Planning a trip to the Windy City? Bring out your travel planner and jot down all these fun things to do in Chicago, Illinois! Street-style hot dogs, deep-dish pizzas, live jazz, central parks, and cloud-reaching skyscrapers only scratch the surface of what makes Chicago one of our favorite tourist destinations in the United States.
With cultural museums, art galleries, world-famous thrill rides, and lively city life, we’ve found no end to the Windy City’s fascinations on our trips to this Midwest metropolis. To top it all off, many top tourist attractions in Chicago go hand-in-hand with Lake Michigan, bringing a whole new level of aesthetic scenery and enjoyable water activities for both locals and tourists.
Can’t seem to decide where to go and what to do? Plan the perfect trip itinerary with this guide to our favorite places to visit in Chicago, IL, including our recommendations for which museums, parks, and neighborhoods to check out, plus ideas for where to stay!
Our recommendations for what to see & do in Chicago
Millennium Park
Even if you’ve only got one day in Chicago, don’t miss out on one of the most raved-about attractions for locals and tourists alike: Millennium Park. Whether you’re taking a much-needed solo break or taking time off with your family, we think this top-listed attraction has something for everyone.
Buckle up and stride towards a mesmerizing overview of Chicago’s skylines through Cloud Gate. One look at this centric attraction in Millennium Park, and it’ll be a no-brainer why it’s also known as “The Bean.” The striking 66-foot-long and 33-foot-high stainless steel sculpture is a masterpiece of renowned British-Indian sculptor Anish Kapoor.
If we were visiting in the summer, we would head towards the Crown Fountain to cool off from sweating in the heat. Inspired by the Gothic culture, the fountain is one-of-a-kind, with water emerging from gargoyles’ mouths.
Get soaked while you enjoy the digital displays on 50-foot glass towers surrounding the fountain area.
Navy Pier
The transformation of Navy Pier from its wartime past to a present-day entertainment hub is unreal. Located beside Lake Michigan, this lakeside attraction is our ideal place to make the most of Chicago nights.
Unleash your inner child with a fun-filled day at Pier Park. Take a seat at the Centennial Wheel and watch Chicago in all its glory at a height of 200 feet. Experience a full-on sensory experience in its mazes.
If you’re more invested in cultural attractions and museums, we don’t think you’ll be disappointed at Navy Pier either. Watch a classic play with modern twists at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre.
The outdoor attractions at Navy Pier are second to none, too. On our last visit, we enjoyed hopping on a boat cruise from here to revel in the beauty of Lake Michigan in style. Back on shore, we were inspired by the public art along Navy Pier, including the work of seven award-winning visual artists.
Last time we were in Chicago, we ended our Navy Pier tour with a lively musical session and drinks by our side, faced with one of the finest views of the city at the Miller Lite Beer Garden.
Skydeck Chicago
Ever dreamt of standing on top of the world, high above in the clouds? Plan a visit to Skydeck Chicago and make it happen!
When we visited the Skydeck on our last Chicago trip, we started with a visit to the museum before going up for a collective overview of the city’s rich culture and history. We enjoyed browsing the captivating exhibits, walking us through the city’s early days to the modern era.
(Let’s not forget that this is just the start of a tour filled with Instagrammable pictures!)
Our favorite part of our visit, though, was taking in all that the city has to offer with a trip to the Skydeck. Located on the 103rd floor of the iconic Willis Tower at 1353 feet, the spot has a spectacular 50-mile view of—count it!—four different states.
Challenge yourself to step out on The Ledge, the glass viewing block balcony extending 4.3 feet from the Skydeck. What awaits are unforgettable views from the streets right up to Chicago’s esteemed skyline!
Lincoln Park Zoo
Once you tire of the city’s skylines and revelry, we recommend sliding over to Lincoln Park Zoo and falling in love with nature.
One of our favorite points of interest in Chicago, Lincoln Park Zoo has tons to offer, not just for kids but for adults as well. Wonder while you wander through the acres of space, home to thousands of animals from across the world.
Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of wildlife, an incomparable experience to indulge yourself in nature up close. On our Lincoln Park Zoo visit, we spotted everything from majestic lions and playful meerkats to dancing flamingos and raging rhinos. You may even discover animals you don’t even know the names of in their natural habitats!
Not “just another zoo,” Lincoln Park Zoo continues to attract visitors with special events throughout the year. We expect to find new animals and an ongoing event or activity every few months, making first-time visitors come again and again.
