Things to Do In Chicago, Illinois, United States

Chicago, Illinois, is a great place to spend a vacation. It is a place where you are never short of things to do. From exploring history in museums to dining in world-class restaurants and observing the city from above, there are so any things to do in Chicago, Illinois. Here is a sneak peek in to how you can plan your next vacation to thus

The Ultimate List of Things to Do In Chicago

Millennium Park

Millennium Park is located in the heart of downtown Chicago, just a block away from Lake Michigan. It is a place where you can expect to see world-class music, art, landscape design, and architecture, on display. This 24.5 acre park draws 25 million visitors annually, making it one of Chicago’s most popular attractions to visit.

The Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago is located in Grant Park. It showcases 300,000 creations of art ranging from ancient masterpieces to modern pieces of art. Furthermore, over 1.5 million visitors from around the world visit the museum annually. This makes it one of the most visited attractions in Chicago.

Skydeck Chicago – Willis Tower

Skydeck Chicago is an observation deck located on the top of Willis Tower. It is the highest observation deck in the United States, drawing 1.7 million visitors annually. The Skydeck is located on the 103^rd floor and has an enclosed glass balcony that extends 4.3 feet from the Willis Tower. You can witness stunning panoramic views of the city from the observation deck.

Cloud Gate

Cloud Gate is a kidney shape sculpture that is the centrepiece of AT&T Plaza in Millennium Park, Chicago, Illinois. This sculpture takes the form of a ‘giant bean’ and has a reflective surface that connectors visitors with the city’s skyscrapers and people around. This iconic structure is always crowded with visitors, making it one of the most popular attractions in the city.

The Magnificent Mile

The Magnificent Mile is prominent dining, hospitality, and retail centre point in Chicago. It features over 460 shops that consist of high-end boutiques selling branded items to pocket-friendly department stores. Moreover, it is home to iconic landmarks like the Chicago Water Tower and the Wrigley Building.

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is the largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere. Spread across a land area of 14 acres, it stands in the only remaining building from World Fair in 1893. You can experience hands-on exhibits like climbing aboard a World War II German submarine or standing before a 40-foot tornado.

Wrigley Field

Built in 1914, Wrigley Field is the home of the Chicago Cubs with the Wrigley Field Tour. With over 100 years of history, this field is a must-visit attraction for anyone visiting Chicago. There is also a non-gameday Ivy Tour that fans can join. Fans have the chance to take a photograph in front of the historic ivy wall in the Wrigley’s Field.

Field Museum

Field Museum is a museum of natural history located in Chicago, Illinois. It is home to over 40 million specimens from across the globe. Moreover, it has the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton ever discovered. Also, you can watch a movie at the 3D theatre or visit an Ancient Egypt-based art exhibition.

360 Chicago Observation Deck

360 Chicago Observation Deck is located on the 94^th floor of John Hancock Center. It offers stunning views of the lakefront, the city’s skyline, and four states. It’s where you can enjoy Chicago’s highest thrill ride. This ride called TILT is a large moving platform that tilts visitors over the edge of the building.

Chicago Riverwalk

Chicago Riverwalk is an open-air walkway that connects Lake Michigan to downtown. It consists of six section with the Riverwalk acting as the primary entertainment hub. Located on the south bank of the Chicago River, this bustling pedestrian-friendly walkway has everything from art to museums, water activities, and more.

Navy Pier

Navy Pier is a 50-acre picturesque waterfront location in Chicago, Illinois. Opened in 1995, it has a number of shops, restaurants, exhibitions, entertainment, and more. There is also speedboat for adrenaline junkies. Moreover, there is a 200-foot-tall Ferris wheel, a children’s museum, and many more to enjoy and experience.

Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo is the only zoo in Chicago that is open for all, every day of the year. Also, the zoo is a botanic garden and an arboretum. You can see gorillas, lions, and meerkats in this 49-acre zoo. It has state-of-the art animal habitats and skyline and lake views that visitors can enjoy while exploring the zoo.

Garfield Park Conservatory

Garfield Park Conservatory is a conservatory with lush greenhouses and outdoor areas. It is one of the largest and most beautiful conservatories in the world. Occupying 12 acres of land inside and out, this conservatory is free to explore for anyone visiting Chicago. Furthermore, it features a wide range of plants, including cacti and palms, koi ponds, and glass sculptures.

Shedd Aquarium

Shedd Aquarium is the best place to experience sea creatures and other marine life in Chicago. You can see bluegills to belugas, stingrays to sturgeons, sea otters to sea stars and octopuses and more, all in this fascinating aquarium. You can also watch penguins fly through the cold waters at this aquarium.

Chicago River

Chicago River is 251 km long and is popular for its picturesque architectural tour boats. It is also famous for its beautiful riverwalk. You can experience amazing views from the Chicago River bank, riverwalk, bridges, and river boats. It flows through forest preserves and parks, and all types of urban communities.

United Center

United Center is an indoor arena in Chicago, Illinois. It is the home grounds of the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Moreover, it is the largest arena by capacity in the NBA, with a seating capacity of almost 21,000.

Chicago Cultural Center

Opened in 1897, the Chicago Cultural Center is the country’s first free municipal cultural center. Also, it is one of the most visited attractions in Chicago. With its two magnificent stained-glass domes, it started off as Chicago’s first public library. This stunning landmark building has free cultural exhibits and performances annually.

Chicago History Museum

Chicago History Museum is the best place to get to know more about the history of this amazing city. From the Great Chicago Fire to the Union stockyard, Chicago politics and sports, there is so much to learn in this museum.

Final Thoughts

Chicago is an incredible city with attractions that are unparalleled. One who visits the city would always want to go back on another trip to this amazing city to explore its beauty and countless attractions.