Travelers heading to Chicago, one of the most visited places in the U.S., often spend a day touring the famous attractions the place can offer.
Frequent travelers know that one of the best practices to enjoy a trip more is to avoid peak hours and large groups of tourists.
Chicago's famous Cloud Gate aka "the Bean," a known steel structure in the city's Millennium Park, is worth checking out, but a trip to the city doesn't have to include stops at all the crowded tourist destinations. There are a few more places away from large crowds to add on every traveler's must-see list.
Blue Nose Brewery
Fancy a pint of beer after a long haul flight? Head out to Blue Nose Brewery, one of Chicago's hidden gems. The low-key vibe and chill atmosphere make this pub stand out from other breweries in the area.
Here, people can choose from Blue Nose's wide selection of beers on tap or entertain themselves with darts, pool, or Jenga.
Woolly Mammoth Antiques and Oddities
Adam and Skye Rust started this odd shop in 2010. Travelers who are game for a unique experience will surely love this place. Over the years, it has collected taxidermied animals, teeth, fetuses in jars, and other weird objects.
"This is all still a celebration of life. We're giving [dead animals] an afterlife of a sort," said Skye Rust in an interview with Timeout Chicago.
Tiffany Dome
To see this marvelous structure by Tiffany's "chief mosaicist" J. A. Holzer in 1897, people just have to look up. The dome, which measures 38 feet in diameter, can be found in Chicago Cultural Center's Preston Bradley Hall. It consists of 1,134 square feet of vibrant mosaic which includes over 30,000 distinct glass panes.
According to Atlas Obscura, the Tiffany Dome is now valued at $35,000,000.
Shit Fountain
This bizarre installation by Jerzy S. Kenar will truly entertain travelers, especially those who have experienced potty training their dogs. The bronze sculpture which stands in a sandstone similar to that of a Grecian bust is a homage to dogs who defecate over Kenar's flowers and sits as a friendly reminder for dog owners to clean up after their pets.
While some people may think of Kenar's protest art as revolting, there have been no complaints from the people of Chicago.
International Museum of Surgical Science
Chicago is home to numerous museums such as the Art Institute of Chicago and the Field Museum of Natural History. Since International Museum of Surgical Science is the only one of its kind in North America, it definitely warrants a visit.
Located at the Gold Coast district, this museum is dedicated to surgery-related artifacts such as anatomical relics, a 3,000-year-old Peruvian skull drill, a Civil War-era amputee kit, and a working iron lung.
