Chicago offers everything a major city should have: world-class museums, thriving shopping areas, and a plethora of nightlife options, to mention a few. Plan to spend a lot of time around Grant Park if you’re here to learn: The Art Institute of Chicago and The Field Museum are both located in this neighborhood. Things To Do in Chicago.
Start your holiday with an architecture river tour – which can provide context on Chicago’s notable skyscrapers like the Willis Tower and Tribune Tower – before visiting the Museum of Science and Industry to learn more about the city’s pioneering roots. Just leave enough time to enjoy some of the city’s best attractions and activities in Chicago, such as seeing a game at Wrigley Field and window-shopping along The Magnificent Mile.
If the seemingly endless list of things to do in Chicago has you feeling overwhelmed, consider signing up for one of the best Chicago tours to make the most of your visit.
Keep reading for more on the 13 things to do in Chicago.
The Best Things To Do in Chicago.
We hope that our list of the 13 best things to do in Chicago helps you plan a fantastic trip to the city.
1. Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise
Nothing compares to seeing Chicago from the sea. This can be done while learning about Chicago architecture on the Architecture Foundation’s boat trip.
The Merchandise Mart, a structure so large it has its own zip code, Marina City, a pair of residential towers known popularly as the corncobs, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, and Willis Tower are all visible during the 1.5-hour cruise along the Chicago River.
Time to Spend: 1.5 to 2 hours
2. Skydeck Chicago
Every year, nearly 2 million people visit the Willis Tower’s Skydeck Chicago, and it’s simple to see why. Skydeck Chicago, which is located on the 103rd floor of the 110-story Willis Tower (the second-tallest skyscraper in North America after One World Trade Center) and offers stunning views of the city, is nine floors higher than 360 CHICAGO. On a clear day, you may be able to see Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, and other portions of Illinois beyond Chicago’s borders.
The Ledge is the most popular attraction among visitors. This platform, which extends beyond the building’s exterior, is entirely composed of glass, including the floor. The visual panels that illustrate what it’s like to be 103 floors above famous Chicago sights like Wrigley Field and Millennium Park were especially popular with visitors.
Long lines form rapidly for Skydeck Chicago, so plan on arriving early or obtaining a Chicago CityPASS, which allows you to enter the attraction faster. Alternatively, you can pay an additional fee for expedited access, which includes a faster line to the elevators.
Time to Spend: 1 to 2 hours
3. 360 Chicago observation deck
The 360 Chicago observation deck of the John Hancock Building is 1,000 feet above the Magnificent Mile and provides 360-degree views of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan. Are you up for a challenge?
The enclosed moving platform, which tilts visitors over Michigan Avenue, is worth a try. You don’t have to go to the observation deck to see the breathtaking vistas. Simply visit the Signature Room restaurant and bar to enjoy cocktails or a buffet brunch while admiring the lake and city views from the Hancock Tower.
Time to Spend: 1 to 2 hours
4. Go to the beach
Chicago, believe it or not, is a beach town where you can dig your toes into the sand while basking in the shadows of skyscrapers. There are 26 miles of shoreline and 25 beaches in Chicago.
Yoga and beach volleyball are popular at North Avenue Beach, which is located just north of downtown. The closest beach to downtown Chicago is Oak Street Beach. Beaches in Chicago are free to visit. During the summer, lifeguards are on duty from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Time to Spend: 2 to 4 hours
5. Art Institute of Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the country’s oldest and most prestigious art museums. More than 1.5 million people visit each year to see Picasso’s The Old Guitarist, Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks, and Grant Wood’s American Gothic, among other works.
The museum covers about one million square feet and is located in a stunning beaux-arts structure built for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition.
Time to Spend: 2 hours to Half day
6. Grant Park and Buckingham Fountain
The area is popularly referred to as “Chicago’s front yard.” Grant Park is a 313-acre green space that extends from the eastern tip of the Loop to the northern outskirts of the Near South Side. Grant Park is where you’ll find several of Chicago’s most popular attractions, including
Buckingham Fountain is located in the middle of Grant Park. This tiered water feature includes 133 jets that blast water as high as 150 feet into the air during 20-minute coordinated presentations, making it one of the world’s largest fountains (which take place every hour on the hour between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. from May to October). The fountain’s performance is enhanced with lights and music at night.
Time to Spend: Half Day to Full Day
7. Millennium Park
A trip to Chicago would be incomplete without a visit to Millennium Park. This 24.5-acre park, located just north of the Art Institute of Chicago, is utilised to display cutting-edge art, architecture, and landscaping, as well as serve as a backdrop for concerts and festivals.
The Crown Fountain and Cloud Gate, sometimes known as “The Bean,” attract the majority of tourists to Millennium Park. The Crown Fountain, designed by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa, has two 50-foot towers facing each other at opposite sides of a tiny reflecting pool.
From May through October, the towers’ LED screens display the faces of 1,000 distinct Chicago citizens, perfectly coordinated with spouts so that they appear to be spitting water on passersby.
