20 Attractions to Explore Near Chicago Sports Museum

875 North Michigan Avenue is a stunning piece of architecture located in the heart of a bustling city. This building was designed by award-winning architects and boasts an impressive aesthetic with its towering height and sleek glass exterior. The lobby has modern furnishings and finishes, creating a sophisticated first impression. It is home to numerous tenants as well as amenities such as office space, terraces for outdoor gatherings, fitness centers, and gourmet dining establishments.

875 North Michigan Avenue, is a world-renowned structure that is instantly recognizable for its majestic presence. Built in 1925 and formerly known as The John Hancock Center, the building stands at an incredible 1 128 feet tall and boasts 99 floors of gleaming glass, steel, and concrete. It was built by architect Bruce Graham and engineer Fazlur Rahman Khan, who gave it an innovative design to make it the tallest concrete structure in the world at the time of construction.

This Tower, is a magnificent venue for art lovers and history buffs alike. Located in Chicago's iconic 1869 limestone water tower building, the gallery features permanent and rotating exhibitions of photography and design works that capture local culture, as well as national artwork from renowned photographers and contemporary visual artists. The building itself offers a unique look into the past but with modern amenities like an ADA-compliant elevator and restrooms.

360 CHICAGO, is a top-notch tourist attraction as well as a popular local haunt. Home to the iconic skyline view from atop the historic John Hancock Center building, 360 CHICAGO opens its doors to all who seek to take it in. Offering 100 miles of picturesque scenery and amazing city skylines coupled with interactive experiences both inside and outside the enclosed observation level, 360 CHICAGO has something to offer everyone looking for a unique experience.

The Museum Of Contemporary Art is a staple of Cook County and one of the most well-known art museums for modern and contemporary art. MCA Chicago offers a vast range of exhibitions, performances, talks, tours and educational experiences for all ages. Some of their most notable works include photography by Cindy Sherman, painting from Richard Tuttle, sculptures by Barbara Kruger, textile work from Sheila Hicks and installations from artists such as Rafa Esparza and Katie Herzog.

The Magnificent Mile is an iconic stretch of many of the city's finest attractions and entertainment. From world class luxury shopping to lakefront park amenities, the Magnificent Mile is a must-see destination for anyone visiting the Windy City. Magnificent Mile covers 13 blocks along Michigan Avenue that are filled with some of Chicago's most recognizable landmarks and landmark stores, including the John Hancock Center, Water Tower Place Shopping Mall and Tribune Tower.

This Museum, offering visitors a glimpse into the history of Chicago's opulent Gilded Age. The museum building itself was once the home and studio of noted 19th century architect, Julius Huber. Inside, visitors can view the collections of sculptures and paintings from the 19th and 20th centuries as well as fine pieces from Europe and America. Additionally, interesting design elements from a variety of historic styles can be seen inside including Renaissance Revival and Second Empire.

The Newberry Library, is a privately-funded non-profit humanities research library. It offers a unique range of more than 1.5 million books, maps, manuscripts and more for study and exploration. The library boasts large collections of rare books in a variety of languages from the 16th century onward, including English literary texts and historical documents. They also provide an extensive range of journals and periodicals as well as online databases to aid in research.

Tribune Tower, is an iconic building with a rich history. It is the headquarters for the Chicago Tribune newspaper and was designed by Howells & Hood. The design of its neo-Gothic style was based on models from 14th-century French churches. In addition to its distinctive look, Tribune Tower contains pieces from more than 150 of the world’s most famous structures like the Taj Mahal and The Great Pyramid of Giza.

The Wrigley Building, is an iconic building that is a must-see for architecture and history lovers. The building began construction in 1920 and was completed only two years later in 1922. Designed with inspiration from Spanish baroque style, the Wrigley Building features an ornately decorated exterior including white terracotta walls and marble accents. Inside its lobby you can find an intricately painted ceiling made of Guastavino tiles where famous artists have held concerts in the past.

The DuSable Bridge is a monument of rich history. First constructed as a toll bridge in 1859, it served to bridge a physical gap between the northern and southern sides of the Chicago River. In 2010, after 150 years of service and over 3 million cars crossed, the beloved old swing-style bridge was replaced with a modern-style bascule lift bridge. Despite its age, not all aspects of the old bridge have been lost — its moveable arms are still in operation today!

Ohio Street Beach is a popular destination for sunbathers and swimmers alike. Situated right off of Lakeshore Drive between North Avenue and Oak Street Beach, Ohio Street Beach features breathtaking views of Lake Michigan, great sand beaches, and opportunities for recreation with plenty of beach volleyball nets and walking trails nearby. Whether you're in the mood to relax with a good book or take a dip into the lake, Ohio Street Beach has something to offer visitors.

The Chicago River is an iconic part of Illinois. Starting out as a small stream near Lake Michigan before passing through both downtown Chicago and several urban and rural neighborhoods, the river has been a vital part of the county's history. From providing transportation routes for settlers to being looked upon as a source of recreation in its most recent iteration, the body of water has experienced immense change over the years.

The McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum is an exciting destination for those interested in local history and science. Located on the Chicago River, this museum showcases five levels of the iconic movable bridge, which can be seen operating from a unique Glass Gallery located on the fifth level. The first and second levels contain exhibits about Chicago River history and engineering, with interactive displays guiding visitors through the city’s changing landscape.

Riverwalk, is an oasis of vibrant activity situated alongside the banks of the Chicago River. Visitors can explore beautiful waterfront trails that stretch for over 25 miles and feature picnic areas, benches, bike-friendly paths and spectacular views of the skyline. Along their journey they can find restored wetlands, striking sculptures, historical sites and an abundance of wildlife which all contribute to making this a truly unique experience. Special events are also held throughout the year.

The Chicago Architecture Center is a vibrant hub for discovering amazing architecture and design in Cook County, Illinois. It offers highly interactive exhibits from renowned local architects, tours led by expert docents, engaging programs for all ages that explore the cultural significance of various buildings and sites around the city, and even an impressive shop full of unique souvenirs to commemorate your visit.

The Charnley-Persky House is a perfect example of the evolution of American architecture in the 19th century. Built between 1892 and 1894 by world-renowned architects Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright, the house has stood at its current location since 1927. It features intricate design elements from bordered terraces to rich brick patterning. Inside, oak panelings line the walls providing warmth and richness that exemplifies Sullivan's Prairie School style.

This Park is named after Medal of Honor recipient and Chicago native Milton Lee Olive. There are plenty of opportunities to picnic, hike or bike along the trails, while kids can have a blast at the playground and splash pads. You can also tackle fishing or canoeing on Wolf Lake if you're looking for an outdoor activity. People also come to relax, as the wildlife and wildflowers that fill the park provide breathtaking views that make it easy to forget about all your worries for a few hours.

The International Museum of Surgical Science is a unique museum that provides guests with an interactive and educational experience. Visitors can explore 19th-century surgical equipment and artifacts, several historic operating rooms and casts of famous anatomical specimens. The museum puts on many different programs and events that bring medical history to life, like lectures from experts on surgery, medical arts and history.

This Museum is a vibrant and exciting place for kids of all ages and offers hands-on exhibits, workshops, performance art, and interactive activities that help the youngest members of our community discover and explore their natural potential. Continuous year-round programming further engages children in creative arts, science and technology, history, health and nutrition literacy. The museum also hosts regular family days, storytelling events and sleepovers to keep everyone engaged.