Top 10 Things to Do in Chicago: Things to Do Downtown Chicago (Free, Must-See & Bucket-List)
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The Best Things To Do In Chicago
The internet is full of lists. The best ever, top three, top five, top 10, top 20, must-do, must-see. You name it and there’s a list for it. But when it comes to making a list of superlatives for a world-class city like Chicago, no list appears adequate. It’s like saying these are the five best restaurants in Paris.
Since what you want to see, or do, is totally up to you during a vacation, the list below is what we consider to be “highlights” that are worth considering during a visit to the Windy City. It takes multiple short trips here or a lengthier stay to see and do “it all”, so make plans for what your interests are with the understanding that Rome, and Chicago, weren’t built in a day.
Author: Chait Goli
Green Lion Statue Near the Concrete Building
Chicago Sightseeing & Shopping
The options below are open year-round and are primarily indoors, though Navy Pier does offer outdoor areas for viewing the skyline, beverages, and dining. However, you will find each of these venues will be far more enjoyable when the weather cooperates.
- “360 Chicago” on the 94th floor of as 875 North Michigan Avenue offers spectacular views of the skyline, Lake Michigan, the City of Chicago far below, and on days with good visibility you can clearly make out O’Hare and Midway airports, and the Indiana shoreline. The former John Hancock Building observatory is also famous for “The Tilt”, a special area where visitors grab onto handlebars as the tilting glass ledge they are standing on leans out over the city. It’s thrilling, scary too, but an exhilarating experience you won’t ever forget.
- The “900 North Michigan Shops” which includes a Bloomingdale’s store is adjacent to 875 North Michigan Avenue and 360 Chicago. The upscale mall is a great spot to grab a bite or just enjoy some free people watching.
- On the other side of 875 North Michigan Avenue is Water Tower Place, another upscale shopping mall with over 70 shops and, you guessed it, more dining options. This mall is home to the American Girl store, Eileen Fisher, a Lego store, and the interactive Chicago Sports Museum.
- “Skydeck Chicago” on the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower) in the southwest Loop near Union Station includes not only incredible views of the city’s skyline, lakefront, and far beyond, it also houses the new interactive Chicago Museum which you can visit on the way up to the observatory. “360 Chicago” may have The Tilt, but Skydeck Chicago is home to “The Ledge”, an equally astounding experience that will take your breath away. Just imagine standing on a fully enclosed 1.5-inch thick piece of glass that extends 4.3 feet out from the side of Willis Tower at an elevation of 1,353 feet above the sprawling city below. It may not be for the faint of heart but go for it!
- Exceedingly popular Navy Pier extends into Lake Michigan from Lake Shore Drive at Grand Ave., convenient to visitors staying in the downtown Loop or a hotel close to the North Michigan Avenue stretch known as the Magnificent Mile. The arts, dining, and entertainment venue welcomes more than eight million annual visitors. Visitors come to ride the iconic Ferris wheel, shop at an eclectic collection of stores, grab a quick bite or opt for a sit-down meal at Harry Caray’s Tavern, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville and other great restaurants, or just come for a beverage and the wonderful skyline view. Also located at Navy Pier are the Chicago Children’s Museum and the Chicago Shakespeare Theater which houses three indoor venues for plays, music, and more.
Author: Willian Justen de Vasconcellos
Aerial View of Chicago Skyline and Lakefront
Chicago Museums & Cultural Experiences
- The Art Institute of Chicago houses one of the world’s finest collections of artworks dating back centuries from around the globe. Picasso, O’Keefe, Warhol, Cezanne, Monet, van Gogh, Seurat, Picasso, Renoir and so many more artists have their works on display in this amazing museum that was founded in 1879. In addition to special exhibitions, you will find the Art Institute’s collection of everything from Chicago cityscapes to Latin, Asian, Egyptian, African, and Native American artists to be captivating beyond your wildest expectations. Don’t leave without seeing Marc Chagall’s “American Windows”.