Grant Park
An all-in-one spot in the heart of Chicago, Grant Park is a must-see when it comes to famous landmarks, cultural experiences, and contemporary festivals.
Need to take a time-out? Grant Park can become your go-to for that, too. When we visit the park, we love relaxing amidst the acres of a green oasis with a picnic, taking a walk or a bike ride on its paved paths, or watching the Lake Michigan waterfront on Lakefront Trail.
A sucker for French-inspired architecture? Head straight for the Buckingham Fountain. Being one of the largest fountains in the world isn’t the only factor that made us add it to our list of must-see Chicago attractions. The combination of eye-catching lights and water shows, along with music, brings together the whole vibe.
Maggie Daley Park
While Maggie Daley Park is a new addition to Chicago’s famous green spaces, it’s leading the race in the city’s top sightseeing spots.
Ideally located in the middle of downtown Chicago, Maggie Daley Park is a few minutes away from our other favorite places to go in Chicago, including Millennium Park via BP Bridge. The park is popular amongst all age groups—and rightfully so!
When we visited Maggie Daley Park for the first time on our last layover in Chicago, we found a multitude of immersive experiences. We learned that the park’s initial success was thanks to its one-of-a-kind Ice Skating Ribbon, with elements of chilly, ice-cold winds and a rolling landscape.
As we were visiting in summer, activities like rock climbing, miniature golf courses, and picnic groves took center stage. Although we weren’t visiting with kids, we could see how the park’s huge Play Garden would be a massive hit with the little ones!
360 CHICAGO
If Skydeck wasn’t enough to satisfy your need for exhilarating views from the top, 360 CHICAGO is another thrill ride that should make it to your Chicago sightseeing bucket list.
Located on the 94th floor of the John Hancock Center on North Michigan Avenue, also known as the Magnificent Mile, 360 CHICAGO delivers unparalleled views over the city. From over 1,000 feet, the panoramic, breathtaking sight swept us off our feet.
And that’s not all we discovered for visitors at this iconic Chicago attraction. Take it a step further on your visit to 360 CHICAGO and step onto the TILT, otherwise known as the highest thrill ride in Chicago. Lake Michigan, the Chicago skyline, and three states; you’ll get to see it all if you dare to tiptoe out!
Not one for daring adventure? Not to worry. We would also recommend grabbing a drink from the CloudBar and relaxing while you enjoy a front-row seat of Chicago’s finest views from the clouds. (We love the laid-back feel here; shockingly, there’s no dress code or drink minimum!)
General admission to 360 CHICAGO is $30 for adults and $20 for children. Add an extra $9 for a walk on the TILT and $14 more for access to the CloudBar with one Sip & View menu item.
Chicago Riverwalk
One thing that surprised us on our visit was how much the city offers for outdoor enthusiasts. One of our favorite “outside” spots was the Chicago Riverwalk. This boardwalk along the Chicago River boasts an assortment of spectacular lakefront views, public art exhibits, cruises, boat rides, and mouthwatering cuisine.
While exploring the Chicago Riverwalk, stop by Art on theMART. The colorful displays light up at night to grab our attention through creative art projections.
Another beautiful and less-crowded site lies towards the Jetty Portion of the Riverwalk: the Floating Garden. We thought the beautiful greenery and benches make for a quiet little spot to relax away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Don’t deprive your tastebuds of the eccentric taste of the restaurant food found along the Chicago Riverwalk. You can easily get a light snack here, but on a day of summer sightseeing, we prefer saving our calories for specialties like the rich, creamy gelatos from Sweet Home Gelato (151 W Riverwalk).
The local breweries here also brew up some craft beers that left a huge impression on us. Don’t just walk past The Northman Beer and Cider Garden (233 E Riverwalk) when you spot it.
Grab a seat along the riverbank and slake thine thirst with a Northman Pub apple cider or the über-hoppy Surly Furious IPA. Although we had a hard time connecting it to the beer garden’s “northerner” concept, their shawarma sausage is a perfect pub snack for soaking up the brews.
North Avenue Beach
Leaving North Avenue Beach out of a Chicago trip itinerary is like not watching that one TV series everyone’s going on about. Even if you’re not a beach person, this stretch of sand on the shores of Lake Michigan is worth visiting at least once, especially if you find yourself in the Windy City in the summer months.
North Avenue Beach is located in Lincoln Park. If you’re planning to visit the park or the zoo, the beach is a quick and easy detour.
