It’s that time of year when we remember our 80 degree days are numbered and autumn is right around the corner. There is plenty to look forward to on campus in the autumn, but for those who aren’t ready to let go of summer, soak up the last of these longer days exploring these attractions on the University of Chicago campus and in surrounding Hyde Park. From campus landmarks to neighborhood favorites, these iconic locations deserve a spot on your summer bucket list.

Logan Center for the Arts

For anyone interested in creating and experiencing art, the Logan Center serves as a vibrant artistic hub connecting the University of Chicago with artists from the South Side and beyond. Whether you are drawn to theatre, music, digital art or an artistic media entirely different, the Logan Center has something for everyone. Explore summer events and programs at the Logan Center.

Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Address: 915 E. 60th Street, Chicago, IL 60637

Logan Center for the Arts

Obama Presidential Center

For those fascinated by civic power, grassroots movements, and rich democratic history, the Obama Presidential Center is a beacon in the heart of Chicago’s South Side. Serving as a vibrant cultural hub for locals and tourists alike, the Obama Presidential Center is a space fostering community pride and preserving monumental American history.

Tickets to the museum are released periodically and sell out quickly, but there are plenty of opportunities to explore the campus’s outdoor spaces, basketball court, forum, Chicago Public Library, dining, shopping, and more. Plan your visit.

(Campus Grounds) Hours: Monday - Sunday: 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Address: 6001 S. Stony Island Ave., Chicago, IL 60637

Obama Presidential Library

Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures

For the Indiana Jones-types, the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures (ISAC) includes a museum you won’t want to miss. Housing some 350,000 artifacts from early Middle Eastern and North African civilization, this hidden campus gem grants visitors a valuable look into the distant Mesopotamian past from the comfort of Hyde Park. Plan your visit.

Hours: Tuesday - Thursday & Saturday - Sunday: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. & Friday: 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Address: 1155 E 58th St, Chicago, IL 60637

Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures Museum

Rockefeller Memorial Chapel

The tallest building on campus, and one of the tallest church structures in Chicago, Rockefeller and its distinctive tower adorn the campus skyline. Visitors can enjoy tours of the carillon tower, a variety of artistic, academic, ceremonial, and spiritual events in addition to enjoying the building’s breathtaking craftsmanship in this cathedral-like space. Plan your visit.

Hours: Tuesday - Friday: 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Address: 5850 S. Woodlawn Ave., Chicago, IL 60637

Rockefeller Memorial Chapel

Botany Pond

Offering peace to those in need of a breather from the bustle and liveliness of campus, Botany Pond is a beautiful, quiet resting point in UChicago’s vibrant Main Quadrangles. Enjoy the calm water alongside a thriving population of fish, ducks, turtles and other interesting critters whenever you need a rest. Learn more about the history of the pond.

Hours: N/A
Address: 1103 E 57th St, Chicago, IL 60637

Botany Pond

Harper Memorial Library

For the Harry Potter fanatics seeking real-life Hogwarts magic, Harper Memorial Library delivers. A tall, imposing ceiling, gothic architecture, and wooden study tables make the destination magical in nearly every capacity. Architects Shepley, Rutan & Coolidge took inspiration from King’s College Chapel at Cambridge, as well as Magdalen College and Christ Church College at Oxford. The Arley D. Cathey Learning Center on the third floor is a favorite destination for anyone looking for that gothic academic charm.

Hours: Monday - Thursday: 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m., Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. & Sunday: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Address: 1116 E. 59th St., Chicago, IL 60637

Harper Memorial Library

63rd Street Beach

In need of a beach day before summer ends? Head to the historic 63rd Street Beach on Lake Michigan for a lakeside escape. The beach was part of a 10-acre beach extension project completed in 1917, and is still enjoyed by bathers today. For a beach snack, try Belly Up for some Jamaican food or Leave With a Smile for snacks and beverages. Plan your visit.

Hours: 6:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Address: 6300 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60637

63rd Street Beach

Midway Plaisance

The Midway Plaisance is a large park connecting the University of Chicago campus with the surrounding South Side neighborhood. For those looking for greenery in the warmer months, visitors can enjoy the grassy areas or the north and south winter gardens. When the cold-weather arrives, try ice-skating at the outdoor rink, on the site of the first Ferris Wheel built for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. Plan your visit.

Hours: 6:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Address: 1130 Midway Plaisance North, Chicago, IL 60637

Midway Plaisance

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

Curiosity has no age limit. The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) is one of the largest science museums in the world, offering interactive science exhibits and rich history all within walking distance from the UChicago campus. It is the ideal destination for those looking for unforgettable hands-on experiences that bring science to life. Plan your visit.

Hours: 9:30 a.m.- 5:30 p.m.
Address: 5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60637

Museum of Science and Industry

Promontory Point

Affectionately known as “The Point,” Promontory Point is a local gem. Join Hyde Parkers at this lakefront park to grill, swim, play, and watch the Chicago skyline from this beautiful peninsula.

Hours: 6:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Address: 5491 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60615

Promontory Point

DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center

For history-lovers, the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center is the oldest independent Black history museum in the U.S. Visit the DuSable for a moving, immersive journey through African American art, history and culture. Plan your visit.

Hours: Tuesday - Sunday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Address: E. 56th Pl., Chicago, IL 60637

DuSable Museum

Frederick C. Robie House

Completed in 1910, the Robie House is an architectural masterpiece right here on UChicago’s campus. Showcasing Frank Lloyd Wright’s revolutionary Prairie style designs, the Robie House is the premier destination for fans of this architecture giant. Sign up for a guided tour or enjoy the exterior and the gift shop.

Hours: Thursday - Monday: 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Address: 5757 S. Woodlawn Ave, Chicago, IL 60637

Frederick C. Robie House

The Mansueto Library

The Mansueto Library is an architectural rebel on campus among historic gothic buildings. The elliptical glass dome structure, designed by Helmut Jahn, sits atop an underground storage system that can hold the equivalent of 3.5 million volumes. This unique building looks like something out of a Sci-fi movie, and it is. The 2014 Sci-Fi film Divergent used Mansueto Library as a filming location. The Mansueto Library attracts architecture enthusiasts, movie fans, and academics alike.

Hours: Monday - Thursday: 8:00 a.m. - 9:45 p.m., Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. & Saturday and Sunday: 9:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Address: 1100 E. 57th St., Chicago, IL 60637

Joe and Rika Manseuto Library

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