Location: Near West Side
Top Things to do in Near West Side
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The 10 Best Sights & Landmarks in Near West Side, Illinois (IL)
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. Maxwell Street Station
2. Holy Family Catholic Church
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By O6378WFannag - Park Ridge, United States
Ist is located next to the prestigious St Ignatius Prep School. Founded in 1857 by father Damen (major street in Chicago is named after him). The first Jesuit church in Chicago. It is also one of the only 5 public buildings which survived the Great Chicago Fire in 1871. I went there during Open House Chicago and I heard there that it was called "Ellis Island of Midwest". A lot of Irish-Americans can trace their family tree back to this church which ones was the largest English speaking parish in US (with 25 000 parishioners). A lot of historical Chicago figures belong or prayed at this parish (O'Leary family - legend says that the Great Chicago Fire started at their stables; the first American saint Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini, Comiskey family - John Comiskey is memorialized in one of the church's stained window - the oldest stained glass in Chicago - and his son is a founder of the Chicago White Sox - baseball team). Unfortunately, due to shortage of funds to keep this church open, it is not so easy to get there to visit it. Check mass schedule.
3. United Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,481 reviews
This modern arena replaced the old Chicago Stadium as home court for the NBA's Bulls and the NHL's Blackhawks.
Reviewed By ToleyTheTolerBear - Chicago, United States
I watched Tool perform here this past Sunday night 11/3/19! I was lucky to have scored 5th row seats! They were mind-blowingly awesome!! What a great time and a great venue! The view/sight lines and the sound quality were both excellent! Also, the food and drinks here are also great! I’ve previously watched Black Hawks and Bulls games here and have had GREAT times watching both teams WIN whenever I was here!! Definitely 1 of my FAVORITE places to watch live events!!
4. Citicorp Center
5. Old St. Patrick's Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 76 reviews
Reviewed By ShelleyOC88 - Billericay, United Kingdom
Beautiful church and a must visit. It’s close to other attractions too such as Adams st (Route 66) and Union Station.
6. Engine 18 Chicago Fire
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 34 reviews
Come see where the magic of NBC Chicago Fire show takes place. Home of Engine 18 aka Station 51.
Reviewed By Chefdaddy2472 - Sterling Heights, United States
Had the pleasure of being escorted around the firehouse by firefighter Sanchez. Truly amazing to hear his stories of the filming of Chicago Fire, including him being an extra. We were just getting ready to pay for our souvenir T-shirt’s when the alarm bell went off and we escorted out, so be it after all it is a working firehouse.
7. Big Monster Toys
8. 16th Street Murals
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
Pilsen is a Chicago neighborhood where art comes to life around every corner, where bold murals and mosaics have blossomed in the most unexpected places--on the front of homes, along railway overpasses, on viaducts and wrapped around train platforms. Dozens of murals give visitors a marvelous look at Mexican art, culture, creativity and self-expression. Since the late 1960s, stretching from the Chicago River to Western Avenue, along 16th Street, the walls of an old railroad embankment host a vibrant and evolving outdoor gallery of murals by prominent and emerging local artists such as Mario Castillo, Hector Duarte, Jeff Maldonado, Ray Patlan, Marcos Raya, JC Rivera and Hebru Brantley and Belgian street artist ROA. What started as a protest to the Vietnam War and an effort to unify, inspire and educate Mexican-American residents about their proud heritage has more recently become an avenue and a canvas for rising and accomplished artists. Be sure to see the mosaics detailing the people and cultures of Pilsen at 1900 South Ashland Avenue. And Francisco Mendoza's glass-tile mosaics at Orozco Community College at 1645 West 18th Street. If you have time, visit the National Museum of Mexican Art. And be sure to take a lunch break at one of Pilsen's wonderful restaurants, including Monnie Burke's, Dusek's Board & Beer and Los Conales. My wife and I highly recommend the tacos at Carnitas Uruapan.
9. Union Station
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,099 reviews
Reviewed By solotravelgirl313 - La Crosse, United States
The Grand Hall is lovely to sit in and people watch while you wait for your train. The soaring ceilings and architecture are stunning. Maneuvering around the station is very easy and employees are always helpful and friendly. There are a number of decent food stands and restaurants to also pass the time away at with a drink and some television. Very clean and safe station.
10. Greektown
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 121 reviews
Reviewed By coldbeer2019 - Mount Prospect, United States
We ate at Athena on Halsted. On a warm Chicago evening, it is very nice place to have a Greek meal and the ambiance is great. I had Spanakopita and my spouse had vegetarian mousaka with a bottle of great red wine.. We were with a couple from Florida who also enjoyed the meal and atmosphere as much as we did. We try to make it down to Greek town once a year and usually eat at Athena. Another place we like is Artopolis on Halsted which is much cheaper with a great assortment of bakery and sandwiches. The biggest hassle is parking but that is downtown Chicago in general so I generally go for valet parking after searching for a place for 10 minutes.
