Chicago, located on the coast of Lake Michigan, is the third largest city in the United States. It is a significant hub for culture and commerce, boasting numerous museums, theaters, and company headquarters. Additionally, it serves as the host city for multiple prominent sports franchises.
Today, Chicago is one of the most visited cities in the world, with millions of tourists coming each year to experience its unique culture and history. And not to mention its incredible nature! There’s something for everyone in this amazing city.
Read our list below to find more fun things to do in Chicago, Illinois
The 97 Most Popular Things To Do In Chicago, Illinois
97. Lakefront Trail
5.0 (5 reviews)
Credit: Larry LaRose, License, Wikimedia commons
96. Sullivan Center
4.6 (7 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 9 E Madison Street Chicago IL
Web Address: https://architecture.org/learn/resources/buildings-of-chicago/building/sullivan-center/
95. North Clark Street
4.9 (7 reviews)
Credit: Paul R. Burley, License, Wikimedia commons
94. Kavi Gupta Gallery | Washington Blvd
4.8 (22 reviews)
Credit: Kavi Gupta Gallery | Washington Blvd, Google Maps
Location: 835 W Washington Blvd floors 1 3 835 W Washington Blvd Chicago IL
Tel: 312 432 0708
Web Address: http://kavigupta.com/
93. Woman Made Gallery
4.8 (25 reviews)
Location: 2150 S Canalport Ave #4A 3 Chicago IL
Tel: 312 738 0400
Web Address: https://womanmade.org/
92. The Renaissance Society
4.2 (39 reviews)
Credit: Mx. Granger, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 5811 S Ellis Ave Chicago IL
Tel: 773 702 8670
Web Address: http://renaissancesociety.org/
91. Henry B. Clarke House
4.5 (48 reviews)
Credit: David Wilson, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1827 S na Ave Chicago IL
Tel: 312 744 3316
Web Address: https://chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/clarke_house_museum.html
90. DePaul Art Museum
4.6 (65 reviews)
Credit: Daderot, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 935 W Fullerton Ave Chicago IL
Tel: 773 325 7506
Web Address: https://artmuseum.depaul.edu/
89. Pritzker Military Museum & Library
4.6 (65 reviews)
Credit: Terence Faircloth, License, Flickr
Location: 104 S Michigan Ave Chicago IL
Tel: 312 374 9333
Web Address: http://pritzkermilitary.org/
88. The Arts Club of Chicago
4.5 (76 reviews)
Credit: Gregory Ford Henderson, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 201 E Ontario Street Chicago IL
Tel: 312 787 3997
Web Address: http://artsclubchicago.org/
87. Newberry Library
4.6 (100 reviews)
Location: 60 W Walton Street Chicago IL
Tel: 312 943 9090
Web Address: http://newberry.org/
86. Design Museum of Chicago
4.1 (104 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Expo 72 E Randolph Street #72 Chicago IL
Tel: 312 894 6263
Web Address: http://designchicago.org/
85. Northerly Island
4.5 (108 reviews)
Credit: DwightSchruteDunderMifflin, License, Wikimedia commons
84. Graceland Cemetery
4.7 (125 reviews)
Credit: Paul R. Burley, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 4001 N Clark Street Chicago IL
Tel: 773 525 1105
Web Address: http://gracelandcemetery.org/
83. Block Museum of Art
4.6 (152 reviews)
Credit: Unknown author, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 40 Arts Cir Dr Evanston IL
Tel: 847 491 4000
Web Address: http://blockmuseum.northwestern.edu/
82. Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art
4.7 (162 reviews)
Credit: Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art, Google Maps
Location: 756 N Milwaukee Ave Chicago IL
Tel: 312 624 9487
Web Address: http://art.org/
81. McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum
4.5 (174 reviews)
Credit: User:JeremyA, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 99 Chicago Riverwalk Chicago IL
Tel: 312 977 0227
Web Address: http://bridgehousemuseum.org/
80. Jane Addams Hull-House Museum
4.6 (180 reviews)
Credit: Zagalejo, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 800 S Halsted Street Chicago IL
Tel: 312 413 5353
Web Address: https://hullhousemuseum.org/
