Visiting Chicago
Construction at Millennium Park currently limits access to Anish Kapoor's Cloud Gate (Chicago "Beam", as shown below).
Experience the vibrant city of Chicago, just 24 miles away from Argonne National Laboratory, by exploring its iconic landmarks, rich cultural scene, and renowned cuisine. Known for its architectural marvels, such as the Willis Tower and Millennium Park's Cloud Gate, Chicago is a city that beautifully combines tradition with modernity. Delve into the world-class museums, like the Art Institute of Chicago, or take a stroll along the picturesque Lake Michigan shoreline.
Conveniently, you can reach the city by car or take the METRA train from the nearby Downers Grove Station (weekdays and weekends) or Lemont Station (only weekdays) to the Chicago Union Station. If you plan to drive to downtown, you can park at Millennium Garages https://millenniumgarages.com/rates/ ($14–17 for 12 hours), or use street parking https://parkchicago.com.
The Art Institute of Chicago and Loop
The Art Institute of Chicago (AIC) is one of the largest art museums in the world, and probably the best. You can plan your visit and purchase your ticket in advance https://www.artic.edu/visit. One day might not be enough to look at all the art pieces inside the AIC, but please do not miss their highlights https://www.artic.edu/highlights/3/what-to-see-in-an-hour!
The AIC is located in the Loop, surrounded by Millennium Park, Grant Park, and Lake Michigan. Unfortunately, Anish Kapoor's Cloud Gate, also known as the Bean, is under construction.
Architecture Boat Tour at Chicago River
An architectural boat tour is the best way to enjoy the architectural style of downtown Chicago. Many vendors offer boat tours.
Our one suggestion is to use the Groupon https://www.groupon.com/deals/gl-chicago-architecture-boat-tours-2024 to purchase the voucher at a discounted price. Please note that you will need to schedule the tour after you purchase the voucher. Groupon will send you instructions on how to schedule your tour. You can check the tour schedule and availability before you purchase the certificate at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chicagos-best-90-min-architecture-boat-tour-on-the-chicago-river-tickets-897538380457?aff=oddtdtcreator
If you want to avoid hassles regarding the Groupon voucher, here are other suggestions for the tour.
- https://www.architecture.org/tours/detail/chicago-architecture-center-river-cruise-aboard-chicago-s-first-lady/
- https://www.wendellaboats.com/Boat-Tours/chicagos-original-architecture-tour/
Navy Pier
Chicago Navy Pier is known for its lakefront location, and home of entertainment, culture, and history such as the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, making it a must-visit destination in Chicago. It is about a 30-minute walk from Loop, and you can take other transportation. The water taxi run by Shoreline is the most special way to visit the Navy Pier across the lake from the Loop https://navypier.org/plan-your-visit/getting-here-and-parking/water-taxi/!
Other things to do in Chicago
To help plan your visit, check out the suggested itinerary at the following links, ensuring you make the most of your time in this dynamic metropolis.
