Spring vacation guide to Chicago

Chicago is a perfect spring break  destination whether living out of town or in the city.

Take in a show, a museum, an interesting tour, some shopping and admire the sculptures in Millennium Park. They are all downtown Chicago.

Shows

Jersey Boys returns to the Bank of America theatre April 5 Fela will be at the Oriental Theatre March 27-April 8

Museums

The Museum Campus,  sticking out into Lake Michigan from Lake Shore Drive between 12^th and 14^th Streets, is among the best places to snap photos of the city’s skyline. But be sure to save time for at least one of its museums: The Field, Shedd Aquarium or Adler Planetarium.

They reward visitors with fascinating exhibits year round. However, they are gearing up for Spring vacationers with either new exhibits or extended hours to see all their special exhibits.

At the Adler, Undiscovered Worlds, a show about finding real planets and stars beyond the Earth’s solar system, opens early March in time for Spring vacation.

Because the Shedd, situated between the Adler and the Field, draws crowds during school holidays, the museum has extended hours from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. March 26-March 30 and April 1-April 6. Longer hours mean fitting in Jellies, Wild Reef and an Oceanarium show.

Families visiting Chicago often head to the Field to see dinosaurs. But Spring break time means also fitting in two temporary exhibits that just opened: Opening the Vaults: Mummies and Genghis Khan.

Tours

Trolley tours are fine for getting around because you get background info from tour guides. However, if looking for something special consider an architectural Chicago River boat cruise and a movie site tour.

The Chicago Architecture Foundation boat tours typically do not start until the end of April. But you should be able to book a cruise on Wendella and Chicago Tours.

The Wendella cruises start at the base of the Wrigley Building below the Michigan Avenue Bridge. Chicago Tour cruises start at Navy Pier.

The Chicago Film Tour is a fun way to see parts of Chicago you might not get to such as Wrigley Field in the Wrigleyville neighborhood. The tours start and end on Clark Street between Ontario and Ohio, a perfect spot for people who love Portillo’s Chicago Dogs and their Italian beef.

Shopping

Out-of-towners enjoy browsing the shops along North Michigan Avenue between the Chicago River and Lincoln Park. Visit Magnificent Mile the Greater North Michigan Avenue Association’s website to pick out some specific shopping and dining destinations.

Whatever other places you choose, you should  stop in Garrett’s Popcorn Store in the 600 block of Michigan Ave. If shopping at Macy’s at State and Randolph (Marshall Field’s former flagship store) follow the nose across the street to Garrett’s next to the Oriental Theatre.

Speaking of food (similar to chocolate, in Chicago popcorn is considered a food), families coming to town typically want to try a pizza parlor. Everyone has a favorite so arguments abound. but two places that make many lists for the good deep dish stuff that Chicago is known for are Gino’s East and Lou Malnati’s.

Millennium Park

Bordering Michigan Avenue and Randolph Street, Millennium Park draws thousand of tourists who want to see “Cloud Gate,” better known as “The Bean.” They also check out the Frank Gehry sculpture top to the Jay Pritzker Pavilion and the Crown Fountains which spit water late spring and summer.

Insider Tips

• If staying in town  for a few days, it may pay to obtain a CityPASS. You will be paying about half what you would to individually visit the Shedd, Field, Skydeck at Willis Tower (formerly Sears), the Adler or Art Institute of Chicago and either the Museum of Science and Industry or the John Hancock Observatory. In addition, the pass means not having to stand in line to purchase tickets.
• If tired when walking the “Mag Mile” take a bus back south on Michigan Avenue. Most buses you see go downtown. You can also catch a bus on State Street south to the Museum Campus. Bus drivers do not have change so have some singles and quarters handy.
• You don’t have to leave town without trying Garrett’s because the company has stands at the Metra trains’ Ogilvie Center and O’Hare Airport.

Photos by Jodie Jacobs