Museum of Ice Cream

For those who have screamed for ice cream, the pink window frames set into the Indiana limestone facade of the 36-story, 463-foot-tall Tribune Tower are indicative of a dream come true. Chicago’s 13,500-square-foot Museum of Ice Cream features 14 fun installations that celebrate its namesake treat, including a dip in a pool of giant sprinkles. 

One of six Museums of Ice Cream — there are also ones in New York City, Austin, Miami, Boston and Singapore — the Chicago location offers a 60-to-90-minute experience that includes samples of fun flavors along the way. Filled with bright, bubble gum-pink and licorice-red colors, the museum’s decor is outlandishly fun and especially Instagram-able. 

A visit to Chicago’s Museum of Ice Cream begins at the giant pink model of the city’s L train and a reimagined, ice cream-themed take on an entryway to a Chicago Transit Authority station. Follow signs for the “Chocolate Line to Mocha” and “Caramel Line to Fudge” and begin the journey that takes visitors past mountains of ice cream into the heart of the museum. Then, wade into a sea of 100 million antimicrobial and biodegradable red and pink sprinkles at the museum’s famous sprinkle pool and chow down on hot dog-flavored ice cream served up in a pink poppy seed bun and topped with mustard. 

The family-friendly 3,500-square-foot Jazz Age speakeasy (available at an extra cost) is the place to go for cocktails, mocktails and milkshakes, many of which are perfectly pink. Take the skills of an ice cream maker home with you after exploring the hands-on lab, where you can learn how the sweet stuff is made. Round out the visit with a trip to the miniature golf course, which winds through food-themed installations like giant cakes and, of course, scoops of ice cream. 435 N. Michigan Ave., Suite G, Chicago, Illinois 60611, museumoficecream.com/chicago