Catch Live Blues
A blues club is the most Chicago way to end a night, with live music in rooms across the city.
Our blues and jazz guide
Best Things To Do In Chicago
A flat grid, a long lakefront and a river lined with skyscrapers. Start with the day you have, then add the lake, the museums and a slice of deep-dish.
The Best Things To Do In Chicago For First-Time Visitors
One full day covers the park, a museum, the river and a skyline view, all inside the Loop and the blocks just north of it, and almost all of it on foot.
1Morning
Millennium Park and Cloud Gate
Go before the crowds and walk around and under the Bean while the reflections are clear.
Free2Late Morning
Art Institute of Chicago
The museum sits at the south edge of the park, so it costs no extra transit. Book a timed ticket for the day.
3Afternoon
Chicago Riverwalk
Walk the river on foot, then see the same towers from the water on an architecture cruise.
Free4Evening
360 Chicago at Dusk
Time the visit for sunset and watch the lake go dark from the observation deck on Michigan Avenue.
From $30Things To Do In Chicago, Ranked By What You Actually Get
Eight places that earn the trip, each with what it gives you and what it costs to get in.
Free
Millennium Park and Cloud GateThe Bean, the Crown Fountain and a free lakeside park.
Free
Chicago RiverwalkA path along the river beneath the skyscrapers.
Art Institute of ChicagoA museum of the first rank beside the park.
From $32
Willis Tower SkydeckGlass boxes on the 103rd floor over the Loop.
Navy PierA lake pier with a wheel, restaurants and boat docks.
Field MuseumDinosaurs and natural history on the Museum Campus.
From $25
Adler PlanetariumA lakefront planetarium with a skyline view.
The Magnificent MileMichigan Avenue shopping from the river to Oak Street.
95,028 traveller reviewsacross 53 checked tours
From $26cheapest paid tour today
Prices checkedagainst the booking page, refreshed monthly
Which Things To Do In Chicago Need Booking Ahead?
Fifty-three tours and tickets cover Chicago, from a river cruise to a CityPASS bundle. Three quick questions sort them into a shortlist for your dates.
A starting shortlist of the best-reviewed tours, nothing more. Answer one question below to rebuild it around your plans.
- Classic Architecture River Cruise 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes Shoreline Sightseeing from $39 ★ 4.8 16,963 Check availability
- 90-Minute Architecture Tour 1 hour 30 minutes Wendella Tours & Cruises from $45 ★ 4.7 10,913 Check availability
- 1.5-Hour Guided Architecture Cruise 1h 30m Wendella Tours & Cruises from $45 ★ 4.8 9,440 Check availability
- Architecture Cruise Aboard First Lady 1 hour 30 minutes Chicago Architecture Foundation & Chicago's First... from $57 ★ 4.9 7,018 Check availability
- Skydeck With the Ledge 45 minutes Skydeck Chicago from $47 ★ 4.6 5,036 Check availability
- 360 Observation Deck Ticket 45 minutes 360 Chicago Observation Deck from $30 ★ 4.5 3,715 Check availability
- 45-Minute Cruise From Magnificent Mile 45 minutes Wendella Tours & Cruises from $28 ★ 4.7 3,576 Check availability
- Crime and Mob Bus Tour 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours Chicago Crime Tours and Experiences LLC from $49 ★ 4.6 3,534 Check availability
- 45-Minute Family-Friendly Cruise 45 minutes Wendella Tours & Cruises from $28 ★ 4.7 2,851 Check availability
- Pizza, Beer, Brownies Food Tour 3 hours Bobby's Bike, Hike & Food Tours - Chicago from $84.99 ★ 4.9 2,299 Check availability
- 1.5-Hour Lake and River Cruise 1h 30m Wendella Tours & Cruises from $45 ★ 4.7 2,191 Check availability
