By Soren Rivero
From beautiful architecture to unique food dishes, Chicago is a remarkable city full of cool things to do. There’s an adventure waiting for anyone in this popular U.S. city, whether you’re a fan of sports or the supernatural.
But what about the peculiar parts of Chicago? Surely a city so well-known should have some abnormal activities, right? Of course! Here are 10 unique things to do in Chicago for the curious adventurer.
Photo by puroticorico on Wikimedia (Creative Commons)
1. Visit Printer’s Row
Chicago used to be one of the most prestigious printing hubs in the United States Midwest region before the age of digital news. The printing business has since declined, however, a small section of Chicago’s prime printing days, Printer’s Row, still exists! This downtown Chicago neighborhood has become a popular tourist destination in Chicago. You can visit bookstores, see murals, sit at a cute coffee shop, take pictures, and much more. It’s also one of the safest places in Chicago!
2. See the Immersive Sistine Chapel Exhibition
Did you know that it took around five years for Michelangelo to complete the paintings in the Sistine Chapel? The artist was truly dedicated to his work!
Seeing the real Sistine Chapel requires a visit to Vatican City. But if you can’t do that, travel to Chicago to see the immersive Sistine Chapel Exhibition! This is a one of the more unique things to do in Chicago as it’s interactive, educational, fun, and only takes around an hour to complete!
Photo by LittleT889 on Wikimedia (Creative Commons)
3. Hunt Ghosts at the Medieval Tour Museum (18+)
Have you ever wanted to witness how prisoners and defilers were tortured in the days of the dark ages? Here’s your chance!
Visiting the Medieval Tour Museum will most definitely leave you speechless. You’ll see historically-accurate remodels of the equipment and methods that were used to punish people back in the medieval era. You can also download a ghost hunting app for a chance to spot some of the real ghosts that haunt the museum, making this an extra fun thing to do in Chicago!
4. Levitate Over Chicago at the Willis Tower
On the daring side? Consider visiting the Willis Tower! Formerly known as the Sears Tower, this 110-story high skyscraper is one of the city’s prized possessions.
You can take an elevator ride up to the 103rd story for a chance to view Chicago from way up in the clouds. Sounds fairly simple, right? Well, the view is actually offered only to those who dare step foot in the near 100% glass sky deck. So if you’re scared of heights… maybe sit this one out. A small exhibition is also available before the 103rd floor where you can learn a bit more about Chicago’s history.
5. Experience the Magic of the Chicago Theater
Developed back in 1921 by the moguls Balaban & Katz, this theater has long been a comforting place for locals and tourists to find an escape from reality. It was a prime location to view famous shows, movies, and other live events until it eventually lost popularity and closed down in 1985. It was then refurbished and is now back in business offering live events (mostly music and comedy).
You can’t leave Chicago without a guided tour of the Chicago Theatre. You’ll learn about the building's history and architecture, and even get a chance to visit "behind the scenes." This historic masterpiece is also a good place to take pictures in Chicago thanks to its beautiful interior and exterior!
6. Investigate the City’s Past via Crime Tour
Chicago has a rather interesting history the mob. The city was notoriously flooded with gangsters, most of which made news on the daily basis back in the 20th century.
You can experience the exact streets where criminals not only walked but also engaged in bad behavior through a guided tour. The tour guide will also tell you what made famous criminals go off the rails, as well as a few insider tricks on how to avoid being the target of petty crimes like theft. Make this unique experience in Chicago all the better by opting for the additional ghost tour option!
Photo by Matt on Flickr (Creative Commons)
7. Take Pictures of the Sh*t Fountain
Sitting on Jerzy S. Kenar’s private property is a rather… intricate model of animal waste. Kenar apparently sculpted the fountain once he was fed up with people letting their dogs poop on his flowers. It’s open for viewing and a great place to take photos in Chicago, if you have the stomach for it. This sculpture is called a fountain because it streams down water in a way that screams “too much Taco Bell” for lunch. Unsavory as it might be, even locals love this cool artifact in Chicago!
8. Splash in a Pool of Faces
Going on a family vacation to the windy city? Here’s a kid-friendly activity to do in Chicago!
The Crown Fountain is a free attraction in Chicago that also acts as a public art exhibit! A large screen displays anonymous faces from people around the world that spit out water at random times. Kids love to splash in the water, especially during summer season, so be ready to get wet!
9. Hop on a Subway with No Pants On
Looking for something fun to do in Chicago during winter? Here’s something quirky to do!
An annual event is held every winter where a group of passengers take their pants off before riding the subway. It's definitely a super unique thing to do in Chicago, but you do have to act civil while ignoring the fact that it’s a “weird thing”.
Photo by Kat Skegg on Flickr (Creative Commons)
10. Behold the Statue of Death
The Statue of Death (aka the Eternal Silence) is a statue that was designed by Lorado Taft in 1909. This intriguing piece of work sits in the Graceland Cemetery among many other unique artifacts.
Eternal Silence symbolizes the connection between silence and death, attracting both skeptics and fans of the supernatural throughout the years. Some folklore surrounds this obelisk that often seems too cruel to be true. The most infamous rumor is that upon staring into the face of the statue, a vision will appear in the viewer’s mind showing hints of how they will die. This, however, is up to speculation. But still a must-see attraction in Chicago!