79. Centennial Wheel
4.5 (180 reviews)
Credit: Larry LaRose, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Chicago IL
Tel: 312 595 7437
Web Address: https://navypier.org/eat-drink-play/rides-and-games/listing/centennial-wheel
78. Lurie Garden
4.8 (184 reviews)
Credit: Diego Delso, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 220 E Monroe Street Chicago IL
Tel: 312 228 1004
Web Address: http://luriegarden.org/
77. Glessner House
4.6 (188 reviews)
Credit: Teemu008, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1800 S Prairie Ave Chicago IL
Tel: 312 326 1480
Web Address: http://glessnerhouse.org/
76. Unity Temple
4.8 (195 reviews)
Credit: J. Miers –, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 875 Lake Street Oak Park IL
Tel: 708 848 6225
Web Address: http://unitytemple.org/
75. S. R. Crown Hall (IIT College of Architecture)
4.7 (231 reviews)
Credit: Eugene Bell, Google Maps
Location: 3360 S Streetate Street Chicago IL
Tel: 312 567 3230
Web Address: http://arch.iit.edu/about/sr-crown-hall
74. Montrose Beach
4.6 (241 reviews)
Web Address: http://chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks/montrose-beach/
73. Swedish American Museum
4.7 (249 reviews)
Credit: Zagalejo, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 5211 N Clark Street Chicago IL
Tel: 773 728 8111
Web Address: http://swedishamericanmuseum.org/
72. Oriental Institute Museum
4.8 (266 reviews)
Credit: Daderot, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1155 E 58th Street Chicago IL
Tel: 773 702 9514
Web Address: https://oi100.uchicago.edu/
71. McCormick Tribune Plaza
4.4 (299 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1 N Michigan Ave Chicago IL
Tel: 312 742 5222
Web Address: http://millenniumpark.org/
70. Monadnock Building
4.6 (303 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 53 W Jackson Blvd Chicago IL
Tel: 312 922 1890
Web Address: http://monadnockbuilding.com/
69. Oak Street Beach
4.8 (306 reviews)
Web Address: http://chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks/oak-street-beach/
68. Chicago Zoological Society
4.7 (307 reviews)
Location: 3300 Golf Road Brookfield IL
Tel: 708 688 8000
Web Address: https://czs.org/
67. Hyde Park Art Center
4.7 (322 reviews)
Location: 5020 S Cornell Ave Chicago IL
Tel: 773 324 5520
Web Address: http://hydeparkart.org/
66. Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool
4.8 (333 reviews)
Credit: Marilyn Engwall, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 125 W Fullerton Pkwy Chicago IL
Tel: 773 883 7275
Web Address: http://lincolnparkconservancy.org/projects/alfred-caldwell-lily-pool/
65. Smart Museum of Art
4.5 (345 reviews)
Credit: Michael Barera, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 5550 S Greenwood Ave Chicago IL
Tel: 773 702 0200
Web Address: https://smartmuseum.uchicago.edu/
64. Museum of Contemporary Photography
4.4 (361 reviews)
Location: 600 S Michigan Ave Chicago IL
Web Address: http://mocp.org/
63. Richard J. Daley Center
3.8 (364 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 50 W Washington Street Chicago IL
Tel: 312 603 5030
Web Address: http://thedaleycenter.com/
62. Pullman National Monument
4.6 (401 reviews)
Credit: Jillmurtagh, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 610 E 111th Street Chicago IL
Tel: 773 468 9310
Web Address: https://nps.gov/pull/index.htm
61. Douglass (Anna & Frederick) Park
4.2 (539 reviews)
Location: 1401 S Sacramento Dr Chicago IL
Tel: 866 223 5564
Web Address: https://chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/douglas-golf-course
60. Tribune Tower
4.6 (541 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 435 Michigan Ave Chicago IL
Tel: 312 222 3994
Web Address: https://tribunetower.com/
59. City Gallery in the Historic Water Tower
4.5 (574 reviews)
Location: 806 Michigan Ave Chicago IL
Tel: 312 742 0808
Web Address: http://cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/city_gallery_in_thehistoricwatertower.html
58. American Writers Museum
4.7 (596 reviews)
