If you’re looking for a unique way to spend your evenings in Chicago, the South Shore Cultural Center is a great option. With two theatres, a kiln for the visual arts, and ample meeting spaces, the South Shore Cultural Center is a unique and impressive multi-use facility. It’s also home to the Parrot Cage Restaurant, a teaching facility of the Washburne Culinary Institute. It is located at 7059 S South Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60649.
The Hideout Cafe features murals by local artists and international talents. The mural depicting a severed possum by Belgian street artist ROA is a must-see. The Hideout also hosts trivia nights, hosted by local historian Paul Durica. Tickets range from $5 to $25 and benefit local mutual aid organizations. Its unique architecture includes murals from the Pilsen neighborhood. A trip to the Hideout is not complete without a visit to the Chicago Field Museum.
The park is a large green space packed with activities for all ages. Most of the activities are free but some will require a small fee. There is a climbing wall, playground, mini-golf course, and tennis facility. During the winter months, the park hosts ice skating. Whether you want to watch a movie or take a trip to the ice skating rink, this is a fun and interactive way to spend an afternoon.
If you’re looking for a unique way to spend your afternoon in Chicago, you may want to visit the David and Alfred Smart Museum of Art, located inside the University of Illinois campus. Opened to the public in 1933, this museum displays more than 35,000 artifacts and features. Highlights include a German submarine from World War II, a full-scale replica coal mine, and the world’s first diesel-powered stainless steel train, the Pioneer Zephyr. The museum’s popularity is especially high during its peak season, during March and April, with 52 free admission days each year for Illinois residents.
For the perfect way to spend your afternoon in Chicago, you might want to join the Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise. The tour is highly polished and uses a barge to bring large groups around the Chicago River. A trained docent will lead the tour, giving you detailed information about the city’s architecture. Docents are on hand to explain the history of certain landmarks and the visual jokes in the city. At the end of the tour, you can enjoy the views and learn about the rich history of Chicago.
While you’re in the neighborhood, you can visit the Garfield Park Conservatory, the newest Chicago attraction, as it has eight indoor display gardens and seventeen acres of outdoor gardens. With more than 100,000 plants, this conservatory is the largest botanical garden in the United States. There are eight beautiful indoor gardens and more than ten acres of outdoor gardens, including a tropical rainforest. Those with an appreciation for art and the arts will definitely enjoy a trip to the Chicago Cultural Center, also known as the People’s Palace.