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Great Lakes

Things to do in Great Lakes

  1. Riverwalk & Dequindre Cut

    The city's swell riverfront path runs for 3 miles along the churning Detroit River west from Hart Plaza east to Mt Elliott St, passing several parks, outdoor theaters, riverboats and fishing spots en route. Eventually it will extend all the way to beachy Belle Isle (detour onto Jefferson Ave to get there now). About halfway along the Riverwalk, near Orleans St, the 1.5-mile Dequindre Cut Greenway path juts north, offering a convenient passageway to Eastern Market.

    reviewed

  2. Roebling Suspension

    The elegant 1876 spanner was a forerunner of John Roebling's famous Brooklyn Bridge in New York. It's cool to walk across while passing cars make it 'sing' around you. It links to Covington, Kentucky.

    reviewed

  3. Rosa's

    Rosa's is a real-deal venue that brings in local talent and dedicated fans to a somewhat dodgy Logan Sq block.

    reviewed

  4. Short North

    Just north of downtown, the browse-worthy Short North is a redeveloped strip of High St that holds contemporary art galleries, restaurants and jazz bars.

    reviewed

  5. Skillet

    A teeny restaurant in German Village serving rustic, locally sourced fare.

    reviewed

  6. Spirit Mountain

    Skiing and snowboarding are big pastimes come winter; a new zip line is in the works for summer. The mountain is 10 miles south of Duluth.

    reviewed

  7. A

    Symphony Center

    The Chicago Symphony Orchestra plays in the Daniel Burnham–designed hall.

    reviewed

  8. Terry's Turf Club

    Burger aficionados practically pee in their pants waiting for Terry's fat patties. The wine-with-wild-mushroom sauce is the epic topper, though other concoctions (rosemary garlic, wasabi red curry ginger) will blow your mind, too. And fear not, vegetarians: the mushroom burger gets plaudits. Terry's eccentricity reflects in his decor, with enough neon and cra-zee signs to light up Vegas. Located 7 miles east of downtown via Columbia Pkwy.

    reviewed

  9. The Old Fashioned

    With its dark, woodsy decor, the Old Fashioned evokes a supper club, a type of time-warped eatery common in the upper Midwest. The menu is all Wisconsin specialties, including walleye, cheese soup and sausages. There's even a relish tray, for those who know their supper club staples. It's hard to choose among the 150 types of state-brewed suds in bottles, so opt for a sampler (four or eight little glasses) from the 30 Wisconsin tap beers.

    reviewed

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  11. Thirsty Pagan

    This one's a bit of a trek, over the bridge in Superior, Wisconsin (a 10-minute drive), but worth it for the aggressive, spicy beers to wash down hand-tossed pizzas.

    reviewed

  12. Uptown Cafeteria & Support Group

    One of Uptown's concept-y hot spots, the Cafeteria features a great roof deck and pretty darn good comfort food along the lines of chicken pot pie and meatloaf.

    reviewed

  13. B

    Weird Chicago Tours

    Bus Tour Drives by kinky and spooky spots.

    reviewed

  14. C

    Wheelhouse Bikes

    Cycling is a great way to explore the city. Wheelhouse rents sturdy two-wheelers (helmet and lock included) on the Riverwalk at Rivard Plaza. Tours ($35 including bike rental) on weekends roll by various neighborhoods and architectural sites.

    reviewed

  15. White River State Park

    The expansive park, located at the edge of downtown, contains several worthwhile sights. The adobe Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians & Western Art features Native American basketry, pots and masks, as well as a realistic/romantic Western painting collection with works by Frederic Remington and Georgia O'Keeffe.

    The NCAA Hall of Champions reveals the country's fascination with college sports. The interactive exhibits let you shoot free throws or climb onto a swimming platform à la Michael Phelps. You'll probably find most Hoosiers hovering around the basketball exhibits, as locals are renowned hoop-ball fanatics.

    Other park highlights include an atmospheric

    reviewed

  16. D
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  18. Chicago Holiday Lights Trolley and Christmas Market Tour

    Chicago Holiday Lights Trolley and Christmas Market Tour

    90 minutes (Departs Chicago, Illinois)

    by Viator

    Get into the holiday spirit with this trolley tour in Chicago! See famous landmarks such as Lincoln Park, the Magnificent Mile and Daley Plaza, all beautifully…

    Not LP reviewed

    from USD$25.00
  19. Chicago Holiday Lights Tour

    Chicago Holiday Lights Tour

    3 hours (Departs Chicago, Illinois)

    by Viator

    This Chicago holiday experience combines a fun, dynamic, informative historical walking tour with an entertaining coach ride showcasing the city’s dazzling…

    Not LP reviewed

    from USD$44.99
  20. Chicago Pizza and Beer Tour

    Chicago Pizza and Beer Tour

    3.5 hours (Departs Chicago, Illinois)

    by Viator

    On this Chicago pizza-tasting tour with a friendly guide, visit four local pizzerias to try Chicago’s famous pizza and relax over cold beer or fine wine. Travel…

    Not LP reviewed

    from USD$79.99
  21. Chicago Independent Bike Tour with Full-Day Rental

    Chicago Independent Bike Tour with Full-Day Rental

    Flexible (Departs Chicago, Illinois)

    by Viator

    Explore Chicago at your own pace on an independent bike tour. With your full-day bike rental, pedal along Lake Michigan and visit top Chicago attractions such…

    Not LP reviewed

    from USD$16.50