Location: 180 North Michigan Ave Chicago IL
Tel: 312 374 8790
Web Address: http://americanwritersmuseum.org/
57. The Richard H. Driehaus Museum
4.7 (717 reviews)
Credit: victorgrigas, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 40 E Erie Street Chicago IL
Tel: 312 482 8933
Web Address: http://driehausmuseum.org/
56. Untitled by Picasso
4.6 (795 reviews)
Credit: Onasill – Bill Badzo, License, Flickr
Location: 50 W Washington Street Chicago IL
Tel: 312 744 5000
Web Address: http://cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/chicago_s_publicartthepicassountitledsculpture.html
55. Chicago Board of Trade Building
4.5 (881 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 141 W Jackson Blvd Chicago IL
Tel: 312 435 7180
Web Address: http://141wjackson.com/
54. The Rookery Building
4.6 (899 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 209 S La Salle Street Chicago IL
Tel: 312 553 6100
Web Address: https://therookerybuilding.com/
53. Frederick C. Robie House
4.7 (920 reviews)
Credit: Carol M. Highsmith, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 5757 S Woodlawn Ave Chicago IL
Tel: 312 994 4000
Web Address: http://flwright.org/visit/robiehouse
52. International Museum of Surgical Science
4.5 (1,019 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1524 N Lake Shore Dr Chicago IL
Tel: 312 642 6502
Web Address: http://imss.org/
51. Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon
4.6 (1,062 reviews)
Credit: Robert Andrews, Google Maps
Location: 337 E Randolph Street Chicago IL
Tel: 312 552 3000
Web Address: http://maggiedaleypark.com/things-to-do-see/skating-ribbon/
50. Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center
4.7 (1,152 reviews)
Location: 9603 Woods Dr Skokie IL
Tel: 847 967 4800
Web Address: http://ilholocaustmuseum.org/
49. Promontory Point
4.8 (1,153 reviews)
Credit: Paul R. Burley, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 5491 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr Chicago IL
Tel: 312 742 5369
Web Address: http://chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks/Burnham-Park/
48. The 606
4.7 (1,428 reviews)
Credit: quinntheislander, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1805 N Ridgeway Ave Chicago IL
Tel: 312 742 4622
Web Address: http://the606.org/
47. DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center
4.7 (1,439 reviews)
Credit: Marvin Powell, Google Maps
Location: 740 E 56th Pl Chicago IL
Tel: 773 947 0600
Web Address: http://dusablemuseum.org/
46. Chicago Architecture Center
4.7 (1,507 reviews)
Credit: Diego Delso, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 111 E Wacker Dr Chicago IL
Tel: 312 922 8687
Web Address: http://architecture.org/
45. Montrose Dog Park
4.6 (1,510 reviews)
Credit: David Wilson, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 4697 Lawrence W Wilson Dr Chicago IL
Web Address: http://mondog.org/
44. Adler Planetarium
4.3 (1,560 reviews)
Credit: Pub. Union News, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1300 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr Chicago IL
Tel: 312 922 7827
Web Address: https://adlerplanetarium.org/
43. Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
4.6 (1,561 reviews)
Credit: User:Wildcat dunny, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 2430 N Cannon Dr Chicago IL
Tel: 773 755 5100
Web Address: http://naturemuseum.org/
42. Oz Park
4.6 (1,682 reviews)
Credit: Xapis7, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 2021 N Burling Street Chicago IL
Tel: 312 742 7898
Web Address: https://chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/Oz-Park/
41. Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio
4.8 (1,925 reviews)
Credit: Carol M. Highsmith, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 951 Chicago Ave Oak Park IL
Tel: 312 994 4000
Web Address: http://flwright.org/
40. WNDR Museum
4.2 (2,027 reviews)
Location: 1130 W Monroe Street Chicago IL
Web Address: https://wndrmuseum.com/
39. Chicago History Museum
4.6 (2,154 reviews)
