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Attending AAO or AAE? Get out and see Chicago

Peer down on Chicago from the Willis Tower. (Photo: Arvell Dorsey Jr., Wikimedia Commons)
Aaron Rothkopf, Dental Tribune USA

Aaron Rothkopf, Dental Tribune USA

Sat. 22 April 2023

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Chicago, the largest city in the Midwest, has a rich history and plenty of culture and that makes it a great place to explore after a day of sessions and seminars at the AAO Annual Session or the AAE23 annual meeting. Whether you’re interested in art, history, food or sports, there’s something for everyone in the Windy City.

If you want some fresh air after being in the exhibit hall all day, walk over to Millennium Park. Open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., the iconic park is home to several must-see attractions, including the famous “Bean” sculpture and the Crown Fountain. The park itself is three square blocks of open lakefront and plays host to several outdoor concerts and events.

For those not afraid of heights, head over to the Willis Tower, formerly knows as the Sears Tower, and peer down on the city from more than 1,300 feet up. Ticket prices are between $30 and $44 and include the elevator ride to the Skydeck and the Ledge, glass balconies that hang four feet off the building. Operating hours are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Art lovers will have plenty of sights to fill their time. The Art Institute of Chicago is home to the country’s most impressive collection of impressionist and post-impressionist artwork. It also features more than 300,000 pieces of art ranging in date from the Byzantine era to just a few decades ago. The museum is open Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Thursdays it stays open until 8 p.m. Tickets cost $25 for adults, $19 for seniors 65 and older and children between ages 14 and 17. Children younger than 14 are free. Advance ticket purchase is required.

From deep dish pizza to Michelin star restaurants, there is a place to eat that will satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. Navy Pier, a 3,000-foot long pier on Lake Michigan, has a wide assortment of eateries from hot dog stands to fine dining.

And if you need a little retail therapy, the Magnificent Mile is just for you. This prime piece of Michigan Avenue stretches 13 blocks and features more than 450 retailers. You can find top brand stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales and Nordstrom as well as smaller boutique stores.

So if you have some down time and find yourself needing something to do after a full day at the meeting, you’ll find it in the Windy City.

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