Mentioned by Chicago Parent
38 Chicagoland Museums Families Should Visit At Least Once
"If you’re not in the mood for shopping, check out Navy Pier which is a Chicago Landmark and offers a variety of attractions for all ages to enjoy. If you’re interested in learning about science, I recommend visiting Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry, which is the largest science center in the Western Hemisphere."
"There is no admission fee to enter the Navy Pier, which offers free fireworks shows throughout the year and hosts a lineup of free entertainment and music each season. Head to the Navy Pier to see local arts and crafts vendors presenting their wares and to enjoy the scenic views of Lake Michigan."
"Installation view, Duro Olowu: Seeing Chicago, MCA Chicago Feb 29-May 10, 2020 Photo: Nathan Keay, © MCA Chicago. The Museum of Contemporary Art is always free for visitors under age 18, visitors with disabilities and their caregivers receive free admission, members of the military and police and fire departments and veterans, and Illinois elementary and high school teachers. To encourage more people to visit and visit often, the MCA has a pay-what-you-can policy — no one will be turned away."
"The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago is one of the biggest contemporary art museums in the world. The MCA's collection focuses on post World War II visual art; works in the collection include pieces by Andy Warhol, Cindy Sherman, Jasper Johns, Kara Walker, and Alexander Calder. The MCA once held the United States debut of Frida Kahlo's exhibit."
"With a strong focus on American Design, there is a strong emphasis on emerging contemporary artists at the Volume Gallery in Chicago. The gallery releases its editions and publications and also organizes exhibitions that showcase the works of American artists to the regional, national and international audiences. Specialization : contemporary"
"The Renaissance Society is a kunsthalle-style museum that presents about 4 exhibits a year from international artists. It focuses on contemporary art and is located at the University of Chicago."
"If you like to support local Chicago artists, then you need to go to the Prospectus Art Gallery. The gallery features famous Chicago artists and up-and-coming artists as well."
"South Loop is a neighborhood that has yet to hit its stride when it comes to carving out a unique identity. But M Lounge, which has been around since 2006, has stood out with martinis, live music, and a come-as-you-are vibe. View this post on Instagram"
"Popular Canadian import, Kinton Ramen, had a successful launch in Fulton Market and witnesses a steady flow of noodlers. The chain debuted a second Chicago location in Wicker Park in December 2019. Dubbing itself the "Ultimate Japanese Ramen Experience," Kinton Ramen aims for an authentic culinary trip to Japan via executive chef Aki Urata's commitment to serving the highest quality broth and noodles."
"Located on a beautiful stretch of Damen in Wicker Park, this is a popular spot for creative types, students, and anyone whose work requires them to tap away on the laptop for a few hours every day. There is a spacious patio, plenty of indoor seating (including an awesome loft space upstairs where the windows are open during the summer!), outlets galore, and plenty of good coffee and food. You will pay slightly higher prices here than at other spots on this list by nature of the neighborhood, but the staff are great and the environment is really conducive to longer stays."
"Restaurants Coffee shops Lincoln Park. This Milwaukee import is making busy Chicagoans swoon with a large outdoor patio, delicious seasonal pastries, beer on tap and, of course, fantastic coffee. The sprawling cafés in Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, Logan Square and Andersonville are colorful and cheerful, making Colectivo an ideal destination for a pre-work boost or winding down after a long day."
"Milwaukee import Colectivo opened its first Chicago location in Lincoln Park to much fanfare in April with a huge heated patio space and fire pit. The chain has since opened shops in Wicker Park, Andersonville, Logan Square, and suburban Evanston. View this post on Instagram"
"Proclaiming her product to be the “best ever grilled cheese” is a bold move but Gayle Voss backs it up. The sandwich maker was a longtime fixture at local farmers markets before turning her business into a full-scale operation inside Block 37 a few years ago. The menu always features the “Classic” (Prairie Pure butterkase, Bennison’s Bakery sourdough, Nordic Creamery butter), as well as seasonal creations like “Abreo” (cheddar, Honeycrisp apple, bacon-onion jam) and “Sebastian,” a lobster grilled cheese that’s only sold on Fridays."
"Gayle's has been a fixture for years in Chicago farmers markets, where you could grab a crispy grilled cheese sandwich made with white sourdough from Bennison's Bakery in Evanston, Prairie Pure Butterkase cheese from Belvidere and butter from Nordic Creamery in Westby, Wis. These exceptional ingredients fuse to make one gooey, irresistible sandwich. I especially love the Southport ($8), which adds a sweet smoked onion marmalade to the classic grilled cheese."
"We all need a little grilled cheese in our lives; we might as well get the best Chicago has to offer. Call 312-285-2202 for pickup orders and enter using the Pedway, use the Gayle V’s Best Ever Grilled Cheese or What's Good app, or find them on Grubhub and Ritual. They will also deliver with an order of 10 or more sandwiches."
"If you find yourself hungry in the Downtown area, then chances are high that a Freshii is not far away. The Toronto-based chain stakes its claim on fresh food fast with wrapped filled with vegetables, bowls overflowing with brown rice and detoxifying juices."
"Nestled in the South Loop is hidden tropical gem Asian Outpost Hawaiian Hideout. This delicious cuisine ranges from East Asia to Southeast Asia and Polynesia. Try some classic favorites like the Asian Feast or a Hawaiian-inspired Poké Bowls while enjoying a hula show."