Things to Do in Chicago: 7 Must-See Attractions

Chicago, also known as the Windy City, is known for its towering skyscrapers, deep–dish pizzas, and jazz music that floats through the streets. Set along the shores of Lake Michigan, it is one of America’s biggest and most vibrant cities.

You can expect to see world-class museums alongside sprawling green spaces, architectural marvels housing innovative restaurants, incredibly shopping and marvelous theme parks, and it is home to both the Chicago Bulls and the Chicago Cubs.

But with so much on offer in the city of 2.7 million souls, what should be at the top of your to do list when visiting Chicago? Start with our list of Chicago’s seven top unmissable attractions.

Why Visit Chicago?

But what is so special about Chicago that an estimated 50 million people visit the city each year?

While Chicago is known as a city of skyscrapers, it is also naturally beautiful with 26 miles of uninterrupted lakefront along Lake Michigan, 15 miles of sandy beaches, and dozens of large and vibrantly green parks. The area surrounding the city is also known for its excellent hiking.

While the center of the city boasts world-class museums and cultural venues, each neighborhood has its own distinctive character, representing the many different people that call America home. You can find Puerto Rican, Mexican, Chinese, and Indian quarters, each with their own distinct atmosphere.

Chicago is also a very musical city. It is the birthplace of electric blues and house music, and a mecca for innovative jazz. In addition to regular music festivals, you can expect live music in clubs and bars most nights. This is also where you can sample beers from more than 65 breweries in the Chicago catchment area. Discover the best nightclubs in Chicago.

Just don’t forget your coat! While swimming in the lake is wonderful in the summer, cold winds can cut through the city year round, and expect heavy snow in the winter.

The 7 Best Things To Do When Visiting Chicago

1. Explore Millennium Park

Millennium Park is spread across a downtown lakefront campus and is a mix of stunning architecture, landscape design, and modern art. Traverse the park using the Frank Gehry designed BP Pedestrian Bridge, or take a relaxing afternoon stroll around Lurie Garden.

For Instagrammable snaps, start at the Cloud Gate, also affectionately known as the Bean. The iconic, mirrored, bean-shaped sculpture reflects the city skyline. The nearby Crown Fountain is an interactive art work with two 50-foot glass block towers projecting images into a shallow reflecting pool. There are also many cafes and food kiosks to sit and people watch.

The park hosts numerous cultural events at venues like the Jay Pritzker Pavilion outdoor concert hall and the Boeing Galleries. In the winter, go ice skating on the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink and Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon.

2. Visit the Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States and is home to treasures that you can’t see anywhere else.

Located in Grant Park, collection highlights include Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works from the likes of Monet, Renoir, and Van Gogh; American art, including Grant Wood’s American Gothic; Modern art by artists like Picasso, Matisse, and Dali; and Contemporary art, including works by Jackson Pollock and Andy Warhol.

The museum also has unexpectedly rich Asian art collections spanning thousands of years, prints and drawings, and photography collections. Get more out of the experience with an audioguide, and pick up souvenirs in the excellent museum shop.

If you have time, there are many more museums in Chicago worth visiting.

3. Stroll Along the Navy Pier

The Navy Pier is a vibrant, bustling, and windy pier that extends into Chicago’s iconic Lake Michigan. There are plenty of attractions and entertainments, dining and shopping, and a lively festive atmosphere.

One of the most popular attractions is the Centennial Wheel, which lifts you up above the city for a spectacular view. Down below there is a historical carousel, miniature gold, and other fun rides for kids. Bigger visitors will enjoy the wave swinger and climbing walls at Pier Park. 

Younger visitors will also like the Chicago’s Children’s Museum full of interactive and hands-on exhibitions. You can also catch the latest thriller or an educational documentary at the IMAX. If you prefer live entertainment, check into a show at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre.

If you go down in the evening there are many digging and shopping options, and seasonal events, including regular fireworks displays.

Make this your afternoon stop if you only have one day in Chicago.

4. Visit the Field Museum of Natural History

The Field Museum is one of the largest and best natural history museums in the world, especially for dinosaur lovers, big and small. Upon entry, you are greeted by Sue the T-Rex, the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton ever found.

The museum is a mix of visual and interactive displays and has both natural history and cultural collections. The Evolving Planet gallery covers four billion years of life on Earth, Sue and her cousins and in the Grainger Hall of Dinosaurs, and evolution is explored in the Tsavo Lions exhibition.

History lovers will enjoy the Ancient Egyptian gallery with a reconstruction of an Egyptian tomb, the Pacific Islands cultural display, and the exhibition of Native American and pre-Colombian American cultures. Always check for the latest special exhibitions before your visit.

5. Go Shopping on the Magnificent Mile

Chicago is known for its excellent shopping, and the Magnificent Mile, stretching from North Michigan Avenue to the Chicago River, is the best destination for high-end retail stores, boutiques, restaurants, and iconic architecture.

There are over 460 stores along the mile including top brands like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Nordstrom. But much more than fashion, there are also technology stores, home decor and gifts, and beauty and wellness stops, even including salons and spas. More than just a place to shop, grab a bite at one of the many restaurants or cafes and marvel upwards at the impressive architecture and historic landmarks.

6. Attend a Game at Wrigley Field

The Chicago Cubs are beloved in the city and Wrigley Field is their home. It is one of the oldest ballparks in Major League Baseball and is brimming with history and charm. If you can visit on a game day, the atmosphere is incredible! Just make sure you are supporting the Cubs.

If you can’t see a game, it is still worth visiting to soak up the historic charm of the site with its ivy-covered brick outfield wall, iconic red marquee, and traditional manual scoreboard. On a tour you can also visit the press box, bleachers, and dugouts.

Don’t forget to pick up Cubs merchandise and memorabilia at the Cubs official store.

7. Meet the Animals at Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the oldest in the United States and still offers free admission to visitors who want to meet the animals. You can see big cats, primates, reptiles, and birds in the Macaque Forest, Kovler Lion House, and the Regenstein African Journey. 

The zoo is also a wonderful place to learn about wildlife conservation and research both in the area and internationally. Kids can also play with the farm animals in the farm-in-the-zoo area. It definitely tops the list of fun things to do in Chicago.