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First-time visitor’s guide to Chicago

First time in Chicago? This guide’s for you.

Chicago is a harmonious blend of opposites — bustling big city steeped in Midwestern charm, towering skyscrapers framed by miles of tranquil beaches, a city in a garden (Chicago’s motto, in fact). In other words, everybody feels right at home in Chicago.

To make the most of your inaugural visit, add these attractions, experiences, and events to your itinerary.

Must-see attractions

Millennium park campus.

Millennium Park Campus is classic Chicago, with a long list of iconic things to see and do. Pay a visit to one of the city’s most famous public artworks, Cloud Gate, aka “The Bean.” Splash around in Crown Fountain, a shallow pool flanked by two 50-foot towers where the faces of Chicago locals spout water from pouting lips. Dine on the outdoor patio in the shadow of The Bean in the summer, or ice skate on the plaza in the winter. Hear free live music, go to summer festivals, and see films screened under the stars at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion. Wander Lurie Garden and meet birds, bees, and butterflies. Visit the Art Institute of Chicago , ranked one of the top museums in the world by TripAdvisor users. Then hop over to the Chicago Cultural Center , crowned by the largest Tiffany stained-glass dome in the world. Spend the evening at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance . And don’t leave without lakefront wall climbing, tennis playing, mini golfing, playground frolicking, or ribbon skating at Maggie Daley Park .

Note: All Millennium Park Campus sights with the exception of the Art Institute of Chicago and Harris Theater are free.

Navy Pier is a must-see Chicago destination. This family-friendly attraction has endless options for things to see and do: scenic boat rides on the lakes, summer fireworks displays, outposts of local food favorites, the largest rooftop bar in the county, free outdoor music, indoor gardens, carnival rides, and so much more.

The Centennial Wheel at Pier Park is one of Navy Pier’s most recognizable sights. This nearly 200-foot ride, inspired by the world’s first Ferris wheel that debuted at Chicago’s World Fair, consists of climate-controlled gondolas that take you soaring almost above the lakefront. Another favorite: summer fireworks displays every Wednesday and Saturday from Memorial Day to Labor Day. They’re especially jaw-dropping when watched from the deck of one of Navy Pier’s many cruise boats.

A couple more classic things not to miss: A play at The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare , live music in the Miller Lite Beer Garden , having a cocktail at Offshore Rooftop , and exploring at the Chicago Children’s Museum .

Chicago Riverwalk

Whether you’re in the mood to relax, party it up, or soak in culture, the Chicago Riverwalk is a variety of interests and experiences rolled into one. Sip wine on a riverside patio, or go island style under a canopy of light-strewn trees. Kayak the Riverwalk’s skyscraper canyon, take an architectural boat tour, or kick back on a tiki party boat. Visit a working bridgehouse and view the largest video-projected artwork in the world at Art on theMART . You can even immerse yourself in nature with some pier fishing and bird-watching, right in the heart of downtown Chicago .

Museum Campus

The setting for Museum Campus couldn’t be lovelier — three Beaux-Arts-inspired buildings sitting on the shores of Lake Michigan. Set in lush parks and gardens, Field Museum , Shedd Aquarium , and Adler Planetarium (the oldest planetarium in the Western Hemisphere, by the way), sit side by side, beckoning lovers of ancient civilizations, undersea worlds, and amazing universes.

Best of all, you have the option of getting there by Shoreline Sightseeing Water Taxi from either Navy Pier or Willis Tower — which is the perfect way to travel on a beautiful summer’s day.

A couple of things not to miss: Máximo the Titanosaur (the largest creature ever known to man) and SUE the T.rex at Field Museum; sharks, belugas, stingrays, sea otters, and sea lions at the Shedd; and high-powered stargazing at the Adler’s Doane at Dusk.

Observation decks

Must-do experiences

Get out on the water.

Go to the theatre

Theatre is where Chicago bares its fearless soul. From Broadway In Chicago  and Tony Award-winning companies, to legendary improv showcase The Second City and more than 200 storefront theatres, you’ll find classic, unconventional, and innovative productions all over Chicago.

For Chicago style theatre at discounted prices, plan your trip for the city’s annual Chicago Theatre Week in February. Or check out this month’s 10 Hot Shows Not to Miss, with half-priced tickets from Hot Tix .

Note: 2019 is the Year of Chicago Theatre. Check out shows, events, and celebrations.

