Getty Images
Chicago
With steely skyscrapers, top chefs, renowned museums and rocking festivals, the Windy City will blow you away with its multifaceted splendors.
Attractions
Must-see attractions for your itinerary
Chicago
Built in 1914, Wrigley Field – aka the Friendly Confines – is the second-oldest baseball park in the major leagues. It’s home to the Chicago Cubs and…
Chicago
The MSI is the largest science museum in the Western hemisphere and a place to completely geek out. Highlights include a WWII German U-boat nestled in an…
Chicago
The second-largest art museum in the country, the Art Institute houses a treasure trove from around the globe. The collection of impressionist and…
Chicago
There's free admission to Millennium Park, the playful heart of the city. It shines with whimsical public art, both permanent and temporary exhibits, and…
Chicago
Willis Tower is Chicago's tallest building (and one of the world's loftiest). Breathe deeply during the ear-popping, 70-second elevator ride to the 103rd…
Field Museum of Natural History
Chicago
The Field Museum houses some 30 million artifacts and includes everything but the kitchen sink – beetles, mummies, gemstones, Bushman the stuffed ape –…
Chicago
Half-mile-long Navy Pier is one of Chicago's most-visited attractions, sporting a 196ft Ferris wheel and other carnival rides ($9 to $18 each), an IMAX…
National Museum of Mexican Art
Chicago
Founded in 1982, this vibrant museum – the largest Latinx arts institution in the US – has become one of the city’s best. The vivid permanent collection…
Attractions
Top picks from our travel experts
Chicago
Hidden behind a wall of laundry machines is the secret entrance to Chicago's only purpose-built magic lounge. See amazing feats of prestidigitation seven…
Chicago
Bill Murray, Stephen Colbert, Tina Fey and more honed their wit at this slick venue with nightly shows. The Mainstage and ETC stage host sketch revues …
Chicago
There's free admission to Millennium Park, the playful heart of the city. It shines with whimsical public art, both permanent and temporary exhibits, and…
Chicago
Steppenwolf is Chicago’s top stage for quality, provocative theater productions. The Hollywood-heavy ensemble includes Gary Sinise, John Malkovich, Martha…
Chicago
The park that gave the neighborhood its name is Chicago’s largest. Its 1200 acres stretch for 6 miles from North Ave north to Diversey Pkwy, where it…
Chicago
Beatrix buzzes with business types, ladies who lunch and tourists staying at the attached hotel. Light-wood tables and mason jars full of seeds form the…
Chicago
Rosa’s is an unadorned, real-deal blues club that brings in top local talent and dedicated fans to a somewhat derelict Logan Square block. Get ready to…
Wicker Park, Bucktown & Ukrainian Village
This nouveau speakeasy isn’t marked, so look for the wood-paneled building with a full mural and a yellow light over the door. Inside, high-backed booths,…
Chicago
Grant Achatz' West Loop restaurant remains one of the hottest tickets in town. And we mean it literally – you need a ticket to dine at Next, which…
Chicago
The Green Door, tucked in an 1872 building, is your place to mingle with locals over a beer and well-made burger amid old photos and memorabilia. During…
Chicago
Half-mile-long Navy Pier is one of Chicago's most-visited attractions, sporting a 196ft Ferris wheel and other carnival rides ($9 to $18 each), an IMAX…
Chicago
Palmer House has been around since 1875 and the lobby still has an awe-inspiring opulence – Tiffany chandeliers, marble pillars, ceiling frescoes – that…
Chicago
Top local and national acts wail on the stage of local icon Buddy Guy. The man himself usually plays a series of shows in January; tickets go on sale in…
Chicago
Built in 1914, Wrigley Field – aka the Friendly Confines – is the second-oldest baseball park in the major leagues. It’s home to the Chicago Cubs and…
Chicago
Pritzker Pavilion is Millennium Park's acoustically awesome band shell. Architect Frank Gehry designed it and gave it his trademark swooping silver…
Chicago
While he was still working for Louis Sullivan, Frank Lloyd Wright (who was 19 at the time) designed the 11-room Charnley-Persky House, which sparked a new…
National Museum of Mexican Art