- Skydeck Admission Only 30 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes Skydeck Chicago from $44 ★ 4.3 1,911 Check availability
- Gangsters and Ghosts Walk 2 hours Empire Tours & Productions from $31 ★ 4.7 1,831 Check availability
- Original Interiors, 2 Hours 2 hours Inside Chicago Walking Tours from $35 ★ 5.0 1,790 Check availability
- Lake Michigan Sunset Cruise 1 hour 30 minutes Wendella Tours & Cruises from $45 ★ 4.5 1,685 Check availability
- Hop-on Hop-off Open-Top Bus 1 day Big Bus - Chicago from $49 ★ 4.3 1,515 Check availability
- Downtown Donut Tour, 8 Tastings 2 hours Underground Donut Tour from $70 ★ 4.9 1,509 Check availability
- Night River and Lake Cruise 1.5 hours First Lady from $50 ★ 4.7 1,192 Check availability
- Torture Museum, Audio Guide 1 hour 30 minutes Medieval Torture Museum from $35.83 ★ 4.8 1,076 Check availability
- 6-Dish Small-Group Food Tour 3 hours Secret Food Tours from $84.99 ★ 4.9 1,007 Check availability
- CityPASS, 5 Attractions 1 day CityPASS from $144 ★ 4.7 994 Check availability
- Art Institute Fast Pass 1 day Art Institute of Chicago from $40 ★ 4.8 970 Check availability
- Flyover Flying Theatre 30 minutes Flyover Attractions Inc from $28 ★ 4.9 904 Check availability
- Field Museum Ticket or VIP Tour 1 day Field Museum from $29 ★ 4.6 836 Check availability
- 30-Minute Skyline Cruise 30 minutes from $34 ★ 4.6 804 Check availability
- Chinatown Food Walking Tour 3 hours Bobby's Bike, Hike & Food Tours - Chicago from $79.99 ★ 4.9 793 Check availability
- Seadog Speedboat Ride 30 minutes City Cruises from $39 ★ 4.5 693 Check availability
- Secret Interiors Walking Tour 2 hours Empire Tours & Productions from $30 ★ 4.8 666 Check availability
- City Minibus Tour 2 hours See it ALL Chicago Tours from $49.95 ★ 4.9 642 Check availability
- Guided Art Institute Tour 2 hours 30 minutes Chicago Museum Tours from $71.40 ★ 5.0 624 Check availability
- Museum of Ice Cream Ticket 1h 30m Museum of Ice Cream Chicago from $33 ★ 4.1 530 Check availability
- Lunch or Dinner Cruise 2 - 3 hours City Cruises from $94 ★ 4.2 484 Check availability
- Pizza Tour by Coach 3 hours 30 minutes Chicago Pizza Tour from $89 ★ 4.9 482 Check availability
- Historic Treasures Walking Tour 2 hours Chicago Architecture Center from $35 ★ 4.9 442 Check availability
- Explorer Pass, 2 to 7 Attractions 1 day Go City from $84 ★ 4.5 439 Check availability
- 360 Deck, Drink Included 1h 30m 360 Chicago Observation Deck from $44 ★ 4.6 415 Check availability
- Haunted Capone Walking Tour 1 hour 30 minutes Magnifico Tours from $35 ★ 5.0 400 Check availability
- 2-Hour Lakefront Segway Tour 2 hours Absolutely Chicago Segway Tours from $70 ★ 5.0 383 Check availability
- Shedd Aquarium Attraction Pass 1 day Go City from $149 ★ 4.4 373 Check availability
- Science and Industry Museum Ticket 1 day Griffin Museum of Science and Industry from $25.95 ★ 4.6 342 Check availability
- Underground Pedway Walking Tour 2 hours Inside Chicago Walking Tours from $28 ★ 4.7 321 Check availability
- Gangster History With Tastings 2 hours Empire Tours & Productions from $75 ★ 4.7 275 Check availability
- Sunset City Bike Tour 3 hours Bobby's Bike, Hike & Food Tours - Chicago from $59 ★ 4.9 274 Check availability
- Skyline Helicopter Tour 7 - 20 minutes Paratus Air from $130 ★ 4.4 219 Check availability
- Prohibition Speakeasy Tour 3 - 4 hours Prohibition Tours from $48 ★ 4.9 198 Check availability
- Robie House Admission 1 hour Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio from $27 ★ 4.2 155 Check availability