Chicago has several beautiful beaches, but North Avenue Beach is its prized possession. Besides the golden sand and clear blue water, the unique beach house in the center is one of the reasons it doesn’t lose its charm among other Chicago attractions.
What’s so cool about this beach house? We think it offers an ideal photo op background, with its sleek white and blue ship design. But even more so, it’s famed for its mesmerizing views of the lakefront trail and the city.
After spending time walking along the shoreline, we ventured inland to explore more attractions in Lincoln (Abraham) Park. Besides the zoo itself, we loved unwinding with a stroll along South Pond on the Nature Boardwalk and at the David M. McKay Memorial Garden.
History fans should walk down to the Lincoln Monument Gardens and check out the Chicago History Museum. Although we found the admission to be a tad pricey, history buffs will enjoy browsing the exhibits here, walking through several important eras in the city’s history.
Field Museum
It’s been a wild ride for the Field Museum since its opening in 1894. And you’re in for an adventure, too, once you step inside. Turn off National Geographic for the time being: This museum offers everything a natural history fanatic would crave!
During our visit, we enjoyed walking through civilizations, from as early as the prehistoric era down to ancient civilizations. The Field Museum surprised us with displays and ancient artifacts we had yet to see anywhere else, such as dinosaur skeletons, Egyptian tombs, rare insects, and more.
If you’ve got wiggle room in your Chicago travel plans, we recommend timing your visit to the Field Museum with its seasonal exhibitions. Along with its permanent displays, the museum occasionally offers temporary exhibits that’ll reawaken your love for natural history.
The Art Institute of Chicago
Thinking about what to see in Chicago, and pushed aside the Art Institute of Chicago? Don’t make the mistake: The Art Institute has repeatedly made the list of the world’s top museums, and it’s one of our favorites that we poked into in the city!
The Art Institute of Chicago is a haven for anyone looking to find inspiration and extend their creative abilities. This popular art gallery has a near-endless collection that ranges across timelines and countries. Whether you want to see Van Gogh paintings in person or explore lesser-known artists, the Art Institute combines thousands of works of art in one place.
Besides the permanent collection, the Art Institute of Chicago offers temporary exhibitions from time to time featuring exquisite masterpieces. To learn more about the upcoming exhibitions, visit their website.
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
Who knew science could be exciting instead of those painful memories of memorizing concepts? Well, that’s what the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry promises: Understanding science through hands-on immersive experiences that make it fun.
The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry brings a plethora of activities that transport us through the fascinating world of science. Most visitors plan a trip here with the kids, but we think you’ll likely enjoy the activities as much as they do—if not more!
Find your way through a mathematical mirror maze. Learn more about how your body works with the YOU! The Experience exhibit. Get a real-life experience of WWII in the U-505 Submarine. Dive into the Coal Mine to see how the technology works. Or walk through the history and future of space travel at the Henry Crown Space Center.
Don’t rush the experience; there’s so much to see & do at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry that we think it’ll deserve a good chunk of a day.
Admission to the museum is $25.95 for adults and $14.95 for children from 3 to 11. Several experiences, including the Giant Dome Theater and Coal Mine, require additional timed tickets.
Shedd Aquarium
On a family adventure to Chicago, we can’t think of many better places to spend a morning or afternoon than the Shedd Aquarium. One of the five major attractions located in the 57-acre Museum Campus, this world-class aquarium is one of our favorite spots in the city.
From tiny snails to big majestic whales and from crawling turtles to diving dolphins, the Shedd Aquarium houses over 100 sea animals set in a variety of unique marine habitats.
Pop into the Abbott Oceanarium, modeled upon the Pacific Northwest coast, to see California sea lions, sea otters, beluga whales, and Pacific white-sided dolphins splashing around. Head up to the Polar Play Zone to play, pretend, and discover penguins, jellyfish, and whales with your kids and family. Or witness sharks and tropical fish spiraling around a coral reef at the Wild Reef exhibit.
When you’re done at the Shedd Aquarium, carve out time to check out other fascinating things to see in Chicago around the Museum Campus. Add a dash of natural history to your itinerary at the Field Museum, explore the solar system at the Adler Planetarium, or catch a Chicago Bears game during football season at Soldier Field.
Garfield Park Conservatory
As much as we love hangin’ out downtown on our visits, we also enjoy getting a little outside the city center. To escape the bustle, add Garfield Park Conservatory to your travel list and prepare to be flabbergasted by nature’s wonders.
