Top 10 Things To Do, Activities and Attractions in Chicago

We've collected top 10 mentioned things to do in Chicago from other articles such as Localize, Chicago 4 days itinerary, For art & architecture lovers, including activities with kids, adult only attractions, cheap and free events

Top 10 Things To Do, Activities and Attractions in Chicago

Millennium Park
Millennium Park
4.8 (58155 ratings)4.5 (22489 ratings)
24.5-acre green space with a video display, the reflective "Bean" sculpture & an outdoor theater.
201 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60602, USA
ParkSights & LandmarksHistoric Walking AreasPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Navy Pier
Navy Pier
4.6 (50660 ratings)4 (13593 ratings)
Former Navy training center draws crowds with carnival rides, restaurants, shops & fireworks.
600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Sights & LandmarksAmusement centerCultural centerEvent venuePiers & BoardwalksTheme Parks
Mentioned by Attractions of America
Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Chicago, Illinois
"Navy Pier combines everything you could ever hope for in an area of a city you're visiting, and it has placed it right on the shores of Lake Michigan. There are shops, places to eat, boat tours, mini golf and a Ferris wheel. You might also find the Children's Museum of interest if you're there with family."
Mentioned by Crazy Family Adventure
25 Fun And Exciting Things To Do In Chicago With Kids
"Head over to Navy Pier to go up on the Centennial Ferris Wheel!. A fun way to get an amazing view of Chicago and the lakefront. You can get tickets through the Go Chicago Explorer Pass or check with the Loew’s hotel – they sometimes have specials going where you can get tickets with your stay."
Garfield Park Conservatory
Garfield Park Conservatory
4.8 (6118 ratings)4.5 (719 ratings)
184-acre park with a swimming pool, fishing lagoon, athletic fields, tennis courts & more.
300 N Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL 60624, USA
ParkSights & LandmarksBotanical gardenHistoric SitesGardens
Grant Park
Grant Park
4.7 (16394 ratings)4.5 (854 ratings)
319-acre centerpiece of Downtown housing some of the city's busiest attractions.
337 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
City parkNature & ParksPark
Skydeck Chicago
Skydeck Chicago
4.5 (18620 ratings)4.5 (15971 ratings)
103rd floor of the former Sears Tower with clear observation boxes & views extending to four states.
233 S Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606, USA
Observation deckSights & LandmarksMuseumArchitectural BuildingsObservation Decks & TowersPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Magnificent Mile
Magnificent Mile
4.5 (14711 ratings)
The Magnificent Mile is Chicago’s premier commercial district. The vibrant, bustling area is home to upscale shops, luxe fashion outlets, cool restaurants and posh hotels. Landmarks include the historic Chicago Water Tower, the neo-Gothic Tribune Tower, the terracotta Wrigley Building skyscraper and the 100-story John Hancock Center, which has a rooftop observation deck with fine dining and panoramic city views.
Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Sights & LandmarksNeighborhoodsPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Mentioned by Chicago 4 days itinerary
Chicago 4 Day Itinerary: A Long Weekend in Chicago, Illinois, USA
"Michigan Ave. also referred to as the “Magnificent Mile” is the major shopping district of downtown Chicago. It has all sorts of stores such as UGG, Forever 21, Nike, H&M, Addidas, Marshalls, Zara, and more. The area surrounding the magnificent mile is filled with every restaurant under the sun, Italian restaurants, pizza shops, steakhouses, and any other type of restaurant you can think of."
Mentioned by Chicago 3 days itinerary
Chicago – The Perfect Itinerary for First-Timers
"No trip to Chicago would be complete without a stroll up Michigan Ave and the Magnificent Mile, so head up there after the aquarium. Most of the shops here are super high-end (think Gucci), so if you’re like me, you’re mostly window shopping, but it’s still fun to walk along and enjoy what is Chicago’s version of NYC’s Fifth Avenue."
Mentioned by Fodor's Choice
Sights in Chicago
"Michigan Avenue, or Mag Mile as some call it, is a potpourri of historic buildings, upscale boutiques, department stores, and posh hotels."
McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum
McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum
4.6 (161 ratings)4.5 (135 ratings)
Exhibits on the city's river & movable bridges & their significance to the city.
99 Chicago Riverwalk, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
MuseumSights & LandmarksHistory MuseumsSpecialty MuseumsPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Bohemian National Cemetery
Bohemian National Cemetery
3.6 (70 ratings)4.5 (9 ratings)
5255 N Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60630, USA
CemeterySights & LandmarksHistoric Sites
Mentioned by Condé Nast Traveler
21 Best Things to Do in Chicago
"Known for its limestone gatehouse and highly decorated columbarium niches, which are composed of photographs, artwork, flags, and other mementos of individuals whose ashes are stored there, this cemetery, established by Chicago's Czech community in 1877, also features storied mausoleums, stained glass images and a special dedication to Chicago Cubs fans. It's a quieter, welcome alternative to public parks that often draw rambunctious young children."
Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary
Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary
4.7 (897 ratings)5 (6 ratings)
Quiet preserve for a wide variety of migrating songbirds & butterflies offering a skyline view.
Chicago, IL 60640, USA
Bird watching areaNature & ParksNature & Wildlife Areas
Mentioned by Curbed Chicago
14 secret parks and gardens in Chicago
"Tucked away at the edge of Lincoln Park that juts out into Lake Michigan, the Montrose Bird Sanctuary is a 15-acre wooded respite that features a few peaceful mulch-covered hiking trails to stroll through. What was once a site of Army barracks from the ’50s to the ’70s is now one of the best places in the area to spot a few of the tens of thousands of migratory birds from more than 300 different species that reportedly stop for some green space along their trek along the lake. Within the sanctuary, a 150-yard stretch of honeysuckle bushes has been nicknamed “The Magic Hedge,” because it attracts an especially high number of migratory birds."
Mentioned by Thrillist
The 10 Best Spots for a Nature Escape in Chicago
"UptownThis more laid-back section of Montrose Beach is both a dune habitat and a bird sanctuary, as well as one of the best spots for trail hiking in the city with killer skyline views. If that’s not enough, there’s also a beach bar. And a damn fine beach bar at that."
Fine Arts Building
Fine Arts Building
4.7 (514 ratings)4.5 (29 ratings)
Artists' studios in a historic 1885 building with Art Nouveau-era murals & a vintage elevator.
410 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605, USA
Art centerSights & LandmarksArt galleryArchitectural BuildingsTheaters

