Batcolumn

Chicago


Artist Claes Oldenburg – known for his gigantic shuttlecocks in Kansas City and oversized cherry spoon in Minneapolis – delivered this 96ft, baseball-bat-like sculpture to Chicago in 1977. It stands in front of the Harold Washington Social Security Center.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Chicago attractions

1. Old St Patrick’s Church

0.19 MILES

A Chicago fire survivor, this 1852 church is one of the city’s oldest. Old St Pat’s is best known for its World’s Largest Block Party, a weekend bash in…

2. Haymarket Square

0.2 MILES

The odd bronze statue of guys on a wagon marks the spot where the world’s labor movement began. So the next time you take a lunch break or go home after…

3. Union Station

0.27 MILES

This wonderfully restored 1925 train station looks like it stepped right out of a gangster movie. In fact, it has been used to great effect in exactly…

4. Kavi Gupta Gallery

0.31 MILES

Gupta represents contemporary, mid-career artists who work in various mediums, including painting, sculpture, collage and film. Intriguing new exhibitions…

5. Carrie Secrist Gallery

0.31 MILES

Secrist's contemporary gallery has been around for more than a quarter century. The big, open space hosts about six different exhibitions per year, both…

6. Mary Bartelme Park

0.41 MILES

The neighborhood's stroller-pushing families and dog-walking hipsters get their exercise in Mary Bartelme Park. Five off-kilter stainless-steel arches…

7. Willis Tower

0.43 MILES

Willis Tower is Chicago's tallest building (and one of the world's loftiest). Breathe deeply during the ear-popping, 70-second elevator ride to the 103rd…

8. Money Museum

0.6 MILES

This small museum in the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago is fun for a quick browse. The best exhibits include a giant glass cube stuffed with one million …