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.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Garrett Chicago Mix Popcorn
The caramel and cheese popcorn blend that is the city's signature snack gift, sold in tins that travel well
Price: $10-60 per tin
Where: Garrett Popcorn Shops on Michigan Avenue, in the Loop and at O'Hare
Frango Mints
Chocolate mints made in the tradition of Marshall Field's, boxed for gifts
Price: $15-35 per box
Where: Macy's on State Street
Deep-Dish Pizza (frozen or shipped)
Chicago-style deep-dish pizzas from local pizzerias, packed frozen or shipped nationwide to enjoy at home
Price: $35-70 per pizza shipped
Where: Lou Malnati's, Giordano's and Pequod's; shipping through their websites
Intelligentsia Coffee
Chicago-roasted specialty coffee beans from a pioneer of the city's third-wave coffee scene
Price: $16-28 per bag
Where: Intelligentsia cafes in the Loop and neighborhoods
Chicago Craft Beer
Cans and bottles from local breweries such as Goose Island, Revolution and Half Acre
Price: $12-25 per four-pack
Where: Brewery taprooms and local liquor stores
Chicago Sports Team Gear
Jerseys and caps for the Cubs, White Sox, Bears, Bulls and Blackhawks
Price: $25-150
Where: Team stores at Wrigley Field and the United Center, Michigan Avenue sports shops
Chicago Skyline and Architecture Prints
Prints, posters and photographs of the city's skyline and landmark buildings
Price: $15-120
Where: Chicago Architecture Center Shop and the Art Institute of Chicago shop
Chicago Books and Zines
Books on the city's history, architecture and cuisine, plus zines and small-press titles from local presses
Price: $5-45
Where: Quimby's Bookstore, Myopic Books, Seminary Co-op Bookstore
Chicago Blues and Jazz Records
New and used vinyl of Chicago blues, jazz and house music at independent record stores
Price: $8-40
Where: Reckless Records and independent shops in Wicker Park
Chicago Flag Merchandise
Mugs, patches, T-shirts and pins featuring the city flag's four red stars on white and blue
Price: $8-45
Where: Neighborhood gift shops and Millennium Park and Navy Pier gift stores
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Maxwell Street Market
Chicago's historic open-air street market, a descendant of the immigrant market that began on Maxwell Street in the 1800s, now held on select Sundays with Mexican street food, vendors and live music.
Where: Near West Side / University Village
Hours: Select Sundays 10AM-3PM (the 2026 season ran May-Oct; 2027 dates are posted at maxwellstreetfoundation.org)
Green City Market (Lincoln Park)
Chicago's best-known sustainable farmers market, at the south end of Lincoln Park beside the Chicago History Museum, with Midwest farmers, bakers and cooks selling seasonal produce and ready-to-eat food.
Where: Lincoln Park
Hours: Saturdays 7AM-1PM and Wednesdays 7AM-1PM through Nov 21, 2026; the winter market moves indoors to Avondale
Christkindlmarket Chicago
A German-style holiday market in Daley Plaza with wooden chalets selling ornaments, nutcrackers, mulled wine and German food; the 2026 edition is the market's 30th anniversary and also runs in Wrigleyville and Aurora.
Where: The Loop
Hours: Nov 20-Dec 24, 2026, daily from late morning to evening (confirm hours at christkindlmarket.com)
Logan Square Farmers Market
A Sunday neighborhood market along the boulevard in Logan Square with farmers, bakers, prepared-food vendors and local makers.
Where: Logan Square
Hours: Sundays 10AM-3PM (outdoor season; confirm the winter schedule on the market website)
Eataly Chicago
A multi-floor Italian marketplace in River North mixing grocery aisles, counters, restaurants and a rooftop bar.
Where: River North
Hours: Daily, generally 8AM-10PM (restaurant hours vary; confirm online)
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Water Tower Place
A vertical shopping center on the Magnificent Mile with national fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands across multiple levels.
Hours: Mon-Sat 10AM-8PM, Sun 11AM-6PM (individual store hours vary)
The Shops at North Bridge
A Michigan Avenue shopping center anchored by Nordstrom, a few blocks south of the Chicago River.
Hours: Mon-Sat 10AM-8PM, Sun 11AM-6PM (individual store hours vary)
900 North Michigan Shops
An upscale multi-level center at the north end of the Magnificent Mile with luxury and designer boutiques.
Hours: Mon-Sat 10AM-7PM, Sun 12PM-6PM (individual store hours vary)
Macy's on State Street (former Marshall Field's)
The landmark State Street department store in the former Marshall Field's building, known for its Tiffany mosaic dome and the Frango mint chocolates.
Hours: Mon-Sat 10AM-8PM, Sun 11AM-7PM (confirm hours before visiting)
Westfield Old Orchard
A major open-air mall in suburban Skokie with department stores and luxury brands, reached by the CTA Yellow Line to Skokie and a short bus ride.
Hours: Mon-Sat 10AM-9PM, Sun 11AM-6PM (individual store hours vary)
Fashion Outlets of Chicago
An indoor outlet mall near O'Hare Airport and the Rosemont CTA Blue Line station, handy for a few spare hours before a flight.
Hours: Mon-Sat 10AM-9PM, Sun 11AM-7PM (individual store hours vary)