10 Best Ways To Explore Chicago Culture After You Move There

1. Feast On The Local Cuisine

The best way to start immersing yourself in the culture of Chicago is by diving head first into the food scene. A city famous for deep dish pizza, Italian beef sandwiches, and Chicago dogs, there are awesome restaurants tucked away in nearly every corner of every block.
If you’re looking to try a couple places that most tourists seem to ignore, try Pequod’s for deep dish pizza and don’t skip Carm’s Italian beef.

2. Take A Day Off To Look At Some Art

Featuring gallery after gallery of everything from paintings to miniature mansions to marbles, the Art Institute of Chicago truly has it all. You can also catch iconic pieces from people like Rembrandt, Van Gogh, and Picasso.

3. Give Your Funny Bone A Work Out

You might not know it, but the Windy City has a very rich history in theatre, especially comedy. For a taste of the best, check out a nighttime show at Second City’s main downtown stage.
Home to years of side-splitting improv shows known for getting comedians like Tina Fey and Chris Farley their start, you’ll walk away from this one knowing you got your money’s worth.

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4. Get In Touch With Something More Natural

…the natural side of history, that is. One of the largest natural history museums in the entire world, you can get lost in the Field Museum of natural history for days and still feel like you’re learning new things.
Visit for popular exhibits featuring the fully functional DNA Discovery Center and an enormous T-Rex named Sue.

5. Celebrate The African American Community

A museum that’s dedicated to the study and conservation of African American history, the DuSable Museum was one of the first of its type built in America and it remains one of the best in the world to this day.
Exhibits here feature works and artifacts from influential African Americans like Langston Hughes, Ida B. Wells, and W. E. B. DuBois.

6. Explore The Local Neighborhoods

Chicago culture isn’t just stuck inside museums. One of the best ways to get a real taste for the communities that make this city tick is to simply hit the streets.
Places like Little Italy and Greektown are easy to find, most of which hold regular events celebrating their heritage. And you also shouldn’t miss the Southside St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the Maxwell Street Market.

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7. Get Your Art Served Up Contemporary-Style

The Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago has one of the largest collections of post-World War II pieces in the world. You’ll also see some of the classics from famous artists like Andy Warhol and Jasper Johns.

8. Amaze Yourself With A Little Science

One great hands-on place that will be educational for the whole family is the Museum Of Science And Industry.
Exhibits include a drivable replica of the Mars rover, a truly immersive weather center, and a real Nazi submarine that was captured and then had part of the museum built around it.

9. Chicago History Museum Is Everything It’s Cracked Up To Be

This museum houses exhibits that explore both Chicago and American history, including a 16,000 square foot display that takes a deeper look into the city’s development and how Chicago has impacted America. This place will definitely give you a little bit more appreciation for the awesome city you already love.

10. Find Chicago Culture In A Nutshell

If you’ve only got the time to visit one place for your dose of Chicago culture, head to the Chicago Cultural Center. With over 1,000 annual programs and exhibits looking into visual, literary, and performing arts coming out of the Windy City, this place is worth checking out simply to get an inside look at this beautiful building. It’s also home to the Chicago Children’s Choir!
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