Coming off their victory against Real Salt Lake on Saturday, the Philadelphia Union shift their focus to the Chicago Fire on Wednesday evening, with kickoff scheduled for 8:30 p.m. at Soldier Field.

If you’re heading to the Windy City, I’ve put together a few recommendations for places to check out while you’re in town, either before or after the match. If you’d like additional suggestions, feel free to reach out to me.

Places to Visit

The city of Chicago covers an area of approximately 60,000 hectares and sits 176 meters (578 feet) above sea level on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. At 190 kilometers wide and 495 kilometers long, Lake Michigan is the fifth-largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area.

The Chicago and Calumet rivers run through the city, while Chicago’s extensive parklands, including approximately 3,000 hectares of city parks, help attract an estimated 86 million visitors annually.

With that said, let’s take a look at a few places worth checking out while you’re in town.

Shedd Aquarium

Shedd Aquarium combines the best of early 20th-century aquariums—a diverse, global collection of animals surrounded by breathtaking architecture—with a commitment to 21st-century advances in animal care, habitats, and educational experiences.

Website: https://www.sheddaquarium.org/

Lincoln Park Zoo

Visitors can go nose-to-nose with gorillas and chimpanzees, howl with red wolves, peer into a black bear den, and immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of Africa with wild dogs, pygmy hippos, and black rhinos.

Beyond providing a home to hundreds of species, Lincoln Park Zoo also operates one of the largest zoo-based conservation and science programs in the country.

Website: https://www.lpzoo.org/

Garfield Park Conservatory

One of the largest gardens under glass in the world, Garfield Park Conservatory spans approximately 12 acres of indoor and outdoor gardens. This national botanical treasure offers visitors an opportunity to explore lush landscapes, beautiful plant collections, and peaceful surroundings.

Website: https://garfieldconservatory.org/

Cloud Gate

Cloud Gate is a monumental public sculpture located in Millennium Park. Designed by artist Anish Kapoor, it has become one of Chicago’s most recognizable landmarks.

Affectionately known as “The Bean,” the sculpture is celebrated for its seamless, mirrored surface, which reflects the city’s skyline and visitors from every angle.

Navy Pier

Completed in 1916, Navy Pier is undeniably one of Chicago’s top attractions. Stretching into Lake Michigan, this year-round destination truly comes to life during the summer, with fireworks displays, live music, theater performances, and cruises setting sail regularly.

During the fall and winter, Navy Pier remains a lively destination, offering special events, attractions, and activities for visitors of all ages and interests.

There’s always something to see or do at this iconic Chicago landmark.

Website: https://navypier.org/

The Insect Asylum

For something genuinely different, this quaint museum is packed with insects, natural history specimens, and unusual curiosities.

If you’re interested in the strange and fascinating side of the natural world, The Insect Asylum is definitely worth a visit.

Website: https://www.theinsectasylum.com/

Chicago History Museum

The Chicago History Museum is a major destination for exploring the history of Chicago and the United States.

The museum’s Chicago Room features Georgian-style architecture, eight east-facing windows overlooking Lincoln Park, and ten display cases filled with backlit stained glass. The museum also offers modern technology, engaging exhibits, and an outdoor plaza.

Website: https://www.chicagohistory.org/

Chicago Riverwalk

One of the defining features of the Chicago Riverwalk is its location beneath the city’s famous skyline and historic bridges.

Visitors can experience the Chicago River at water level while surrounded by architectural landmarks such as the Wrigley Building and the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum.

Whether you’re looking to take a leisurely stroll, enjoy the scenery, or simply soak in the atmosphere, the Riverwalk offers a unique perspective on the city.

Places to Eat

Chicago is famous for its legendary comfort foods, including deep-dish pizza, thin-crust tavern-style pizza, Italian beef sandwiches, and Chicago-style hot dogs.

Beyond these local favorites, the city offers everything from casual neighborhood eateries to world-class fine dining. With a diverse array of modern restaurants representing cultures from around the globe, there’s something for every palate.

Here are a few places worth checking out during your visit.

Time Out Market Chicago

Time Out Market Chicago brings a tried-and-true dining concept to the Second City, right in the heart of the historic Fulton Market District.

Spread across 50,000 square feet, this curated dining destination features 18 eateries, three bars, a demonstration kitchen, a rooftop terrace, and a video installation wall.

All of these attractions come together in one space, showcasing some of the best food, drinks, and culture Chicago has to offer.

Website: https://www.timeout.com/time-out-market-chicago

The Twisted Hippo

Twisted Hippo’s claim to fame was its unique approach to brewing and taproom design.

Creativity was at the heart of this Albany Park brewery, where the walls were colorfully decorated in pink and green, and the tap list featured inventive brews such as the Velvet Elvis, a peanut butter, banana, and bacon ale.

Website: https://www.twistedhippo.com/

BiXi

Named after the Chinese turtle god, BiXi (pronounced “bee-shee”) is a microbrewery that puts an Asian-inspired spin on both its food and drinks.

One standout offering is the Chelonian Lair, a dark ale spiced with Szechuan peppercorns.

There’s also an impressive cocktail list featuring carefully crafted drinks such as the Smallmouth Buffalo, made with bourbon, fish sauce syrup, and black walnut.

Website: https://www.bixi.beer

Uno Pizzeria & Grill

With all due respect to the Chicago-style hot dog, some will insist that deep-dish pizza is truly the most iconic of Chicago’s local foods.

We’re not going to take sides, though.

The exact origins of deep-dish pizza remain a topic of debate, but Uno Pizzeria & Grill, widely credited as one of the first establishments to serve it, has been pleasing customers with its take on this local specialty since 1943.

Website: https://www.unos.com/

Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria

A landmark Chicago pizzeria, Lou Malnati’s River North location is one of the city’s best-known destinations for classic deep-dish pizza.

The restaurant is especially notable for its buttery crust, generous layers of cheese and toppings, and connection to one of Chicago’s most influential pizza families.

For visitors looking to experience an authentic Chicago deep-dish pizza, Lou Malnati’s is certainly worth considering.

Website: https://www.loumalnatis.com/

Gene & Jude’s

Gene & Jude’s is a legendary hot dog stand in River Grove, just outside Chicago, that has been serving its signature all-beef hot dogs and fresh, hand-cut fries since 1946.

A longtime local favorite, this no-frills establishment is a great stop for anyone looking to experience a classic Chicago-area hot dog.

Website: https://www.geneandjudes.com/

Al’s #1 Italian Beef

If you’re looking for one of the best Italian beef sandwiches in Chicago, Al’s #1 Italian Beef is a great place to start.

As one of the city’s longest-standing Italian beef establishments, Al’s represents a classic Chicago food tradition.

With several locations throughout the city, the original Taylor Street location in Little Italy is the perfect place to step back in time and enjoy an iconic Chicago sandwich.

Website: https://www.alsbeef.com/

That is all for today’s travel article, I hope you have a safe trip and wonderful time in Chicago. If you have other places to add for future travel articles, please comment below and enjoy your time in Chicago.

Main article photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Union