A Chicago Honeymoon from The World's Greatest Honeymoons

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America's "Second City"

“I adore Chicago. It is the pulse of America.” —Sarah Bernhardt

Today, more than a century after the great diva uttered those words, Chicago’s heart beats stronger than ever. Stretched for 29 miles along the southern tip of Lake Michigan and pierced by the backward-running Chicago River, this big, vibrant city offers an outsize grab bag of goodies to everyone. And it's a treat at any time of the year, thanks to its top-notch museums, world-class shops, jazzy nightlife, and an extraordinary diversity of restaurants running the gamut from hot dogs to haute cuisine (or from Afghan to Ukrainian). Like Frank Sinatra once said: “My kind of town, Chicago is my kind of razzmatazz!”

But there's a dandy reason to opt for a summer honeymoon here: you'll not only enjoy all the sophistication of a major city, but much of the fun of a beach getaway. After all, Chicago's beachfront is only feet away from one of the country’s great downtowns. Almost the entire lakefront is devoted to recreational use, with sandy beaches, luxurious green lawns, museums, harbors, and parks. As you stretch out in your bathing suit, watching the slow-moving boats cruise by, it's impossible to believe that you’re smack dab in the middle of a big city. Be forewarned, though: this water's cold, even at the height of summer.

Chicago Honeymoon Ideas

An Architectural Tour: In the city responsible for inventing the skyscraper and known worldwide as a “living museum of architecture," it makes sense to check out the buildings. A good place to start: the Chicago ArchiCenter (free entry), with its permanent and rotating exhibits devoted to local architecture. ArchiCenter also offers dozens of low-cost tours via foot, bus, or river cruise. One of the most popular walking tours, "Historic Skyscrapers," will introduce you to early highrises like the 1888 Rookery designed by Burnham and Root (the interior was later reinvigorated by Frank Lloyd Wright). ~ On your own, take the 45-second ride to the observatory deck on the 110th floor of the Sears Tower for a thrilling view of city streets and Lake Michigan far, far below. If it's windy, you'll actually feel the building swaying. For more than two decades, this was the world's tallest buiding. ~ The Richard H. Driehaus Museum is housed in a splendid Gilded Age mansion, Nickerson House. Completed in 1883, it's one of the few low-rise survivors amidst the towering skyscrapers of River North (Nickerson House has sometimes been called the Marble Palace because of its over-the-top use of marble). The museum's collection includes the mansion's original furnishings and interiors, as well as one of the nation's largest collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany. ~ Special Note: The only two buildings remaining from Chicago's 1893 World's Columbia Exposition now house the Field Museum and the Chicago Art Institute (both described below).

Taste of Chicago: The annual mid-summer lakeside extravaganza called Taste of Chicago is a major highlight of the year. Nearly 4 million people show up in Grant Park for this splendiferous blend of great food and fabulous fun—an incredible edible odyssey that dishes up delectable specialties like savory ribs, spicy gumbo, gyros, Chinese pizza, and lots more. Loads of music, activities, and special events are also on the menu. And it’s all served up against a summertime backdrop of free fireworks, a giant ferris wheel, and even a water flume.

Museums²: Chicago has more than 45 museums you might enjoy, but you absolutely don't want to miss the stupendous Art Institute of Chicago. Known for its collection of 19^th Century art, the Institute owns major works by Monet, Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh and others. But the collection is quite diverse, extending far beyond Impressionism. If you're an art lover, plan on spending the better part of a day here. ~ The collection of the Terra Foundation for American Art includes Whistler, Cassatt, Sargent, Hopper, and the Wyeths. ~ At the immense Field Museum of Natura History, founded in 1893, you can marvel over the $8.4 million Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton and more than 20 million other specimens in the areas of Zoology, Botany, Geology, and Anthropology. ~ When it was founded in 1930, the Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum was the nation's first planetarium. Today it holds two full-sized planetarium theaters, one of the world's most important collections of antique instruments (dating from the 12th century), and a significant library of rare and modern scientific books. Be sure to check out the StarRider theater, with its interactive virtual reality shows that allow you to participate in a 3-D simulation of traveling in space. ~ One of the nation's oldest zoos (1868), the Lincoln Park Zoo nonetheless offers a state-of-the-art experience to its more than 3 million yearly visitors. And it's free!

