So, you’re planning on attending Attune ‘22 in Chicago, and you’re wondering – what else is there to do in Chicago when you’re not attending the event? You could go on Trip Advisor and wade through 10,000 random things to do; or, you could check out our compilation and save yourself a ton of reading time. Let’s get started.
Eats
Katie Jackson, Solutions Consultant here at Firstup, shared with us that her favorite place to grab a bite of freshly made pasta is at Sienna Tavern; however, she swears by Lou Malnati’s if you are craving a piece of Chicago-style pizza. And if you aren’t craving some carbs, Ramen Wasabi is a go-to as well.
According to Max Rothschild, Sales Development Representative at Firstup, a first-timer in Chicago should be eating some deep-dish pizza at Giordano’s, Lou Malnati’s, or Pequod’s. (You know you’re going to eat pizza at one point, so you might as well head to one of the recommended places so you don’t end up eating mall pizza. Right?) For those looking for some fine dining, Max advised that the West Loop is the area to go to. It is home to many Michelin-star restaurants, such as Elske, Oriole, and Sepia.
For Clay Steel, our Sales Development Director, High-Five Ramen is a must-visit. The speakeasy-style, 20-seat joint inspired by Japan’s hip-hop culture is a great place to grab a bite in the West Loop.
And if you’re looking for something different and a little off the beaten path, and in the mood for a hot dog, you should probably check out the Superdawg Drive-In, located at 6363 N. Milwaukee Avenue. It actually is one of the city’s only true drive-ins, so be sure to take the car or find a friend who has one. While you’re there, say hi to the anthropomorphic sausage mascots Maury and Flaurie for us!
Culture
Have a little extra time outside of Attune, and you’ve had your fill of eating out? Maybe it’s time to get a little of that Chicago culture in before you head home. A good place to start would be The Art Institute of Chicago, located in the heart of the city across from Millennium Park and steps from Lake Michigan. There, you can see the greatest Impressionist collection outside Paris and view galleries devoted to the art of ancient Greece, Japan, Africa, and the Americas.
Another great place to spend some time is the National Museum of Mexican Art, which houses one of the country’s largest collections of Mexican art and culture. The museum “captures the wide range of Mexican cultural expressions and art forms, from ancient to modern and on both sides of the border.” View a vibrant textile collection including indigenous outfits and weavings, folk art including masks and Día de Los Muertos artifacts, and ephemera documenting the Chicano Movement. The museum is always free, too!
Maybe famous art isn’t your thing, and that’s ok – we don’t judge! You seem more like a natural history buff anyway, so you should probably scoot on over to Field Museum where you can see 40 million natural history specimens and artifacts, including SUE, the world’s most complete Tyrannosaurus rex. And if dinosaurs don’t ruffle your feathers, head next door to the Shedd Aquarium for its 32,000 marine animals.
Adventure
Looking for a bird’s-eye view of four different states at the same time? We suggest visiting 360 CHICAGO, located on the 94th floor of the John Hancock Center. For those not afraid of heights, Chicago’s highest thrill ride – TILT – is up there, too. It’s a moving platform that, get this, TILTs visitors over the edge of the building!
Need to go even higher? There’s also Willis Tower, the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere and home to The Ledge at Skydeck Chicago. Enjoy 360-degree views from the 103rd floor spanning up to 50 miles, across four states, and 1,353 feet straight down!
Tired of traveling by planes, trains, and automobiles the last few days? Why not try a boat? There are a ton of boat rides available on the Chicago River, from general sightseeing to architecture tours, where you’ll venture along all three branches of the Chicago River while your guide shares fun architectural facts. Or, you can take a leisurely stroll along Chicago Riverwalk, a free 1.25-mile long path that includes four distinct districts; The Confluence, The Arcade, The Civic, and the Esplanade.
And if you only have time for a quick selfie, take a short walk to Cloud Gate in Millennium Park. The park hosts the famous Bean and a massive sculpture by Sir Anish Kapoor designed to reflect the Chicago skyline. It’s one of the city’s most-visited locations.
Sports
Maybe sports is your thing, and you happen to be staying in Chicago for a few days after Attune is over. You should see if you can get tickets to the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings game on Friday the 21st at the United Center. It’s sure to be a rousing good time with tons of locals!
Conclusion
Attune ‘22 is coming up fast and furious, so the time to start planning your visit to Chicago is right now. So while you’re dry cleaning your lab coats, and prepping to explore the Science of Engagement, (you are registered for Attune, right?) pick a few things to do outside of the event and put them in your calendar.
Secure your spot, book your tickets, and pack your bags…the journey starts with you!
Don’t miss out – Register to attend Attune ‘22 today!
And if you’re a Chicago native or even a Chicago pro visitor, where would you tell people to go if they are in town? We would love to hear your suggestions!
English (United States) 
English (UK)