138 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Chicago - Atlas Obscura

Unusual Attractions in Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Oz Park

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

Chicago, Illinois

Tiffany Dome

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

Chicago, Illinois

Woolly Mammoth Antiques and Oddities

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

Chicago, Illinois

Wicker Park Secret Agent Supply Co.

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

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

The Violet Hour

A speakeasy takes on Chicago's drinking culture.

Chicago, Illinois

International Museum of Surgical Science

A monument to the art of slicing people open.

Chicago, Illinois

Shit Fountain

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

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Upcoming Experiences Near Chicago

The World of Beekeeping & Native Bees

Chicago, Illinois

Unique Food & Drink in Chicago

Tom and Jerry

A small industry of themed glassware was launched solely for the enjoyment of this hot winter punch.

Atomic Cake

This Chicago specialty stacks three cakes into one monster dessert.

Gym Shoe Sandwich

The South Side favorite is a cross between a meat-lover's sub and a gyro.

Lanzi's Cashew Nut & Rice Crunch

Candy makers recently resurrected this crispy Chicago confection from the graveyard of vintage sweets.

See all 8 things to eat in Chicago See all 8 things to eat in Chicago

Atlas Obscura Itineraries

Chicago

Just when you thought you knew the Windy City, it finds new ways to surprise you.

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Post	Replies	Views	Activity
Enchanted Highway Sculptures	5 September 12, 2019	5146	September 12, 2019
Beaver Dam Pepper	3 July 3, 2019	2238	July 3, 2019
Hudson-Meng Bison Kill	4 May 19, 2019	1691	May 19, 2019
Windmill Island Gardens	2 August 7, 2019	2238	August 7, 2019
World's Largest Ball of Stamps	1 July 9, 2019	1611	July 9, 2019

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Stories About Chicago

A separate gateway stands 16 inches tall in front of the pagoda, along with two guardian lions.

The Epic Journey of an Exquisite Jade Pagoda

It started life as a jadeite boulder in modern-day Myanmar. Now it's a celebrated part of a Chicago museum.

Cotton, in front of an exhibition on hybridization.

The Black Taxidermist Who Made History at Chicago's Field Museum

A new exhibit celebrates the life and work of Carl Cotton.

by Sabrina Imbler

February 27, 2020

Detail shot of Rita's quilt. The hexagons are decorated with the outlines of the 50 U.S. states, along with their official birds and animals.

The Surprising Complexity of an Unfinished American Quilt

A community of feminist crafters grapples with a patriotic quilt that a 99-year-old nurse left behind.

December 12, 2019

Private railways once offered fine cuisine for the well-heeled.

A Newly Digitized Menu Collection Shows Off America’s Lost Railroad Cuisine

Once, Americans rode the rails for charbroiled steak, golden French toast, and prunes.

December 2, 2019

After surviving a church fire, the windows sat in a garage for 50 years.

For Sale: Two Tiffany-Style Windows From a Historic South Side Church

The auctioneers think they’re Tiffany, but it’s actually hard to prove.

by Sabrina Imbler

November 12, 2019

SUE could have used a breath mint.

How Scientists Are Recreating Dinosaur Breath

At the Field Museum, visitors can now get a whiff of the Cretaceous.

by Jessica Leigh Hester

October 10, 2019

The map is richly detailed—and a little whimsical too.

For Sale: An Old Map of Small-Town Chicago

Recognize anything?

by Jessica Leigh Hester

When the goats aren't eating grass, they enjoy scoping their surroundings from higher ground.

Meet the Farm Animals That Help One of America’s Busiest Airports Run

At Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, these hungry herds serve an additional purpose beyond simple gardening.

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