Cook County - 90 Attractions You Must Visit

The National Museum of Mexican Art, is a magnificent and informative exhibition of traditional and contemporary artwork from Mexico. The museum opened its doors to the public in 1987 and has since become one of the leading centers for preserving and celebrating Mexican culture and art. Visitors can enjoy hundreds of pieces on display across several permanent collections, as well as traveling exhibitions presented throughout the year.

The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture, is a fantastic space dedicated to celebrating and preserving the culture and history of the Puerto Rican people. It offers interactive exhibits, engaging workshops, thought-provoking presentations, and other educational materials that bring visitors closer to the island’s vibrant history and its diverse arts. On any given day at the museum, one can find music performances showcasing beautiful folkloric instruments from around Puerto Rico.

Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo is an innovative excursion for young and old alike. Set along the tranquil shores of Lake Michigan, this 1,200-foot boardwalk takes visitors on a journey planted with native grasses, vegetation and wildflowers to view local wildlife in their natural habitat. Nature Boardwalk provides unique opportunities to experience resident birds and mammals up close while learning about conservation habits.

Navy Pier is one of the most popular attractions in Cook County, which offers a wide range of activities and entertainment possibilities. Visitors can walk or bike along its three-quarters of a mile promenade, enjoy food and drinks at one of its many eateries, ride a Ferris wheel with unparalleled views of the city skyline, take an architectural tour upriver, or experience the action-packed thrill rides that map out the pier's perimeter.

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collections of rare books in a variety of languages from the 16th century onward, including English literary texts and historical documents.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.

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 Oriental Institute Museum offers a unique glimpse into the history and culture of ancient civilizations from all over the world. Located on the University of Chicago campus, the museum is home to extensive collections of artifacts from Egypt, Iraq, Syria and Turkey spanning centuries of human activity. Visitors can explore galleries dedicated to understanding ancient life through interpretive displays explaining daily routines and rituals such as mummification and burial practices.

Oz Park is a unique combination of modern amenities and nature. The 17-acre park includes a playground, walking paths, multiple sports fields, an enclosed dog park, and a pond where visitors can fish. In addition to these amenities, the park also contains towering elm trees as well as historic statues and fixtures from the original theme park attraction that inspired it. Visitors of Oz Park will appreciate its wide variety of recreational activities to enjoy in both natural and built landscapes.

The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum offers an enjoyable escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. The museum's exhibits focus heavily on ecology, letting visitors learn about the Chicago environment and its inhabitants. From the sunny glades of Meadow Lake to an engaging account of native birds and flora, nature lovers will never be bored within its walls. Encouraging interactive learning techniques, visitors can explore various habitats by way of multimedia presentations.

Ping Tom Memorial Park is known for its diverse cultural aspects and range of attractions. visitors can enjoy beautiful views of the city skyline and experience a unique urban oasis. The park boasts an eclectic array of gardens, sculptures, tai chi stations and playgrounds all contained within 20 acres of land. Additionally, there are restaurants available to provide refreshments and an outdoor performance pavilion offering a variety of entertaining concerts to enjoy.

Promontory Point in Cook County, Illinois is a picturesque spot located on the shore of Lake Michigan, just north of downtown Chicago. The historic park features native vegetation, miles of trails perfect for walking or biking, and stunning views of the city skyline. Visitors can relax on the sand beach, take in unique art installations like the Swimming Hole steps at the mouth of Burnham Harbor, or explore nearby attractions such as Museum Campus South and Soldier Field.

Pullman National Historical Park is an inspiring and important site for the community. It was founded to honor George Pullman, a prominent industrialist whose leadership and innovative ideas set the foundation for modern labor laws. The park is located on Chicago's South Side and preserves one of the first residential communities designed by Mr. Pullman. Tourists can experience the history of this iconic neighborhood by taking a guided tour around the city.

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.

S. R. Crown Hall is the emblematic space for the Illinois Institute of Technology’s College of Architecture. Designed by world-renowned architect Mies van der Rohe and built 1955-56, this building is a Modernist masterpiece that embraced the structure of steel and glass which allowed natural lighting to flood through its spaces while giving a progressive structural gesture to academic learning.

The Shedd Aquarium is one of the country's top tourist destinations. The aquarium hosts a wide variety of marine life including sharks, dolphins, turtles, small freshwater fish and rays. It strives to preserve ocean habitats and represents five different habitats from around the world. Visitors can explore each habitat in person or take advantage of interactive digital displays that give information about some of its inhabitants.

Skydeck Chicago, located on the 103rd floor of Willis Tower in downtown Chicago, is the perfect day trip for families and couples looking for spectacular views. From up high in this architectural masterpiece, you can see up to four states: Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan. The glass viewing box extends outward from the building to create an amazing experience that feels like you are floating above the city's skyline with no boundaries.

The Sullivan Center, is the home of some of the world's best medical care. From a Children's Hospital and a Cancer Center to Women’s Services and Emergency Departments, the Sullivan Center offers comprehensive healthcare services to meet the needs of its local community. Boasting state-of-the-art technology and advanced medical expertise in areas such as cardiology, orthopedics, critical care, neurosurgery, trauma and urology,

The Swedish American Museum is a wonderful place to learn about Swedish culture and contains a wealth of memories and artifacts representing the lives of Swedish immigrants in America. It focus on traditional costumes, music, customs, foodways, and language as well as Swedish-American achievements in such fields as medicine, engineering and the arts. Visitors can also explore interactive displays that highlight Swedish immigration to America during the mid-19th to early 20th centuries.

The Art Institute of Chicago is a must-see landmark that has been an integral part of the city’s culture since it opened in 1879. As one of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States, this sprawling museum houses more than 300,000 works of art spanning over five millennia of history. The collection includes masterpieces from around the world. Notable exhibits include Impressionist paintings by Manet and Monet, to Rembrandt’s Self-Portrait and Chagall’s America Windows.

The Chicago Theatre is America’s oldest and largest still-standing authentic atmospheric theatre, built with majestic Baroque-style architecture in 1921. Including balconies and other ornate features, it offers a unique experience for visitors who desire to be awed by its beauty as well as entertained by world-class performers. It has hosted an impressive array of talent over the years – from silent films and vaudeville acts during the 1920s all the way up to today's biggest recording artists.