- Free Bruce Walking Tour 2 hours and 15 minutes Free, pay what you wish ★ 4.8 113 See this free tour on GuruWalk
- Private ORD Airport Transfer 1 hour Elife Ride from $40 ★ 4.4 78 Check availability
- Free Loop Highlights Walk 2 hours and 30 minutes Free, pay what you wish ★ 5.0 38 See this free tour on GuruWalk
- Starved Rock Guided Kayak Tour 2 hours Kayak Starved Rock Campground from $74 ★ 4.7 34 Check availability
- Skyline Kayak Rental 1 to 2 hours Bobby's Bike, Hike & Food Tours - Chicago from $39.99 ★ 4.8 26 Check availability
- Milwaukee Day Trip, Brewery 1 day Jupiter Legend Corporation from $125 ★ 4.5 21 Check availability
- Private Oak Park Architecture Tour 5 hours Welcome Pickups from $224.64 ★ 4.3 8 Check availability
Things To Do In Chicago With Kids
Fish, animals and a park with climbing frames keep younger visitors busy between the big sights.
Shedd AquariumAquatic life beside the lake on the Museum Campus.
Lincoln Park ZooA city zoo on the edge of the lakefront park.
Maggie Daley ParkPlay areas and a skating ribbon beside Millennium Park.
Things To Do In Chicago In Winter
Indoors is the plan from December to March: galleries, glasshouses and a good view from behind glass.
Chicago Cultural CenterMosaic domes and free exhibitions in a downtown landmark.
Garfield Park ConservatoryWarm glasshouses full of plants when the lake is frozen.
Art Institute of ChicagoA full day indoors that a snowstorm cannot cancel.
Things To Do In Chicago At Night
The skyline is the show after dark, from a boat, a rooftop or a blues club.
The Chicago TheatreThe lit sign on State Street is a landmark on its own.
Blues and Jazz ClubsLive music rooms across the city, from the Loop to the South Side.
Rooftop BarsSkyline views with a drink in hand.
Things To Do In Chicago This Weekend
A two-day plan, the events calendar and a food walk for the Saturday afternoon.
Weekend ItineraryTwo days, ordered by neighborhood so you do not backtrack.
Events CalendarFestivals and big weekends by month.
Navy PierAn easy afternoon on the lake.
Chicago Neighborhoods Worth A Half Day
Downtown gives you the postcard. The neighborhoods give you the rest, and each one fits a half day by train: Pilsen for murals and Mexican food, Wicker Park for shops and bars, Hyde Park for two museums by the lake, Andersonville for independent shops.
- The Loop, Chicago: What to See, Do, Eat and Skip DowntownDowntown Chicago's core: what to see, eat and skip in the Loop.
- River North Chicago Guide: Architecture, Restaurants, Hotels and ViewsGalleries, river cruises, steak houses and skyline decks north of the river.
- West Loop Chicago: A Neighborhood Guide to Fulton Market and Restaurant RowFulton Market, restaurant row, food tours, and how to get around Chicago's West Loop.
- Wicker Park and Bucktown: A Local's Guide to Chicago's West Side CoolChicago's indie heart: record shops, murals, food tours, and honest advice on transit, safety, and costs.
- Hyde Park Chicago: What to See, Eat, and Do on the South SideThe South Side's museum-and-lakefront neighborhood, worth a full day.
- Pilsen Chicago: Murals, Mole and the Best Photo Walk in the CityMurals, mole and the best photo walk in the city.
- Lakeview and Wrigleyville: A Local's Guide to Chicago's North SideThe North Side neighborhood pair with the ballpark, the lakefront, and the city's best bar density.
- Andersonville Chicago: A Local's Guide to the North Side's Most Independent NeighborhoodThe independent north side: Clark Street shops, restaurants, and LGBTQ+ history.
