10 Things You Might Have Missed Last Week In Chicago: May 16
In case you missed it!
Secret Chicago wants to help you make the most of your free time and keep you informed! We’ll be putting out “Don’t miss” and “ICYMI” plans and news for you each week, so you’ll always catch an incredible event or story. Here are some of them that you may have missed over the last week.
1. The Museum Of Ice Cream Will Open A Willy Wonka-Style Wonderland Here In Chicago This July
The Museum of Ice Cream, a fabulous wonderland for all things colorful, has announced that it will soon be opening a fourth location in none other than Chicago, Illinois. The exciting new museum will feature 14 magical and interactive installations reimagined just for the Windy City and will open its doors on Saturday, July 16th.
Described on the Museum of Ice Cream website as “a Willy Wonka factory come to life that you won’t want to leave”, the new Michigan Avenue location will span over 13,500 square feet of The Shops of Tribune Tower where the Chicago Tribune formerly resided.
2. You Can Now Visit Oak Brook’s First Official Stranger Things Store For A Limited Time
Hop on your bikes, mouthbreathers! The mysterious world of Hawkins is coming to life this summer! After an acclaimed debut in NYC and LA, Netflix’s first official Stranger Things pop-up store finally landed in the Chicago area! An interactive experience inspired by the cult TV sensation is waiting to be discovered, and who better to explore it than you?
3. A 360° Exhibition Featuring The Iconic Art Collection Of The Louvre™ Is Coming To Chicagoland In July
The Musée du Louvre™ in Paris is undeniably one of the most iconic and recognizable art museums worldwide, drawing over 7 million visitors a year to its famous rhombus-shaped glass museum. This July, Louvre™ Fantastique: The Exhibition is coming to the Chicago area for a 360° experience, showcasing over 70 reimagined masterpieces that are famously on display at the Louvre™, from French artist Jacques-Louis David’s Oath of the Horatii to Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, who has captivated art lovers all over the world.
4. Lincoln Park Zoo Has Been Named One Of The Best Zoos In The US By A Recent Study
Blooloop, “the world’s leading online resource for professionals working in the visitor attractions sector,” recently conducted a study to determine the best zoos in the United States. Considering the institutions from a lens of conservation, animal welfare, and education, Lincoln Park Zoo came in at number 6 on the list!
Not only did Lincoln Park Zoo make the top 10 but it was also acknowledged as the only free and privately managed zoo in the US. The zoo was founded in 1866 and is now home to over 1000 animals from around 200 species, including polar bears, gorillas, big cats, penguins, monkeys, reptiles, and more.
5. See The “Wings Of Mexico” Art Installation On The Magnificent Mile
A new art installation has arrived in Chicago– and it’s been all around the world, too. The “Wings of Mexico” sculpture is a gorgeous design by renowned Mexican artist Jorge Marín, that stands as a symbol of the immigrant journey. The installation is in partnership with the Consulate General of Mexico in Chicago and Visit Mexico.
6. Surround Yourself In A Kaleidoscope Of Butterflies Species At Brookfield Zoo’s Reopening Butterfly Sanctuary
Entering the returning exhibit, located, near the zoo’s north entrance, a kaleidoscopic graphic highlighting the various species of butterflies that can be seen greets visitors. Guests can then walk through the ethereal gardens along a winding path with water features and flowering plants admiring the elegance of numerous fluttering butterflies including painted ladies, monarchs, zebra longwings, and swallowtails..
7. A New Food Hall Is Opening Up In An Old Post Office This Summer
A new food hall is coming to Chicago. From Here On will serve as an office kitchen for over 11,000 workers, with 11 incredible local vendors set to populate the historic space. Located in the lobby of the Old Post Office, the food hall is helmed by 16” On Center— the same group behind the popular Revival Food Hall and many other hip spots.
8. An 18-Year-Old Chicago Girl Is Now The Youngest Woman In The Country To Climb The Biggest Mountain On Earth
18-year-old Lucy Westlake reached the top of Mt. Everest this month on May 12, 2022, making the Illinois native the youngest American woman to ever achieve this impressive feat. Having grown up in the Chicago-area city of Naperville, Lucy has been climbing since she was 7 years old. She climbed the 29,031.7 foot-tall mountain over a 26-day period and is now set to graduate from high school later this month.
9. 10 Extraordinary Exhibitions Taking Place In Chicago This Year
The trials and tribulations of the last few years have given us a fresh reminder of how many fantastic features our great city has. One of Chicago’s most impressive qualities is undeniably its collection of world-class museums and the array of exhibits they offer.
With Chicago alive and kicking once again, there is a wide range of exhibitions across the city. If there has ever been a time to experience firsthand the transformative power of art and science, and the astounding feats of the human race, it is now after the tumultuous and unprecedented years that we’ve just endured. We have rounded up some of the most unique exhibitions taking place in Chicago this year that you simply cannot miss.
Head to the full article here for a list of unmissable exhibitions taking place this year.
10. Chicago’s 25 Most Spectacular Monuments And Public Art Pieces
The result of Chicago’s architectural diversity, pioneering predisposition, and cosmopolitanism is an astounding array of artistic creations in every shape and form. The range of public art pieces in Chicago is consequently one of the best on the planet.
While many were initially met with controversy or scrutiny they have gone on to become part of the fabric of Chicago and some of the city’s most cherished features. We’ve rounded up 25 of the most spectacular sculptures, monuments, installations, and innovative public art pieces of all kinds.