THE 10 BEST Things to Do in South Side, Chicago
Top Things to Do in South Side
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Travellers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travellers across the globe.
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Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
Hyde Park
Admission tickets from $45
Parks • Scenic Walking Areas
Hyde Park
Parks
Chinatown
•
Open now
Beaches
South Side
Speciality & Gift Shops • Art Galleries
Chinatown
Cemeteries
Greater Grand Crossing
•
Open now
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Douglas
Parks • Convention Centres
South Shore
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Showing results 1-30 of 112
What travellers are saying
- Vaylene R85 contributionsThis museum wis one of my favorites. There is a lot to offer. It reaches out to all ages. It is fascinating. I loved everything that is close up and the aeronautical was really cool. My husband and I went to this with other business associates. We all came in from all over the country and we all enjoyed it and plan to return. We were there a decent amount of time and still didn't see everything we wanted to.Written 1 December 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- JB374 contributionsLots of options for restaurants. Not as many quality stores. Very crowded with impatient people but high energy vibes.Written 2 September 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- PJA070413Arlington, VA158 contributionsThe Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures (ISAC) seems like a "hidden gem" of a museum if you have any interest in ancient history and culture. I came here a day after I visited the Field Museum, which is amazing and has far more extensive collections than ISAC, but was very crowded and harder to navigate. The ISAC is much smaller and more focused in its exhibits, and I found it to be a much more pleasant and interesting place to learn about the earliest days of civilization. So if this area of history interests you, I recommend you consider a visit to ISAC. Be aware that this museum is away from the main tourist areas of downtown Chicago (about 8 miles south of Millennium Park) and is located on the campus of the University of Chicago. There is also Museum of Science and Industry nearby. Chicago's electric commuter rail line (which is called the Metra or "M" train) has a stop not too far from the university campus, but I recommend that you take a taxi or ride share to go directly to and from the museum in this area of south Chicago. The campus is close to Lake Shore Drive and it is about a 20-30 minute drive from Millennium Park by that route.Written 19 August 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- DisneybusPittsgrove, NJ984 contributionsThis was an excellent tour of one of Wright's best prairie homes. Our docent was outstanding, guiding us through the rooms and embellishing the classic Wright designs with the flow of the home. This is our ninetieth Wright structure, and have become familiar with his work. Just as fascinating as the design is the history of these homes, normally ending with a Historic preservation trust. Wright designed the house for the entrepreneur and inventor Fredrick Robbie in 1910. This house might better be called and The Wilbur home, as in 1911 Robbie fell into financial trouble and sold it to David Lee Taylor, who died a year later then passing it to the Wilbur family. The Wilbur family sold the property in 1926 to the Chicago Theological Seminary for use as married-student housing. They twice proposed tearing down the house leading to grassroots protests that included Wright himself. The building was saved and transferred to the University of Chicago until 1997, when it executed a lease with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Photos are permitted and you're not required to cover up footwear. Most of the furnishings were lost during the transitions and the house is now mostly empty. Tours are busy so reservations are a must. In 2019, Robbie House was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Written 12 June 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- GregskyOttawa, Canada950 contributionsMy wife and I caught a White Sox game here during their recent losing skid (lost #16 on the night we attended). It was a Tuesday, so many food and beverage items were $5, which was great. It's a nice, new, clean ballpark, that still feels like a great ballpark, unlike some of the other new stadiums in the league.Written 2 August 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Potomac_11Potomac, MD470 contributionsWe enjoyed walking around the University of Chicago campus, enjoying the gothic buildings and beautiful grounds. Worth a visit if in the area.Written 17 November 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Adam KScottsdale, AZ28 contributionsThis was a pleasant way to spend an hour. The parking lot is on Hayes, just east of Cornell drive. There aren’t many signs to the garden until after you park and start walking toward it. Parking was like $2 per hour. Cross the bridge to Wooded Island, for a nice nature walk and the real jewel is the Garden of the Phoenix. Kids had fun walking around.Written 7 July 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Jet129692392683 contributionsThe review was superb and secure where I had so much fun, which was awesome and also had an accident which result to a slight injury.Written 13 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- April NPhoenix, AZ127 contributions...the bathrooms are atrocious! Guess that's a good thing though as opposed to folks using the lake as a bathroom right? The lake water is clean. Beach was somewhat clean until people started leaving and not picking up their trash.
