Top Things to do in Chicago, IL, USA
Find out what to do in Chicago. Get a list of exciting places to visit in Chicago and learn about many of the activities on this site that you can participate in when arriving from other cities around the U.S. or when vacationing internationally.
Chicago is a city for all seasons. The Windy City is welcoming at any time of the year, with activity and weather possibilities to suit travelers, whatever your vacation preferences!
Chicago is one of America’s most vibrant cities, and its many sights and stunning architecture make it a must-see destination. Don’t miss the Loop, the Art Institute, Millennium Park, or a Cubs game at Wrigley Field.
Visitors ride the elevators at the Willis (Sears) Tower and the John Hancock Center to get a bird’ s-eye view. They also explore Grant Park’s Buckingham Fountain and the Art Institute of Chicago.
The Art Institute holds world-class permanent collections and hosts an acclaimed annual exhibition of contemporary works from around the globe.
When visiting Chicago, it is essential to plan where you want to go and what you want to do. Learning about the locations before going to them can make your trip more enjoyable.
You will also want to identify restaurants where you want to eat while on vacation in the city.
The 20 best tourist attractions in Chicago, Illinois
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Millennium Park
Millennium Park is located in the heart of downtown Chicago. It is home to some of the city’s most inspiring public art, parks, gardens, architecture, and music and performance venues.
This park is an excellent place for outdoor entertainment. Tourists can enjoy various activities like biking, skating, relaxing on the lawn, or taking a tour of the many attractions found here.
The park offers visitors many options for how they want to spend their time during their visit, including shopping at local shops such as Macy’s or Nordstrom Rack, enjoying live music at one of three amphitheaters, visiting Millennium Park Zoo, or just taking it all in from above on an observation deck overlooking Lake Michigan.
Millennium Park is one of the most visited places in Chicago and features attractions such as Cloud Gate (the Bean), Frank Gehry’s Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Crown Fountain, Lurie Garden, and the Art Institute of Chicago’s Modern Wing.
Michigan Avenue bounds the park to the west, Columbus Drive to the east, Randolph Street to the north, and Monroe Street to the south.
Navy Pier
Navy Pier Chicago is a great place to go if you’re looking for fun things to do in the Windy City.
You can visit the Chicago Navy Pier, get a bit of history about the pier, and see some of the attractions on it. There are restaurants, shops, and entertainment options.
The Chicago Navy Pier was built in 1916 as a terminal for Great Lakes boats bringing people into Chicago.
Chicago operates the pier, which is a popular destination for tourists. It has been renovated and expanded, making it even more popular.
Navy Pier Chicago offers multiple attractions, including the Ferris Wheel, the Chicago Children’s Museum, the Skydeck, and more.
Various restaurants and shops are also along the pier, making it easy to find food and souvenirs for friends or family back home.
Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is the second-oldest stadium in the major league, and it’s in one of the most beautiful parts of Chicago. The neighborhood is called Wrigleyville and is home to great bars and restaurants.
You can take a tour of the stadium at any time during operating hours. There are guided and self-guided tours (the self-guided tours are more detailed).
They are pretty cool because they include artifacts and memorabilia throughout the stadium’s history. The stories behind some of the items tie together baseball history and Wrigley Field Chicago.
When you first walk into Wrigley Field, you feel like you’re in a different time. You’ll hear the sound of the balls hitting the bats, mixing with vendors hawking their peanuts and hot dogs.
You’ll smell the grilled onions on the hot dogs and burgers. The game will be on, but if you don’t care about that, you can go ahead and enjoy the smell of popcorn made fresh at the stands.
Shedd Aquarium
Shedd Aquarium Chicago is known for its aquatic exhibits and dazzling sea life-themed shows.
It is a public aquarium located on Lake Michigan in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. Opened in 1930, the Shedd was among the first to establish whale and dolphin shows.
The Shedd Aquarium is not set up just like your typical museum. It is more like a theme park with an indoor amusement park and attractions like boat rides and an IMAX theater with 4D special effects!
Some great activities include special events like shark feeds, where you can watch divers feed sharks from the bottom of their exhibit.
They have even brought back their popular Dolphin Show. This show features a variety of dolphins who perform tricks for the crowds, such as jumping through hoops, dancing, and even painting pictures LIVE.
They have a massive exhibit on the Antarctic and one on the North Pole. They also have an underwater tunnel so long that it takes seven minutes to walk through it!
And they’ve got a whole exhibit where you can walk right under the ocean and see sharks swimming above your head!
The Art Institute of Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago is a world-renowned art museum in the heart of downtown Chicago.
It offers visitors a chance to elevate their minds and expand their horizons. The museum has a breathtaking view of Grant Park and Lake Michigan.
The Art Institute of Chicago offers many activities, from seeing the famous impressionist-era paintings to relaxing in one of its outdoor spaces.
There are also plenty of activities available for children, including several special events geared toward their interests.
A trip to The Art Institute of Chicago would be incomplete without visiting The Thorne Miniature Rooms.
These breathtakingly detailed dioramas are designed to replicate interiors from many American and European history periods.
A visit to these rooms will drop you into the middle of a Victorian-era dining room, an elegant bedroom, or even an American garage.
