Photo by Sawyer Bengtson
In the book The Pet Nanny, we follow the story of a little girl who finds herself moving into a new town after some really tough breaks in her family’s life. The book is something of a summer adventure in Chicago, giving young readers a glimpse of what makes it different from other American cities.
Still, if you also just happen to be in Chicago for the summer, there are definitely plenty of fun places to check out aside from what’s covered in the book. Here are just some of Chicago’s top sights that you can visit for memorable hours in the Windy City.
Museums
Art Institute of Chicago
Built in 1893, the Art Institute of Chicago is the home to some of the most iconic pieces of fine art in world history. These include the frowning farm couple of Grant Wood’s American Gothic, the pointillist masterpiece A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, and Pablo Picasso’s The Old Guitarist.
The museum is also a chance to take a look at how the preservation of fine art and the field of contemporary art have blended. For history and culture buffs, the Art Institute of Chicago is a major stop that can’t be missed.
Chicago Sports Museum
Whether you’re a fan of basketball, baseball or football, the Chicago Sports Museum offers an experience that is both high-tech as well as nostalgic. Visitors can take part in activities that test how well they measure up to some of the biggest superstar athletes that made the city a household name in sports.
The memorabilia showcased here is the stuff of legends for countless fans. These include a replica of the largest Super Bowl Ring forged (the one worn by Chicago Bear William “Refrigerator” Perry). They also have the largest collection of Chicago Cubs World Series memorabilia. And in the Fan Zone, they can see the very basketball hoop where Michael Jordan made the unforgettable shot that won the Chicago Bulls the 1998 NBA Championship.
Richard H. Driehaus Museum
The name of Richard H. Driehaus is another one associated with Chicago’s top sights. The mansion that bears his name holds a priceless collection of artifacts that transport visitors to the Gilded Age of America.
These include furnishings that date all the way back to the late 1800s. Visitors can also find one of the last Chickering and Sons grand pianos left in the world. Its collection of nouveau art stained glass and ceramics are one of the biggest and most valuable in the nation.
The museum is also unique in that its collections are arranged in a way that makes visitors feel like they stepped into a different time and age. It’s a great recommendation for any romantic and student of fine taste.
Restaurants
Photo by Tim Toomey
The Berghoff Restaurant
Those who have never visited The Berghoff may not realize just how old it actually is and how long it has been run by the same family! Built by Herman Berghoff, a German immigrant, it started as a pub that began cultivating its widely enjoyed German cuisine during the Prohibition, then bringing it all together when it became one of the first holders of a liquor license when Prohibition was lifted.
The restaurant’s menu of classic favorites has everything, whether its desserts or main courses as well as great beer. If all you want is a nice, cozy meal while stopping by Chicago, then the Berghoff can be your go-to place.
Lou Mitchell’s
Now if all you have is time for a great breakfast, then Lou Mitchell’s is another historic dining joint that you can check out. Established in the 1920s, it’s known for having some of the best coffee in the city as well as some charming traditions of hospitality.
This diner is also an iconic stop for many road travelers going along the famous Route 66. Even now, with all the roadways developed through the years, many still drop by there after a long drive.
Italian Village
For fans of Italian-American cuisine, there is only one place to go: The Village. Known for its incredible wine cellar and devotion to tradition, the Village has a wide range of Tuscan and Italian-American dishes that embody the spirit of this historical community.
The family that runs the restaurant still boast a long connection with other older families that span back generations. It’s a great place for anyone with old roots still in Chicago.
Manny’s Deli
Manny’s Deli is Chicago’s oldest and biggest deli, located in the near south side of Chicago. It first opened its doors in 1942 and celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2002 with Illinois governor Pritzker in attendance. The menu at Manny’s is huge and served cafeteria style. Visitor favorites are the enormous corn beef sandwiches, potato pancakes, matzo ball soup, and daily entrée specials including short ribs and beef stew. The service is friendly and speedy. And don’t be surprised to be greeted by fourth generation owner Danny Raskin.
Landmarks
Photo by Sawyer Bengtson
Magnificent Mile
Also known as the Mag Mile, this historical shopping strip is not just one landmark, but a combination of several landmark buildings that symbolically represent Chicago’s top sights.
Among these buildings include the Tribune Tower, the Intercontinental Hotel, the Allerton and many more. You can inexpensively traverse this route on multiple forms of public transportation.
Millennium Park
This park is the home of the iconic Cloud Gate sculpture as well as more recent popular attractions like the Crown Fountain. Many of the city’s biggest gardens are also located here.
It covers a wide area that includes a number of multiple establishments that many Chicagoans enjoy on a fun afternoon. If you want more ideas, then here’s a link to one of many guides to the attractions and activities you can enjoy at Millennium Park.
Wrigley Field
It’s the home of the Chicago Cubs, and one of the oldest baseball stadiums in America. You can’t talk about Chicago’s top sights without mentioning Wrigley Field.
Not much has actually changed about it even in the last hundred years. It has been the sight of countless home games but also several of the most pivotal moments in MLB history. If watching a big Cubs game is on your bucket list, then accept no substitutes.
Don’t forget that you can still learn what day-to-day life in Chicago is like in the story of The Pet Nanny. It’s available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Walmart.
