This cosmopolitan playground is bursting with things to do. Sightseeing options range from Chicago icons – such as Millennium Park’s Cloud Gate, Grant Park’s Buckingham Fountain and Navy Pier’s Ferris wheel – to fascinating history and architecture tours. With several of the world’s tallest buildings located here, Chicago is a showcase for modern masterpieces and historic landmarks by America’s greatest architects including Frank Lloyd Wright, Daniel Burnham and Louis Sullivan. Go above the view at 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck in the John Hancock Center (be sure to try the TILT experience, which leans you out over Michigan Avenue). Stay grounded but still take in the beautiful cityscape with a stroll along the Chicago Riverwalk, where you can enjoy a delicious meal or grab a drink right on the water. The Riverwalk can also serve as your launching point for an architecture tour or canoe trip down the Chicago River. Take the kids to Lincoln Park Zoo and Wrigley Field, two iconic and family-friendly attractions.
Chicago is renowned for its cultural offerings with more than 40 museums and a dedicated Museum Campus, home to The Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium. Don't miss the Art Institute of Chicago, which contains 300,000 works in its permanent collection, and Museum of Science and Industry, the largest in the Western Hemisphere. As the only U.S. city with five regional Tony Award-winning theaters (Goodman Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Lookingglass Theatre, Victory Gardens Theater and Steppenwolf Theatre), Chicago’s theater scene takes center stage. Between the Downtown Theater District, Broadway in Chicago and local storefront productions in nearly every neighborhood, you can catch shows at over 200 theaters in the city, in addition to enjoying performances from esteemed companies such as Joffrey Ballet, Lyric Opera and Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Chicago’s culinary scene is filled with star chefs, unique ethnic eateries and award-winning fine dining restaurants known around the world. Just as famous is the Chicago-style hot dog and deep dish pizza. As a top food destination, the city boasts 7,300 restaurants in every price range and cuisine. Not to be outdone, shopping is an equally big deal here. Don’t miss Michigan Avenue’s 13-block stretch, The Magnificent Mile, with more than 300 stores to explore, including major department stores, luxury boutiques and the can't-miss, multi-level Water Tower Place mall. If it’s music you’ve come for, you’ll find every genre at live music clubs and outdoor events like Millennium Park concerts, Lollapalooza and the Chicago Blues Festival. For nightlife, head to the many cocktail lounges, sports bars or dance clubs that dot the entertainment landscape. Or get tickets to legendary comedy club The Second City. And that’s just the beginning: Chicago’s calendar is packed with local street festivals, holiday celebrations and special events year round.