How Many Days Do You Need In Chicago?
One day covers the park, a museum and the river on foot. Two days add the lakefront and one neighborhood, and three leave room for a cruise, a ballgame or a slower museum morning. Four or five open up Hyde Park, Oak Park or a day out of state.
- 1 Day in Chicago: The Perfect Itinerary, Hour by HourThe realistic one-day loop: park, river cruise, skyline view, dinner.
- 2 Days in Chicago: A Realistic Two-Day ItineraryA realistic two-day plan: downtown day one, lakefront and neighborhoods day two.
- 3 Days in Chicago: The Perfect Long Weekend ItineraryA day-by-day 3-day Chicago itinerary with real prices, transit fares and where to eat.
- 4 Days in Chicago: A Complete First-Trip ItineraryA four-day Chicago itinerary with real prices, transit fares and neighborhood picks.
- 5 Days in Chicago: A Complete ItineraryA five-day Chicago plan: downtown icons, museums, neighborhoods, food, and a day trip.
- Things to Do Near O'Hare Airport: What You Can Actually Fit Into a LayoverHow long your O'Hare layover needs to be before downtown Chicago is worth the trip, and what to do when it isn't.
Free Things To Do In Chicago
The lakefront, the river and the big park cost nothing to walk, and a guide-led free walk can start you off. Several museums also run free days for Illinois residents.
Free Loop Highlights Walk
5.0 from 38 reviews · free, pay what you want
See this free tour on GuruWalk
Where To Eat In Chicago
Deep-dish is the headline, but the Italian beef and the hot dog are what locals eat on a Tuesday.
Deep-Dish Pizza
Lou Malnati’s in Lincoln Square/North Center, 4340 N Lincoln Avenue
A tall, buttery crust with the cheese under the sauce.
Italian Beef
Thin-sliced beef on a roll, dipped in its own juice.
Chicago Hot Dog
All-beef, on a poppy seed bun, with seven toppings and no ketchup.
Catch Live Blues
A blues club is the most Chicago way to end a night, with live music in rooms across the city.
Our blues and jazz guide
A Map Of The Best Things To Do In Chicago
Loading the map. Every place is also listed below.
Click the map to zoom with the scroll wheel. Numbers match the list.
- Millennium Park and Cloud GateMillennium Park, where most first days start
- Navy PierLandmark · 1.1 mi from Millennium Park
- Willis Tower SkydeckView · 0.7 mi from Millennium Park
- Field MuseumMuseum · 1.2 mi from Millennium Park
- Art Institute of ChicagoMuseum · 0.2 mi from Millennium Park
- Museum of Science and IndustryMuseum · 6.7 mi from Millennium Park
- Shedd AquariumMuseum · 1.1 mi from Millennium Park
- Chicago RiverwalkParks and lakefront · 0.4 mi from Millennium Park
- Lincoln Park ZooParks and lakefront · 2.7 mi from Millennium Park
- 360 Chicago and TILTView · 1.1 mi from Millennium Park
- Chicago Botanic GardenParks and lakefront · 20 mi from Millennium Park
- Adler PlanetariumMuseum · 1.4 mi from Millennium Park
- Magnificent MileLandmark · 0.6 mi from Millennium Park
- Wrigley Field ToursStadium · 4.8 mi from Millennium Park
- United CenterStadium · 2.7 mi from Millennium Park
- Garfield Park ConservatoryParks and lakefront · 4.9 mi from Millennium Park
- Chicago Cultural CenterMuseum · 0.1 mi from Millennium Park
- The LoopNeighborhood · 0.4 mi from Millennium Park
- River NorthNeighborhood · 0.8 mi from Millennium Park
- West Loop and Fulton MarketNeighborhood · 1.6 mi from Millennium Park
- Wicker Park and BucktownNeighborhood · 3.5 mi from Millennium Park
- Lincoln ParkNeighborhood · 3 mi from Millennium Park
- Hyde ParkNeighborhood · 6.3 mi from Millennium Park
- PilsenNeighborhood · 2.7 mi from Millennium Park
- Logan SquareNeighborhood · 5.4 mi from Millennium Park
- Old TownNeighborhood · 2.4 mi from Millennium Park
- Gold CoastNeighborhood · 1.6 mi from Millennium Park
- ChinatownNeighborhood · 2.2 mi from Millennium Park
- AndersonvilleNeighborhood · 7.1 mi from Millennium Park
- Lakeview and WrigleyvilleNeighborhood · 4.6 mi from Millennium Park
On The Lakefront Right Now
Wind decides a lakefront day more than rain does. Check the shore conditions before you lock in a boat ride, a bike on the path or a deck ticket.