Local Comfort Food: The "Chicago Dog" isn't merely a hot dog. To be the real goods, this dawg must be all-beef and in a natural casing, steamed, served on a poppy-seed bun, and finished off with yellow mustard, onion, bright-green pickle relish, tomato wedges, sport or banana peppers, a pickle spear, and a dash of celery salt. The Chicago Dog dates back to at least 1893, when it was served at a World exposition that took place here. According to the Vienna Beef company—the most common brand used in a true Chicago Dog—the delicacy became extremely popular during the Great Depression because for a mere 5¢ the patron received a delicious hot meal (and salad) on a bun. It's stayed popular ever since: according to rumor, there are more hot dog stands in ChiTown than all the city's McDonald's, Wendy's, and Burger King's combined! ~ Another contender for top local comfort food: an Italian beef sandwich dipped in juice and drowning in giardiniera (pickled veggies). »»Check out other comfort foods in the USA and around the world

Explore the Loop: Head for the city’s exciting heart, “The Loop,” with theaters, architecturally historic buildings, fab boutiques, and elevated trains looping overhead (hence the nickname). Take the Loop Sculpture Tour, a self-guided walk past monumental sculpture by major 20th Century artists like Picasso, Chagall, Miro, Calder, and Oldenburg. Shopping's great here, too. On State Street, check out two famous department stores: the 1892 12-story Marshall Field’s and Carson Pirie Scott & Company, with its stunning 1899 grillwork entrance (both buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places). On the same street, Filene’s Basement offers deep discounts on high-quality clothing. Nearby Michigan Avenue is where you’ll find the legendary Magnificent Mile, home to Neiman Marcus, Lord & Taylor, Saks, FAO Schwartz, and hundreds of boutiques and specialty shops.

Have a Laugh: Chicago abounds in comedy clubs, including famed Second City. The illustrious alumni of this decades-old improvisational comedy troupe include Alan Arkin, Joan Rivers, Peter Boyle (1960s); Bill Murray, John and James Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Shelley Long, and Eugene Levy (1970s); Bonnie Hunt, Shelley Long, Mike Myers, and Chris Farley (1980s); Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell, and Tina Fey (1990s); and on and on. Come share a laugh with the most recent generation of comedic stars...

Lake Michigan Pathway: Enjoy at least one stroll or bike ride along Lake Michigan, with its captivating views. Almost the entire lakefront is devoted to recreational use, with non-stop beaches, museums, harbors, and parks. Take time to explore Lincoln Park’s glass-walled conservatory, filled with palm trees, ferns, and exotic orchids. Get delightfully lost in the Notebaert Nature Museum, with its animal, insect, fossil, and mineral specimens. As the afternoon deepens, relax on the sandy beach to watch the busy water traffic. And at night? Smooch at gorgeous Buckingham Fountain.

Wrigley Field: If it's the season, you can't pass up the chance to see the Clubs play a home game at Wrigley. Built in 1912, it’s the second-oldest ballpark in the majors and the site of some of the game's greatest moments, like the time during the 1932 World Series that Babe Ruth pointed to a bleacher location—and then hit his next ball right to it (it was a homer, of course).

Navy Pier: Built in 1916, this 3000-foot-long pier on Lake Michigan was reborn in the 1990s as a major recreational center, with shops, restaurants, a 150-foot Ferris wheel, a musical merry-go-round, an Imax theater, a children’s museum, boat tours, and much more. With great views and no end of things to do, the Pier and its surrounding 50-acre park are immensely popular. From Memorial through Labor Days, boffo fireworks light up the skies each Wednesday and Saturday night. Yeah, sure, it's touristy...but it's fun, too.

More Info: Chicago Conventiion & Tourism Bureau

All written material ©WGH ~ Photos: Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau (Buckingham Fountain, skyline, beach, Art Institute)