Chicago is the largest city in Illinois and the third-largest in the United States, set on the southwest shore of Lake Michigan. It is known for its pioneering skyscraper architecture, deep-dish pizza, world-class museums, live blues and jazz, and a 26-mile lakefront of parks and beaches. Visitors can move between a dense downtown, the Chicago River and more than 70 distinct neighborhoods on the CTA 'L' train.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Chicago.
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1
Art Institute of Chicago
One of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States, with Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces, Grant Wood's American Gothic, Hopper's Nighthawks and the Modern Wing.
Tip: Buy timed tickets online in advance to shorten entry queues on busy days. · Thursday evenings and weekday late mornings are the quietest times to visit. · Pick two or three wings in advance; the museum is too large to see fully in one visit. · Check artic.edu for current opening days, as the museum is typically closed Tuesday and Wednesday. · Cross the Nichols Bridgeway from the Modern Wing for a view over Millennium Park. · Children under 14 enter free, and Illinois residents receive discounted admission.
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2
Millennium Park and Cloud Gate (The Bean)
Downtown's free public park, home to Anish Kapoor's mirror-like Cloud Gate sculpture, Crown Fountain, the Jay Pritzker Pavilion and the Lurie Garden.
Tip: Arrive before 8:00AM for photos of the Bean without crowds. · Walk under the omphalos arch for the most distorted reflections. · Bring water and a towel in summer if children will use Crown Fountain. · Check the Grant Park Music Festival schedule for free evening concerts. · Use the Great Lawn for picnics during concerts, but arrive early for good spots.
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3
Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower
A 1,353-foot observation deck on the 103rd floor of Willis Tower with glass-floored Ledge boxes extending out from the building.
Tip: Buy timed tickets online at theskydeck.com to shorten the line. · Visit on a clear weekday morning for the best visibility and smaller crowds. · Check the weather and visibility before going; haze or cloud can hide the view. · Come about an hour before sunset to see daylight and night lights. · Expect a security screening at the entrance and allow extra time on weekends.
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4
360 CHICAGO
An observation deck on the 94th floor of the John Hancock Center with floor-to-ceiling windows and the TILT attraction, which leans visitors out over Michigan Avenue.
Tip: Arrive about 45 minutes before sunset to see both daylight and city lights. · Book timed tickets online, since the deck can have queues at sunset and on weekends. · TILT is an extra fee on top of general admission; decide on it when buying tickets. · Check visibility on the day; fog and low cloud can hide the view entirely. · Press the camera lens close to the glass at night to cut reflections. · Combine with the nearby Chicago Water Tower and Oak Street Beach.
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5
Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise
A narrated 90-minute cruise on the Chicago River led by trained docents, widely regarded as the best way to see the city's skyscrapers.
Tip: Book in advance for summer weekends and sunset departures, which often sell out. · Choose a sunny afternoon for the best reflections off the glass towers. · Bring a light jacket, as the river can be windy even in summer. · Sit on the open upper deck for photos, but expect a little spray or wind. · Confirm departure times and the seasonal schedule on architecture.org. · Combine with a walk along the Chicago Riverwalk before or after the cruise.
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6
Field Museum
A natural history museum home to SUE, the largest and most complete T. rex ever found, plus Egyptian mummies, gems and Pacific cultures exhibits.
Tip: Arrive near opening on a weekday to see SUE and the Egypt exhibit before crowds build. · Decide between basic and all-access tickets before buying, as extras cost more. · Illinois residents receive discounted admission; bring proof of residency. · Allow three to four hours, and split the visit with lunch if traveling with young children. · Combine with the Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium on the Museum Campus.
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7
Shedd Aquarium
A large indoor aquarium with more than 32,000 animals, including beluga whales, Pacific white-sided dolphins and the Amazon Rising exhibit.
Tip: Buy timed tickets online at sheddaquarium.org; prices vary by date. · Arrive on a weekday morning to avoid the heaviest crowds. · Check the daily schedule for dolphin and beluga presentations on arrival. · Pair the visit with the Field Museum and Adler Planetarium on the Museum Campus. · Consider a CityPASS or multi-attraction pass if visiting several Chicago sites.
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8
Adler Planetarium
America's first planetarium, on the Museum Campus peninsula, with sky shows, space exhibits and one of the best skyline views in the city.
Tip: Book sky shows with admission online, as show times can sell out on weekends. · Walk the outer promenade at sunset for skyline photographs. · Weekday mornings are calmer than weekends and school holidays. · Take CTA bus 146 to Museum Campus rather than walking 25 minutes from Roosevelt in cold weather. · Combine with the Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium on the same campus.
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9
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
The Western Hemisphere's largest science museum, with a captured German U-505 submarine, a walk-through heart and the Coal Mine exhibit.
Tip: Buy general admission online and add U-505 or the Coal Mine at the same time. · Visit on weekday afternoons to avoid school groups in the morning. · Plan 4 to 5 hours; start with the U-505 and Coal Mine, which can sell out. · Check msichicago.org for free or discounted days for Illinois residents. · Combine with a walk in Jackson Park or a visit to the nearby University of Chicago campus.
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10
Navy Pier
A 50-acre lakefront entertainment pier with the Centennial Wheel, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, shops, restaurants and summer fireworks.
Tip: Entry is free; budget separately for the Wheel, rides and boat cruises. · Visit on weekday afternoons to avoid the heaviest crowds. · Plan for fireworks evenings in summer and arrive early for good spots. · Use the free summer trolley or CTA buses instead of walking from Grand station. · Bring a jacket, since the lakefront is windy even in summer.