Credit: Paul R. Burley, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1601 N Clark Street Chicago IL
Tel: 312 642 4600
Web Address: https://chicagohistory.org/
38. The Merchandise Mart
4.5 (2,179 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza Chicago IL
Tel: 800 677 6278
Web Address: http://mmart.com/
37. National Museum of Mexican Art
4.7 (2,331 reviews)
Location: 1852 W 19th Street Chicago IL
Tel: 312 738 1503
Web Address: http://nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org/
36. Chicago Symphony Orchestra
4.8 (2,409 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 220 S Michigan Ave Chicago IL
Tel: 312 294 3000
Web Address: http://cso.org/
35. The Wrigley Building
4.7 (2,417 reviews)
Credit: User:Daderot, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 400 410 Michigan Ave Chicago IL
Tel: 312 229 8941
Web Address: http://thewrigleybuilding.com/history/
34. North Avenue Beach
4.6 (2,502 reviews)
Credit: King Hearts, License, Wikimedia commons
33. Jay Pritzker Pavilion
4.8 (2,611 reviews)
Credit: Diego Delso, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 201 E Randolph Street Chicago IL
Tel: 312 742 1168
Web Address: http://jaypritzkerpavilion.com/
32. Lincoln Park Conservatory
4.8 (2,791 reviews)
Credit: Ben Schumin, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 2391 N Streetockton Dr Chicago IL
Tel: 312 742 7736
Web Address: http://lincolnparkconservancy.org/projects/conservatory-garden/
31. Humboldt (Alexander Von) Park
4.7 (2,846 reviews)
Credit: Sloan, Percy H., License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1400 N Humboldt Dr Chicago IL
Tel: 312 742 7549
Web Address: https://chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/humboldt-park
30. Ping Tom Memorial Park
4.6 (2,994 reviews)
Credit: Local hero, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1700 S Wentworth Ave Chicago IL
Tel: 312 225 3121
Web Address: http://chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks/Ping-Tom-Memorial-Park/
29. Bahá’í House of Worship
4.8 (3,325 reviews)
Credit: SavingOakwood, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 100 Linden Ave Wilmette IL
Tel: 847 853 2300
Web Address: http://bahaitemple.org/
28. Crown Fountain
4.7 (3,897 reviews)
Location: 201 E Randolph Street Chicago IL
Tel: 312 742 1168
Web Address: http://cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/chicago_s_publicartcrownfountaininmillenniumpark.html
27. DuSable Bridge
4.6 (4,153 reviews)
Location: 333 Michigan Ave Chicago IL
Web Address: http://webapps.cityofchicago.org/landmarksweb/web/landmarkdetails.htm
26. Museum Of Contemporary Art Chicago (MCA Chicago)
4.4 (4,917 reviews)
Credit: Gregory Ford Henderson, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 220 E Chicago Ave Chicago IL
Tel: 312 280 2660
Web Address: http://mcachicago.org/
25. Chicago Cultural Center
4.7 (5,002 reviews)
Credit: Paul R. Burley, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 78 E Washington Street Chicago IL
Tel: 312 744 5000
Web Address: http://chicagoculturalcenter.org/
24. Chicago Children’s Museum
4.5 (5,282 reviews)
Credit: Another Believer, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 700 E Grand Ave Chicago IL
Tel: 312 527 1000
Web Address: http://chicagochildrensmuseum.org/
23. The Chicago Theatre
4.7 (7,059 reviews)
Credit: Daniel Schwen, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 175 N Streetate Street Chicago IL
Tel: 312 462 6300
Web Address: https://msg.com/the-chicago-theatre
22. Garfield Park Conservatory
4.8 (7,331 reviews)
Credit: A.C. Bosselman Co.,, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 300 N Central Park Ave Chicago IL
Web Address: https://garfieldconservatory.org/
21. Maggie Daley Park
4.7 (8,186 reviews)
Location: 337 E Randolph Street Chicago IL
Tel: 312 742 3918
Web Address: http://maggiedaleypark.com/
20. Soldier Field
4.6 (9,549 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1410 Special Olympics Dr Chicago IL
Tel: 312 235 7000
Web Address: https://soldierfield.net/
19. 360 CHICAGO
4.6 (11,109 reviews)
