Published 9/10/2018

10 Things to Do in Chicago

When the show closes for the day, make the most of your time in the Windy City. At the very least, add number 10 to your IMTS bucket list.

Scott Francis

Editor-In-Chief, Gardner Business Media

While you’re in town for IMTS 2018, make sure you take some time after the show to enjoy all the sights, sounds and experiences that Chicago has to offer. Here’s a list of some fun things to do when you’re not at the show.

Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs, is hallowed ground in Chicago. Whether you go to a game—the Cubs play the Milwaukee Brewers and the Cincinnati Reds this week—or just stop by to take a selfie and stroll around Wrigleyville, the ballpark’s surrounding neighborhood that features restaurants, nightlife and shopping opportunities, it’s a Chicago experience you’ll want to check off your list.
Take a stroll at Navy Pier. Enjoy 50 acres of gardens, shops, restaurants and attractions including the Centennial Wheel, which offers riders views of Chicago and Lake Michigan from nearly 200 feet.
The 360 Chicago Observation Deck in the iconic John Hancock Building also offers amazing views of the city. If you’re really brave you can try Tilt, a moving platform ride that actually allows you to tilt out for a view 1,000 feet above Michigan Avenue.
If you just can’t get enough of Chicago from above, take a helicopter ride at Chicago Helicopter Experience. You’ll learn about the city’s history, architecture and see the city from a bird’s eye view. For info visit chetours.com
It wouldn’t be a true city experience without a ride on a trolley or double-decker bus. Chicago Trolley & Double Decker Co. offers hop-on and hop-off tours. You can find info at chicagotrolley.com.
Visit the Museum Campus, which features three of Chicago’s most well-known attractions—the Field Museum of Natural History, home of Maximo the largest dinosaur ever discovered; the Shedd Aquarium, featuring more than 32,000 aquatic animals; and the Adler Planetarium, North America’s first planetarium.
In addition to the Museum Campus, Chicago has tons of museums including the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Science and Industry, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago and the Chicago History Museum.
The 35-acre Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in North America and is home to more than 1,000 animals. Plus, it’s free.
Take a brewery tour. Chicago has tons of great breweries that offer tasting tours including Lagunitas Brewing Co., Revolution Brewing and Goose Island Brewery, one of the first craft breweries.
We’d be remiss to talk about Chicago without mentioning pizza. You won’t have trouble finding a good one, but if you’re going for authenticity, you’ll want somewhere with a good deep-dish and a checkered table cloth. Chicago is, of course, the birthplace of Pizzeria Uno, so you may want to make a pilgrimage. Pizano’s, Gino’s East and Lou Malnati’s are also famous for their deep-dish pies.