People passing by the famous Chicago monument, USA

Things to do in  Chicago

The Third Coast’s greatest city

Poet Carl Sandburg once described Chicago as the “city of the big shoulders.” That phrase captures the Midwestern metropolis’ sense of swaggering possibility. This is a place where skyscrapers like the Willis Tower break records, where every neighborhood has its own flavor, where dining culture is defined by Michelin-starred temples of haute cuisine alongside heavy-duty Italian beef sandwiches and deep-dish pizza. From Chicago architecture tours to the city’s museums, from its blues and jazz communities to its theater and comedy scene, the best things to do in Chicago exist on an amplified scale.

Here, get your guide to Chicago’s best attractions, tours, and more.

Top 15 attractions in Chicago

Chicago Riverwalk

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Connecting Lake Michigan to downtown, the Chicago Riverwalk is an open-air, pedestrian-friendly walkway that runs along the Chicago River. Composed of six main sections, the Riverwalk is a main hub for entertainment. Head to the Marina Plaza section for restaurants, outdoor seating, and boat access. Take a stroll through a series of piers and floating wetland gardens at the Riverbank, or head to the Water Plaza where the kids can splash in water fountains.More

The Magnificent Mile

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Fashion, architecture, and history in Chicago come together on this renowned stretch of Michigan Avenue nicknamed the Magnificent Mile. As you walk from the Chicago River to Oak Street, you’ll pass several Windy City landmarks, including the Water Tower, John Hancock Center, and Tribune Tower, as well as numerous luxury brand retailers.More

Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower (Sears Tower)

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Once the world’s tallest building, Willis Tower is still way up in the clouds. Though it functions as an office building, the skyscraper’s 103rd-floor Skydeck Chicago draws 1.7 million annual visitors for a trip out onto The Ledge, an enclosed glass balcony extending 4 feet (1.2 meters) out over the city, as well as panoramic views that—on clear days—extend as far as Indiana, Michigan, Iowa, and Wisconsin.More

Chicago River

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The Chicago River passes by some of the city’s most iconic landmarks and architecture, including the Wrigley Building and Navy Pier. Get a fresh perspective of the Windy City during a cruise along the river to learn, or paddle in a kayak for a closer look at the skyline. Combine your cruise with a city tour or speedboat ride, or see the city of Chicago illuminated on a nighttime kayak tour.More

Navy Pier

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Navy Pier is one of Chicago’s most popular tourist destinations—and with good reason. The 3,300-foot (1,010-meter) pier jutting into the waters of Lake Michigan, originally constructed in 1916 as a freight dock and public space, encompasses almost 50 acres (20 hectares) of exhibits, rides, parks, and family attractions.More

Wrigley Building

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The 1920s were an important time for Chicago architecture, and when the Wrigley Building opened in 1925, it set the pace for the city’s development. When owner William Wrigley Jr. (of the Wrigley gum company) scouted locations for the building that would become his company’s headquarters, he chose a unique triangle shape of land that eventually became the bustling Magnificent Mile.More

Millennium Park

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Located just a block away from Lake Michigan in the heart of downtown Chicago, Millennium Park showcases world-class art, music, architecture, and landscape design. Completed in 2004, the 24.5-acre (10-hectare) park is one of Chicago’s most popular destinations, drawing 25 million visitors per year.More

Shedd Aquarium

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On the shore of Lake Michigan, the Shedd Aquarium is one of Chicago’s most popular attractions. From the multi-level Oceanarium to the Wild Reef and Amazon Rising exhibits, this aquarium exhibits aquatic life from all over the world, including sea lions, sea turtles, sea otters, and around 1,500 species of fish. Experience it through a hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour or a Segway tour of Chicago’s Museum Campus.More

Tribune Tower

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Once home to the Chicago Tribune, this neo-Gothic landmark was built as a result of the International Design Competition in 1922. Before this 462-foot (141-meter) building was constructed, reporters from the paper brought back pieces of rock from important landmarks around the world like the Taj Mahal, the Hagia Sophia, the Great Wall of China, and more.More

Marina City

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A distinctive feature of the Chicago skyline since the 1960s, the twin concrete columns of Marina City were once the tallest residential buildings in the world. Their scalloped “corn cob” exterior made them instantly recognizable and a popular setting in movies like Batman Begins,Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and The Blues Brothers.More

Chicago Theatre

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The historic Chicago Theatre, which dates back to 1921, is a popular downtown architectural landmark. With its famous dazzling marquee, French baroque architecture, and lobby modeled on a Versailles chapel, this picturesque structure today hosts concerts and comedy shows, as well as daily tours of its spectacular interior.More

Grant Park

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Known as “Chicago’s Front Yard,” Grant Park stretches over 300 acres (121 hectares), and is the city’s primary downtown park. Located in the Loop, Grant Park is sandwiched between Lake Michigan and soaring skyscrapers. Its cultural highlights include the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum Campus, and Millennium Park.More

Art Institute of Chicago

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Located in Chicago’s Grant Park, the Art Institute showcases 300,000 works of art ranging from ancient works to pieces created by today’s foremost artists. More than 1.5 million visitors from across the globe flock to the museum annually, making it one of Chicago’s most-visited destinations.More

Adler Planetarium

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Part of Chicago’s Museum Campus in Grant Park, the Adler Planetarium dates to 1930 when Chicago businessman Max Adler opened it as the first planetarium in the western hemisphere. See its family-friendly planetarium shows, celestial artifacts, and the immersive Grainger Sky Theater, which opened in 2011.More

Wrigley Field

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Chicagoans take their baseball seriously, and one of best places to see a Major League Baseball game in the United States is at the home of the Chicago Cubs: Wrigley Field. Built in 1914 and known as the "Friendly Confines" with characteristic ivy covered outfield walls, Wrigley Field is the oldest National League baseball stadium and should be on the bucket list of any baseball fan.More

Trip ideas

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All about Chicago

When to visit

Summer can bring soaring heat and humidity to Chicago, while winter is when the deep freeze sets in. For a less extreme experience of the Windy City, aim for shoulder season. In the spring, the Cubs return to Wrigley Field. The season is also a great time to visit the Chicago Botanic Garden or the Lincoln Park Zoo. Fall means the return of annual events like the Chicago Jazz Festival and Chicago Marathon.

