THE 10 BEST Things to Do in Theater District, Chicago
Top Things to Do in Theater District
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Architectural Buildings • Civic Centres
Downtown / The Loop
Historic Sites • Department Stores
Downtown / The Loop
Speciality Museums • History Museums
Downtown / The Loop
Admission tickets from $27
Speciality Museums
Downtown / The Loop
Monuments & Statues
Downtown / The Loop
Speciality Museums • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Downtown / The Loop
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Downtown / The Loop
Architectural Buildings
Downtown / The Loop
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Downtown / The Loop
Churches & Cathedrals
Downtown / The Loop
Architectural Buildings
Downtown / The Loop
Architectural Buildings • Department Stores
Downtown / The Loop
Architectural Buildings
Downtown / The Loop
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues
Downtown / The Loop
Architectural Buildings
Downtown / The Loop
Monuments & Statues • Fountains
Downtown / The Loop
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Showing results 1-30 of 92
What travellers are saying
- Jessica G1 contributionHorribly interesting museum, worth the visit as it is a different kind of experience. Staff was very friendly :) ThanksWritten 1 November 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- NoraatcSudbury, MA39,993 contributionsWe lived close to the River and admired its clear waters on every walk. Chicago River is unrecognizable now thanks to the very bold cleanup project of routing Lake Michigan water into the river and making it a shining beauty of Chicago. What a contrast from the dingy poisonous river of the old days to the glistening turquoise transparent waters of today!Written 21 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- The_Gallagher_7Cornelius, NC85 contributionsAmazing that such beauty and history are free for the observer. We enjoyed our walk through the building to see the treasures.Written 5 November 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- sanju_222323New Jersey17,338 contributionsAside from Cloud Gate and Buckingham Fountain, The Chicago Theatre's red and yellow marquee is perhaps one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. At the northern edge of the Loop, The Chicago Theatre first opened its doors in 1921 as an extravagant movie theater and performance venue. Between the theater's unmistakable sign and its stunning façade, it's impossible to miss this stunning Chicago landmark.
the theater has hosted such big names as Duke Ellington, Diana Ross and Prince, in addition to screening blockbuster flicks. The theater's historic appearance enhances the overall experience of catching an event here. Just remember, cameras and video cameras, including those on cell phones, cannot be used during tours or performances.
It is a few blocks northwest of Millennium Park. Even if you don't have time to check out a show, be sure to pop in or schedule a tour to get a closer look.Written 23 May 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - IrinaUnited States14,338 contributionsOne of the very famous theatres in the Theatre District of Chicago Loop is James M. Nederlander Theatre -- an active participant of Broadway in Chicago program.
I always look forward to visiting this theatre, that was designed by the renowned architects Rapp & Rapp, and built in 1926. The theatre was renovated in 1996-1998, and it has always preserved its historic, oriental looks indoors (the original name of the theatre was "Oriental"), and also the well-recognized marquee and blade sign, which since 2019 has "Nederlander" name on it . If you are in the area of Randolph Street, you can see this theatre at 24 W Randoplh from afar.
The theatre has a lavishly and richly decorated lobby, a large, impressive auditorium with a capacity 2,253 seats. In the lower part of the lobby there's a bar, and multiple restrooms.
We came to see the matinee play of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, which is a long, 2,5 hours play with a 20 min intermission between the two acts. The author of the script book (published 2016) is J.K. Rowling, and the playwright is Jack Thorne.
Our seats were at BALCLC (Balcony, Left Center), Row F, which is quite high on the steep elevation of the balcony, very distant from the stage, and seats are very small and tight. All this influenced the perception of the play, which was well-directed and performed by a large cast. The sets, costumes, illusions, magic and dance numbers were very good, from what we could see from that far and high up.
The play was received very well, especially by younger viewers (I talked to some during the intermission), and the whole cast did their best to perform and make it interesting and exciting for the grateful audience.
