Sightseeing and Activities

Chicago is an incredible city with so much to see and do. If you’re in town for some extra time around the wedding, we’ve got a list of recommendations. If there’s something specific you’re curious about, shoot us a message!

Good for Kids

• Lincoln Park Zoo (free entry): the Lincoln Park Zoo is the second oldest zoo in the United States and is one of few in the country to offer free admission. The Zoo is also right on the lakefront with beautiful views of downtown Chicago and Lake Michigan. (Google Maps)
• Navy Pier (free entry, paid activities): Navy Pier encompasses over 50 acres (20 ha) of shops, restaurants, live theaters, family attractions, parks (including Polk Bros Park), gardens, and exhibition facilities, including the Chicago Children’s Museum (see below). (Google Maps)
• Chicago Children’s Museum ($23 tickets): One of the best children’s museums in the country — suitable for all ages. Kids can make their way through a faux forest at the Treehouse Trails exhibit, dig for dino bones at the Dinosaur Expedition or build something in the Tinkering Lab. (Google Maps)
• Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum ($17 adult, $10 kids): Kids (and adults) go gaga for the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven, where butterflies can land on you from every direction. Then adventure through an underground cave, climb on a giant spider web and learn where food comes from. (Google Maps)
• Check out this list from TimeOut with other kid-friendly recommendations around Chicago.

Beautiful Views

• Lincoln Park (free public park): Lincoln Park is a 1,200 acre lakefront park stretching from just north of Navy Pier all the way up to the northern bounds of the City. It features multiple beaches, parks, and playgrounds, and has beautiful views of Chicago. (Google Maps)
• Lincoln Park Conservatory (free ticketed entry): Located right near Cafe Brauer, the Lincoln Park Conservatory is a Victorian glass greenhouse built in the 1800s housing rare and exotic plants. It’s a beautiful lively area to visit in the fall. (Google Maps)

Chicago History and Classics

• Sears Tower Observatory ($36 for ages 12+, $28 for ages 3-11): the Sears/Willis Tower observatory is 1,300 feet above the ground and has beautiful views of the city and lakefront. The tower itself was originally the tallest building in the world for a time and is currently the third tallest building in America. (Google Maps)
• Architecture Center Boat Tours ($56 tickets): Voted #1 boat tour in the United States by USA Today readers in 2024, as well as Chicago Reader’s Best Tour for over 10 years, this historic tour of downtown Chicago from the Chicago River itself is one of the things we recommend most. It’s a bit pricey, but we think it’s worth it.
• Second City ($39 for best of show): Second City is a historic comedy improv theater troupe. Since its debut in 1959, it has become one of the most influential and renowned in the English-speaking world and is the origin point for many of America’s best known comedians: Bill Murray, Chris Farley, Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, and countless more. We recommend their Saturday night mainstage show, but you should buy tickets ahead of time. (Google Maps)
• Chicago History Museum ($19 admission, kids enter free): Run by the Chicago Historical Society, the museum shows the history of Chicago in all it’s grime and glory, including the Great Chicago Fire which burned down most of the city, the railroad boom, and much more. It’s a great visit if you’re interested in history. (Google Maps)

The Chicago Marathon

Our wedding shares a weekend with the historic Chicago Marathon, one of the seven “World Marathon Majors”. Because of Chicago’s generally flat terrain, this marathon is a prime target for world record attempts, and runs through some of the most scenic parts of Chicago. If you’re around any of the areas in the map below, it’s worth taking a second to cheer some of the runners on!

The 2025 race route is still being developed, but here is the 2024 route. The race goes right by Cafe Brauer!