The most recent hourly reading from the Oak Street sensor had the air at 58 °F and the wind at 2 mph from the north-northeast, straight in off the lake.
| Hour | Air | Wind | Gust | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 am | 58°F | 2 mph | 3 mph | north-northeast |
| 3 am | 60°F | 2 mph | 5 mph | southeast |
| 2 am | 59°F | 6 mph | 6 mph | east-southeast |
| 1 am | 60°F | 5 mph | 10 mph | east-southeast |
| 12 am | 60°F | 5 mph | 7 mph | east-southeast |
| 11 pm | 60°F | 7 mph | 11 mph | east-southeast |
| 10 pm | 61°F | 5 mph | 9 mph | east-southeast |
| 9 pm | 60°F | 6 mph | 9 mph | east-southeast |
| 8 pm | 60°F | 4 mph | 12 mph | east |
| 7 pm | 60°F | 6 mph | 10 mph | east-southeast |
| 6 pm | 60°F | 2 mph | 7 mph | east-southeast |
| 5 pm | 61°F | 3 mph | 7 mph | east-southeast |
Across those hours the wind ran from 2 mph to a peak gust of 12 mph, and it was blowing in off the water for 12 of 12. That is the number worth knowing before you buy a deck ticket or step onto an open boat: an easterly off Lake Michigan is colder and steadier than the same figure measured at O'Hare, about 17 miles inland, which is the wind speed most forecasts quote for Chicago.
Day Trips From Chicago
Milwaukee, Oak Park and Starved Rock are the three that fit a single day, by train, bus or a short drive.
Chicago Weather Month By Month
Tap a month. Figures are 1991 to 2020 NOAA climate normals for the O'Hare weather station.
January is the coldest month, with a 25.2 degree Fahrenheit mean and 11.3 inches of snow, while July runs warmest at a 75.4 degree mean. The 1991 to 2020 normals put the wettest month in May, at 4.49 inches.
- Monthly precipitation (inches)
- Mean temperature (°F)
| Month | Mean Temp | High / Low | Precipitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25.2°F | 31.6° / 18.8° | 1.99 in |
| February | 28.8°F | 35.7° / 21.8° | 1.97 in |
| March | 39°F | 47° / 31° | 2.45 in |
| April | 49.7°F | 59° / 40.3° | 3.75 in |
| May | 60.6°F | 70.5° / 50.6° | 4.49 in |
| June | 70.6°F | 80.4° / 60.8° | 4.1 in |
| July | 75.4°F | 84.5° / 66.4° | 3.71 in |
| August | 73.8°F | 82.5° / 65.1° | 4.25 in |
| September | 66.3°F | 75.5° / 57.1° | 3.19 in |
| October | 54°F | 62.7° / 45.4° | 3.43 in |
| November | 41.3°F | 48.4° / 34.1° | 2.42 in |
| December | 30.5°F | 36.6° / 24.4° | 2.11 in |
Where To Stay In Chicago
Pick the neighborhood first. The Loop puts the museums and the park on foot, River North sits beside the river and the Magnificent Mile, and Wrigleyville trades a train ride for a quieter street.
The Loop
Best for a First VisitMillennium Park, the Art Institute and most L lines are a short walk away.
- Hyatt Centric The LoopHotelCheck rates
- Central Loop HotelHotelCheck rates
- Staypineapple The LoopHotelCheck rates
River North
Best for River ViewsGalleries, restaurants and the Riverwalk are on the doorstep.