It was nice to visit James M. Nederlander Theatre again. I enjoyed its historic ambiance very much. The theatre was renamed several times -- from Oriental to James M. Nederlander (1922 -- 2016) -- who was a legendary American producer on Broadway, and the theatre preserves the historic grandeur and cultural importance in modern times.Written 23 November 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Potomac_11Potomac, MD470 contributionsWorth a visit for a meal in the Walnut Room and a peek at the Tiffany ceiling. No contemporary store offers this type of classic grandeur.Written 17 July 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- MaddyLondon, UK21 contributionsWe had a lovely visit to the museum. It has a range of interesting exhibits and interactive activities. We spent 2 hours there and could have spent longer! The staff were also lovely.Written 24 July 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- DebbieSan Francisco, CA51 contributionsThis is a fun interactive museum with unique photo ops and cool illusions. I enjoyed this museum but it is a little expensive ($35.31), and it only took us about 45 minutes to finish it because the museum is small. Even though we visited on a weekday morning right after it opened, it was semi-crowded, so we had to wait to interact with many of the exhibits. Staff were friendly and very helpful with showing us how to pose for some of the optical illusions, and they also helped with taking photos.Written 28 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Debra D3 contributionsMy husband and I attended Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Our first time at the theater. What a gem. Its a great house with comfortable seating.Written 22 July 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Rebecca L4 contributionsIf you have the chance to see Boop! before it ends in late December, I hope you will go! I won't be surprised if this fast-paced, vibrant, outstanding show wins a Tony or two. It took me and my friends on a wonderful emotional journey, and we left feeling energized and filled with hope. The singing and dancing performance are amazing and the costumes and use of technology are incredible. Don't leave early, or you will miss a nice surprise. It's a lovely theater with attentive staff, but their handicapped accessible bathroom is in the hotel next door, which is a bit challenging. I think they were having elevator problems the day I was there, and that may have been the issue. However, their staff did a great job taking care of people with mobility issues. Highly recommend calling the Broadway in Chicago accessibility desk to get help getting accessible tickets - they know what they are doing much more than Ticket Master, etc., and they may have tickets that you will not see on other sites.Written 3 December 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Taylor BChicago, IL8,479 contributionsLong after he completed the untitled monumental sculpture that commands the Daley Plaza in downtown Chicago, Pablo Picasso said it represented the head of his Afghan hound. After its unveiling in 1967, Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper columnist Mike Royko wrote: "Interesting design, I'm sure. But the fact is it has a long stupid face and looks like some giant insect that is about to eat a smaller, weaker insect." Whatever it is, the Picasso is a well known Chicago landmark, the first monumental abstract public artwork in downtown Chicago. Located at 50 West Washington Street, Standing 50 feet tall and weighing over 160 tons, the Picasso is built of Cor-Ten steel, the same material as the exterior of the Daley Center. It was assembled and constructed at the U.S. Steel Company in Gary, Indiana, and unveiled and dedicated in Daley Plaza on August 15, 1967. "A gift to the people of Chicago," Picasso said in his dedication letter, without explaining what the sculpture was intended to represent. It is known for its inviting jungle gym-like characteristics. Visitors to Daley Plaza can often be seen climbing on and sliding down the base of the sculpture.Written 24 August 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- NinaLeeYYCCalgary, Canada52 contributionsWorthwhile stop for those curious about the folding bridges in Chicago. The museum is pretty small but does a good job of telling the story of Chicago's development through rivers. The exhibit weaves in an ecology theme that made it more interesting. I can't a speak to the value as I went free during Open Doors Chicago, but I had a good time.Written 19 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- NoraatcSudbury, MA39,993 contributionsWe were hoping to see the Chagall Mosaics near the Four Seasons Hotel, but the site is under restoration now and we managed only to take a glimpse of the Mosaics through the opening in the fence. It was enough to feel Chagall’s Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, but we would love to see it after the restoration.
The consolation prize for us was Frank Gehry’s modern lobby of the reception desk in the Inland Steel building opposite the Chagall’s Mosaics. Striking green crystals, a distinctive feature of that spacious lobby, are gorgeous. That’s a hidden gem.Written 30 September 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - NoraatcSudbury, MA39,993 contributionsGorgeous 37th floors skyscraper is an iconic Art Deco landmark in Chicago. Its top floor is adorned with a thin layer of pure gold, which shines even on a dark rainy day. The lobby of the Pendry Hotel, which occupies part of the building now, is cozy and more modest than luxurious lounge of the Palmer Hotel, but is beautiful nonetheless.Written 6 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- ClevelandTraveler216Cleveland, OH38 contributionsPretty cool to see. Happen to just walk by it along with the other great art around that area near Millenia Park. Worth seeingWritten 28 September 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