Credit: Matt Kieffer, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 875 N Michigan Ave 94th floor Chicago IL
Tel: 888 875 8439
Web Address: https://360chicago.com/
18. Buckingham Fountain
4.7 (13,689 reviews)
Credit: Alhill42, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 301 S Columbus Dr Chicago IL
Tel: 312 742 7529
Web Address: http://chicagoparkdistrict.com/
17. Riverwalk
4.8 (13,693 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Riverwalk Chicago IL
Web Address: https://chicagoriverwalk.us/
16. 875 North Michigan Avenue
4.7 (16,892 reviews)
Credit: License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 875 N Michigan Ave Chicago IL
Web Address: https://875northmichiganavenue.com/
15. Grant Park
4.7 (18,656 reviews)
Credit: Diego Delso, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 337 E Randolph Street Chicago IL
Tel: 312 742 3918
Web Address: http://chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks/grant-park/
14. Lincoln Park
4.7 (19,404 reviews)
Credit: Thshriver, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 500 5700 N Lake Shore Dr Chicago IL
Tel: 312 742 7726
Web Address: https://chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/lincoln-park/
13. Brookfield Zoo
4.6 (21,851 reviews)
Location: 8400 W 31st Street Brookfield IL
Tel: 708 688 8000
Web Address: https://czs.org/Brookfield-ZOO/Home
12. Museum Campus
4.7 (22,491 reviews)
Credit: Paul R. Burley, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 337 E Randolph Street Chicago IL
Tel: 312 742 7529
Web Address: http://chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks/grant-park/
11. Skydeck Chicago
4.5 (24,061 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 233 S Wacker Dr Chicago IL
Tel: 312 875 9447
Web Address: https://theskydeck.com/
10. Wrigley Field
4.8 (30,001 reviews)
Credit: Tichnor Brothers, Publisher, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1060 W Addison Street Chicago IL
Tel: 773 404 2827
Web Address: http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/chc/ballpark/
Our Top picks
9. Field Museum
4.7 (20,186 reviews)
Location: 1400 S Lake Shore Dr Chicago IL
Tel: 312 922 9410
Web Address: https://fieldmuseum.org/
8. Willis Tower
4.5 (20,778 reviews)
Location: 233 S Wacker Dr Chicago IL
Tel: 312 875 0066
Web Address: https://willistower.com/
7. Cloud Gate
4.8 (22,935 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 201 E Randolph Street Chicago IL
Web Address: https://cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/chicago_s_publicartcloudgateinmillenniumpark.html
6. Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago
4.7 (24,031 reviews)
Location: 5700 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr Chicago IL
Tel: 773 684 1414
Web Address: https://msichicago.org/
5. Lincoln Park Zoo
4.6 (27,350 reviews)
Credit: Jrbarc!, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 2001 N Clark Street Chicago IL
Tel: 312 742 2000
Web Address: http://lpzoo.org/
4. The Art Institute of Chicago
4.8 (27,429 reviews)
Credit: Diego Delso, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 111 S Michigan Ave Chicago IL
Tel: 312 443 3600
Web Address: http://artic.edu/
3. Shedd Aquarium
4.6 (27,562 reviews)
Credit: Tichnor Brothers, Publisher, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1200 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr Chicago IL
Tel: 312 939 2438
Web Address: https://sheddaquarium.org/
2. Navy Pier
4.6 (63,935 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 600 E Grand Ave Chicago IL
Tel: 312 595 7437
Web Address: http://navypier.org/
1. Millennium Park
4.8 (70,423 reviews)
Credit: Diego Delso, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 201 E Randolph Street Chicago IL
Tel: 312 742 1168
Web Address: https://chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/millennium_park.html
Final Words:
Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in Chicago, Illinois! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!
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