Lincoln Park Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoo is the perfect place to get out of the house and enjoy an afternoon. It’s open 365 days a year, has free admission, and has many incredible things to see.
The zoo is home to over 400 different species of animals and plants. When you visit, you can expect to see monkeys and elephants.
You can also see some other fantastic creatures, including a rhinoceros! Did you know that it also has an arboretum?
This means that if you visit in the summertime when all the flowers are blooming, you’ll be able to see even more cool stuff!
Lincoln Park Zoo is great for kids of all ages. They offer fun activities for kids who want to learn about the animals and the zoo itself, including treasure hunts and scavenger hunts.
If your kids are interested in conservation or ecology, there’s a particular area set aside for them to learn more about how they can help animals at the zoo and in the wild.
To make it easy for you to plan your day at Lincoln Park Zoo, they offer many different programs and events, like movie nights on select evenings during the summertime that feature educational movies from National Geographic. They also offer many special events throughout
Museum of Science and Industry
Museum of Science and Industry Chicago is an incredible place. It offers many exhibits and activities, from the massive USS Silversides submarine to a collection of airplanes that you can set into the original Ferris wheel.
While the museum is filled with lots of cool stuff to see and do, it’s also a great place to experience with your family, friends, or significant other.
The Museum of Science and Industry Chicago (MSI) offers a variety of permanent and temporary exhibits that are sure to keep you entertained.
The museum features hands-on exhibits, including but not limited to “What’s inside the Tornado?” “Fantastic Forces,” “Bridges,” and “Superstructures.”
It also has a planetarium, an IMAX theater, and a recently added 3D printing lab where visitors can design their creations.
The Museum of Science and Industry Chicago is located in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago. It’s easily accessible by public transportation, but you’ll probably need a car to see most of the museum.
Skydeck Chicago – Willis Tower
The Skydeck Chicago is a tourist attraction located on the 103rd floor of Willis Tower (formerly and still commonly known as Sears Tower) in Chicago, Illinois.
It offers excellent views of the city and Lake Michigan and a glass-bottom platform that extends four feet out from the building.
Visitors can only reach the observation deck by purchasing tickets online or at one of the ticket offices on the ground floor.
Visitors who have purchased tickets may enter through the main entrance on the 103rd floor and will be guided through a security check.
Remember to bring your ID with you, as you’ll need it for verification purposes.
Skydeck Chicago – Willis Tower Chicago is the highest publicly accessible building in North America. From the 103rd floor, you can get a 360-degree view of Chicago. You can see Navy Pier, Shedd Aquarium, Lake Michigan, and more!
Museum Campus
Museum Campus Chicago is an area in the city that’s home to one of the largest museum complexes in the world, as well as some of Chicago’s most beautiful parks and gardens.
The area has become known as Museum Campus, thanks to its proximity to the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, and Adler Planetarium, all on a single plot of land along Lake Shore Drive. However, there are plenty more museums and visitor attractions in the area!
Here are some places you can check out if you’re visiting Museum Campus Chicago:
The Field Museum
Home to Sue the T-Rex and hundreds of other artifacts from across history. Take an unforgettable walk through time at this incredible museum!
Shedd Aquarium
Over 32,000 fish in this huge aquarium—from dolphins and whales to sharks and rays. Plus, you can see otters playing with each other!
Adler Planetarium
For those who love science fiction or want to learn more about astronomy
Nestled on the southern tip of Chicago, Museum Campus Chicago is a bustling and beautiful outdoor area with much to offer. Comprised of three major attractions, this tiny slice of the city is one of the most visited areas in Illinois.
Cloud Gate
Cloud Gate Chicago is a giant, reflective bean-shaped sculpture located in the heart of Millennium Park.
The mirrored exterior reflects the incredible downtown skyline and the surrounding park, making it one of the most stunning spots in the city to take photos.
If you like taking photos, you can take pictures of The Bean from different angles or capture some other fantastic landmarks in the area, like Buckingham Fountain.
Several small gardens and cafes surround the sculpture, and they serve tasty food and drinks, so be sure to bring your appetite!
Cloud Gate area is one of the city’s most popular attractions; it features sculptures by famous artists such as Anish Kapoor and Jaume Plensa and public art installations like Lurie Garden (Chicago Botanic Garden). There are also many different walking trails around this area.
Summary
Chicago is home to many museums and galleries, including the Museum of Science and Industry, where visitors can learn about Chicago’s history and its place in American industry.
They can also check out O’Hare International Airport, which provides free tours daily, or visit Millennium Park, where they can see Cloud Gate (a giant reflective bean) or play sports on one of the many courts.
Don’t forget about their restaurant scene! There are tons of great restaurants in Chicago; try something new this time around to experience all that this great city has to offer.
Chicago is a big city with plenty of places to visit, but it can be overwhelming for tourists. If you’re planning a trip to Windy City, use our list to plan your itinerary.
The Magnificent Mile may be pretty great, but there’s no reason not to venture out into some other neighborhoods: North Center, West Loop, and Hyde Park.
You can take a stroll along Lake Shore Drive and make your way through the Lincoln Park Zoo before ending up in Lincoln Square for a nightcap at Rockit Bar & Grill.
