Southern Chicago Tourist Attractions

Check out some of the terrific southern Chicago hospital tourist attractions available for family fun. Start out on The Ledge, a 1,350 foot high observation point looking straight down through a glass floor, which is perched on top of SkyDeck Chicago (formerly the Skydeck of the Sears Tower). SkyDeck offers a breathtaking, 360 degree view of the Chicago skyline and lakefront, as well as a view of over fifty miles of surrounding countryside comprised of four states.

Then check out the Chicago Cultural Center, which is the first free municipal cultural center in the country and is one of the most comprehensive showcases for the arts in America. Another artistic attraction is the world-renowned Art Insitute of Chicago, which houses the third-largest permanent collection in America. It's quarter million artifacts include art works in every medium, gathered from all historical periods and cultures, and it offers frequent special exhibitions. It is justifiably famous for its collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings, its collection of early twentieth century European art as well as for contemporary art, photography, and Japanese prints.

If you are looking for a breath of air in the great outdoors, visit 31st Street Beach (located in Burnham Park, near southern Chicago suburbs hospital). This ribbon of park land on the shores of Lake Michigan was the site of Chicago's 1933 World's Fair. Besides swimming, the park offers playing fields, tennis and basketball courts, and wooded walkways. Chicago's latest parkland addition is Millennium Park, an award-winning new venue for music, art, architecture, and landscape design. This twenty-four acre park is a showcase for world renowned planners, architects, and designers.

In particular, the Jay Pritzker Pavilion is the most advanced outdoor concert stage in America, not only because of its sweeping design, but also for its state-of-the-art acoustics. Since its opening in 2004, millions of visitors have enjoyed the interactive Crown Fountain with its ever-changing video images, the monumental Cloud Gate sculpture with its mirror-like reflections of the cityscape and sky and the Lurie Garden of native and foreign plants designed to be environmentally friendly and sustainable.

No southern Chicago suburbs healthcare tour would be complete without a visit to the Chicago History Museum, which is a showcase for everything you have ever wanted to know about Chicago's wild and colorful past. From the moment visitors step through the door they are immersed in Chicago's rich history: dioramas of finely-crafted miniatures bring Chicago's historical city blocks to life.

Visitors can climb aboard the city's first L car, marvel at the grandeur of the Chicago World Fairs, view the tragedy of the Great Chicago Fire and listen to recordings of jazz and blues greats from Chicago's famous clubs of the 1920's. The collection of Abraham Lincoln artifacts commemorates the accomplishments of America's mythic president. At the Sensing Chicago sensory delight playground, kids can hear the clanging clatter of the old Union Stockyards, see and smell the Great Chicago Fire, and eat a real Chicago hot dog.

The many southern Chicago hospital tourist attractions draw millions of visitors from around the world every year. From the stunning views on southern Chicago suburbs healthcare Skydeck, to Chicago's immaculate parks and museums, there are southern Chicago suburbs hospital attractions to please the entire family.

About the Author

Gary graduated college in 1989 with a major in Business