On Christmas Eve many of the city’s museums are still open, including the Museum of Science and Industry, the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium and the Art Institute, which are all open Christmas Eve but not Christmas Day. The observation deck at the Willis Tower and at the John Hancock Building are both open on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day. In fact, one of the best places to enjoy a drink on Christmas Eve is at the Signature Lounge on the 96th floor of the Hancock Building.
And speaking of dining and drinking on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, while many of the best neighborhood establishments close done (with the exception of a few Chinese restaurants), more tourist-friendly places downtown stay open. Hotel bars and restaurants, like NoMi at the Park Hyatt, Mercat at la Planxa at the Blackstone, State and Lake in the Wit, Seasons at the Four Seasons, and C-House at the Affinia are all good bets.
