See also: Where to Stay in Chicago
Architecture, sports, and live music are the three defining characteristics of Chicago, Illinois.
Visit the museums, parks, and grand avenues, where you can see a wide variety of stunning art, structures, and many more.
If you like sports, you may want to drop by the Wrigley Field and United Center to watch all sorts of ball games.
Interested to know more about this place?
Here are the 40 best things you can do in Chicago, Illinois:
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Capturing the modern-day spirit of Chicago is the shining Millennium Park, an award-winning park.
It is one of Chicago’s most popular tourist attractions
Discover the world’s largest green roof, Lurie Garden, binding perennials, bulbs, and grasses in a bold design.
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Or, catch a concert at the 11,000-capacity Jay Pritzker Pavilion, which the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and major music headliners frequent.
Millennium Park also offers bike rentals at McDonald’s Cycle Center, so you can explore the expansive Grant Park.
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Puttery is a venue for adults aged 21 and above that puts the game of putting in a fresh light and reshapes it with distinctive twists at each hole.
It’s an immersive adventure with friendly competition, networking, fine dining, specialty drinks, and excellent music.
Adults come here for an unforgettable night out, whether they play or not.
When you arrive at Puttery, check in with the concierge to schedule your tee time.
Afterward, unwind with a round of creative drinks and posh snacks in lounges, bar tops, communal tables, or terraces.
Its extensive bars provide a wide variety of drinks, including zero-proof beverages, glasses of champagne, course-specific specialty cocktails, and local brews.
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Since 1893, the Field Museum of Natural History has collected over 24 million items.
This collection is a comprehensive look at the natural world, featuring excavated fossils, gemstones, and extinct specimens.
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Here, you’ll see themed halls like anthropological Ancient Americas and Ancient Egypt or art pieces related to the Tibetan and African cultures.
This museum is definitely a must-visit.
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Are you searching for one-of-a-kind gift items for loved ones or pieces to keep for yourself?
Browse a fascinating collection of unusual, humorous, and diverse things from the past at Woolly Mammoth Antiques & Oddities.
They are experts in vintage and antique taxidermy, anatomical supplies, medical equipment, books, toys, bones, skeletons, artwork, charts, maps, instruments, specimens, and more.
Woolly Mammoth is open Monday through Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Visit the store to admire the innovative design elements included in the business’s retail space and the things for sale.
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Cutting through downtown along the Chicago River is the 1.25 miles long Chicago Riverwalk leading up to Wolf Point.
With a backdrop of stately buildings, terraces, dramatic bridges, and urban scenery, it is a must-visit for all photographers.
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Keep an eye out for the Wrigley Building or Ellen Lanyon’s Gateway, where you’ll see plenty of architectural highlights and public art in the form of installations, graffiti, and tiled murals.
Chicago Riverwalk is incredibly evocative at night, with cafés and grill bars lighting up the walkway with date-night ambiance.
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From the highest part of the former John Hancock Center, 360 CHICAGO offers the perfect perspectives of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan.
A thousand-foot vantage point above the renowned Magnificent Mile, the 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck provides phenomenal panoramic views of Chicago.
The tallest thrill coaster in Chicago, TILT, is on the observation deck.
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Being the only one of its type in the world, it provides guests with exceptional, downward-facing vistas from 1,030 feet.
The observation deck blends delicious drinks with stunning views.
Grab a drink, unwind, and take happy hour to a new level at 360 CHICAGO!
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Sharing location with the Field Museum and Adler Planetarium, the Shedd Aquarium is an impressive collection of 30,000 aquatic creatures.
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Amazon Rising recreates the roots of rainforest trees to house anacondas, piranhas, and freshwater stingrays; the Wild Reef has four shark species.
You may also spend some time waving at the sea lions and sea otters at the Oceanarium.
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Richard H. Driehaus Museum educates and inspires the worldwide community through discovery and active conversations in late-nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century art, architecture, and design.
The late Richard H. Driehaus, the Museum’s founder, had a passion for collecting, which is reflected in and inspired by the collection.
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The renovated Samuel Mayo Nickerson Mansion houses its permanent collection and occasional exhibitions, creating an immersive environment.
Tours cover the collections of the Museum, the special exhibition’s best bits, and the historical background and architecture of the building.
Private excursions led by guides are arranged upon request.
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Bring home a snapshot of The Chicago Theatre’s iconic marquee and vertical sign, even if you’re passing by.
The red and yellow glowing boards have been featured in movies.
Much like its grand exterior, the performances held here are top-tier.
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Pick from their extensive performing arts program, as varied as dance theatre and comedy acts.
Sometimes the venue also hosts talks by famous cultural figures.
Discover the most significant and genuine Chicago ghost tours, as there are many haunted spots in the city.
Nightly Spirits allows you to dig into the legendary city of Chicago’s mysterious past.
It is situated right in the center of Windy City.
The experienced storytellers serving as your guides will take you to several of the city’s most eerie locations along the route.
Are you prepared for the people or creatures you’ll run into on your adventurous journey?
