THE 30 BEST Things to Do in Chicago, IL (2025)
Places to Visit in Chicago
Grab a slice of deep dish pizza, snap a selfie with the Bean at Millennium Park, and take in the city by boat on Lake Michigan or the Chicago River. For personalised recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
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Book these experiences for a close-up look at Chicago.
Sightseeing Cruisesfromper adult₹4,300
Sightseeing Cruisesfromper adult₹3,966
Observation Decksfromper adult₹2,644
Beer & Brewery Toursfromper adult₹7,491
Crime Toursfromper adult₹4,319
Museumsfromper adult₹2,997- fromper adult₹3,085
Ghost Toursfromper adult₹2,997- fromper adult₹2,556
Segway Toursfromper adult₹5,729
Art Museums
Art museum with a vast collection spanning centuries, including an extensive Monet gallery, Van Gogh works, and miniature rooms, set amidst serene gardens and modern architecture.
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Points of Interest & Landmarks
Lush urban retreat with serene gardens, interactive fountains, and iconic sculptures like Cloud Gate. Home to a lively amphitheatre and seasonal ice skating.
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Neighbourhoods
Historic urban stretch renowned for its blend of iconic skyscrapers, upscale shopping, and dining. Seasonal ambiance with notable architecture and evening allure.
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Science Museums
Interactive museum with diverse exhibits including a renowned German U-Boat tour, human body and climate change displays, and a Dark Universe movie. Features engaging activities for all ages.
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Points of Interest & Landmarks
Admission tickets from ₹3,697
Elevated observation deck with a glass-floored ledge, interactive displays, and a museum. Provides panoramic city views and a historical architectural overview.
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Speciality Museums
Guided tours through architecturally significant neighborhoods, highlighting history and women's contributions. Includes river and lakeshore vistas, plus local delicacies.
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Arenas & Stadiums
Historic ballpark blending classic architecture with modern updates, known for its intimate atmosphere and baseball heritage. Tours include access to the press box and dugout.
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Architectural Buildings
Admission tickets from ₹2,521
Elevated attraction featuring expansive city views and interactive exhibits. Includes unique yoga sessions, a photo op station, and a celebrated tilt experience.
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Natural History Museums
Admission tickets from ₹2,437
Natural history museum with a rich array of dinosaur displays, including a renowned T-Rex exhibit. Showcases interactive educational exhibits on ancient cultures and extinct species.
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Points of Interest & Landmarks
Sculpture in Millennium Park known for its reflective surface, ideal for interactive experiences and unique photo moments with the city skyline backdrop.
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Historic Walking Areas
Riverside walk featuring scenic views and lush greenery, with dining and shopping spots. Enjoy a leisurely stroll or partake in boat tours and kayaking amid impressive architecture.
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Set in a serene park environment, this zoo presents a broad array of animals, including majestic big cats and polar bears, with a seasonal ZooLights tradition, gardens, and a scenic boardwalk.
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Other Top Attractions around Chicago
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
What travellers are saying
- Ilenemassachusetts824 contributionsBeautiful museum. Most probably visit to see the impressive collection of prominent paintings. However, the Thorne Miniature rooms on the lowest level are very unique and not to be missed. I suggest starting here to beat the rush.
It was crowded with school groups on a Monday but not unpleasant. I saw everything that I hoped to in about 4 hours including a lunch stop — there was more to see had I wanted to stay longer.
The cafe is pricey and they add a gratuity even though you order at a counter and seat yourself. But, the food and the setting are both elevated, more so than a typical museum cafeteria.
