Credit Union 1 Arena – Area Bucket List
It’s easy to understand why Credit Union 1 Arena is one of Chicago’s premier venues. First off, it’s centrally located in the Near West Side of Chicago on the campus of University of Illinois at Chicago. That’s why it used to be known as UIC Pavilion. Secondly, it’s easily accessible via public transportation.
On top of all that, Credit Union 1 Arena is an ideal size for hosting sporting events and concerts with a max capacity of a little over 10,000. It’s the current home of the UIC Flames basketball team and was formerly home to the Chicago Sky of the WNBA, among others. Some of the notable musical acts who have played there include Madonna, Metallica, and Green Day.
There’s a lot more to do in Chicago than just attending an event at Credit Union 1 Arena, though. That much is obvious. This is one of America’s most iconic cities, after all, right up there with New York and LA. That’s why you should check out some of these bucket list-worthy sights and attractions during your upcoming visit to Credit Union 1 Arena.
Al’s #1 Italian Beef
While deep-dish pizza is great, if you want to eat like a true Chicagoan, opt for an Italian beef sandwich instead. If you’re not familiar with this original Windy City culinary creation, it’s pretty much what the name would suggest: a sandwich made with thinly sliced roasted beef soaked in jus, which the locals call “gravy.” The “Italian” part of the name comes from the long, Italian-style roll it’s served on, as well as the Italian sweet peppers you can get it topped with.
As you could imagine, places serving Italian beef are a dime a dozen in Chicago. Some are good; others, not so good. Play it safe and get your sandwich from Al’s #1 Italian Beef, a local chain that’s been in the Italian beef game for more than 75 years. They’ve got locations all around the city, including one just a half mile from Credit Union 1 Arena.
Bad Axe Throwing
Bad Axe Throwing is the perfect place to kill a couple hours before heading over to Credit Union 1 Arena. This novel attraction brings the Canadian backyard pastime of axe throwing stateside with more than 30 locations across the U.S. Chicago is home to two of them, and the one closer to Credit Union 1 Arena is only a little over a mile away.
If you’ve never thrown an axe before, don’t worry. Most people outside of our neighbors to the north haven’t anyway. It’s surprisingly easy to pick up, though, and Bad Axe’s helpful staff will help you get the hang of it if need be.
Although most people book their visit to Bad Axe in advance, walk-ins are welcome too. Just keep in mind that walk-ins are permitted only during certain hours. You can find the schedule of walk-in hours on their website, but you should also call a couple hours ahead of time to confirm.
Skydeck Chicago
Skydeck Chicago gives a whole new meaning to the word “sightseeing.” This popular attraction is an observation deck that offers one-of-a-kind views of the Windy City. It’s located on the 103rd floor of Chicago’s iconic Willis Tower, a whopping 1,353 feet in the air. Walking there from Credit Union 1 Arena takes around a half hour.
Got a fear of heights? Skydeck Chicago probably won’t sound all that enticing at first. Not only because it’s on one of the top floors of the second-tallest building in the United States, but because it features four enclosed glass boxes that extend out four feet from the building itself. Even the floors are made from glass! Overcome your fear, though, and you’ll be treated to a high-flying experience like no other.
Money Museum
If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about the almighty dollar, a trip to the Money Museum is a must. Fittingly located in the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, the Money Museum is a mile and a half from Credit Union 1 Arena.
Full of unique exhibits, the Money Museum is fun for visitors of all ages. One of the museum’s most popular exhibits is a giant glass cube stuffed with a million $1 bills. It weighs in at over 2,000 pounds and makes for one very memorable photo op.
That’s not the only outrageously expensive display the Money Museum has to offer, however. There’s also a comical-looking briefcase brimming with stacks of $100 bills and a million-dollar stash of $20s encased in a glass dome. Visitors can also feel like Scrooge McDuck as they stand atop a “money pit” filled with $50,000 in change.
For a more hands-on experience, you can take control of a machine that shreds old, unusable $1 bills. This machine helps the bank in shredding around $10 million a day. Those “Fed Shreds” are then put into bags and given out as souvenirs. Considering each bag contains around $400 worth of shredded bills, and admission to the museum is free, you actually turn a pretty nice profit going there.
Chicago Riverwalk
When the weather’s nice, tourists and locals alike flock to the Chicago Riverwalk. You should too since it’s the perfect place to see the sights while getting some fresh air. Don’t let the two-mile trek from Credit Union 1 Arena deter you, either; a stroll down the Chicago Riverwalk is sure to be one of the high points of your trip.
There are many points of interest along the Riverwalk’s 1.25-mile stretch. These include the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum, where visitors can learn about the impact the Chicago River had on the development of the city; the kid-friendly Water Plaza, perfect for hot summer days; and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
The Riverwalk also has no shortage of watering holes, which is good news if you’re planning to do a bit of bar-hopping while in town. One of the most popular bars along the Riverwalk is Island Party Hut. Like any good tiki bar, Island Party Hut features fruity drinks, good eats, and live music. Looking for something more low-key? Try City Winery Chicago, where you can enjoy house-made wines out on their outdoor patio.