- Fairfield Inn and Suites River NorthHotelCheck rates
- Freehand ChicagoHostel and hotelCheck rates
- The Langham ChicagoHotelCheck rates
Lakeview and Wrigleyville
Best for a Cubs GameA neighborhood stay beside Wrigley Field, a train ride north of downtown.
- Majestic HotelHotelCheck rates
- Best Western Plus Hawthorne TerraceHotelCheck rates
- Hotel ZacharyHotelCheck rates
Getting Around Chicago Without A Car
Chicago works as a transit city. The L and the buses cover the sights, and the Blue Line runs from O'Hare into the Loop. Stay near a station and you will rarely need a car.
- Chicago Public Transportation: A Visitor's Guide to the CTA, the 'L' and MetraCTA fares, 'L' lines, Metra day trips and airport transfers, with real numbers.
- O'Hare to Downtown Chicago: Every Way to Make the Trip, ComparedBlue Line, taxi, rideshare or private transfer: the real costs and times from O'Hare to the Loop.
- Chicago Lakefront Trail: A Complete Guide to the City's 18-Mile Waterfront PathWalk, ride or run the lakefront path that ties Chicago's parks, beaches and museums together.
- Chicago Bike Tours and Divvy: How to Ride the City Like a LocalGuided bike tours, Divvy bike share and the Lakefront Trail, compared honestly.
- Chicago Water Taxi and Kayaking: Seeing the City from the WaterRide the river by water taxi and paddle the lakefront without paying cruise prices.
- The Chicago Pedway: A Winter Walking Guide to the Underground LoopWalk downtown Chicago without going outside: routes, tours and winter tips for the Pedway.
What Is Chicago Famous For?
1
Deep-Dish Pizza
A tall, cheese-under-the-sauce pie that is the city's best-known dish.
2
Architecture
The city rebuilt after the 1871 fire and became a showcase for skyscraper design, best seen from the river.
3
The Bean
Cloud Gate in Millennium Park, a mirror-bright sculpture by Anish Kapoor.
4
Lake Michigan
A freshwater shoreline with beaches and a trail running along the city.
5
The L
Elevated trains that loop the downtown core and carry you to most neighborhoods.
6
Blues and Comedy
Live blues clubs and improv theaters that have defined the city's nights for decades.
What Is the #1 Thing to Do in Chicago
Ask ten Chicagoans for the one thing you cannot skip and you will get ten answers, but the evidence points one way: the architecture river cruise is the single best first move in the city.
What Are the Top 5 Attractions in Chicago
Five attractions carry a first visit to Chicago: Millennium Park, the Art Institute, the Skydeck at Willis Tower, Navy Pier, and an architecture river cruise. Here is what each one costs and how long it deserves.
What Is the Best Month to Go to Chicago
September gives Chicago its best mix of warm weather, thinner crowds and a full festival calendar, but the right month depends on what you want from the trip.
Is There Any Free Museum in Chicago
Chicago does have free museum admission, but the catch is who it is for. Most free days are an Illinois residency benefit, not a tourist one, and the rules differ museum by museum.
What Part of Chicago Is Best to Stay In
Where you sleep in Chicago shapes the whole trip. The honest answer for most first-time visitors is downtown, but which downtown neighborhood, and whether downtown is right for you at all, depends on budget, kids, and what you came for.
Is It Safe to Walk in Downtown Chicago
Downtown Chicago is the busiest, most policed part of the city, and walking is how most visitors see it. Here is what the record actually supports, area by area, day and night.
Is Go City Pass Better Than CityPASS in Chicago?
Go City and CityPASS both bundle Chicago attractions, but they solve different problems. Here is the honest math on which one fits your trip.
Can You Still Touch the Bean in Chicago
Cloud Gate, the sculpture everyone calls the Bean, remains one of the few world-famous artworks you can walk straight up to and touch with your hand. Here is what to expect when you visit.
