If you want to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven is a perfect place to visit. Here, you can get up close and personal with over 40 exotic, free-flying butterflies and several stunning bird species from the Southern Hemisphere. The greenhouse, which spans 2,700 square feet, features serene pools of water, flowers, tropical trees, and over 1,000 butterflies, giving you the feeling of being in summer all year round. If you're interested in witnessing the life cycle of a butterfly from caterpillar to chrysalis to the very first flight, you should take advantage of the First Flight Butterfly Release. Moreover, they offer weekly Butterfly Haven Yoga sessions if you want to spend more time in the Butterfly Haven.
Navy Pier, built in 1916, was the largest in the world at that time. It served as a docking area for passenger excursion steamers and cargo ships. During both World Wars, Navy Pier was utilized for military purposes such as housing, training, and more. In its non-military role, the pier had many attractions, including a streetcar line, theater, emergency room, picnicking areas, dance hall, auditorium, children's playground, and more. Navy Pier, which sits on the lakefront, occupies approximately 50 acres of land, with sprawling parks, gardens, and sculptures on the lawns. The attraction also has several shops and restaurants. Navy Pier offers a variety of activities, including boat parades, air shows, sightseeing tours, festivals, and fireworks, making it the most popular tourist attraction in Chicago.
Visiting the Chicago Children's Theatre with your family is a beautiful way to experience classic fairy tales, and children's stories brought to life on stage. The theatre is committed to enhancing the community through diverse and meaningful theatrical and educational programs that engage and inspire children and adults alike. Their goal is to become the leading professional theatre company in Chicago, producing spectacular productions and programs that promote inclusivity and accessibility while motivating young people and families to lead adventurous, courageous, and curious lives. If you're in the vicinity, be sure to attend their shows, such as A Year with Frog and Toad and If All the World Were Paper.
Chicago Jazz Festival invites you to a four-day celebration of jazz featuring world-class artists. The festival is free and open to the public and will take place at Millennium Park, downtown Chicago, the Chicago Cultural Center, and various venues across the city. The Labor Day weekend festival aims to promote all forms of jazz and showcase Chicago's local talent alongside national and international artists. The event seeks to raise awareness and appreciation for one of the city's most beloved art forms. As the only jazz organization in Chicago that offers a wide range of opportunities for artists, both old and new, they provide high-visibility venues for creating and performing new work. They collaborate directly with Chicago Public School teachers to develop programs for their students and professional development for themselves. Additionally, they present the city's most significant artists in their communities, building an audience that crosses racial and geographic boundaries to break through historical barriers that have been obstacles to the evolution of music.