Top places to visit in Chicago

• Cloud Gate (The Bean)

  public-art · 4.8 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Anish Kapoor's mirror-polished stainless-steel sculpture in Millennium Park, Chicago's most photographed landmark.

• Millennium Park

  urban-park · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Free 24.5-acre downtown park home to Cloud Gate (The Bean), the Jay Pritzker Pavilion and Lurie Garden.

• Art Institute of Chicago

  art-museum · 4.8 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  One of the oldest and largest art museums in the US, famed for its Impressionist and American collections.

• Navy Pier

  waterfront · 4.5 rating · about 2.5 h · free entry

  3,300-ft lakefront pier with the Centennial Wheel, rides, restaurants, boat tours and seasonal fireworks.

• Shedd Aquarium

  aquarium · 4.6 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  One of the world's largest indoor aquariums on the Museum Campus, with beluga whales, dolphins and a Caribbean reef.

• Willis Tower Skydeck

  observation-deck · 4.6 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  103rd-floor observation deck (1,353 ft) with The Ledge glass boxes extending over the city. Formerly Sears Tower.

• Field Museum of Natural History

  natural-history · 4.7 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  Vast natural-history museum on the Museum Campus, home to SUE the T. rex and Maximo the titanosaur.

• Lincoln Park Zoo

  zoo · 4.6 rating · about 2.5 h · free entry

  Free 35-acre zoo founded in 1868, one of the last free zoos in the US, in the heart of Lincoln Park.

• Wrigley Field

  ballpark · 4.7 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  Historic 1914 ballpark, home of the Chicago Cubs, famous for its ivy-covered outfield walls and hand-turned scoreboard.

• Magnificent Mile

  shopping-district · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  Premier shopping and hotel boulevard along North Michigan Avenue, from the river to Oak Street.

• Museum of Science and Industry

  science-museum · 4.7 rating · about 3.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere, in Hyde Park, with a U-505 submarine, coal mine and giant heart.

• Chicago Riverwalk

  waterfront-promenade · 4.7 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  1.25-mile pedestrian path along the main branch of the Chicago River, lined with cafes, wine bars and boat docks.

Things to do

• Chicago Architecture River Cruise Sightseeing · 1.5 h · from USD 57 per person
• Willis Tower Skydeck Admission Attraction Ticket · 1.3 h · from USD 36 per person
• Art Institute of Chicago Fast-Pass Attraction Ticket · 3 h · from USD 32 per person
• Chicago Deep-Dish Pizza & Food Walking Tour Food Tour · 3 h · from USD 75 per person
• The Second City Comedy Show Entertainment · 2 h · from USD 45 per person
• Navy Pier Centennial Wheel Ride Attraction Ticket · 0.3 h · from USD 21 per person
• Shedd Aquarium General Admission Attraction Ticket · 3 h · from USD 40 per person
• Chicago Lakefront Bike Rental & Trail Outdoor · 4 h · from USD 40 per person

Day trips and tours

• Chicago Architecture Highlights Tour 4 h · from USD 95
• Frank Lloyd Wright Oak Park Tour 6 h · from USD 120
• Indiana Dunes National Park Day Trip 9 h · from USD 140

Where to stay in Chicago

• The Loop about USD 230 per night

  Downtown core, walkable to Millennium Park, Art Institute and the Riverwalk; surrounded by CTA 'L' lines. Quieter at night/weekends but unbeatable for sightseeing.

• Near North / Magnificent Mile about USD 300 per night

  Upscale shopping and hotels along Michigan Avenue, steps from the river, Navy Pier and Gold Coast. Best all-round base for first-time visitors.

• River North about USD 260 per night

  Dense dining and nightlife district just north of the river, full of galleries, deep-dish landmarks and rooftop bars. Lively and central.

• Lincoln Park about USD 210 per night

  Leafy residential neighborhood with the free zoo, lakefront parks and brownstone charm. Calmer, family-friendly, short transit ride to downtown.

• West Loop about USD 250 per night

  Former meatpacking district turned dining hotspot (Restaurant Row on Randolph), boutique hotels and easy access to Union/Ogilvie stations.

