Laurie Arslani  

Prepare to kick off America's holiday season in style at The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival. This mile-long festival has attracted over a million visitors daily for more than 32 years now. The festival's nighttime parade on Michigan Avenue is the largest in the United States, featuring Mickey and Minnie Mouse from The Walt Disney World Resort leading the way. The event boasts an impressive lineup of fantastic floats, giant helium balloons, marching bands, celebrities, musical performances, Santa Claus, fireworks, and more. The parade illuminates over a million lights on 200+ trees along The Avenue, creating a truly awe-inspiring sight.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is a breathtaking outdoor oasis over 385 acres with 24 stunning gardens. The Landscape Gardens, Fruit and Vegetable Garden, Heritage Garden, Waterfall Garden, Japanese Garden, and the English Walled Garden are among the many displays. In addition to these specialty displays, visitors can enjoy seasonal walks and explore what's in bloom. For families with children, the Nature Play Garden is a must-visit destination. Admission to the Garden includes access to popular seasonal attractions like Butterflies & Blooms, Model Railroad Garden, and Grand Tram Tours. Whether you're looking to stroll, take photos, find a beautiful bird or flower, shop, eat, or have fun with your family, the Garden has something for everyone.

The Lyric Opera of Chicago is known for its visually stunning productions each season, featuring some of the world's greatest singers. The company has gained international fame for its artistic excellence, celebrated orchestra, and chorus. The live performances of the Lyric Opera of Chicago are powerful, unique, and inspiring to audiences, leaving a lasting impression long after the curtain falls. Additionally, the Lyric Opera of Chicago fosters creativity by providing innovative learning opportunities, creative exploration, and artistic collaboration. The company encourages tens of thousands of students, educators, and families from across Chicago to embrace the joy, power, and relevance of opera as a catalyst for growth and change.

If you plan a trip to Chicago, visiting The Art Institute of Chicago should be at the top of your to-do list. Established in 1879, it boasts an extensive collection of African sculptures, medieval and Renaissance armor, and an array of Aztec, Greek, Roman, and Byzantine artworks. The museum is home to some of the world's most famous and recognizable pieces of art, such as "A Sunday on La Grande Jatte," "American Gothic," Vincent van Gogh's "Self-Portrait," and original Monets. You will be captivated by these works of art's sheer beauty and grandeur. The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the world's oldest and largest art museums, founded in 1879. It is in the Art Institute of Chicago Building in Grant Park, Chicago. According to Wikipedia, the museum collects, preserves, and interprets works of art of the highest quality, representing the world's diverse artistic traditions for the inspiration and education of the public and by the profession's highest ethical standards and practices.