Chicago has a new must see attraction, the Obama Presidential Center. Located on the south side of the city, it features a sixth floor museum focusing on the Obama legacy and includes stunning views of Lake Michigan. Also, nearby is the University of Chicago and the Museum of Science and Industry. Even if you can’t snag tickets for the museum itself, the grounds are worth a visit.
• If you’re looking for fun things to do, check out these destinations
Visit the Osterman Beach on the north side of the city (CTA Red Line, Bryn Mayr station). It is a huge beach with lots of rainbow kites and plenty of eye candy. Plus, the beach house has a snack bar. Then walk or bike ride on the lakeside trail. Have lunch and some drag at Hamburger Mary’s nearby.
As noted above, the new Obama Presidential Center is a must (with or without tickets to the museum). Enjoy the civil rights themes including a timeline that includes the June 26, 2015, Supreme Court marriage equality decision and a picture of the White House painted in rainbow colors in celebration of the ruling.
Enjoy Navy Pier with its stunning views of downtown and a Ferris wheel. It is just east of the Loop (aka downtown).
Walk along the new RiverWalk trail along the Chicago River. Have lunch at one of the many restaurants with views of the iconic Chicago high rises with architecture for every taste. Take a boat tour to learn more about the many styles that define the city. Rent a kayak. Or take a water taxi. There is so much to do.
The Field Museum is full of dinosaurs and such. The Art Institute is another must, not to mention nearby Millenium Park.
Shop until you drop along iconic Michigan Avenue.
• Searching for accommodations?
This time I stayed at the Marriott Marquis at McCormick Place on the South Side (accessible via the Red or Green CTA lines). It is a new hotel. Great service, no resort fee if you are at a convention, and access to the Lake Michigan trail (exit door thirty-eight of McCormick Place or walk up to 18th Street). Service was top notch. Get a room facing Lake Michigan.
I also like The Versey Hotel (644 W. Diversey Parkway near the Diversey Brown Line station). It is in a neighborhood of great local shops and restaurants, steps to the nightlife on Halsted, and the Lake Michigan Trail is nearby.
• When you’re getting hungry
Lula Café in Logan Park (Logan Park on the Blue Line) has great brunches and lunches. Try the turkey sandwich. My friend had buttermilk pancakes. Lots of organic items as well and creative dishes. The 20 percent service fee was annoying, and they also wanted a tip.
Sweetgreen at 150 N. Michigan Avenue has a great salmon salad.
Chicago is full of all kinds of restaurants many featuring pizza, hot dogs, and Italian beef sandwiches. You are not in California.
• How to get there
I took American to O’Hare and hopped on the Blue Line to get downtown (aka the Loop). Get a CTA pass or use your credit card to pay for fares. UBER, taxis, and rental cars not needed.
Coming from Detroit, Milwaukee, St. Louis, St. Paul, or Grand Rapids. Try Amtrak. Both St. Louis and Detroit have several trains a day. The St. Paul trains run twice a day.
• Nightlife
I like Sidetracks (near Belmont and Halsted in the neighborhood formerly known as Boystown. Visit GrabChicago online or pick up a copy of GRAB Magazine for a full list of the bars in Boystown and beyond. (And read my travel column.)
Sidetracks has showtunes on Sunday starting at 4pm. Hydrate also is a lot of fun if you like dancing or dancers (ditto for the Lucky Horeshoe). The new Kit Kat gets rave reviews. Plan your visit to the bars at GrabChicago.com.
For more info and additional travel tips
Check out the Choose Chicago website.
Check hotel rates before you book air. Winter is the value season. And do not stay at hotels with annoying resort or destination fees. Speaking of which, budget for the high taxes and fees added onto hotels, liquor, and even soft drinks. Chicago hasn’t found a surcharge or fee it didn’t like and now has the distinction of having among the highest hotel taxes and fees in the country. (Besides sales taxes, there are convention district fees at some hotels and other charges on top of the sky high summer room rates.) And the Chicago sales tax (including the state tax) is very high.
The City of Big Shoulders never fails to disappoint. But now with the Obama Center you have a new reason to visit.
Bill Malcolm is a travel writer based in Indianapolis. He received no compensation for his recommendations from the places mentioned. He focuses on value travel, use of transit/walking/biking to get around, and going where the locals go. This is his hobby.
This story is brought to you by Rosedale Health and Wellness and Dudley’s Place.
