions to see in Chicago on Thanksgiving weekend, but we thought it might be nice to write a response about what Go Chicago Card travelers should do if they’re in town for the Christmas holiday weekend.
Shedd Aquarium
If you’re in Chicago around Christmas, make sure you venture down to Lake Shore Drive to oggle the Shedd Aquarium’s newest holiday gift to marine biologists everywhere: a Baby Beluga Whale!According to Frommers, “this marble octagon building is filled with thousands of denizens of river, lake, and sea. The only problem with the Shedd is its steep admission price.” Fortunately for you, the Shedd’s much-desired All Access Pass is included in the cost of your Go Chicago Card. For more details on making the most of your Chicago visit, check out ChicagoTraveler’s Guide to Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium.
Sears Tower Skydeck
Many travelers making their first visit to Chicago want to know which attraction is better: John Hancock Building or Sears Tower. Well, if you could take off work and travel for weeks at a time, you’d probably be happy visiting both. Each attraction has its perks. For example, the John Hancock offers something that the Sears Tower can not… a view of the Sears Tower. But in the end, who can pass up looking out about one of the world’s most influential cities from in the world’s tallest building?
Take in Chicago’s awe-inspiring views with the SkyDeck’s high powered telescopes. On a clear day, not only can you see four states (Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan) but you’ll really understand what a powerful city Chicago really is as you gaze out upon 40 miles of Chicago streets, outstanding bodies of water, and the rolling beautiful of Chicago’s surrounding suburbs.
And unlike many other Chicago attractions which are closed Christmas day, the Skydeck is open 365 days a year which means all your relatives are free to spread their yuletide cheer from way up above!
Field Museum
Indiana Jones movies seem to come to life in this world-renowned museum featuring over 6 acres of exhibits including the Field’s famous Egyptian Mummies, “Sue” the Field’s in-house T-Rex and the latest exhibit, Evolving Planet which takes a look at the past, present & future of life all the way from the single-celled organism to when dinosaurs walked the earth to the latest human evolutionary developments.
Museum of Science & Industry
The Chicago Museum of Science and Industry had a new temporary exhibit which should not only get you in the mood to continue your travels throughout the US and beyond but it should also strum up some holiday spirit as well! The exhibit Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light features decorates trees from around the world in what the museum is calling a “dazzling forest of trees and displays lovingly created by the citizens of Chicago.”
The museum also presently houses the much beloved Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination exhibit (runs until January 2008) and the infamous U-505 Submarine, a real WWI & WWII German Submarine which significantly altered the outcome of WWII when special code breaking documents were discovered on board by Allied troops.
Whatever your pleasure, one can easily spend a whole day (warm & safe from Chicago’s frigid winter) while perusing these outstanding exhibits.
Magnificent Mile
What Christmas trip would be complete without a visit to Chicago’s best mile of shopping? Spend an afternoon at Chicago’s iconic department store Marshall Fields or swing by Burberry (where you can buy a designer scarf to mask your neck from winter weather) or just pop for some holiday-decoration therapy at Crate and Barrel, home to hundreds of Christmas-themed home & cooking gifts. Your family will thank you for your generosity and perhaps you’ll find a little gift for yourself along the way?
Planning a trip to Chicago? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Chicago Card.
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