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All United States Illinois Chicago

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Chicago

146 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Chicago, Illinois

Updated February 28, 2023

Thereʼs more than wind in the metropolis of the Midwest. Fascinating foods, marvelous museums, and an actual 1957 Cadillac De Ville encased in 15 cubic yards of concrete. This place has everything.

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Unusual Attractions in Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Oz Park

This whimsical Oz-themed park had a wonderful impact on the surrounding neighborhood.

Chicago, Illinois

Woolly Mammoth Antiques and Oddities

This morbid, delightful curiosity shop offers everything from animal bones to human teeth.

Chicago, Illinois

Tiffany Dome

This massive stained-glass masterpiece is thought to be the largest Tiffany dome in existence.

Chicago, Illinois

Wicker Park Secret Agent Supply Co.

This shop for all your super spy needs hides an educational secret.

Chicago, Illinois

Garfield Park Conservatory

A lush green oasis in the middle of Chicago.

Chicago, Illinois

Willis Tower Glass Platform

Four glass boxes hover over 1,000 feet in the air to give visitors an unparalleled view of Chicago.

Chicago, Illinois

Shit Fountain

A giant bronze coil of feces is both a tribute to doggie defecation and a reminder to pick it up.

Chicago, Illinois

The Violet Hour

A speakeasy takes on Chicago's drinking culture.
See All 146 Things To Do in Chicago

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

The Violet Hour

A speakeasy takes on Chicago's drinking culture.

Chicago, Illinois

Alinea Restaurant

The subtle science of a master molecular gastronomist.

Chicago, Illinois

Palmer House Hilton

This historic hotel invented the chocolate brownie.

Chicago, Illinois

Rainbo Club

Beloved bar home to musicians of all eras and reputations.
See all 10 Places to Eat in Chicago
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Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Atlas Obscura Itineraries

A Feminist Road Trip Across the U.S.

Over the past month, Atlas Obscura has been exploring the stories of women who changed the world, from wildlife biologists and mountain climbers to Civil War spies and tattoo artists. To celebrate these daring women who struck out on their own, we’ve put together a cross-country road trip. Over 12 stops and more than 3,000 miles, this route will give you a front-row seat to women’s history in America.

View Itinerary

Explore Chicago, Illinois

Architectural Oddities 16
Shops 16
Art 14
Museums And Collections 13
History 13
Collections 11
Unique Restaurants & Bars 11
Monuments 10
Statues 10
Sculptures 9
Film 7
Cemeteries 7
Places To Stay 2

Chicago Leaderboard

Places Added

  1. Avatar image for Rebekah Otto
    Rebekah Otto
    8
  2. L
    lizzieboyle
    7
  3. Avatar image for Elliot Carter
    Elliot Carter
    6
  4. Avatar image for Paul Dailing
    Paul Dailing
    5
  5. Avatar image for timstafford78
    timstafford78
    5

Places Edited

  1. P
    Patron Editor
    25
  2. Avatar image for Gerard Nolan
    Gerard Nolan
    19
  3. Avatar image for Rachel
    Rachel
    13
  4. M
    Martin
    13
  5. Avatar image for Molly McBride Jacobson
    Molly McBride Jacobson
    11

Places Visited

  1. K
    kevsheb
    127
  2. Avatar image for kevinpb
    kevinpb
    119
  3. Avatar image for doptroutman
    doptroutman
    112
  4. E
    eliaszafrane
    111
  5. S
    sheilacostelloe
    111

Recent Chicago Activity

  • E

    ellenbwright

    has been to Palmer House Hilton

  • B

    brandonmoss

    has been to The Empty Bottle

  • B

    brandonmoss

    wants to go to Myopic Books

  • B

    brandonmoss

    wants to go to Woolly Mammoth Antiques and Oddities

  • J

    Jasonwalkeryung

    wants to go to Calumet Fisheries

Stories About Chicago

Podcast: The Hampton House

Inside the childhood home of a civil rights icon.
by The Podcast Team
February 28, 2023

Podcast: Green Mill Jazz Club

Home to more than a century of music history and unlimited stories.
by The Podcast Team
January 16, 2023

Podcast: Chicago Bridge Houses

Where the Windy City's drawbridge operators nestled in, at the bases of their places of work.
by The Podcast Team
January 10, 2023

Podcast: The Plant

Once an abandoned meatpaking plant, this Chicago site is now an artisanal food hub.
by The Podcast Team
January 4, 2023

Iowa’s Ancient Apex Predator Was the ‘T. rex’ of Its Day

The monstrous menace known as Whatcheeria hints that our distant ancestors may have been more like us than we thought.
by Gemma Tarlach
December 2, 2022

Who Decided to Put Sauerkraut in Chocolate Cake?

The infamous ‘Don’t Ask Cake’ is better than it sounds.
by Diana Hubbell
November 10, 2022

Can Science Solve the Mystery of the Concrete Book?

When a sledgehammer isn't really an option.
by April White
September 22, 2022

The Debonair Restaurateur Who Inspired the First Chinese-American Cookbook

Chin Foin forever changed America's relationship with Chinese food.
by Diana Hubbell
November 10, 2021

Lists Featuring Chicago

The fern garden.
The Henry Rokham House

14 Surprisingly Romantic Places in Chicago

The most interesting spots to spend Valentine's Day in the Windy City.

15

Including Garfield Park Conservatory, Tiffany Dome, and The Violet Hour

The House of the Temple.
Statue of George Washington

Novus Ordo Seclorum: 14 Places to Unearth Masonic Secrets

Your best bets for gaining insight into the real history of Freemasonry.

14

Including Zedekiah's Cave, Masonic Lodge of the Andaz Hotel, and House of the Temple

Palmer Tomb
Entrance to Bohemian National Cemetery. (Wikimedia Commons)
Confederate Mound.

Unique Cemeteries in Chicago

Strange and fascinating graveyards to visit in the Second City.

7

Including Rosehill Cemetery, Graceland Cemetery, and Bohemian National Cemetery

Shop window of Merz Apothecary.
Woolly Mammoth Antiques and Oddities
This is what Myopic books looks like.

7 Cool Shops in Chicago

Wonderfully unique stores to visit in the Second City.

7

Including Merz Apothecary, Woolly Mammoth Antiques and Oddities, and Myopic Books

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