Hotels

• The Langham, Chicago 5-star · USD 550 to USD 1,200 per night
• The Peninsula Chicago 5-star · USD 650 to USD 1,500 per night
• Chicago Athletic Association Hotel 4-star · USD 280 to USD 550 per night
• Virgin Hotels Chicago 4-star · USD 220 to USD 420 per night
• Kimpton Gray Hotel 4-star · USD 200 to USD 400 per night
• Hotel EMC2, Autograph Collection 4-star · USD 230 to USD 450 per night

Where to eat

• Portillo's American, Hot Dogs, Italian Beef · about USD 15 per person
• Lou Malnati's Pizzeria Pizza, Italian-American, Deep Dish · about USD 25 per person
• Giordano's Pizza, Italian-American, Stuffed Pizza · about USD 28 per person
• Wildberry Pancakes & Cafe American, Breakfast, Brunch · about USD 20 per person
• Pizzeria Uno Pizza, Italian-American, Deep Dish · about USD 26 per person
• Eataly Chicago Italian, Marketplace · about USD 35 per person
• Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse Steakhouse, American · about USD 90 per person
• Au Cheval American, Diner, Burgers · about USD 35 per person

Getting to Chicago

Airport: Chicago, Midway (MDW), Chicago, O'Hare (ORD)

How visitors arrive in Chicago

• Fly into O'Hare or Midway By air · common

  O'Hare is a United hub and Midway is mainly served by Southwest; both link to the CTA. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Amtrak to Union Station By train · common

  Chicago is described as the main rail hub of the US; Union Station is the long-distance Amtrak terminal. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Drive via interstates By road from Midwest · common

  I-90, I-94, I-55 and I-80 feed in from Milwaukee, Indiana, St. Louis and Iowa. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Intercity bus By road · possible

  Greyhound, Flixbus and Megabus use terminals near the Loop. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• CTA Blue Line from O'Hare

  The Blue Line starts at the O'Hare station below the airport and runs through downtown. The International Terminal needs a people mover to reach the station. Source: transitchicago.com

• CTA Orange Line from Midway

  The Orange Line starts at Midway, linked to the airport by an enclosed tunnel, and all trains go to the downtown Loop. Source: transitchicago.com

Getting around

• Bus

  CTA buses run on nearly every major street in Chicago and complement the L rail network.

• Metro

  The L is Chicago's rapid transit rail network, with all lines running to the Loop; the Blue Line serves O'Hare and the Orange Line serves Midway.

• Ride Hail useful for some trips

  Ride-sharing apps are widely available in Chicago and are an alternative to driving downtown.

• Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

• CD/mixtape hustle

  Magnificent Mile, Navy Pier, Millennium Park

  A street performer presses a CD into your hand 'as a gift,' asks your name to sign it, then aggressively demands $10-$20 once you're holding it.

  How to avoid it: Keep your hands in your pockets and firmly say no. Never accept the CD; if handed one, set it down and walk away.

• Fake charity clipboard

  Michigan Ave, around Millennium Park and the Bean

  People with clipboards claim to collect for a deaf/children's charity, get you to sign a sheet, then pressure you for a cash 'donation' that goes to no charity.

  How to avoid it: Legitimate charities don't corner tourists for cash. Decline, keep walking, and donate to vetted organizations directly.

• Aggressive panhandling / 'I just need bus fare'

  Magnificent Mile, around L stations and tourist corners

  Someone tells a detailed story about needing a few dollars for a bus/train ticket or gas, sometimes following you for a block to wear you down.

  How to avoid it: A polite but firm 'sorry, no' and continuing to walk is enough. Don't open your wallet on the street.

• Costumed-character photo tips

  The Bean (Cloud Gate), Navy Pier

  Costumed characters pose with tourists (especially kids) then demand a large tip; some get confrontational if you decline.

  How to avoid it: Agree on a price or decline before any photo is taken. A dollar or two is plenty if you do tip.

Best time to visit Chicago

• Jan 0°C
• Feb 1°C
• Mar 5°C
• Apr 10°C
• May 15°C
• Jun 21°C
• Jul 25°C
• Aug 25°C
• Sep 22°C
• Oct 15°C
• Nov 8°C
• Dec 2°C

More in United States

• New York City
• Los Angeles
• Las Vegas
• San Francisco
• Orlando
• Miami

Frequently asked questions about Chicago

What are the top-rated places to visit in Chicago?

The highest-rated places in our Chicago guide are Cloud Gate (The Bean), Art Institute of Chicago, Millennium Park, Field Museum of Natural History, Wrigley Field.

Where should I stay in Chicago?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Chicago: The Loop, Near North / Magnificent Mile, River North, Lincoln Park.

How do I get around Chicago?

Ways to get around Chicago covered in our guide: City bus, Metro, Ride-hailing app, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Chicago?

Scams reported to us for Chicago include CD/mixtape hustle; Fake charity clipboard; Aggressive panhandling / 'I just need bus fare'. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Chicago?

Average daytime highs in Chicago run from 0°C in Jan to 25°C in Aug.

Which airport is nearest to Chicago?

The nearest airport to Chicago has the code ORD.