The building layout is confusing in part because it lacks adequate signage. They could benefit from additional numbered gallery signs. I had to ask the staff for help many times, but they were exceptionally friendly and happy to point me in the right direction.Written 20 March 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - stevebintleyBedford, UK9,238 contributionsOne of the best kept parks I’ve ever wandered through, with plenty of seating and different areas to admire. The cleanliness is impeccable and the scale means it doesn’t feel too crowded. A wonderful space in the centre of the city.Written 1 March 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Cameron P1 contributionThe architecture along the Mile is stunning, with a mix of historic buildings and sleek modern skyscrapers. You can easily spend hours here, hopping between shops or grabbing a bite at one of the many trendy spots.Written 3 February 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Crystal BBellevue, NE37 contributionsLOVED it! We decided to stop here on our way out of Chicago and we're glad we did! We'd planned for it to take maybe 2 hours but we were there for 3.5 hours and still didn't see everything. So many cool displays! We took our 2 teenage kids and there was plenty for them to enjoy and there is also plenty for younger children as well. The German Submarine was a highlight for us, we paid to do the tour inside of it and it was worth it. Very cool! There's a donut shop which was delicious as well as a restaurant for lunch/dinner. There's attached underground parking (which was appreciated in January!) for $22 per day.Written 21 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- GregskyOttawa, Canada944 contributionsMy wife and I visited here recently (at dusk) after visiting with our kids ~9 years ago. Guessing that the views are better during the day or at night, but it was still fun. A bit steep at $32pp.Written 25 August 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- dylanpresleyArlington Heights, IL6 contributionsWe toured the Fine Arts Building. Our docent, Mary was very knowledgeable and the building was great, like going back 100 years in time.Written 21 March 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- JFWhiteMoncton, Canada8,333 contributionsLast ball game of the season 2024. Fun time here. Lots to see. Lots to see here with lots of history! Highly recommended to come here watch a gameWritten 29 September 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Elisabeth R. A.Copenhagen, Denmark38 contributionsWent here with a friend for their "Sky Yoga" experience. It was SO much fun to be allowed in before everyone else. The teacher was very sweet and the yogaflow was very well put together. I managed to build up a little sweat, which was nice. Complimentary drink after the class was either mimosa, coffee or mocktails. I reallt liked that they had a non-alcoholic option.Written 30 December 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Elias55 contributionsWe had a great time strolling through the Field Museum. It’s conveniently located in Chicago’s Museum Campus and provides a perfect shelter during those rainy days. We thoroughly enjoyed the various animals (especially the bird section is incredible), as well as the dinosaur exhibit. Sue the T. rex is – of course – a major highlight, but the collection has many other beautiful fossils on display.
We also visited a couple of temporary exhibits, which were both educational and interactive, adding more value to our visit. The museum provides an on-site restaurant which offers a nice spot to pause with a drink or snack.
All in all, definitely recommended activity when you’re visiting Chicago!Written 6 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - stevebintleyBedford, UK9,238 contributionsArguably the icon of the city - it’s a must see for a first time in Chicago. If you’re visiting at any time other than the start of end of the day expect the crowds to be large but the area is spacious enough for it not to be unpleasant. The entire surrounding area is nice to wander round too, so you can spend a fair bit of time. A lovely spot.Written 1 March 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- stevebintleyBedford, UK9,238 contributionsA lovely, clean and peaceful walking route in the centre of the city. There’s plenty of seating options along the way as well as free toilets which is great. There’s numerous different steps to ascend to the street above and there’s various drinking and eating options along the route too. It’s a fabulous route to explore when in the city and a must-do for anyone’s first time in the city.Written 1 March 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Robert CamperConcord, NH105 contributionsIf you are in Chicago, have a couple spare hours, looking to stretch your legs and see some animals, this is great. It is not a huge zoo, but it is free, really more like a section of the park than a separate thing. I guess there are gates, but with several entrances, it feels like you just walked into another part of the park, and suddenly animals. It is not the most amazing zoo I have been to, but is certainly nice. Has a wide variety of animals, and could totally see, if you lived in Chicago, bringing your kids there to see live animals. Like most zoos, some of the exhibits made the animals hard to find. It was also a really hot summer day, so many animals were napping in the shade of their exhibits. It was one of the last things on our itinerary, when I was planning the trip had a few hours one afternoon and thought "Sure, lets add it." I am glad we did, it was a good break from indoor museums, traffic and the rushing around that much of our trip included.Written 9 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
When to Visit
- January-3 ºCColdest month11 days of rainLess busyLeast busy month
- February-1 ºC9 days of rainLess busy
- March4 ºC11 days of rainModerately busy
- April11 ºC12 days of rainWettest monthModerately busy
- May17 ºC12 days of rainVery busy
- June22 ºC11 days of rainVery busyBusiest month
- July25 ºCHottest month10 days of rainVery busy
- August24 ºC9 days of rainVery busy
- September20 ºC8 days of rainModerately busy
- October14 ºC10 days of rainModerately busy
- November6 ºC10 days of rainLess busy
- December0 ºC11 days of rainLess busy
The above attraction descriptions were created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for any of the above attraction descriptions. Please read full traveller reviews for more details and information.
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