Location: Hyde Park
Top Things to do in Hyde Park
What to do and see in Hyde Park, Illinois (IL): The Best Things to do
The windy city is a cornucopia of modern art, fine dining, cutting edge comedy, and die-hard sports fans. Snap a photo of your reflection in the silver Cloud Gate sculpture at Millennium Park before heading to Grant Park to get hit with the refreshing spray of Buckingham Fountain. There are dozens of museums and theater companies in Chicago, so a cultural experience is never hard to find. You’re sure to laugh your head off at the Second City Theater, the professional launch pad of many famous comedians.
Restaurants in Chicago
1. Chicago Innovation Exchange
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
2. Saieh Hall for Economics
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
3. The Renaissance Society
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
The Renaissance Society at the University of Chicago presents contemporary art exhibitions, events, and publications. “The Ren”—as we are known by many—is an independent, non-collecting museum driven by an uncompromising commitment to artists and their ideas. All exhibitions and events are free and open to the public. We offer artists the time, space, resources, and freedom that are vital for ambitious experimentation and risk-taking. Our work with artists frequently results in newly commissioned art, and their presentations in our 3,000 sq ft gallery spur further scholarly and creative reflections in our publications and public programs. Visitors to the Ren find a uniquely intimate platform for encountering artistic expressions that give form to, challenge, and complicate currents in contemporary thought. Events—including artist talks, lectures, screenings, concerts, readings, and more—offer further opportunities for discovery and discussion.
4. Powell's Books Chicago
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By dustythoughts - Manchester, United States
This wonderful used bookstore near the University of Chicago campus is a longstanding neighborhood staple, with a plethora of thought-provoking books jammed into a glorious jumble. It's a great place to get lost in a good book and enjoy a wide variety of tomes that'll challenge and provoke you. I love coming here whenever I'm in town. This store isn't as big as the main store in Portland (Oregon, not Maine), but they still have a good variety of books in a relatively small space. They're not currently permitting in-person shopping due to the pandemic, but they do accept online orders.
5. Seminary Co-op Bookstore
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
Widely regarded as one of the best academic bookstores in the world, the Co-op houses an extensive collection of scholarly titles with a focus on the humanities and social sciences.
6. Chicago Private Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 264 reviews
Interactive, Educational, and FUN! Chicago Private Tours invites you to discover Chicago, with the help of one of our expert guides. Each experience is customized to fit your interests and includes an expert guide, luxury vehicle and driver. Chicago Private Tours is for clients that are looking for more than the one-size-fits-all tour. “Customize your Chicago Experience!” We will pick up anywhere in and around the city, including airports and train stations. This is ideal for individuals who do not have a lot of time, but want to see as many of the sites as possible on their busy schedule! All tours are private. Visit our website today to book!
7. Jackson Bark - Dog Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 36 reviews
Jackson Bark is a community dog park. The only dog park on the southside of Chicago and the largest 100% enclosed dog park in the city. Over 50 agility features and amenities, plus free parking, water and toys. Voted "Best of Chicago: Dog Park", Chicago Reader 2016.
Reviewed By joelp297
This was such a diamond in the Ruff! Thanks to the volunteers that keep this fun packed dog park safe, entertaining for the dogs and their humans - even had a DJ with some great music for all to enjoy. Was looking for a dog park that had structure, not the run-of-the-mill open area park. Well we found it. This dog park had fun obstacles for the dogs, safety items and lots of bags to help keep it clean. A Must Go!
8. Promontory Point
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
Promontory Point on Chicago's South Side has been known in recent years as the site of Barack and Michelle Obama's first kiss. But it's much more than that. Its view of Lake Michigan and Chicago's skyline may not be as scenic as the view from North Avenue Beach but it is an attractive piece of landscape. Located at 55th Street in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood, Promontory Point or The Point is a man-made peninsula jutting into Lake Michigan that was opened to the public in 1937. It was constructed from landfill and by the late 1930s was protected by a seawall or revetment that consists of limestone blocks arranged in a series of four steps leading to a promenade. The 12-acre peninsula, which contains a fieldhouse and was a popular destination for swimmers, sunbathers and windsurfers in the pre-pandemic period, can be accessed by the Lakefront Trail and a tunnel which passes under South Lake Shore Drive at the east end of 55th street, in the shadow of the Museum of Science and Industry. With its view of Navy Pier and Chicago's skyline and Lake Michigan, and the presence of stone sitting rings or fire pits that date to 1938, Promontory Point is a popular wedding and corporate event location and an area for family picnics. And first kisses.
9. 57th Street Books
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
57th Street Books houses a substantial selection of general interest titles, including kids’ books, popular fiction, cookbooks, science fiction, mysteries, and graphic novels.
Reviewed By 847leahv - Chicago, United States
57th Street Books is a stunning small maze of books that is my local, indie bookstore and one of the best. Celebrating its 35th year, this Hyde Park institution can't be missed and should be a destination for any book lovers visiting Chicago. Owned and run by fantastic people who put on incredible events and center the community and city. The shelves are newly reorganized, and the store is open, cozy, and wonderful. A romantic and lovely spot for all bookworms and book lovers.
10. Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 808 reviews
To ensure the health and safety of our guests, tours at Robie House return on June 11 and are limited to nine guests per time slot. (Updated 6/2/20) The Frederick C. Robie House on the University of Chicago campus is considered one of the most important buildings in the history of American architecture. This Prairie style masterpiece is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the 20th Century Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright List. Discover the residence Wright described as “a cornerstone of modern architecture” on guided tours that take in both the exterior and interior of the building. Inspired by the expansive landscape of the Midwest prairie, Wright’s Robie House is the most famous of the architect’s groundbreaking Prairie houses. Public tours are available Thursday - Monday. The museum is closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Visit flwright.org to learn more.
Reviewed By reneeu435
We enjoyed the tour and wished we had been able to take the in-depth tour. I have toured a couple FLW houses and this one is beautifully restored.