Getting around

Chicago is one of the Midwest’s major hubs. Two airports serve the city: O’Hare International Airport and Midway Airport. Metra trains link Chicago to the surrounding suburbs. And the city operates eight “L” rapid-transit train lines, as well as numerous bus lines. Much of Chicago is also bike- and pedestrian-friendly, and easily accessed by taxi. And don’t miss the chance to explore the Chicago River by boat.

Traveler tips

Deep-dish pizza is a classic Chicago dish at the top of many visitors’ dining wishlists. But despite its ubiquity, this hearty style of pizza isn't the only option in town. Next time you visit, don’t forget to try the ultra-thin “tavern-style” pizza, which is cut into small square slices. It’s what the locals eat as an everyday staple.

Local Currency
US Dollar ($)
Time Zone
CST (UTC -6)
Country Code
+1
Language(s)
English
Attractions
64
Tours
445
Reviews
64,841

A local’s pocket guide to Chicago

Claire Bullen

Born and raised in Chicago, Claire can claim city roots that go back at least three generations. The writer and editor currently calls London her home, but she's still a Chicagoan at heart.

The first thing you should do in Chicago is...

eat—after all, Chicago is a food lover’s paradise. While pizza and hot dogs are a starting point, you can find everything from top-notch Mexican food in Pilsen to exceptional dim sum in Chinatown and Michelin-starred fine-dining destinations around town.

A perfect Saturday in Chicago...

begins with brunch at Lula Cafe in Logan Square (definitely book ahead). After another coffee at Gaslight Coffee Roasters, go for a dose of culture at the Art Institute before cocktails at the Violet Hour ahead of a decadent dinner.

One touristy thing that lives up to the hype is...

the architectural boat tours, a genuinely great way to admire Chicago’s skyline and coast along the Chicago River. And don't forget deep-dish pizza—while many locals prefer tavern-style pizza, good deep-dish or stuffed pizza is special occasion-worthy.

To discover the "real" Chicago...

don’t just stay around the Loop. Chicago is a city of neighborhoods—from Chinatown to Hyde Park, Bronzeville to Humboldt Park, Lincoln Park to Wrigleyville — and the city’s real breadth and scope only come into focus when you leave downtown.

For the best view of the city...

The obvious choice is to head to the 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck in the Hancock Building or the Skydeck Chicago in the Willis Tower. But for fewer crowds, venture to Ping Tom Memorial Park in Chinatown for picture-perfect skyline views.

One thing people get wrong...

is assuming Chicago isn’t welcoming. Chicago combines big-city savvy and world-class cultural attractions with a real Midwestern warmth that comes through when you strike up a conversation with locals and listen to their stories.

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People Also Ask

What is Chicago famous for?

Downtown Chicago is famous for its architecture—skyscrapers like the John Hancock Center and Willis Tower dominate its skyline (and offer a great view). The best things to do in Chicago include eating deep-dish pizza and touring the city’s world-class museums. And be sure to see its diverse neighborhoods and go sailing on Lake Michigan.

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How can I spend a day in Chicago?

If you have just one day in Chicago, start at the Skydeck Chicago at the Willis Tower for panoramic city views. On a walking tour, stroll the Magnificent Mile section of Michigan Avenue. You can also head to Millennium Park to pose near The Bean.” Be sure to try Chicago's famous deep-dish pizza before leaving.

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How can I have fun in Chicago?

The best things to do in Chicago include the attractions of Navy Pier (like the Centennial Wheel ferris wheel). To have fun, head on a boat tour of Lake Michigan or enjoy aerial views at the 360 Chicago Observation Deck. Alternatively, head on a Segway tour of the Lakefront—and even see a Cubs game at Wrigley Field.

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What is the number 1 attraction in Chicago?

Chicago's number-one attraction is Millennium Park. This relaxing green space is just steps from Lake Michigan, and home to many famous public artworks. (The best-known is Anish Kapoor's Cloud Gate,” aka The Bean.) Right next door is the Art Institute of Chicago, where you can continue your cultural immersion indoors.

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What is there to do in Chicago in the winter?

Snowy Chicago transforms into a winter wonderland every year. The best things to do in Chicago include discovering the ice rink in Millennium Park or Soldier Field Sledding Hill. Then, warm up in a top-rated museum, like the Art Institute of Chicago or Field Museum. End the evening with a comedy show.

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Do you need a guide to visit Chicago?

Home to world-class art, architecture, and cuisine, Chicago is a culture-lovers dream. But knowing where to start as a first-time visitor can feel overwhelming, so exploring the Windy City with a clued-up guide enhances your experience tenfold. Get your guide to present a mix of secret spots and iconic landmarks for the ultimate Chicago intro.

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Frequently Asked Questions