On this one-of-a-kind journey, you will discover all of Chicago’s past, untold stories, and rich cultural legacy.
The most well-liked tour offered by Nightly Spirits merges a pub crawl with a ghost walk around the city’s famous center, allowing you to savor delectable beverages while learning about some of its most terrifying legends.
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Grant Park in autumn is beautiful, with broad litters of golden leaves sharp against the green shrubbery.
An open space home to some of Chicago’s top attractions, including Millennium Park, the Art Institute of Chicago, and Soldier Field, its cumulative 319 acres is coined “Chicago’s Front Yard.”
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There’s much to do within its boundaries, such as the annual Chicago Marathon and Taste of Chicago Festival.
Still, if you’re looking to unwind, there are plenty of quiet corners to hide in.
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Within Adler Planetarium are displays of the Solar System and exhibits that detail the universe’s history.
The planetarium also hosts events when other planets come into view, presenting the mysterious at a closer distance.
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Willis Tower is considered the ‘world’s tallest building.’
Standing at 442 meters and a Skydeck at 412 meters, its view glances over four states of sectioned concrete.
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Watch the movie documenting how Willis Tower came to be and learn about other worthwhile Chicago architectures.
Your Willis Tower Skydeck experience doesn’t end with stunning views, as the four all-glass boxes of The Ledge will have you screaming.
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Palms, ferns, succulents, and cacti can be found in this beautiful garden.
Eight indoor display groves make up the Garfield Park Conservatory.
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Whether it is the softer lushness of the Fen Room or the dry brushes of the Desert House, the carefully sculpted spaces will melt your stress away.
Free up some time to participate in a free yoga session or watch gardening demonstrations.
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Jutting out where Chicago Portage meets Lake Michigan, the Navy Pier is a heavy-duty tourist attraction that offers multifaceted entertainment.
You’ll find splashes of green at the botanical garden Crystal Gardens, fairground amusements around the Centennial Wheel and Funhouse Maze, the Chicago Children’s Museum, and other sensory fun.
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The Miller Lite Beer Garden will let you wash down craft beers with live music, and to satisfy your drama-seeking needs, visit the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre.
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Fill up on drama at the non-profit Chicago Shakespeare Theatre down at Navy Pier.
Celebrating the works of Shakespeare with remarkable productions on-site and off-site, the company has earned three Laurence Olivier Awards over the years.
The theatre hosts two halls, the bigger one capable of seating 510 audiences.
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Catch classic productions like Macbeth and Hamlet, or go light with a fun Peter Pan musical.
It’s a relaxing activity to fill up your post-dinner schedule.
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Visit Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the only free admissions parks in the United States.
Since 1868, this zoo has undergone constant revamps to provide the best habitats for its thousand-strong residents.
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Gaze at lounging polar bears, grazing gazelles, ostriches, and hot-spring-loving Japanese macaques.
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You don’t have to go far for some waterside chilling as Oak Street Beach only stretches along the shore of Lake Michigan on North Lake Shore Drive.
There are lifeguards keeping things fun and safe.
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There are also bars and food joints nearby when you need fuel.
Spend a relaxing afternoon here.
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Chicago Cultural Center offers many reasons why people should visit it.
For one, it hosts thousands of exhibitions and programs annually, ranging from music, theatre, and film screenings to family-oriented events.
The building speaks heritage, the interior boasting marbled pillars, polished brass work, and hardwood.
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If the tiled archways aren’t enough to hold your attention, then it’s south and north domes surely will.
Look at the peerless stained glass Tiffany dome and the intricate Renaissance-style dome in appreciation of their fine artistry.
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Challenge yourself at Maggie Daley Park.
Named to the city’s former first lady, this relatively new recreational space sits on a corner of Grant Park.
Its unusual landscaping is attributed to architect Michael Van Valkenburgh, whose design stresses an unconventional play area for adults and children.
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Among the ice skating ribbon, picnic nook, and mini-golf course, the Play Garden stands out.
Offering six fun zones, this park features a Watering Hole and an Enchanted Forest.
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Professional hockey, basketball, and top-selling pop acts have blessed the halls of the United Center.
Serving as home turf for the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks during on-seasons, this venue offers rock and pop concerts.
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While it may no longer be the headliner venue it once was, United Center is still significant.
Remember to grab a photo with Michael Jordan’s statue in the public atrium if you’re passing by.
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When we say visit the Historic Pullman Center, we mean start your South Side tour here.
Introducing George Pullman’s neighborhood (built to house his employees) through exhibits, the visitor center provides context on the area’s significance.
Once equipped with some knowledge of the neighborhood’s growth and preservation, set out on a self-guided tour to find film-featured historic buildings.
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Magnificent Mile has an 8-block whirl of shopping, dining, and urban display.
Stroll down Michigan Avenue for your choice of cuisine and retail, which covers indie boutiques and high-end flagship stores.
While walking, see the Tribune Tower, Wrigley Building, and 875 N Michigan.
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Art lovers will be familiar with the names of Nighthawks, American Gothic, and A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte – three celebrated works currently inhabiting the Art Institute of Chicago.