Time to Spend: 1 to 2 hours
8. The Field Museum
One of the world’s largest natural history museums, the Field Museum is located in Chicago, Illinois. Approximately two million visitors visit each year to learn about the dinosaurs, ancient societies, and to see Sue, the world’s largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton.
The Chicago Bears’ home stadium, Soldier Field, is directly across the street from the Field Museum.
This museum is said to have a lot to see, so plan on spending at least a few hours here. Consider obtaining a Chicago CityPASS or a Go Chicago Card, both of which include museum entrance. A 3D video is included in the Chicago CityPASS.
Time to Spend: 2 hours to Half day
9. The Magnificent Mile
Make your way to The Magnificent Mile if your credit card is burning a hole in your wallet. Department shops and luxury retailers such as Bloomingdale’s, Marcus, Macy’s, and Nordstrom attract shoppers along this stretch of Michigan Avenue, which runs between Lake Shore Drive and the Chicago River.
The Drake, the Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile, and the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile are among the premier restaurants and luxury hotels on The Magnificent Mile.
A stroll down this street will appeal to architecture buffs due to its unique array of structures. Turn your gaze higher while wandering about for views of the Chicago Water Tower, which has stood since the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and is the longest structure on Michigan Avenue.
Time to Spend: 2 hours to Half day
10. Museum of Science and Industry
The Museum of Science and Industry is housed in a building from the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago’s Hyde Park.
A full-scale replica coal mine, a German submarine captured during World War II, a 3,500-square-foot model railroad, World War II planes, the Apollo 8 command module, and the Pioneer Zephyr, the world’s first diesel-powered streamlined stainless-steel train, are among the museum’s displays.
The Museum of Science and Industry is known for its interactive exhibitions and has over 2,000 objects, some of which demand an additional fee.
Time to Spend: 2 hours to Half day
11. Lincoln Park Zoo
The Lincoln Park Zoo, located 2 miles north of the Loop on the North Side neighborhood of Lincoln Park, is home to nearly 200 species, including zebras, sloths, and hippos in Chicago Tryst.
The zoo’s furry (or scaly) pals can be seen in their natural habitats: see gorillas in the Regenstein Center for African Apes, or get up up and personal with harbor seals in the Kovler Seal Pool.
Time to Spend: 2 hours to Half day
12. The Chicago Theater
The Chicago Theater is a historic building that was established in 1921 and was formerly one of the city’s most prestigious movie houses. It now hosts a variety of events, including concerts, plays, touring Broadway shows, comedy, and more.
The famous marquee of the theatre appears regularly in films, television shows, and artwork depicting the city. You won’t be able to fit a live concert into your Chicago schedule? There are tours of the property offered.
The red and yellow marquee of the Chicago Theatre, aside from Cloud Gate and Buckingham Fountain, is undoubtedly one of the city’s most identifiable monuments. A variety of humorous, theatrical, and musical performances are still performed in the theatre today.
Time to Spend: 1 to 2 hours
13. The Chicago Riverwalk
When the weather in Chicago warms up, there are few nicer places to be than the Chicago Riverwalk. The 1.25-mile pedestrian walkway along the Chicago River’s south bank is the ideal spot for a stroll while taking in the city’s cityscape.
In addition, there are a variety of activities that may be enjoyed directly on the water, such as boat tours or kayaking. If you prefer to stay on dry land, visit the public gardens and art exhibits, or dine at a popular restaurant or bar with a view of the Chicago River.
The McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum, which honors the city’s famed movable bridges, is well worth a visit if you want to understand more about the river’s unique heritage. The Riverwalk is the ideal place to see Art on theMART, a large digital art projection on the façade of theMART (previously The Merchandise Mart).
Time to Spend: Less than 1 hour
FAQ’s About Things To Do in Chicago.
What is Chicago’s famous for?
Chicago is known for its tall skyscrapers, particularly the Willis Tower (previously known as the Sears Tower and still called as such by residents), which was the world’s highest building from 1974 until 1998. Checking out the view from one of Chicago’s two highest skyscrapers is one of the best ways to see the city.
How many days do you need in Chicago?
To see all of Chicago’s best attractions, 3 to 4 days should suffice. You may certainly spend a week in Chicago, depending on your interests and travel style, exploring the neighborhood and major tourist attractions and activities in Chicago.
What is the best month to visit Chicago?
The months of April through May, as well as September and October, are ideal for visiting Chicago because the weather is pleasant, a variety of festivals are hosted, and crowds are manageable.
What are the things to do in Chicago?
The top attractions to visit in Chicago are:
Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise
Skydeck Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago
The Field Museum
Museum of Science and Industry
360 Chicago Observation Deck
Cloud Gate
Millennium Park
Willis Tower
What are the best outdoor activities in Chicago?
The best outdoor activities in Chicago are:
Millennium Park
Chicago Riverwalk
Lincoln Park Zoo
Grant Park
Tell Us In Comments Your Favorite Attractions and Activities in Chicago!
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