Chicago view from Milton Lee Olive Park. Photo by Steve Browne & John Verkleir (CC BY 2.0)
Chicago is among the premiere cities in America. It has the third highest population in the country and one of the most diverse and successful economies in the United States. In addition to the economy, Chicago also has a bustling arts and culture scene as well as sports teams in every league. Each year, millions and millions of people visit and move to Chicago. While everyone knows about checking out the Bean, getting some deep dish pizza, and seeing a game at Wrigley, there is much more to do and see in Chicago. Here are five underrated and often overlooked things to check out in the Windy City.
1. Bring Your Own Theater
Chicago has a bustling scene when it comes to live music, art, theater, and comedy. While places like the Chicago Theatre and Second City get the most attention, there are a ton of other options to check out. One of the best and most unique is called “Bring Your Own Theater Productions.” This new type of performance involves going from a brand new concept to a performance in a mere 24 hours. On Fridays, there is a pre-show meeting in which a theme (voted on by show attendees) is revealed to actors, writers, and directors. They then need to create an entire performance off of that theme and then perform it on Saturday night. This place is a melting pot for creative minds.
2. International Museum of Surgical Science
Chi-Town is home to a ton of different museums that each attracts thousands and thousands of visitors each year. However, one museum that doesn’t get enough credit and is definitely a place to check out is the International Museum of Surgical Science. Over time, there have been some massive changes in how surgery has been performed and the tools used. This museum features a ton of exhibits that deal with all types of medicine. They have paintings, sculptures, drawings, specimens, and other historic artifacts. A little tip, Tuesdays are free.
3. Milton Lee Olive Park
Like any other city, Chicago has a number of parks too. There is no doubt that places like Millennium and Lincoln Park are legendary, but are often completely full of tourists and pedestrians. If you want to check out a park with less people (and arguably a better atmosphere), check out Milton Lee Olive Park. This park offers up some of the best views of the Chicago skyline and is simply a great place to take a walk or have a picnic. Despite being right near the constantly busy downtown area of Chicago, this park is surprisingly calm and serene, and is a must-visit for anyone need to Chicago.
4. The Puppet Bike
This is an unorthodox addition to the list. However, but is definitely something that deserves a spot. No, it is not a museum, park, theater, or any type of building at all in fact. The Puppet Bike is just that, it is a completely mobile stage that is built on a bike. This little mobile theater was created by artist Jason Trusty and can often be seen throughout downtown Chicago. He and a few other people ride around the town and then set up shop at various destinations to put on shows for the public. Mini puppet shows are held all over the place and normally last about two to four hours. This is a completely one of a kind experience and one that everyone from children to adults can enjoy.
5. Judy Istock Butterfly Haven
If you either hate or you’re scared of butterflies (for some reason), this one might not be for you. While the entire Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is a great place to check out, there is one exhibit and place inside that needs to be seen. The Judy Istock Butterfly Haven is a 2,700 square-foot greenhouse that features dozens of different species of butterflies. In total, you will walk among pools of water and tropical trees as you interact with the 1,000 butterflies that call this haven home. The species in here are regularly rotated, and that means every time you come check out this exhibit, it is just a little bit different than the last time.