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Landmarks
Millennium Park and Cloud Gate (The Bean)
Downtown's free public park, home to Anish Kapoor's mirror-like Cloud Gate sculpture, Crown Fountain, the Jay Pritzker Pavilion and the Lurie Garden
Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower
A 1,353-foot observation deck on the 103rd floor of Willis Tower with glass-floored Ledge boxes extending out from the building
360 CHICAGO
An observation deck on the 94th floor of the John Hancock Center with floor-to-ceiling windows and the TILT attraction, which leans visitors out over Michigan Avenue
Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise
A narrated 90-minute cruise on the Chicago River led by trained docents, widely regarded as the best way to see the city's skyscrapers
Navy Pier
A 50-acre lakefront entertainment pier with the Centennial Wheel, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, shops, restaurants and summer fireworks
Wrigley Field
The second-oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball, home of the Chicago Cubs since 1916, with ivy-covered outfield walls and a hand-turned scoreboard
Chicago Cultural Center
A free landmark building with the world's largest Tiffany stained-glass dome, marble staircases, free exhibitions and the Chicago Visitor Information Center
Chicago Riverwalk
A pedestrian promenade along the south bank of the Chicago River with waterfront cafes, kayak rentals, public art and skyline views
Frank Lloyd Wright Robie House
Frank Lloyd Wright's 1910 Prairie School masterpiece on the University of Chicago campus, part of a UNESCO World Heritage listing, visited on guided tours
Buckingham Fountain
One of the world's largest fountains, a 1927 landmark in Grant Park with water displays and evening light shows in season
Chicago Water Tower
One of the few buildings to survive the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, now a gallery on Michigan Avenue beside the shops of the Magnificent Mile
Museums
Art Institute of Chicago
One of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States, with Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces, Grant Wood's American Gothic, Hopper's Nighthawks and the Modern Wing
Field Museum
A natural history museum home to SUE, the largest and most complete T
Adler Planetarium
America's first planetarium, on the Museum Campus peninsula, with sky shows, space exhibits and one of the best skyline views in the city
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
The Western Hemisphere's largest science museum, with a captured German U-505 submarine, a walk-through heart and the Coal Mine exhibit
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
A major contemporary art museum with rotating exhibitions and a sculpture garden
Chicago History Museum
The city's historical society museum, covering the Great Chicago Fire, Abraham Lincoln and the city's neighborhoods
National Museum of Mexican Art
Free museum of Mexican art and culture in Pilsen, a neighborhood known for large street murals and Mexican restaurants
Nature
Garfield Park Conservatory
One of the largest botanical conservatories in the United States, housing tropical palms, ferns and desert plants in Jens Jensen's Prairie-style glasshouse
Lakefront Trail
An 18-mile paved path along Lake Michigan for walking, running and cycling, with skyline and beach views
The 606 Bloomingdale Trail
A 2.7-mile elevated rail trail through Wicker Park, Bucktown, Logan Square and Humboldt Park, with city views and public art
Lincoln Park Conservatory
A free 1895 Victorian glasshouse with palms, orchids and ferns beside Lincoln Park Zoo
Chicago Botanic Garden
A 385-acre living museum with 28 display gardens on islands in Glencoe, about 25 miles north of downtown
Cultural
Shedd Aquarium
A large indoor aquarium with more than 32,000 animals, including beluga whales, Pacific white-sided dolphins and the Amazon Rising exhibit
Lincoln Park Zoo
One of the oldest zoos in the United States, with free admission year round and more than 200 species set in the North Side's Lincoln Park
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
- Hours
- Most major museums open about 9:00AM-5:00PM and some close one or two days a week; observation decks stay open into the evening; parks and the Lakefront Trail are open daily
- Fees
- Large museums typically cost $25-40 for adults; Millennium Park, Lincoln Park Zoo, the Cultural Center, Garfield Park Conservatory and the Riverwalk are free; Illinois residents often get discounts or free days
- Best Times
- Late May-June and September-early October for pleasant weather; winter is cold but museums are quiet; July-August is peak season and the busiest on the lakefront
- Booking
- Buy timed tickets online for Skydeck, 360 CHICAGO, Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum and the Architecture Center river cruise. A Chicago CityPASS or Go City pass can reduce cost across several paid attractions
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Use the Ventra app or a contactless bank card to ride the L and buses to most attractions
Museum Campus (Field, Shedd, Adler) is a 20-25 minute walk from Roosevelt station; bus 146 shortens the trip
Book river cruises and observation decks online in summer and for sunset slots
Check museum free-days for Illinois residents; non-residents usually pay full price
Dress in layers: lakefront wind can make it 10 degrees F colder than inland
Compare a CityPASS bundle against per-ticket prices before buying
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time of year to visit Chicago attractions?
June and September offer warm weather and open outdoor attractions without the peak July-August crowds. Winter is cold, but museums and conservatories are comfortable and quieter.
Which Chicago attractions are free?
Millennium Park and Cloud Gate, the Chicago Cultural Center, the Riverwalk, Lincoln Park Zoo, Lincoln Park Conservatory, Garfield Park Conservatory, the National Museum of Mexican Art and the Lakefront Trail are free.
How many days are needed to see the main attractions?
Three days covers the Loop, Museum Campus, the Magnificent Mile and a North Side neighborhood; five days allows the Robie House, the 606 and a day at the Chicago Botanic Garden.
Is Chicago easy to get around without a car?
Yes. The CTA L trains and buses reach nearly all attractions, and most downtown sights are within walking distance of each other.