OUT & ABOUT
THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO
Considered one of the world’s finest museums, this prized institution houses more than 300,000 works of art—including such treasures as Grant Wood’s American Gothic and Georges Seurat’s La Grande Jatte—and welcomes 1.5 million visitors each year. On March 4–May 12, the museum welcomes the return of the iconic Whistler’s Mother to Chicago for the first time in more than 60 years. 111 S. Michigan Ave., 312-443-3600; artic.edu
CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM
On display at this must-visit cultural institution April 8-November 26 is Spies, Traitors, and Saboteurs: Fear and Freedom in America, which explores nine major events in US history when the nation was threatened within its own borders. 1601 N. Clark St., 312-642-4600; chicagohistory.org
CHICAGO’S FIRST LADY
From private yachts for two to weddings for 250 to the wildly popular Chicago River architecture tour, this local institution is one of the top names in Chicago cruising. INSIDER TIP: As the only company that partners with the Chicago Architecture Foundation on its river tour, CFL’S docents are hands down the best in town. 112 E. Wacker Dr., 847-358-1330; cruisechicago.com
DUSABLE MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY
Explore the culture of America’s black community, including exhibits like Freedom, Resistance, and the Journey Toward Equality and A Slow Walk to Greatness: The Harold Washington Story; as well as works by notables like Henry Ossawa Tanner and Archibald Motley Jr. 740 E. 56th Pl., 773-947-0600; dusablemuseum.org
NEW ESCAPEHOUSE CHICAGO
The escape room craze hits River North with this high-tech two-room attraction, where teams of participants role play as spies or secret service agents as they strategize, solve puzzles, and work together under pressure to emerge victorious in under 60 minutes. 54 E. Ontario St., 312-981-6633; escapehousechicago.com
FIELD MUSEUM
This natural history hub is beloved for its world-famous resident T. rex fossil SUE as well as dynamic changing exhibitions and the interactive new Grainger Science Hub. Opening March 10 is Specimens: Unlocking the Secrets of Life, an examination of the importance of some of the museum’s more than 30 million specimens. 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr., 312-922-9410; fieldmuseum.org
GREEN MILL
This century-old nightclub was a favorite among the Al Capone set and still attracts jazzheads from around the world for sets from Patricia Barber and the Alan Gresik Swing Shift Orchestra. INSIDER TIP: The
Uptown Poetry Slam (Sundays 7–10 PM) is a rollicking celebration of the spoken word hosted with lacerating wit by slam poetry legend Marc Kelly Smith. 4082 N. Broadway, 773-8785552; greenmilljazz.co
HARRIS THEATER
From hosting performances of world music and international dance to serving as home to local companies like Hubbard Street Dance and Chicago Opera Theater, this sleek, subterranean Millennium Park oasis has evolved into one of the city’s most compelling cultural venues. 203 E. Randolph St., 312-334-7777; harristheaterchicago.org
HORSESHOE CASINO HAMMOND
Twenty minutes from Chicago in northwest Indiana, this 400,000-square-foot gaming mecca offers diversions for beginners and high rollers alike, from 1,500 penny slots to $100,000 hands of Baccarat, plus four restaurants and the acoustically perfect Venue concert space. 777 Casino Center Dr., Hammond, Indiana, 219-473-7000; caesars.com/horseshoe-hammond
MACKINAC ISLAND
Four hundred miles northwest of Chicago between upper and lower Michigan, this idyllic island getaway has been charming visitors for 150 years. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride (no motorized vehicles are allowed), visit historic Fort Mackinac, or just lounge on the expansive front porch of the legendary Grand Hotel. 906-847-3783; mackinacisland.org
MILLENNIUM PARK
From expansive lawns and an extraordinary live music venue to a duo of crowd-pleasing public art installations in Anish Kapoor’s iconic Cloud Gate (“The Bean”) and Jaume Plensa’s Crown Fountain, this 25-acre playground has become the epicenter of downtown Chicago. INSIDER TIP: Stroll across Frank Gehry’s sinuous bridge toward the lake to discover the kid-tastic Maggie Daley Park, with climbing walls and slides aplenty. 201 E. Randolph St., 312-742-1168; millenniumpark.org
MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY
The largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere, this institution celebrates innovation with interactive exhibits that explore green energy, space travel, future tech, and more INSIDER TIP: On a scale of 1–10, the baby chick hatchery scores an 11 for cuteness, eliciting “oohs” and “aahs” from all ages. 5700 S. Lake Shore Dr., 773-684-1414; msichicago.org
RIVERS CASINO
Over 1,000 slots and 50 table games plus live entertainment along with dining venues like Hugo’s Frog Bar and Chop House make this property northwest of the city a major destination for Chicagoans who are feeling lucky. 3000 S. River Road, Des Plaines, 847-795-0777; riverscasino.com
THALIA HALL
A Pilsen landmark, this refurbished complex boasts hot spots Dusek’s, Punch House, and Tack Room as well as an eponymous concert hall, which embraces the bohemian spirit of the neighborhood with an array of entertainment ranging from Janeane Garofalo to George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic. 1807 S. Allport St., 312-526-3851; thaliahallchicago.com
ZANIES COMEDY CLUB
A comedy institution in Old Town since 1978, this 100-seat venue—which featured the likes of Chelsea Handler, Jerry Seinfeld, and Jay Leno before they hit it big—is one of the most intimate showcases of rising standup stars from Chicago and across the US. 1548 N. Wells St., 312-337-4027; chicago.zanies.com