Known as the Windy City, Chicago is the United States’ third largest city, located on the shores of Lake Michigan, and is renowned for its many museums, vibrant music scene, impressive architecture and incredible food. You’ll have plenty of urban adventures to explore and discover here.
While public transit in Chicago is good, you might consider renting a car in Chicago if you plan to travel to outer parts of the city or have kids along. Consider reserving an SUV if you’re planning on exploring the city’s 28 miles of lakefront. Or opt for a compact car or sedan if you plan on visiting the city’s suburbs that aren’t connected by public transportation.
- 1. Art Institute of Chicago
- 2. The Chicago Riverwalk
- 3. Adler Planetarium
- 4. Wrigley Field
- 5. Lake Michigan
- 6. Navy Pier
- 7. Cloud Gate
- 8. Lincoln Park
- 9. Skydeck Chicago
- 10. Chicago Theater
- Best Places to Eat & Drink in Chicago
Must-see attractions in Chicago
1. Art Institute of Chicago
This historic building is home to one of the oldest and largest art collections in the US. The museum has been around since the 19th century and holds a wide variety of art, including 300,000 masterpieces representing all kinds of styles and periods, as well as renowned temporary exhibitions throughout the year.
Address: 111 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60603
Entry fees: Buy tickets
Hours: https://www.artic.edu/contact
Time required to see the attraction: At least 3 hours
2. The Chicago Riverwalk
The Chicago Riverwalk is a car-free walkway in downtown Chicago along the Chicago River. The area is the perfect destination to have a meal or simply enjoy a stroll along the river and explore public art. You can also rent a kayak, where you can view the city from the water.
Address: 306-370 W. Wacker Drive
Entry fees: Free
Hours: Open 24/7
Time required to see the attraction: The Riverwalk can be explored over several hours
3. Adler Planetarium
The Adler Planetarium is a building dedicated to science and is notable for its planetarium dome and Art Deco style. It was founded in 1930 by the businessman Alex Andler. The building offers incredible views of the surrounding neighborhood, as well as exhibits, theaters and artifacts. It’s also the home of the Gemini 12 time capsule. In 1987 the planetarium was declared a National Historic Landmark.
Address: 1300 S. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL 60605
Entry fees: Buy tickets
Hours: https://www.adlerplanetarium.org/visit/your-visit/hours/
Time required to see the attraction: At least 3 hours
4. Wrigley Field
The baseball park is home to the Chicago Cubs — one of the country’s most popular baseball teams. It is also one of the oldest ballparks in the country and its scoreboard is still changed by hand. Like other buildings in Chicago, it is also fashioned in the Art Deco style. If you’re not a baseball fan, you can also catch a concert here in the off-season.
Address: 1060 W. Addison St., Chicago, IL 60613
Entry fees: Depends on the event
Hours: Depends on the event
Time required to see the attraction: 3 hours or more for a baseball game
5. Lake Michigan
One of the five Great Lakes, Chicago is situated along the expansive waterfront of Lake Michigan with over 18 miles of trails and paved paths to explore. Although it has something to offer throughout all the seasons, Lake Michigan is particularly popular in the summer with people running, biking, swimming, boating and picnicking.
Address: Lakefront trail along Lake Shore Drive
Entry fees: Free
Hours: Open 24/7 with limited access in winter
Time required to see the attraction: Can be explored over several hours
6. Navy Pier
Navy Pier is one of the city’s most famous landmarks. It sits on the edge of Lake Michigan and is popular with tourists. It includes activities to keep the entire family entertained, like carousel rides, a Ferris wheel, a funhouse maze, an IMAX theater, the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre and the Chicago Children’s Museum.
Address: 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago, IL 60611
Entry fees: Free, although you need to buy tickets for rides and other attractions
Hours: https://navypier.org/plan-your-visit/hours-and-admission/
Time required to see the attraction: Enough to keep you occupied for full day.
7. Cloud Gate at Millennium Park
The park is home to one of the city’s most iconic outdoor pieces of art, including the Cloud Gate sculpture — better known as “The Bean” — where tourists flock to get a selfie in the reflective exterior. The park is also home to all sorts of art installations in spring and summer.
Address: 201 E. Randolph St., between Michigan Ave. & Columbus Ave., Chicago, IL 60602
Entry fees: Free
Hours: Attractions & park hours
Time required to see the attraction: 15 minutes
8. Lincoln Park
The largest park in Chicago is in one of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods, with fantastic bars, restaurants, and live music venues. The park is also home to the Lincoln Park Zoo, the Chicago History Museum and all sorts of shopping venues. There are some good options for deep dish pizza in the neighborhood, too, if that’s what you’re after.
Address: 2045 N. Lincoln Park West, Chicago, IL 60614-470
Entry fees: Free
Hours: Park & attraction hours
Time required to see the attraction: Several hours are needed to explore the park adequately.
9. Chicago Skydeck
For the most impressive views of the city, head to the Skydeck Chicago, a glass box located 103 floors up and 1,300 feet high. On a clear day, the views can extend up to 50 miles. Alternatively, you can head to the venue at sunset for a fantastic display of colors.
Address: 233 S. Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL 60606
Entry fees: Buy tickets
Hours: https://theskydeck.com/plan-a-visit/
Time required to see the attraction: Visitors typically spend 1.5 hours at the venue
10. The Chicago Theater
You can either catch a show at the theater or you can attend one of the venue’s tours to learn about the history of the site, its Baroque architecture, and even get an opportunity to stand on the stage and visit dressing rooms that were once home to many celebrities.
Address: 175 N. State St., Chicago, IL 60601
Entry fees: Depends on the event
Hours: Depends on the event
Time required to see the attraction: Depends on the event
Best Places to Eat & Drink in Chicago
With its multicultural neighborhoods and history as the center of the meatpacking industry, Chicago has every kind of food you can think of. Just don’t leave town without trying a Chicago-style hot dog!
Lou Malnati’s: You’ll definitely want to try a deep-dish pizza while you’re in Chicago For the most traditional slice, head to Lou Malnati’s, one of the oldest and most famous pizza shops in the city. Be sure to try a slice of the signature Lou pizza with spinach, mushrooms and tomatoes.
Gene & Georgetti: For something a bit more upscale, try one of the city’s classic Chicago steakhouses. Gene & Georgetti is one of the oldest, with all sorts of different cuts and an extensive wine list.
Dovetail Brewery: Wash it all down with a craft beer from Dovetail Brewery, based on traditional European styles (including lager, stout, IPA, and sour ales).
Original Rainbow Cone: For dessert, head to Chicago’s own Original Rainbow Cone, another city staple since the early 1920s. Be sure to try out the shop’s most famous cone, which has five different flavors to savor.