Parking in the lot right in front of the beach is not free. It's $2 per hour. I thought parking was free adjacent the lot but as I was going to put more money on my sticker I saw at least 15 cars with tickets. So if you are paying to park I suggest you keep up with the time or pay for all day which is just as much as if you paid to park at North Ave. Beach in a lot.
Plenty of shade and picnic areas. You can grill. There are also vendors selling tacos, corn (elotes), cotton candy, etc. Lifeguards on duty until about 7pm. Swim at your own risk after that.Written 12 July 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Potomac_11Potomac, MD470 contributionsWe enjoyed seeing this classic Gothic chapel located on the University of Chicago campus. Very traditional space is worth spending some time in.Written 19 November 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- ElaineAndGregChesterland, OH3,096 contributionsThe Smart Museum of Art -- really more of a gallery -- sits on the University of Chicago campus. For most, it will not be worth a visit in its own right, but it is within walking distance of the Frank Lloyd Wright Robie House and maybe a little over a mile from the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, so it might be combined with a visit to one of those sites.
The museum is in a modern-ish building as part of the University of Chicago. It was funded by a pair of brothers who, among other things, founded Esquire magazine.
We understand that there is a permanent collection that includes some of the furnishings from the Robie House. During our visit, however, the entire building was taken up with an exhibition of the Meiji period, the era in Japan from roughly 1868 to 1912, when the country was transforming from an isolated feudal society, to a powerful, modern one under the Meiji emperor.
The Japanese influences on western art at the time are well known. Works such as Puccini's Madame Butterfly or Gilbert & Sullivan's The Mikado reflected that new contact. Frank Lloyd Wright himself was influenced by Japanese design. The Art Nouveau movement was both influenced by and an influence on Japanese art.
This exhibition reflects Japan's own reflection on the changes to its culture, whether assimilating or resisting western efforts. Japan's own development during this period was staggering, developing a modern army and navy that largely defeated Russia in the early 1900s. This art reflects all of these changes.
Among our favorites was a print with a Japanese maiden being wooed by a rough westerner while a "good" spirit warns her to stay with her own culture. Another depicts a man well-dressed in western-style clothing while his companion is in a traditional komono. Another is an over-the-top propaganda piece depicting the Chinese arming setting packs of tigers on the Japanese troops (as the materials note, tigers don't hunt in packs).
This exhibit only runs to early June, but we enjoyed it very much and appreciated the thoughtful explanatory material and the fascinating interplay between art and history in Japan during this period.
The museum itself has roughly four well-lit galleries. Admission is free.Written 29 May 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - dmbiaIowa282 contributionsThis park is often overlooked by tourists. It's not far at all from the Metra Electric line and also easy to get to by bus. There are pleasant walks along the Lake Michigan shoreline and a nice beach as well. There are free public restrooms at the beach. The approach from neighborhood streets could be improved, as the underpasses for Lake Shore Drive can be a bit intimidating.Written 4 August 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Matt SChicago, IL10 contributionsI keep my boat here and have for the last 7 or 8 years or so. It's easy to get to the south suburbs from here, the music at the cafe and down by the docks is often excellent.
The weekends can be obnoxious late at night as kids with boats will stay up all night with loud music. But, you have the best view of the city, the water is beautiful, little pretty beach, and the people are friendly.
There is a boat launch here, though they will charge you to do so, i think it's 35 to 50$ (should be on their website)
The staff is unmotivated, but reasonably friendly. There's a small shop and bathrooms are clean and modern.
Dock facilities: the docks are wide and pretty new. All of the usual amenities - good power, water and wireless internet. Pumpout is free.Written 17 February 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - NSouthGretna, LA641 contributionsMy daughter enjoys swimming. We came to the point so she can enjoy swimming in the Lake Michigan. She said the water was very cold but clear.Written 13 August 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- virtualJayBethany Beach, DE86 contributionsIt's not a big place and the displays are interesting if not amazing. I especially learned a lot about how the US attempted to control - and even completely prevent! - Chinese immigration to the US back in the late 1800s. It's been a long and convoluted relationship between the US and Chinese immigrants, yet here they are, living in the US by the millions and contributing in many positive ways. I even learned about a Chinese immigrant who fought for the Union in the Civil War. I knocked off one star because the movie, which was reviewed as being exceptionally good, was not working.Written 6 June 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
