Top 6 things to do in Chicago

Every year, a large number of visitors take a plane ticket to the United States. At the same time, who could say no to a road trip to such fantastic cities as New York, Houston and Los Angeles? All these regions tend to make the French dream… and not just that! Rich in culture, art, entertainment, sporting activities and landscapes, you’ll immediately be won over by this way of life. Don’t we say “The American Dream”? Today we’re going to take a look at the mythical city of Chicago, the largest city in the Midwest and capital of Illinois. Famous for its imposing architecture, there are plenty of interesting things to do here.

What can you do in Chicago?

1. Marina City

Category: €€/Cultural

Description: Chicago? It’s all about architecture and monuments that will exceed your wildest dreams and expectations. Indeed, most of them seem to have stepped out of another galaxy! Marina City is a perfect example: a residential complex made up of two mixed-use towers. They took at least 8 years to build, between 1959 and 1967. What makes them special? They were built by the famous architect Bertrand Goldberg. These two circular concrete towers, which easily exceed 170 metres in height, never cease to amaze and raise heads, so imposing are they, standing proudly in the Chicago skyline. When you go inside, you’ll discover five buildings in all: consisting of a vast concert hall that was originally a cinema; a splendid luxury hotel; and a ground floor where all the delicious restaurants are located. Marina City is located at 300 N. State, and is open every day.

2. Visit the city and eat a hearty meal

Category: €€/Cultural/Gastronomic

Description: Especially if you go during the summer, from May to September, wandering around Chicago will be a rewarding activity! And why is that? It’s a region that has the particularity of being like an open-air museum: everywhere you turn your head, you’ll see a place, a building, a statue… that will catch your eye and have you whipping out your camera in no time! We urge you to go to Millennium Park, a small public park where families love to go for a bike ride; but also don’t forget to admire Cloud Gate, the most famous monument in the whole city, which is an absolutely fantastic urban sculpture. As a bonus, Chicago has the gift of varied cuisine. What are your preferences: Italian, African, French, American? You’re spoilt for choice!

3. Le Loop

Category: €€/Cultural

Description: If Chicago is recognised as the third largest and most imposing American city, it’s partly thanks to the famous “Loop”, the business district, which is so fabulous that it’s world-famous. It’s a huge, bustling district (undoubtedly the most visited in the city), with a whole host of restaurants, shops, parks and all kinds of entertainment. You might as well say that this is the place to spend all your shopping hours! A visit to the Loop also gives you a new perspective on Chicago, one that reflects the 21st century: this is a city that continues to transform itself over the years, maturing and growing at an unprecedented rate. You’ll love the gentle pace of life here: it’s huge, and although it’s crowded, you’ll never be afraid of being crowded. During your walk, you’re likely to come face to face with the 108-storey Willis Tower, which takes at least two hours to visit because there’s so much to see!

4. The Art Institute

Category: €€/Cultural

Description: Let’s put aside the great monuments for a moment and focus on art, pure beauty. Chicago is teeming with artistic and cultural attractions, and the Art Institute is a perfect example. At the entrance to the museum alone, you’ll be won over by the two magnificent bronze lions. Once inside, you’ll discover a whole collection of iconic works of art known the world over, as well as ancient artefacts, spanning the period from 5000 BC to the present day. And yes, history is being traced in Chicago, through an incredible impressionist collection! It’s an excellent way to learn about the world around us and why it is the way it is today. The city’s art galleries are a real treasure trove for anyone who decides to venture in, and you’ll come away with stars in your eyes. The Institute is located at 111 South Michigan Avenue, and is open from 11am every day except Tuesday and Wednesday.

5. Lincoln Zoo

Category:Free/Cultural

Description: Open every day from 10am to 5pm and located at “2001 N. Clark”, this is a very pleasant free zoo to visit. It allows you to get away from the big city for a while and venture into a wild setting full of greenery and impressive animals in specially adapted enclosures. The park is very large, so you can enjoy a pleasant stroll without seeing the time go by. It’s a calm and pleasant place, where the tranquillity of animals from different parts of the world is guaranteed. As the zoo is set back a little from the city, it has the advantage of being close to the beach. Especially if you’re visiting Chicago on a sunny summer’s day, how would you like to spend an afternoon basking in the sun after visiting Lincoln Zoo? A fun programme! In general, visitors rank Lincoln Park Zoo as one of the best things to do in Chicago: apart from spending time with the family, it’s also a great way to reconnect with nature, which we sometimes tend to forget in the hustle and bustle of the city.

6. The John Hancock Observatory

Category: Cultural/Insolite

Description: We know what you’re thinking. Chicago is a big city with intimidating buildings, making you feel a bit like ants. Why not turn things around and get a bit of height by climbing to the top of the John Hancock Center tower? It’s perched at a height of 305 metres, so it’s easy to feel like the kings of the world! From now on, you’ll be looking down on Chicago’s famous skyscrapers. If you go there on a clear day, you’ll be delighted to be able to admire the surrounding area from almost 130 kilometres away! Don’t forget to take advantage of the multimedia tour, which is often much appreciated by visitors for all the information it provides about the city’s various ‘secrets’, which until now have been kept under seal. Go to 875 North Michigan Avenue, from 9am to 11pm every day, for an activity that may be unusual, but is nonetheless rewarding!