Outside of Paris, the most significant Impressionist and Post-Impressionist painting collection dwell, featuring Monet, Cezanne, Renoir, and van Gogh.
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Modernist contenders such as Pollock and Warhol and designs by Frank Lloyd Wright are also highlights of this institution.
You can expect more than just paintings; a wide range of Greek, Egyptian, and Etruscan artifacts run from mosaics to bronze items.
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Dip by Kingston Mines for some of the city’s best blues music.
This place is the oldest and largest operating blues club still thriving soulfully.
From night until dawn, energetic bands will have you swinging to their beats.
If Kingston Mines isn’t quite your venue, there are over 200 live music stages for you to browse through.
Include this place in your itinerary.
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Lake Michigan and the Chicago River offer a unique way of seeing the city.
Embark on a tour through the city-crossing channel to spot some of Chicago’s architectural masterpieces.
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Ranging from 45 minutes to a sedate 75-minute cruise, you have a selection of sightseeing trips.
Check out the Classic Lake Tour, Architecture Cruise, or Chicago River Architecture Cruise.
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Logan Arcade has well-preserved collections of game machines.
It is housed inside a refurbished hardware store and old-time classics such as Pac-Man.
Mario Kart and Jurassic Park shooter games lure in younger crowds, whereas timeless pinball machines combine various period selections.
There’s even a bar to supplement with craft beers and cocktails for those who need an extra kick.
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You might not consider this a conventional attraction, but The 606 is functional and visual.
An abandoned elevated railway track turned pedestrian and bicycle path, it is a 2.7-mile trek that links Logan Square, Humboldt Park, Bucktown, and Wicker Park.
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Second City has birthed many comedians that have come to conquer this entertainment genre.
Alums include Tina Fey, Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert, and Amy Poehler; current members of this company are equally talented.
If you need some cheer-me-up, why not treat yourself to sketch comedy and improv acts?
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Chicago History Museum digs deep into Chicago’s history, delineating its origins, struggles, and transformation from outpost to metropolis.
Peruse the hall of Facing Freedom to grasp Chicago’s role in the fight for freedoms; it recounts the Civil War, the Women’s Suffrage movement, and labor unions’ rise from the mid-1800s to the 1970s.
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But there’s more – experience an old-time jazz club firsthand and sit in Chicago’s first L train.
By merging historical displays with interactive cultural galleries, Chicago History Museum seeks to comprehensively understand the city’s rich heritage.
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Robie House represents early 20th-century Prairie-style residences.
Drawing inspiration from the spacious Midwest, this architecture uses open spaces, layered roofing, broad eaves, and balconies.
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In contrast, the use of art-glass and careful selection of furniture fittings and fireplaces evoke a cozy vibe in complement to its warm coloring.
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Built in 1914, Wrigley Field is recognizable by its unassuming exterior and ivy-clad outfield walls – although its manual scoreboard steals the limelight.
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Its proximity to Lake Michigan makes the games doubly exciting, but the home team Chicago Cubs thrives on the thrill anyway.
Treat yourself to a game and round off the experience with a Chicago hot dog as you cheer the players on.
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Chicago’s hottest LGBTQ neighborhood is calling the boys and girls to town.
If you’re searching for good grog and even better company, hustle your way through Boystown by thoroughly exploring the drinks menu of every watering hole.
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From drag-show bars to fancy cocktail venues, you are guaranteed a night of laidback revelry.
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Divorce mainstream Hollywood films and popcorn through Music Box Theatre’s art-house films and documentaries.
The natural buttered popcorn is yummy toppings on top of midnight screenings, cult classics, and director Q&As.
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Did you know Stony Island Arts Bank was purchased for $1 and was transformed into an art and media archive?
It’s a miracle what one measly dollar could do; the bank is now home to 60,000 glass lantern slides and DJ Frankie Knuckles’ record collection.
The bizarre galleries also feature world-famous artists, and guests are carefully lectured before being allowed to wander around.
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The Museum of Science and Industry is nestled in the 1933 Old Palace of Fine Arts.
If you find its hulking structure inspiring, you’ll be blown away by the mind-boggling exhibits within the walls.
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Some highlights include a World War II German U-505 submarine and the commercial aviation pioneer Boeing 727.
Complex scientific concepts are broken down for easy digestion in the Science Storms exhibit, whereas the coal mine replica takes you back to earlier industrial sets.
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Close your eyes and throw away all other distractions to appreciate a filling, resonant performance by one of the world’s most prestigious classical ensembles.
The shows are worth every dollar, featuring arrangements by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and guest soloists.
Settle in the Grainger Ballroom, Buntrock Hall, or Orchestra Hall for an ear changing night at this historical landmark.
Beyond downtown, you’ll find a distinct environment with historic live music venues, cuisine, and attractions.
No matter your hobbies, Chicago has something to get you fired up.
Explore the city’s fascinating history, thriving commercial areas, and diverse nightlife.
Join the tours of the most well-known sights in the city!
Discover the world.
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