Timeline
15:44
Grab a warm seafood dumpling or a sweet pastry to keep your hands busy and your stomach full while you walk. Feida Bakery is small and reliable, with items that cost less than a dollar. The dim sum is offered until noon, but the baked goods are available all day.
16:14
Chinese-American Museum of Chicago
Walk to the Chinese-American Museum of Chicago. It is a short stroll from the bakery. The museum reopened in 2010 after a fire and offers exhibits on Chinese-American culture and history. Check if it is open; on weekdays it closes at 13:30, so if you are here later in the day, you may just view the exterior or skip this step if it is closed. On weekends it is open until 17:00, which fits perfectly before sunset.
16:44
Head to Northerly Island Park. This 40-acre park offers an excellent view of the Chicago skyline as the sun sets toward the WSW. The nature trail and pedestrian path lead you to the best vantage points. The golden light starts around 16:01, giving you a soft glow before the sun dips below the horizon at 16:44.
17:14
End your evening with fiery Szechuan cuisine at Lao Sze Chuan. It is often considered the best Chinese food in the Chicagoland area. The restaurant is open late, staying open until midnight, so you can enjoy a memorable dinner after the cold evening air.
Local tip
The walk from the museum to Northerly Island Park is about 30 minutes. If the museum is closed on a weekday, skip straight to the park. Lao Sze Chuan is busy, so be prepared for a short wait or takeout if you want to secure your spot immediately after sunset.
Check before you go
- The Chinese-American Museum of Chicago is only open Tu-Fr 09:30-13:30 and Sa,Su 10:00-17:00. If you visit on a weekday after 13:30, it will be closed.
- Sunset on 15 January is at 16:44. The sky turns golden around 16:01.
- Lao Sze Chuan is open until 24:00, so it will be open for your post-sunset dinner.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Chicago (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).