Celebrate the holiday season with the nationally televised Chicago Thanksgiving Parade, which has been ranked the second-best Thanksgiving Parade in the country by Time Out Magazine. Witness the excitement as talented marching bands, majestic equestrian units, national celebrities, and spectacular performance groups march through downtown Chicago. Why settle for watching a parade meander through New York City on TV when you can see giant cartoon-character balloons, marching bands, and dancers on the streets of Chicago? If you are in the city on Thanksgiving, you can catch the annual procession before indulging in your turkey. The Parade moves down State Street between Ida B. Wells Drive and Randolph Street and ends by 11 am, providing you with ample time to return home and assist with the cooking. The event commemorates Thanksgiving with a three-hour procession of giant balloons, marching bands, dancers, and more.
History and nature enthusiasts must visit the Field Museum in Chicago. The museum boasts an impressive collection of over 21 million specimens that showcase the history of human and animal life in different regions. One of the museum's key attractions is Sue, the most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton worldwide. The Field Museum offers permanent and rotating exhibits that provide an insight into the world's natural history. The museum features a wide range of exhibits, including Mammals of Asia, Mammals of Africa, the Grainger Hall of Gems, Underground Adventure, Inside Ancient Egypt, Evolving Planet, The Ancient Americas, DNA Discovery Center, McDonald's Fossil Prep Lab, and the Regenstein Laboratory. The Field Museum Library is home to over 275,000 volumes of research collections, which are fundamental for the museum's scientific staff. The Library provides information on biology, anthropology, botany, geology, archaeology, museology, and other fields of study.
For over 80 years, Wendella has been Chicago's top provider of tours and cruises on the River and Lake Michigan. Their tours offer the perfect blend of nostalgia for the city's rich history and modern experiences, making it an enjoyable day on the water for visitors and locals alike. As the original architecture tour in Chicago, Wendella offers a variety of narrated tours that focus on the city's architectural heritage and history. Their knowledgeable tour guides provide detailed accounts of the 130-year-long history behind the iconic skyline, while the staff ensures that you are comfortable and entertained throughout the journey. This tour takes you through the city's heart on all three branches of the Chicago River, providing an up-close look at the iconic buildings and structures that define the city.