Top Rated Concerts and Shows in Chicago

The Chicago Theatre
The Chicago Theatre
4.7 (5997 ratings)4.5 (740 ratings)
French Baroque-style 3,600-seat auditorium showcasing national musical & comedy acts since 1921.
175 N State St, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
Performing arts theaterConcerts & ShowsTheaters
Mentioned by Chicago 3 days itinerary
3 Day Chicago Itinerary For First-Time Visitors
"For theatre lovers, check out a performance at The Chicago Theatre. If you feel like doing an activity, head to 10pin Bowling Lounge under the Marina Towers north of the Chicago River. They offer a selection of beers and upscale snacks."
Lyric Opera of Chicago
Lyric Opera of Chicago
4.8 (1316 ratings)4.5 (432 ratings)
Well-known opera company putting on lavish performances in the massive Art Deco Civic Opera House.
20 N Upper Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606, USA
Opera companyConcerts & ShowsArts organizationConcert hallOrchestraPerforming arts theaterOperas
The Vic Theatre
The Vic Theatre
4.4 (1438 ratings)4 (60 ratings)
Century-old 5-story vaudeville theater (with 3 bars) that features live music & cult/classic movies.
3145 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60657, USA
Event venueConcerts & ShowsLive music venueMovie theaterTheaters

Best Buffet (Seafood, Chinese, etc) in Chicago

Asia Buffet & Grill
Asia Buffet & Grill
4.2 (1277 ratings)
Large, unfussy restaurant featuring unlimited portions of Asian & American comfort foods.
8059 S Cicero Ave, Chicago, IL 60652, USA
Chinese restaurantBuffet restaurantRestaurant
Old Lviv
Old Lviv
4.5 (222 ratings)
Homey, old-world spot serving a buffet of hearty Ukrainian fare such as stuffed cabbage & pierogi.
2228 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, USA
Ukrainian restaurantBuffet restaurantRestaurant
Yummy Buffet
Yummy Buffet
4.2 (40 ratings)
3925 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60625, USA
Buffet restaurantRestaurantSeafood restaurantSushi restaurant

Best History Museum in Chicago

Museum Campus
Museum Campus
4.7 (18139 ratings)
57-acre grounds housing the Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium & Field Museum plus eats & lake beach.
337 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
History museumMuseum
Chinese American Museum of Chicago
Chinese American Museum of Chicago
4.5 (177 ratings)4 (9 ratings)
Exhibits, collections & research promoting history & culture of Chinese-Americans in the Midwest.
238 W 23rd St, Chicago, IL 60616, USA
MuseumHistory museumSpecialty Museums
Mentioned by Thrillist
The Coolest, Weirdest, and Best Museums in Chicago
"ChinatownLearn how one of the country’s oldest Chinatowns developed Chinatown is a favorite stop among visitors to Chicago, and the Chinese-American Museum of Chicago is a must-see of the neighborhood. With a permanent exhibit that tells the story of Chinese immigration to the Midwest, plus rotating exhibits on things like Chinese clothing, art, and more, this museum is sure to teach visitors something new about an important culture that has been rooted in Chicago's community for more than 100 years. What to know before you go: The Chinese-American Museum of Chicago is open 10am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday and 9:30am to 2pm Tuesday-Friday."
Mentioned by Museum Hack
Museums in Chicago: The Complete List (2020
"The Chinese American Museum of Chicago opened in 2005 in Chicago's Chinatown. Three years after its opening, the museum suffered a fire and lost a considerable amount of its collection. Today, the museum is a hotbed of cultural artifacts from the Chinese culture and hosts a popular Chinese New Year celebration in the city each year."
Mentioned by Thrillist
Every Free Museum in Chicago
"238 W 23rd StHours: Tues-Fri, 9:30am-1:30pm; Sat-Sun, 10am-5pmSuggested donation: $5. Sign up here for our daily Chicago email and be the first to get all the food/drink/fun in town."
McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum
McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum
4.6 (161 ratings)4.5 (135 ratings)
Exhibits on the city's river & movable bridges & their significance to the city.
99 Chicago Riverwalk, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
MuseumSights & LandmarksHistory MuseumsSpecialty MuseumsPoints of Interest & Landmarks

Vacation Rentals, Airbnb, Hotels & Cabins near Chicago

4.5 (239 reviews)
Level Chicago - Old Town
Hotel Suite
$265 /night
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4.3 (611 reviews)
Silversmith Hotel Chicago Downtown
Hotel
$179 /night
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4.0 (8 reviews)
Hilton Grand Vacations Club Chicago Magnificent Mile
Hotel
$170 /night
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