Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. Photo by an_untrained_eye via Flickr. Licensed under Creative Commons.
Yolk Streeterville. Photo by Alice Zhang / North By Northwestern
Sprinkles Cupcakes Chicago. Photo by wojahn via Flickr. Licensed under Creative Commons.
Navy Pier Crystal Gardens. Photo by Alice Zhang / North By Northwestern
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Photo by Alice Zhang / North By Northwestern
The Streeterville neighborhood is bustling with locals and visitors in its something-for-everyone attractions, featuring everything east of Michigan Avenue and north of the river. Right off the Chicago and Grand L stops on the Red Line, the intercampus shuttle also takes you right into town, where graduate Wildcats roam the food and arts scene, and the sandbar extends off the original coastline into Navy Pier for family-friendly fun.
220 E. Chicago Ave.
Add a splash of color with Warhol, movement with Calder and nostalgia with historic Chicago architecture – the Museum of Contemporary Art is one of Chicago’s most beloved museums that features artwork, sculpture and performance from 1945 and onwards. Juxtaposed as distinctively modern with a balance between big names and local artists, the MCA (you know, the building that used to have the big sculpture of a woman’s head outside) is relatively cheap for the works housed – $7 for students and free for Illinois residents on Tuesdays. Definitely leave time to stop by the gift shop, designated the World's Best Museum Gift Shop by Fodor's in 2012. It’s filled with quirky finds from jellyfish lights to celebrity mugshot coasters and grow-your-own basil seedlings.
50 E. Walton St.
The Chicago location of the world’s original cupcake bakery, Sprinkles is a treat for the sweet tooth, the birthday girl and the tourist. Ingredients are rich and cupcakes are big, with the classic dot topping each dessert. Stop by any day of the week to grab a staple black and white, chocolate marshmallow, cinnamon sugar, dark chocolate, red velvet, vanilla or vanilla milk chocolate cupcake, and specialty cupcakes on select days (hint: chai latte cupcakes are only baked on Fridays). Even if you come before or after hours, Sprinkles Chicago features a fan-favorite cupcake ATM – exactly what it sounds like. The colorful bakery is just a short walk away from Water Tower Place and features a 40-foot dot façade exterior, popping out of the street and luring you in with mouthwatering cupcakes.
1120 S. Michigan Ave.
A cheery yellow and blue brunch spot, Yolk is the winner of a Chicago Concierge Favorites Award in 2013 and a favorite among locals and Northwestern students. The Streeterville restaurant is just one of four always-bustling locations in Chicago, serving large portions perfect for splitting with friends. Yolk brandishes its “eggspertise” any way eggs come: scrambled, runny, easy over, boiled, or whatever combination you’re in the mood for. Sunny side up? Coming right up. Another perk? Eggs ordered beat or white come at no extra cost, so go old-fashioned or get some protein if so desired.
700 E. Grand Ave.
Chicago’s not-so-secret garden, the Crystal Gardens, is an oasis in the middle of the Navy Pier amusement park. If you get to go in the afternoon, the indoor venue with palm trees and lush plants is a perfect sightseeing spot – you get a view of the famous Navy Pier Ferris Wheel, and a relaxing environment with the greenery and jumping fountains. The glass atrium is breathtaking, filtering just enough sunlight and warmth. Even the black garden gate tables and chairs make grabbing coffee with friends a serene experience – no wonder it’s one of Chicagoans’ favorite wedding venues.
700 E. Grand Ave. Suite 131
Bubba Gump's is the shrimp-lover and Forrest Gump fanatics’ dream of a restaurant, serving everything shrimp you can imagine with a lake view right on Navy Pier. The interior décor is at once nautical and relaxed, with movie quotes and photos hung all around the walls draped in fishing nets. Flipping over a “Stop Forrest Stop” sign tells your waiter to stop by your table, where they can take your order or quiz you on movie trivia. Whether you get “pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich” – the nostalgic classic is sure to satisfy your taste buds.