Travel Notes

What’s Hot in Chicago: Top Spots and Hidden Gems

Chicago is “home sweet home” for most of the BRT team. So we know we’re biased, but we’re convinced that Chicago is a perfect student destination – and by the end of this post, we’re sure you’ll agree! 

Our fair (and, yes, windy) city offers a world-class arts scene and is a fantastic place for students to make memories together. Plus it’s easily accessible from anywhere in the country. Here are some student favorites that you should consider for your next performance trip to Chicago: 

Theater

The theater choices here in the Windy City could rival Broadway – in fact, many Broadway-bound shows hold their initial performances here! Over the years, our student travelers have enjoyed shows like Wicked, The Blue Man Group and Hamilton. We love including a musical or play on our itineraries, as these world-class performances are often students’ first exposure to live theater.

Art

The Art Institute of Chicago is a favorite of our traveling groups, but is just one of the incredible museums in the city. The Institute is one of the premier art institutions in the world and is the Midwest’s largest art museum. The permanent exhibits feature Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works, while the touring shows feature artists and themes from various periods.

Science and Nature

You can’t visit Chicago without saying hello to Sue, the world’s largest and most complete T. Rex, at her home in the Field Museum of Natural History. The exhibits within the Field are world-renowned and the acoustics are fabulous – just ask any of our groups who have performed in the Grand Hall.

Millennium Park

Chicago’s premier green space, Millennium Park is 25 acres of nature, art and architecture. Students love to explore Frank Gehry’s Pritzker Pavilion – the most sophisticated outdoor concert venue in the country. And they can’t resist the chance to snap a selfie in front of the Cloud Gate sculpture, known to both locals and tourists as “The Bean.”

Shopping

The Magnificent Mile (Michigan Avenue) is the heart of Chicago’s shopping district and is home to luxury name brand stores, iconic hotels and Water Tower Place – a seven-floor shopping and dining destination. Students love the independence of exploring Water Tower Place, so we often include a stop here for high school students.

Music

Whether students are performing music or simply enjoying it, Chicago offers so many musical opportunities. We have a long-standing relationship with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and love exposing students to both orchestra and chorale performances there. Andy’s Jazz Club and the Lyric Opera are also student-friendly favorites. For traveling performers, the venue options include the Field Museum, the Museum of Science and Industry and several historic churches in the area.

Clinics

Travel is an education unto itself, but for groups that want to learn even more about their musical craft, we organize incredible clinics with master musicians at VanderCook College of Music and Northwestern University.

Chicago River Cruises

Time slows down a bit on the boats that cruise the Chicago River. From their vantage point in the canyon of skyscrapers, students can learn about the history of Chicago and varied styles of architecture in the city. Whether they’re sailing during the day, at sunset or for evening fireworks, river cruises are a hit with students and directors alike.

Chicago could be the perfect destination for you and your students – but with BRT, you aren’t limited a handful of destinations. We customize every itinerary, which means that every destination, attraction and experience are selected based on your travel dreams and the “why” behind the trip. To learn more about the possibilities for your group, reach out – we can’t wait to meet you!

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