Chicago built its reputation on architecture, museums, and food, all anchored by 26 miles of publicly accessible Lake Michigan shoreline. The downtown is compact and walkable, with the Loop, River North, and the Museum Campus connected by the Chicago Riverwalk and lakefront trail. Here are the specific attractions worth your time with practical details on cost, timing, and L station access. For where to stay near these attractions, see neighborhoods in Chicago.
Things to Do in Chicago: Museums and Galleries
Art Institute of Chicago
One of the world’s great art museums, housing 300,000 works from ancient to contemporary. The collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings is second only to the Musee d’Orsay in Paris: Seurat’s “A Sunday on La Grande Jatte,” Van Gogh’s “The Bedroom,” and Hopper’s “Nighthawks” all live here. The Modern Wing by Renzo Piano (2009) houses contemporary art with natural light filtering through a “flying carpet” roof. General admission US$25 adults, US$19 students and seniors, free for children under 14. Illinois residents receive free admission on weekdays (January-February). Open Thursday-Monday 11am-5pm (until 8pm on Thursdays). Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. L: Adams/Wabash (Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple Lines). The Chicago events and festivals guide covers After Dark events at the museum.
Field Museum of Natural History
On the Museum Campus alongside Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium, the Field Museum’s centerpiece is Sue, the most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton ever found (now in the Griffin Halls of Evolving Planet on the upper level). The Ancient Americas exhibit covers 13,000 years of human history across two continents in 19,000 square feet. General admission US$29 adults, US$23 children (3-11). Discovery Pass (includes all special exhibitions) US$40 adults. Open daily 9am-5pm. Last entry 4pm. L: Roosevelt (Red, Green, Orange Lines), then a 10-minute walk through Museum Campus. The lakefront location provides some of the city’s best skyline views.
Museum of Science and Industry
Housed in the only remaining building from the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, MSI is the largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere. The U-505 German submarine (captured 1944) is a National Historic Landmark and requires a timed ticket (US$18 extra). The Science Storms exhibit recreates a 40-foot tornado, avalanche disk, and tsunami tank. The Coal Mine is a working replica of an Illinois coal mine that has been operating since 1933. General admission US$22 adults, US$13 children. Open daily 9:30am-4pm. Located in Hyde Park at 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive. Metra Electric Line from Millennium Station to 55th-56th-57th Street (US$4, 15 minutes) or bus #6 from the Loop (30 minutes). Combine with a visit to the University of Chicago campus and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robie House (US$20).
Things to Do in Chicago: Architecture and Skyline Views
Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise
Widely considered the best way to understand Chicago and frequently ranked among the top tours in the United States. The 90-minute cruise on the Chicago River covers 50+ buildings spanning 150 years of architectural history, from the 1869 Chicago Water Tower to the 2010 Aqua Tower. Volunteer docents from the Chicago Architecture Center deliver detailed commentary on the city’s role in inventing the skyscraper. Tickets: US$54 adults, US$35 children (purchased through the CAC). Runs April through November. The 10am departure has the best light for photography. Evening cruises at sunset offer a different perspective with the buildings lit. Departure from the Chicago Architecture Center dock at 112 E. Wacker Drive at Michigan Avenue. Book 3-5 days ahead in summer. The CAC itself (111 E. Wacker) has a 4,000-building scale model of the city (US$12 admission) and is worth visiting before or after the cruise.
Willis Tower Skydeck
At 442 meters (1,451 feet) with 110 stories, the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) was the world’s tallest building from 1974 to 1998. The Skydeck on the 103rd floor features The Ledge, four glass boxes extending 1.3 meters (4.3 feet) from the building’s facade at 412 meters (1,353 feet), giving the sensation of floating above the city. On clear days, visibility extends to four states: Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Standard admission US$32-40 adults, US$22-30 children depending on time slot. Early morning (9-10am) and weekday evenings have the shortest lines. Sunset slots sell out fastest. Open daily 9am-10pm (March-September), 10am-8pm (October-February). L: Quincy/Wells (Brown, Orange, Pink, Purple Lines).
Millennium Park
Chicago’s 24.5-acre downtown park opened in 2004 on top of a railroad yard and parking garage, transforming the lakefront. Cloud Gate (known universally as “The Bean”), Anish Kapoor’s 110-ton polished stainless steel sculpture, is the city’s most photographed landmark. The Crown Fountain by Jaume Plensa displays changing faces of Chicago residents with water cascading from their mouths. The Jay Pritzker Pavilion designed by Frank Gehry hosts free concerts including the Grant Park Music Festival (summer). The Lurie Garden is a 5-acre perennial garden designed by Piet Oudolf. The McCormick Tribune Ice Rink runs November through March (free, skate rental US$16-20). Free admission, open daily 6am-11pm. L: Washington/Wabash (Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple Lines) or Lake (Red Line).
Things to Do in Chicago: Lakefront and Outdoor
Lakefront Trail and Beaches
The 18.5-mile Lakefront Trail runs from Ardmore Street in Edgewater to 71st Street in South Shore, entirely separated from vehicle traffic. Divvy bike rentals: US$16.50 for a day pass (unlimited 3-hour rides, check in every 30 minutes to avoid fees). The trail passes 26 public beaches, with Oak Street Beach (1000 N. Lake Shore Drive) and North Avenue Beach (1600 N. Lake Shore Drive) being the most central and popular. Beach season runs Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day with lifeguards on duty 11am-7pm daily. Water temperatures peak at 22 C (72 F) in August, swimmable from late June through mid-September. The Chicago neighborhoods guide covers lakefront access points by area.
Navy Pier
A 1,010-meter (3,300-foot) pier extending into Lake Michigan that functions as Chicago’s primary tourist promenade. The Centennial Wheel (US$18 adults, US$13 children) provides lake and skyline views from 60-meter enclosed gondolas. The Chicago Children’s Museum (US$19) and Chicago Shakespeare Theater are permanent tenants. Summer fireworks run Wednesday nights (9:30pm) and Saturday nights (10:15pm) from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The Crystal Gardens is a free indoor botanical garden in a glass atrium. Free entry to the pier itself. Restaurants tend to be overpriced tourist traps; eat in Streeterville or River North instead, covered in the where to stay in Chicago guide. L: Grand (Red Line) plus bus #29 or a 20-minute walk.
For seasonal food experiences, including deep-dish and the Chicago hot dog, see the Chicago neighborhoods guide which covers dining districts by area.