Chicago
Founded in 1982, this vibrant museum – the largest Latinx arts institution in the US – has become one of the city’s best. The vivid permanent collection…
Chicago
There's free admission to Millennium Park, the playful heart of the city. It shines with whimsical public art, both permanent and temporary exhibits, and…
Chicago
TheMart, as the Merchandise Mart is now called, is the world’s largest commercial building. Spanning two city blocks, the 1931 behemoth has its own zip…
Chicago
Take the elevator to the 96th floor of the building formerly called the John Hancock Center and order a (pricey) beverage while looking out over the city…
Chicago
Artist-activist Theaster Gates bought a tumbledown bank building for $1 in Chicago's neglected South Shore neighborhood, and transformed it into a…
Chicago
Families love this park’s fanciful, free playgrounds in all their enchanted-forest and pirate-themed glory. There’s also a rock-climbing wall, an 18-hole…
Chicago
The zoo has been around since 1868 and is a local freebie favorite, filled with lions, zebras, snow monkeys and other exotic creatures in the shadow of…
Chicago
This exquisite, beaux-arts building began its life as the Chicago Public Library in 1897. Today the block-long structure houses terrific art exhibitions …
Chicago
Half-mile-long Navy Pier is one of Chicago's most-visited attractions, sporting a 196ft Ferris wheel and other carnival rides ($9 to $18 each), an IMAX…
Chicago
Top local and national acts wail on the stage of local icon Buddy Guy. The man himself usually plays a series of shows in January; tickets go on sale in…
Chicago
Built in 1907, these two acres under glass are a lovely spot to while away a few hours sauntering around rooms of palms, ferns, orchids and koi-filled…
Chicago
Hometown indie bands, jazz combos and DJs rock this wee, arty bar most nights. There’s never a cover charge, but you’d be a schmuck if you didn’t order at…
Chicago
This small industrial space in the Block 37 mall puts on nifty free exhibitions about contemporary and historical design. The shows change every four…
Chicago
Grant Park's centerpiece is one of the world's largest fountains, with a 1.5-million-gallon capacity and a 15-story-high spray. It lets loose on the hour…
Planning Tools
Expert guidance to help you plan your trip
Things to Know
From figuring out public transport to what to wear and where to stay, here's what you need to know to make your Chicago trip a success.
Read articleBest Neighborhoods
Pick the perfect part of the Windy City for your vacation needs with our ultimate guide to Chicago's neighborhoods.
Read articleDay Trips
The Windy City may have endless delights to offer but that doesn't mean you need to stay in the city. Here are the 7 best day trips from Chicago.
Read articleMoney and Costs
Chicago may be big on experiences, but that doesn't mean you have to fork over big bucks. Here are our tips for navigating the Windy City on a budget.
Read articleTransportation
Chicago is the US's third-largest city, but efficient public transportation makes it easy to explore. Get to know the Windy City on the L, Metra and buses.
Read articleFree Things to Do
Chicago is jam-packed with fun activities and not all of them are designed to blow your budget. Here are 22 totally free things to do in the Windy City.
Read articleTraveling with Kids
With its wealth of interactive museums, fabulous parks, jaw-dropping architecture and family-friendly attitude, Chicago is tailor-made for travel with kids.
Read articleArticles
Latest stories from Chicago
ArchitectureChicago vs Boston: picking the perfect city for your fall breakSep 13, 2023 • 6 min read
Destination PracticalitiesEverything you need to know before visiting ChicagoAug 15, 2023 • 8 min read
Family TravelHow to visit Chicago with kids: bring the wee ones to the Windy CityAug 8, 2023 • 9 min read
Budget TravelHow to visit Chicago on a budget, from budget eats to discount seatsJul 27, 2023 • 7 min read
in partnership with getyourguide
Book popular activities in Chicago
Guidebooks
Purchase our award-winning guidebooks
Get to the heart of Chicago with one of our in-depth, award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert guidance.
