- Top Attractions
- See & Do
- Eat & Drink
- Hotels
- Apartments
- Vacation Rentals
- Bed & Breakfasts
- Villas
Why Visit Chicago
Reborn after the 1871 Great Fire, Chicago became the birthplace of the skyscraper. The influential Chicago School of architecture pioneered steel-frame construction, visible in landmarks like the Tribune Tower and the Rookery's famed light court.
The city is defined by Lake Michigan, offering an 18-mile lakefront trail for biking and walking. Explore Millennium Park's famous Cloud Gate sculpture or the free Lincoln Park Zoo. An often-missed gem for anyone visiting Chicago is Montrose Bird Sanctuary.
Beyond deep-dish pizza and Chicago-style hot dogs, the city's food scene is diverse. A must-try is the jibarito, a local sandwich using fried plantains instead of bread. Invented in Humboldt Park, it reflects the city's rich Puerto Rican heritage.
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Quick Travel Essentials
- Apr-Junmild, fewer crowds
- Jul-Aughot & busy
- Sep-Octcool, colorful foliage
- Nov-Marcold, possible snow
- #ComfortableShoes
- #LightJacket
- #Sunscreen
- #Camera
- #PortableCharger
- 3-4 days for highlights
- 5-7 with beaches & day trips
- USD ($)
- English
- English is an official language here
- #MillenniumPark
- #NavyPier
- #WillisTower
- #ArtInstituteOfChicago
- #CloudGate
- #SheddAquarium
- Take an architecture boat tour
- Visit the Skydeck at Willis Tower
- Explore Navy Pier amusement park
- Taste deep-dish pizza
- Stroll down the Magnificent Mile
Recommended Hotels in Chicago by Experience
Things to do in Chicago
Discover
Discover the best places to visit in Chicago, from the soaring Willis Tower Skydeck to the masterpieces at the Art Institute of Chicago. Stroll through Millennium Park to see Cloud Gate, and explore the urban nature of the Lincoln Park Zoo.
Experience
Enjoy a show in the Theatre District, catch a Cubs game at Wrigley Field, or bike the Lakefront Trail. Experience summer music festivals like Lollapalooza or seasonal events like the Christkindlmarket, offering unique cultural experiences.
Millennium Park
Urban park with Cloud Gate sculpture and Lurie Garden.
Art Institute of Chicago
Renowned art museum with iconic American Gothic painting.
Willis Tower Skydeck
Observation deck with The Ledge, a glass balcony.
Navy Pier
Lakeside pier with Centennial Wheel and attractions.
Architecture River Cruise
Guided boat tour showcasing the city's skyscrapers.
The Field Museum
Natural history museum, home to SUE the T. rex.
Lincoln Park Zoo
Free-admission zoo within a large urban park.
Before You Arrive
Getting There
Wondering how to get to Chicago? Fly into O'Hare (ORD) or Midway (MDW). The 'L' train offers a direct Chicago airport to city center link: the Blue Line from ORD (~45 min) and Orange Line from MDW (~25 min). Amtrak's train to Chicago arrives at Union Station.
Getting Around
Navigate with extensive public transport in Chicago using the CTA 'L' trains and buses. Get a Ventra Card or use contactless pay for fares. For a scenic route between key sites, try the Chicago Water Taxi. The downtown Loop is also highly walkable.
Local Essentials
One of our Chicago travel tips for first-timers: avoid driving in Chicago; traffic is heavy and parking is costly. Consider car rental in Chicago only for day trips. Pre-book attraction tickets online. While cards are king, keep small cash handy.
Where to Stay in Chicago
Where to Eat and Drink
Celebrate
Taste Chicago's icons: hearty deep-dish pizza and the flavorful Italian beef sandwich. The city's dining scene is robust and unpretentious. Explore neighborhood spots for authentic food Chicago, where grabbing a quick, satisfying meal is a local ritual.
Enjoy
Eat at Girl & The Goat's vibrant, industrial space, book ahead. Sip classic cocktails at The Gage, an upscale tavern, expect crowds. For the best brunch, hit Wildberry Pancakes and Cafe's bustling room, join waitlist.
Girl & The Goat
Bold flavors in a fun, rustic-industrial West Loop spot.
Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse
Classic steakhouse with huge cuts and a bustling atmosphere.
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
Iconic deep-dish pizza, a must-try Chicago original.
Frontera Grill
Authentic, regional Mexican cuisine from chef Rick Bayless.
Events & Festivals
Celebrate
Explore Chicago's heritage through its must-see events. The city's Irish roots shine as the Chicago River is dyed green for St. Patrick's Day. August brings the historic Bud Billiken Parade, a major African American celebration since 1929.
Enjoy
Discover modern Chicago cultural activities and creative energy. The city hosts world-class music festivals like Lollapalooza, featuring pop and indie rock. Explore contemporary art at EXPO CHICAGO, a leading international art fair.
Lollapalooza
Four-day summer festival in Grant Park with a multi-genre lineup.
Taste of Chicago
World's largest free outdoor food festival held in Grant Park.
Christkindlmarket
Traditional German-style outdoor holiday market in Daley Plaza.
Chicago Blues Festival
Free, three-day festival celebrating the city's blues heritage.
Bud Billiken Parade
August parade celebrating youth and African American culture.
EXPO CHICAGO
International exposition of contemporary and modern art in April.
Chicago Int'l Film Festival
North America's longest-running competitive film fest each fall.
A truly impressive city
Chicago is an incredible city with so much to see. The architecture is just amazing; you can spend hours just looking up. We loved walking along the Riverwalk, it's so clean and has great places to stop for a drink. It's a very walkable city.
Amazing for art lovers
What a place for art and culture. The Art Institute of Chicago is massive, you could easily spend a full day in there. The whole museum campus area is well-planned. So many world-class museums all in one spot, it's very impressive.
Great neighborhoods and food
Chicago has some really cool neighborhoods to explore. We spent a lot of time around Wicker Park, checking out the unique shops and cafes. We had to try a Chicago-style deep-dish pizza, of course. It's definitely a must-try experience.
Beautiful parks in the city center
Even in the cooler weather, the city's parks are great. Millennium Park is a fantastic public space, and seeing Cloud Gate in person is really cool. It's nice to have so much green space right in the middle of all the tall buildings.
Shopper's paradise
The shopping here is top-notch. Michigan Avenue has everything you could possibly want, from huge department stores to luxury brands. It's a really impressive street and great for just strolling and window shopping, even if you don't buy much.
Unforgettable skyline views
The skyline is absolutely stunning, especially at night. We went up the John Hancock Center for the view and it was breathtaking. The city is full of great music venues and theaters, too. There's always something going on in the evening.