When we first spotted this modernist attraction, we found it hard to believe that it was built back in the early 1900s!
Even if you don’t have a thing for plants and gardens like we do, you’ll enjoy visiting the Garfield Park Conservatory. The conservatory is split into several different environments. Connected to each other by doors, each section represents a unique characteristic theme, including the Palm House, Desert House, and Fern Room.
Visit each area to gaze at exotic plants and flowers from all over the world. When you’re done exploring the conservatories, take a wander around the 10-acre outdoor gardens, including the lovely lily pools in the City Garden.
For visitors, admission to the Garfield Park Conservatory is $10 for adults with a 50% discount for children, seniors, and students. (Chicago residents can visit for free.)
Chicago Cultural Center
While walking back into downtown from Millennium Park, we couldn’t help but notice the Chicago Cultural Center. Set in a stunning Beaux-Arts building from 1897, this cultural institution is a great spot to get a quick dose of the Windy City’s unique culture.
Before taking a cultural deep dive, we were left in awe by the building’s brilliant architecture. Walk up to the north side of the 2nd floor to admire the beautiful rotunda in the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) Hall. Even more stunning is the world’s largest Tiffany stained-glass dome, located in Preston Bradley Hall on the 3rd floor.
After soaking up the architectural splendor, check out the exhibits and performances. The four major galleries of the Chicago Cultural Center feature several art exhibits that showcase works of popular and emerging local and national artists.
Chicago Children’s Museum
If you’re visiting Chicago with kids and are looking to keep them engaged for a couple of hours, look no further than the Chicago Children’s Museum. This popular museum is located at Navy Pier, making it an easy addition to any Chicago trip itinerary.
Kids will love the engaging, outside-the-box, and fun experiences at the Chicago Children’s Museum.
If your little ones love playing with water, they’ll love playing around in Water City playground, located in the historic Head House section of Navy Pier. The enchanted forests of Treehouse Trails are an excellent place for children to gain an insight into how their (and our) ancestors used to live in primitive times.
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Among the most-loved activities at the Chicago Children’s Museum is the Dinosaur Expedition. At this hands-on exhibit, kids can uncover their inner scientists while digging for dinosaur bones and conducting archaeological research.
After visiting the Chicago Children’s Museum, tackle your hunger at the Navy Pier location of Giordano’s (700 E Grand Ave). When we’re craving an authentic Chicago deep-dish pizza, we’ve yet to find a restaurant that satisfies it better than this one.
Wrigley Field
Chicago is home to one of the finest baseball stadiums in the world. If you’re a sports fan, don’t miss the chance to make a pilgrimage to the home of the Chicago Cubs: Wrigley Field.
Even if you visit after the baseball season has ended or on a non-game day, you can enjoy an interesting tour of the grounds. Join the Ivy Tour for a detailed look around Wrigley Field. After the tour, be sure to snap a picture in front of the stadium’s historic ivy wall.
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On a game day, you’re in for even more of a treat. Surrounded by passionate and dedicated Chicagoans, cheer on the hometown Cubs until your throat gets hoarse. Exhausted from all the cheering? Fuel up with a mouthwatering Chicago-style hot dog washed down with a refreshing local craft beer.
Where to stay
For most travelers, many of our favorite choices for where to stay in Chicago lie within The Loop and River North. Other popular areas in the city for visitors include Streeterville, Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, and the West Loop.
Hotel Blake, an Ascend Hotel Collection Member
Watch history and luxury collide at this boutique hotel in The Loop. Despite its central location and sleek decor, the Hotel Blake offers excellent value for the downtown area. Rest easy in the modern rooms, featuring newspaper-style wallpaper that highlights the hotel and building’s history.
Staypineapple, An Iconic Hotel, The Loop
For a stylish and chic pick in the heart of the city, we would look no further than the Staypineapple. To get you in the mood for your Chicago sightseeing adventure, grab an in-room coffee in their signature pineapple mugs before embarking on your day. For an extra dash of luxury, we would splurge for the Millennium Park King Suite to marvel at breathtaking views of The Bean and Lake Michigan.
The Langham Chicago
The ultimate in big-city five-star luxury comes to the fore at The Langham. In every room, floor-to-ceiling windows shine in views of Lake Michigan or the Chicago River. With the hotel’s prime location, we found some of Chicago’s finest places to eat & drink are within quick walking distance.
