Cultural Resources
Introduction
Streeterville is a mecca of cultural institutions and attractions featuring Navy Pier, the most popular tourist attraction in the state of Illinois, and includng museums, theatres and art centers. The area is home to some of Chicago’s most entertaining artistic and cultural spaces and offers its residents and visitors a variety of things to do, including free entry days to some of its museums and a multitude of other cultural events.
Navy Pier
Navy Pier is the Midwest’s number one tourist attraction and draws over 8.6 million visitors a year. The Pier includes a Ferris wheel, a carousel, an old-fashioned swing ride, a miniature golf course, a cliff climb, a maze, a children’s museum and an IMAX theater. It also includes shops, boat cruises, two performance stages, the Chicago Shakespeare Theater and the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows. Navy Pier boasts a number of restaurants, such as the Billy Goat Tavern, Bubba Gump Shrimp, Capi’s Italian Kitchen, the Dock Street Café and Haagen Dazs, as well as street vendors selling everything from Italian ice to elephant ears. Residents and tourists frequently visit Ohio St. Beach while enjoying the spectacular view of some of the world’s tallest skyscrapers.
Museums
The Pritzker Military Library houses a collection of materials and offers a variety of programs and events centered on the idea of the Citizen Soldier. The library provides state-of-the-art technology venues, including resources for visiting researchers, such as study carrels wired for broadband internet access, professional quality cameras and a digital editing station. The McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum opened in 2006 and is the first museum in the nation dedicated to freedom and the First Amendment. The museum offers exhibits and focuses on educating students and the public about ways to take collective action on a variety of social justice issues. Navy Pier is home to the Chicago Children’s Museum since 1995. It aims to build a community connecting play and learning and its services are targeted primarily to children and their families. The museum provides permanent and other educational exhibits, public programs, and special events.
Theatres
The Lookingglass Theatre Company is located in the Water Works building, on Michigan Avenue and in the heart of the Magnificent Mile since 2003. The Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place opened in 2005 and produces a multitude of plays, offers dinner/theatre packages, and puts on special performances for young audiences. The Chicago Shakespeare theatre (CST) is conveniently situated on Navy Pier as of 1999. CST is committed to attracting young audiences and fostering learning opportunities for students. Its arts-in-education program is centered on building long-term collaborations between a team of teachers, administrators, and students and CST’s artistic and educational staff.
Contemporary Arts Scene
Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) is one of the nation’s largest museums dedicated to modern art and showcases artists from around the world, as well as local artists. The museum moved to its present location in 1996 and offers year-round events and activities, lectures, classes and workshops, as well as tours and family events. During the summer months MCA hosts a variety of programs, such as Tuesdays on the Terrace, Family Fun on the Plaza, First Fridays, and even a Farmer’s Market that runs until the end of October. The MCA also includes a gift shop, bookstore, restaurant, and theatre.
The River East Arts Center includes art galleries, art studios, and spaces for a variety of events; receptions, weddings, trade shows, musical, dance, and spoken word performances.
