Chicago Entertainment

World renowned for its wide range of entertainment options and cultural activities, Chicago has something for everyone: arts, sports, museums, natural collections, gardens, natural history museums, recreation, amusement parks and much more. When moving to Chicago you will find a variety of things to keep you busy.

Chicago Museums

Home to several famous museums, Chicago is a great place to take an interesting stroll and learn about history, nature or art along the way. Here is a short list of some of the local favorites:

The Museum of Contemporary Art

Founded in 1967, the MCA is located on East Chicago Avenue. Originally this museum was intended for temporary exhibits, but now has a large and beautiful collection of permanent works, all created after 1945.

The Museum Campus

A large park that stretches along Lake Michigan, The Museum Campus encompasses three natural science museums: The Field Museum of Natural History, the Adler Planetarium, and the Shedd Aquarium. Also consisting of a small greenbelt space where some of Chicago’s paved roads used to be, The Museum Campus has created an outpost for nature within the busy city.

The Freedom Museum

This museum exists for the sole purpose of opening dialog and exploration of the United States Constitution’s First Amendment. Visitors gather at The Freedom Museum to discuss what freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition mean to Americans.

The Art Institute

The Art Institute of Chicago showcases some of the finest art collections in the world, as well as works by promising students of the School at the Art Institute of Chicago Museum tours are offered daily and on Tuesdays, admission is free.

Chicago Performing Arts

Symphony Center, in the heart of the Chicago Loop, is home to one of the finest symphony orchestras in the world, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. This world-class orchestra, once under the direction of the great Fritz Reiner, presents many symphonic concerts, operas, and chamber music performances throughout the season.

If one is in search of a rock concert instead, Chicago is certainly not lacking as far as rock music venues are concerned. Some of the popular venues among locals include: The Metro, the Aragon Ballroom, the Vic, the Double Door, Pritzker Pavilion, and the Riviera. These venues not only feature national acts, but many also make strong efforts to feature local Chicago artists.

The city of Chicago experienced a theater movement in the 1950’s that began with the inception of two world-renowned companies, Second City and the Goodman Theater. Since then, the growth of theatre companies in Chicago has not stopped. Well-known theatres in Chicago include the Steppenwolf, the Ford Oriental, the Auditorium, the Cadillac Palace, and the Lookingglass. With over 200 smaller companies, one never knows where you will come across a theater performance. Smaller companies, such as the Cornservitory and the Annoyance, have been known to present small acts in retail stores, bars, laundromats, and on the train. Chicago also hosts various ensemble theaters, such as Lifeline and Stage Left Theater.

Chicago Sports

Almost every sport has a home team in Chicago. Here is a list of the local teams you can enjoy.

Chicago Bears, NFL Football
Chicago Cubs, MLB Baseball
Chicago White Sox, MLB Baseball
Chicago Bulls, NBA Basketball
Chicago Sky, WNBA Basketball
Chicago Blackhawks, NHL Hockey
Chicago Wolves, AHL Hockey
Chicago Rush, AFL Arena Football
Chicago Fire, MLS Outdoor Soccer
Chicago Storm, MISL Indoor Soccer
Chicago Machine, MLL Outdoor Lacrosse
Chicago Shamrox, NLL Indoor Lacrosse
Chicago Slaughter CIFL Indoor Football

Millennium Park

Millennium Park, in the heart of Chicago’s Loop, not only acts as a main Chicago tourist attraction, but affirms the city of Chicago’s commitment to culture, nature, and architecture. With land previously owned by Illinois Central Railroad, construction on Millennium Park started in the early 1900’s. In the late 1970s the Lakefront Gardens for the Performing Arts was proposed by area civic groups. However, funds were not available to provide the extensive development necessary.

In 1998, with help and direction from Mayor Richard M. Daley, the new plans were conceived and became one of the most aggressive park development projects in Chicago’s history. Millennium Park, then known as Grant Park, was gradually transformed from a set of railroad tracks and an amphitheater shell to an amazing collection of sculpture, landscaping, and architecture.

Current Millennium Park Structures and Activities

One of the finest outdoor music venues in the United States, The Jay Pritzker Pavilion offers outdoor concerts every night of the summer to packed audiences. Jaume Plensa, Spanish artist, designed the amazing Crown Fountain, made of two fifty-foot tall towers of glass blocks that project images of Chicago and its people.

The Lurie Garden, also a huge attraction, celebrates Chicago’s transformation over the years. The "shoulder" hedge, 15 feet high, was designed as a physical image of Carl Sandburg’s “City of Big Shoulders”, and protects a beautiful garden of perennials. The Cloud Gate, another popular sight in the Park, is a sculpture by Anish Kapoor in which he uses the idea of the liquid form of mercury to reflect the nearby cityscape, the clouds above it, and the public below it. This sculpture, made from stainless steel plates, is 66 feet in length and 33 feet tall.

Throughout the summer the park holds concerts, sponsors other temporary art displays, and even holds workout sessions for those who want to get their exercise surrounded by modern art.

Other Chicago Entertainment

The neighborhoods of Chicago are renowned for festivals, which include everything from summer festivals that continue for two months to balloon festivals and various one-day festivals and parades. There is always some kind of celebration in Chicago--it might be diversity, art, music, ethnic culture, etc.--but if there is a reason to celebrate, there’s a festival for it in Chicago.

If you are more interested in learning about Chicago recreational opportunities, we have information on that as well.

For the most up to date information on Chicago entertainment, keep checking back with us!