Things to do in Downtown Chicago

Chicago is one of the largest cities in the United States of America. Situated in the state of Illinois, it was founded in the year 1833 right after the war with the native Americans. Chicago is located on the southwest shores of the Lake Michigan and at the watersheds of the Mississippi river. Also known as the Windy city, Chicago is a famous city and has a lot of fun things to do. More on Chicago attractions.

Downtown Chicago, popularly called The Loop or the Chicago Loop is the historical center of the city of Chicago. The area is bounded around a transit circuit around the Wabash Avenue on east, Lake Street on north and Wall Street on west and the Van Buren Street on the south. Downtown Chicago is always bustling with plenty of happenings that you cannot escape on your visit to Chicago. More on Chicago travel guide.

Millennium Park
Located near the Lake Michigan, Millennium park is a popular civic center in downtown Chicago. The park covers almost 25 acres area of the northern Grant Park and is the greatest center for culture and art in the city of Chicago. Planning for building the park began in the year 1997 and was completed in the year 2004. Millennium Park is the world's largest rooftop garden and the admission to the park is absolutely free.

Millennium park has plenty of things to offer like the Cloud Gate, Lurie Garden, Wrigley Square, Harris Theater for Music and Dance, Crown Fountain, Pritzker Music Pavilion which is also the home of the nation's last remnant of free outdoors classical series, the Pavilion projects, the Boeing Gallery, Nichols Bridgeway, Chase Promenade. In all, the Millennium Park is worth visiting and is one of the most important things to do in Downtown Chicago.

Oak Street Beach
Located at the end of the Magnificent Mile, the Oak Street Beach is arguably one of the best urban beaches that you can find. Situated at the curve of the Lake Shore Drive, you will be facing the Lake Michigan on the east and huge skyscrapers on the south. There are many vendors that offer great fast food, drinks and very cheap deals for trendy sunglasses. You can take a brief walk to Oak Street Beach from Michigan Avenue as well.

Navy Pier
Navy Pier is situated at the Lake front of the East Grand Avenue. It is one place that you shouldn't miss on your visit to downtown Chicago. The hustle bustle of various shops, funny jugulars, musicians, clowns and the never ending city traffic is amazing. The Shakespeare Theater, restaurants, bars, food joints, the Stained glass Museum, and many more... but the best part of the Navy Pier is the firework display that is performed twice a week (Wednesday and Saturday night). You can also see the fireworks from the Dock Street that is at the southern edge of the Navy Pier.

Movies in the Park
The happening place for all movie aficionados is the Chicago Park district that offers a series called movies in the park for its community residents. Location of movies in the park switches to various parks that are nearby. It is one of the fun things to do in Downtown Chicago. The movies in the park begin at dusk, hence, many of the residents make plans for picnic with picnic baskets, lawn chairs and blankets as well. Most of the movies are actually free and some can be seen by paying minimal amount of money. You can check the listing for your favorite movie and enjoy it with your loved ones in an open environment.

Downtown Chicago is a great place that entertains you with many attractions and man-made wonders that you must experience at least once in your lifetime. There are many things to do in Downtown Chicago that will never bore you! So have you started packing your traveling bags already!