- Opened in May of 1930, the Shedd Aquarium on the Chicago Museum Campus just minutes south of downtown on Lake Michigan is home to 32,000 animals from around the world. The massive five million gallon aquarium is completely indoors, so you can visit here no matter what Chicago’s ever-changing weather delivers. Perfect for kids and just as fascinating for adults, exhibits highlight belugas, sharks, penguins, turtles, the Amazon, a Philippines reef, the U.S. Pacific Northwest coast, and the Great Lakes. Oceanarium shows are a top draw. BOOKING YOUR VISIT IN ADVANCE ONLINE IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
- The Field Museum of Natural History is another fascinating and highly educational experience and is also on the walkable Chicago Museum Campus. For over a century as its collection has grown, the museum has been a huge draw for local school groups and out-of-town visitors. Visit SUE, the most complete T-Rex dinosaur of her species, Maximo the Titanosaur, the Ancient Egypt artifacts section, see gemstones and minerals like never before, and learn all about the Tsavo man-eating lions that are part of the permanent collection here.
- Last, but certainly not least on the Chicago Museum Campus is the Adler Planetarium, which is also easy to walk to from the parking garage, Shedd Aquarium, and Field Museum. The first planetarium in the U.S. opened alongside the Shedd Aquarium in 1930. If you are interested in anything to do with space, you will marvel at all there is to see and learn here. Immerse yourself in the nine fascinating exhibits and theater presentations, plus view Chicago’s nighttime sky via the Atwood Sphere from more than 100 years ago, prior to today’s light pollution blocking out millions of previously visible stars. Other popular exhibits focus on our solar system, the moon, man’s exploration of the planets, and the night sky above us.
- While located about 15 minutes south of the Loop, theGriffin Museum of Science & Industry is easily reachable via Lake Shore Drive. A visit here is well worth the drive, or even more convenient via Uber or Lyft.
No matter what your personal interests may be, there are numerous permanent traveling exhibits that will catch your attention. Learn about coal mine technology, tour the U-505 German submarine, go hands-on with flight and motion simulators, space exploration, the ocean plastics pollution crisis, severe weather physics, historic ships, flight, rail travel from Seattle to Chicago, and the list goes on and on. Every visitor leaves the Griffin Museum more knowledgeable than when they arrived.
- The previously mentioned Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier is a favorite of local and visiting families. Kids love the amazing displays and interactive exhibits that will make for a fun and educational day. Top exhibits include the Dinosaur Expedition excavation pit where real fossils were uncovered, and the Tinkering Lab where firsthand fun encourages creativity from toddlers and teens alike.
- Classical music fans flock to performances of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, a world-renowned ensemble that calls Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center home. Orchestra Hall is located on South Michigan Avenue in downtown. The orchestra plays more than 150 concerts annually in Chicago and at performance halls around the world.
- The world-famous Lyric Opera of Chicago performs at the 3,653-seat Civic Opera House in the southwest Loop. In addition to incredible operatic performances, the concert hall hosts special concerts year-round for kids and serves as the venue of choice for famous soloists and other orchestras visiting Chicago as part of an extensive tour. The Civic Opera House is also the home of the world-famous Joffrey Ballet, known for classical and modern ballets.
Author: Quang Vuong
Dinosaurs at the Field Museum in Chicago
Professional Sports and Chicago Were Made For Each Other
Without a doubt Chicago is one of the best sports cities in the U.S. Every major professional sport is represented here, and some of the best players in history have played here over the years. Michael Jordan captivated basketball fans by leading the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships, Ernie Banks and Ryne Sandberg will be forever remembered for their outstanding years with the Chicago Cubs baseball team, Walter Payton evokes memories of incredible runs throughout his career and leading the Chicago Bears to the 1986 NFL title, and ice hockey fans will never forget the Chicago Blackhawks six Stanley Cup championships.
With so much sports history and the ability to attend games in person year-round, many Chicago visitors include at least one sporting event during their visit. Click the links below to find the schedule for your favorite sport:
- Chicago Cubs, Major League Baseball (MLB) – National League, home games are played at Wrigley Field on the North Side.
