Chicago, Illinois, is one of the top-of-mind destinations for anyone planning a trip to the United States. The thriving city in America has always been a tourist’s dream, charming visitors with its architecture, music, and deep-dish pizzas.
Tourism to the vibrant city suffered in the years after the pandemic. However, things have started looking up again. Last year, Chicago saw an almost 20% increase in overnight visitors. The Navy Pier and the globally acclaimed Art Institute are usually the top draws.
But what if you want to explore a different side of Chicago? The artsy, culturally rich city has a deep soul—one that shines with community, peace, and quirkiness. We have handpicked four unusual activities you should try on your next trip to the Windy City.
#1 Take an Afternoon Walk in Andersonville
Andersonville is the best place for anyone who likes indie shopping and eating great food. This animated neighborhood celebrates Chicago’s Swedish side. Until the 1960s, Swedes were among the largest foreign-born groups in the city.
Today, Andersonville is a beautifully diverse neighborhood with many Mexicans, Koreans, and Lebanese people. It also has a loud-and-proud LBGTQ+ population and an endearing feeling of belongingness for one and all.
National Geographic calls Andersonville one of the coolest neighborhoods of Chicago – full of vintage resale shops and musical events. Walking along the streets, you can find excellent bookstores and family-owned businesses. There are around 300 businesses within 1.5 miles. In other words, it’s a thrift shopper’s delight.
The tantalizing restaurants are also a major attraction of this neighborhood. The Scandinavian influence is visible, but you can find an overwhelming variety: Taiwanese beef noodles to soju-infused martinis. You’ll also find lots of good old beer and mulled wine.
#2 Spot Wildlife in Humboldt Park Lagoon
Chicago is a bustling city, with people busily going about life every day. It can seem difficult to find a quiet space where time stops – if only for a while. You can experience peace and the company of wildlife in the Humboldt Park Lagoon.
Spread over 30 acres, this area offers the natural delights of sprawling woods. The lagoon has numerous opportunities to enjoy the company of fish and birds. Visitors can spot sparrows and herons; you might also catch a scampering squirrel.
Chicago has been trying to maintain its water reserves, making areas like these crucial. Some new reports have found perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl contaminants in Chicago’s drinking water. These chemicals can seep in from many sources, like food packaging and cookware. The AFFF lawsuit points out that aqueous firefighting foam also contains these chemicals.
People living near military bases and airports are more vulnerable to health issues from contaminated groundwater, notes TorHoerman Law. When we spend time in nature, the urgency of protecting the world around us becomes apparent. Spending a quiet few hours on this in-land beach can be an eye-opener, encouraging you to do your bit for the biosphere.
#3 Ruminate in Graceland Cemetery
It might not be for everyone, but hear us out. Thomas Bryan, a lawyer, built Graceland Cemetery back in 1860. He wanted it to have a park-like ambiance, which is responsible for its genuinely stunning and peaceful atmosphere.
Graceland has elaborately carved gravestones and mausoleums for well-known people from Chicago’s past. The city’s first mayor is buried here, as are many entrepreneurs and baseball players. Louis Sullivan, hailed as the Father of the Chicago School of Architecture, also rests here.
Visitors can also take the Arboretum Tree Tour to experience the bliss of lush green trees. You can see beautiful, varied trees, from mulberry and ginkgo to pine and oak.
#4 Examine Surgical Science Instruments
The International Museum of Surgical Science in Chicago is the only one of its type in North America. Unless you are a surgeon, this is your best bet to experience how complex medical operations proceed. The exhibits here are fabulous, taking you through obstetrics, pain management, and medical imaging.
In March 2025, the museum plans a show called “Eclipsed Bodies,” a thorough exploration of female health and identity. Chicago Health magazine calls it surgery through art, admiring the museum’s dedicated galleries for contemporary artists and photographers. A 2024 exhibit covered nurses who practice art – and nurses we lost to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This place is full of surprises, unlike any museum you may have seen before. They even have contemporary music and percussion performances. Plus, the gift shop has the quirkiest plushies you can find: DNA, appendix, and thyroid. We bet they would offer excellent inspiration for the aspiring doctors in your family!
#5. Enjoy an Intimate Magic Show
The Magic Parlour, inside the Palmer House Hotel, offers an intimate, interactive magic show by Dennis Watkins. In a small, elegant setting, guests experience sleight of hand, mind reading, and illusions up close. Watkins engages the audience directly, making each performance unique. There are no flashy props—just classic magic designed to surprise and entertain. The show is for ages 12+, includes complimentary drinks, and runs multiple times a week. With limited seating, tickets sell out fast. For a one-of-a-kind night in Chicago, The Magic Parlour blends mystery, storytelling, and audience participation into an unforgettable experience.
Chicago can be a transformative destination for travelers. The city has been through a lot: a raging fire in 1871 destroyed so much that it became “The Second City.” It has also witnessed several musical movements, artists finding inspiration and drawing meaning from Chicago’s unmatched spirit.
We eagerly recommend investigating these lesser-known spots of Chicago when you’re next in town. You may not find as many tourists, but you will find plenty of food for thought.
