Things to Do in Chicago, IL - Chicago Attractions
Things to Do in Chicago
Grab a slice of deep dish pizza, snap a selfie with the Bean at Millennium Park, and take in the city by boat on Lake Michigan or the Chicago River.
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See what other travelers like to do, based on ratings and number of bookings.
Book these experiences for a close-up look at Chicago.
Architecture Toursfromper adult$54
City Toursfromper adult$44
Historical Toursfromper adult$29
Skyscrapers & Towersfromper adult$44
Historical Toursfromper adult$65
Historical Toursfromper adult$49
Historical Toursfromper adult$35
Architecture Toursfromper adult$54
Food & Drinkfromper adult$75
Audio Guidesfromper adult$50
Urban park with serene Lurie Garden, interactive art installations like Cloud Gate, ice skating ribbon, climbing walls, and free open-air concerts.
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River cruise and walking tours blend history with architecture, led by knowledgeable guides through lush green spaces and iconic buildings in diverse neighborhoods.
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Interactive science museum featuring a historic U-Boat tour, a coal mine exhibit, and engaging activities for all ages, including a Mirror Maze and fairy castle.
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Renowned shopping district lined with a mix of high-end and specialty stores amid historic architecture, with scenic views and dining spots.
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Points of Interest & Landmarks
Admission tickets from $44
Elevated attraction with a glass-floored observation area for 360-degree city views and a thrilling ledge experience. Mini museum and photo opportunities available.
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Historic baseball stadium renowned for its classic ballpark charm and iconic atmosphere, complete with tours of behind-the-scenes areas and traditional game-day treats.
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Natural History Museums
Admission tickets from $27
Natural history museum with a vast array of dinosaur fossils, including a famed T-Rex skeleton, cultural artifacts, and a 3D dinosaur movie. Features special exhibits and educational moments.
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Architectural Buildings
Admission tickets from $30
Observation deck in the downtown area providing panoramic urban and lakeshore vistas, with a unique tilting attraction and a souvenir shop for mementos.
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Riverside walkway providing scenic views, casual strolls, and a variety of dining spots. Features include boat and kayak rentals and architectural tours.
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Located near public transit, this zoo showcases diverse wildlife in spacious habitats, from big cats to polar bears, set against a scenic park with nature paths and a boardwalk around South Pond.
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Other Top Attractions around Chicago
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
What travelers are saying
- Caitlin HKansas40 contributionsAmazing art in a gorgeous setting. The museum has been carefully retrofitted for mobility access without losing its historical charm, but definitely get a map as different elevators service specific parts of the building complex. The staff is friendly and well informed, so don't be afraid to ask for directions if needed.Written June 8, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- hockeyaw19Marlborough, MA648 contributionsQuite a nice park in the heart of Chicago near Lake Michigan. The bean is here though under construction in late May when we went. They also have a concert/pavilion that had a kid friendly music festival going on while we were there for the surrounding school districts. Plenty of people watching, fountains, greenery, and art adjourn the park walking paths. There are also several bathroom facilities free to the public and clean. We felt quite safe the entire time we were there including later in the evening upwards of 9pm.Written June 8, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Taylor BChicago, IL8,267 contributionsThe Chicago Architecture Center is the perfect launch pad for discovering the city's stunning buildings and their enduring legacy and offers an engaging overview of its long history of groundbreaking architecture. It is Chicago's all-in-one architecture experience, a museum with two floors of exhibits and a gateway to more than 85 boat, walking, bus, bike and L tours. No matter which guided tour you choose to take, each one reveals stories and secrets of one of the most beautiful and architecturally inspiring and vibrant cities in the world. Located at 111 East Wacker Drive, in the Illinois Center, a building designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, a pioneer of modern architecture and one of the most influential architects of the 20th century. The new home of the CAC, which opened in 2018, is steps from the boat dock at the northeast corner of Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive, where Michigan Avenue crosses the Chicago River, for CAC river cruises aboard Chicago's First Lady, voted the No. 1 boat tour in North America. Why is Chicago architecture so famous? Because Chicago is the birthplace of the American skyscraper, the home to four different architecture schools--the First Chicago School, the Second Chicago School, the International School and the Prairie School. And it is home to such famous architects as Louis Sullivan, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Frank Lloyd Wright, Daniel Burnham, Jeanne Gang and Danielle Tillman. Step into the CAC and learn the captivating stories behind the city's grand hotels, soaring skyscrapers, distinct residential styles, parks and public spaces and cemeteries. Learn how Chicago became "the city of architecture" by touring CAC galleries that focus on the city's diverse neighborhoods, housing types, leading architects and future projects. The centerpiece of the center's Chicago Gallery is the Chicago City Model Experience, the largest scale model of the city with more than 4,250 miniature buildings, interactive touch screens and a cinematic, 3-dimensional cityscape that animates key moments in Chicago history, from its early growth to its rebirth after the devastating Great Chicago Fire of 1871 to its ever changing skyline. As you stroll through 10,000 square feet of exhibition space, you'll marvel at super-sized models and views of iconic skyscrapers from around the world and discover design and engineering innovations that push us even higher. Other interesting exhibits are Highrises and Loop as Lab: Reshaping Downtown. Highrises allows viewers to experience Art Deco buildings from a new point of view with Chris Hytha's unique photography from a collection of nearly 200 skyscrapers from across the United States. Loop as Lab, holds the central business district up to the light, exploring ways to keep our economic engine humming while diversifying uses and making the Loop more welcoming and more vibrant, resilient and livable to everyone after it emerged from the pandemic on shaky footing. In addition, you'll discover Chicago's continuing role in the design of tall buildings that has changed skylines around the world and learn how design can shape and sustain cities in the future and imagine what urban life will look like in 2050. The CAC is open from 9 to 5 Sunday through Thursday and 9 to 7 on Friday and Saturday.Written June 7, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- jlrcommercialAtlanta, GA12 contributionsMSI is just great. Our 15 and 10 y.o. girls loved it. I want to give a particular shout out to Zach, who led our tour of the U-505 submarine. WW2 is ancient history to our kids, but Zach brought the story to life with digestible information and dashes of sharp humor,Written June 9, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- hockeyaw19Marlborough, MA648 contributionsPlenty of shops and restaurants on this strip. Didn't do any shopping but they have plenty of it from ritzy luxury brands to target. I stopped in twice at the Starbuck's reserve roastery which I'd recommend. Walking this strip certainly gives you an appreciation for the Chicago Architecture Scene.Written June 8, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Pure_DiamondHelsinki, Finland180 contributions