- Chicago White Sox, Major League Baseball (MLB) – American League, home games are played at Rate Field on the South Side.
- Chicago Bears, National Football League (NFL), home games are played at Soldier Field on Lake Shore Drive just south of downtown.
- Chicago Fire FC, Major League Soccer (MLS), home games are played at Soldier Field on Lake Shore Drive just south of downtown.
- Chicago Bulls, National Basketball Association (NBA), home games are played at United Center on the west side.
- Chicago Blackhawks, National Hockey Association (NHL), home games are played at United Center on the west side.
Author: Kyle DeSantis
Wrigley Field (via Eisenhower), Chicago, United States
Fun in the Sun in Chicago
Despite it’s reputation as a cold and windy place, the truth is that Chicago enjoys several months of weather that are simply ideal for visiting. Climate change has also made the winters shorter and warmer, so don’t rule out a December holiday vacation, or even spending time here during the winter. Summer weather remains hot and humid overall, but where in the U.S. is that not the case?
One of our favorite activities in the Chicago area from spring through fall includes spending time in Lincoln Park on the north side of town and strolling through the small but fun Lincoln Park Zoo. The 35-acre attraction is the second oldest in the U.S. having opened in 1868, and to this day admission is free! Lincoln Park is just 2-3 miles from the Magnificent Mile and the Loop, and is easy to get to, especially using a rideshare company.
Just east of the Loop across Michigan Avenue at Randolph St. is Millenium Park, home of the glittering Bean sculpture, a perfect venue for summer concerts, the stunning 3.5-acre Lurie Gardens, art exhibitions, and an amazing landscape you have to see to believe.
Riverwalk is Chicago’s 1.25-mile long path that allows visitors and downtown workers the opportunity to get close to the Chicago River along Wacker Drive. The free path stretches from Lake Street on the south side of the river all the way to Lake Michigan as it passes through the heart of the city. The four path districts are named The Confluence, The Arcade, The Civic, and the Esplanade.
Traveling by boat is a fun activity on a comfortably warm, sunny day. Consider a ride on the Chicago Water Taxi to reposition yourselves between the West Loop, Michigan Avenue, or Navy Pier, or just for fun. Other seaworthy adventures include the Chicago River Architecture Tour, and the Chicago Seadog Lakefront Speedboat Tour and Skyline Lake Tour which depart from Navy Pier. There are also water tour companies offering lunch and dinner cruises on Lake Michigan.
Author: Mohammed Babateen
Green Trees Near Body of Water
Save $$$ on Admission Tickets and What’s Happening in Chicago
Chicago is one of those cities where planning a visit can be overwhelming. There are just so many options of what to see and do, and if you are looking for activities beyond the standard museums, shopping, and observatories, then your possibilities multiply quickly. We recommend getting familiar with the Choose Chicago website, where you can find the most current and expansive listings of attractions and restaurants throughout the city.
Next, when you have your plan, see how much Chicago CityPASS can save you in admission fees. With two options, one may be exactly right for you. CityPASS is the best value and top seller, but Chicago C3 by CityPASS is designed for shorter stays and may just work better for you. CityPASS offers savings up to 49 percent at your choice of five attractions which must include Shedd Aquarium and Skydeck Chicago, plus three others that you can mix and match. C3, with savings up to 32 percent, allows the purchaser to simply choose three attractions that they want to visit, all at discounted prices.
After you’ve done your research and determined when you will visit and for how long, it’s the perfect time to find the right hotel, in the right location, and most importantly, at the right price. Travelated is far and away the best site to book your accommodations in Chicago. You will find an unequaled selection of hotels in all price ranges, and not only downtown or along North Michigan Avenue. If you prefer to stay in a suburban locale, Travelated’s wide selection of hotels can’t be beat. Popular areas such as Oak Brook, Lombard, Schaumburg, or near O’Hare International Airport in Rosemont and Des Plaines are well represented with dozens of properties for you to consider.