Eat and drink up the city

Take a bite out of classic Chicago foods like deep dish pizza, Italian beef sandwiches, and Chicago style hot dogs (hold the ketchup). Experience award-winning fine dining at the city’s star chef-led and Michelin star-rated restaurants. Get a frothy mustache at any of the Chicago metro area’s 160-plus craft breweries (you can tour most of them, too). Or sample a little of all of them at Chicago Friday Night Flights beer tasting events over the summer. Oh, and you can lift your spirits at any one of the city’s many craft distilleries, too. Vodka, whiskey, gin, brandy — pick your poison.

For something extra special, plan your trip around one of the city’s food and drink festivals and events, including Chicago Restaurant Week in January, the James Beard Awards and James Beard Eats Week in May, Taste of Chicago in July, and Chicago Gourmet in September.

Chicago Greeter: free guided tours

Taste, shop and explore the neighborhoods with a friendly local as your guide with a Chicago Greeter . Explore rich histories, diverse cultural traditions, and hidden treasures. See sides of the city you may not have adventured out to on your own, and take away a truly authentic Chicago experience. Greeter visits are customized based on your choice of neighborhoods, language, and interests.

From this article

Art Institute of Chicago

Theater & Performing Arts

Chicago cultural center.

Special Event Venues

The harris theater for music and dance.

Tours & Attractions

Maggie daley park.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Streeterville

The Field Museum

Shedd Aquarium

Adler Planetarium

Willis Tower

360 CHICAGO Observation Deck

The Magnificent Mile

Broadway In Chicago

Shoreline Sightseeing Company

Food & Beverage

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What’s New in 2022

From the South Side to the Loop, Chicago’s Innovative Spirit Thrives

Theater, art and music are flourishing, and on the culinary scene, a 13-course Filipino tasting menu and a sleek Black-owned winery in Bronzeville are just a few of the city’s new offerings.

By Elaine Glusac

Lacey Irby and her business partner, Ryan Brosseau, a chef, were planning to open a restaurant when the pandemic hit. It delayed them, but eventually, in early 2021, they opened Dear Margaret , a homey tribute to Mr. Brosseau’s Canadian grandmother in the Lakeview neighborhood, with takeout only, gradually adding patio dining and finally, last June, the snug dining room. It recently earned a Bib Gourmand award from Michelin — signaling quality and value — and reservations are scarce.

“For those of us left standing, it’s a testament to that willpower that’s inherently part of this city,” Ms. Irby said.

Resilience is a point of pride in Chicago, which was nearly erased by the Great Fire in 1871. In 2020, the pandemic chased residents out of the downtown Loop and into their homes, and though many offices remain dark, locals are now returning to reopened clubs, theaters, restaurants and cultural attractions.

For those making the art, the food and the entertainment, introspection mingles with celebration.

“During the pandemic, artists couldn’t help but create and we’re seeing new, exciting shows,” said Katie Tuten, a co-owner of the eclectic performance space Hideout , fresh from a weekend of back-to-back sellout shows. “Plus, who wants to come out of the pandemic and not have a place to dance?”

Back on stage

Watching a performance, let alone dancing, was of course forbidden indoors for at least a year at independent music clubs that form the backbone of the Chicago music scene. Thanks to $16 billion in federal Covid relief distributed to venues nationwide, no local clubs closed permanently, according to the Chicago Independent Venue League , an industry group of nearly 50 performance spaces.

Members of the league represent the spectrum of Chicago-made music, from the Promontory in Hyde Park, with everything from jazz concerts to soca dance parties; to Martyrs’ on the North Side, welcoming emerging garage bands, arty collectives like the marching band Mucca Pazza and free Sunday afternoon country shows.

“Each are anchors to neighborhoods with restaurants and bars and experiences,” said Chris Bauman, a C.I.V.L. board member and the owner of two North Side venues, Avondale Music Hall and the Patio Theater , who credits locally owned clubs as economic engines and talent incubators. “In Chicago, we do it for the love of art and music and creating and retaining this culture,” he added.

Theater, too, is back, requiring masks at major companies, including the Goodman , Steppenwolf and Chicago Shakespeare . The latter two also require vaccine cards.

In Lincoln Park, Steppenwolf has recently opened its new in-the-round Ensemble Theater, where the furthest seat is 20 feet from the stage, with “Seagull” by Anton Chekhov, through June 12. An adaptation of Eve Ewing’s poetry collection, “1919,” about the racist murder of a young Black swimmer in Lake Michigan in 1919, intended for young adult audiences, will follow Oct. 4 to 29.

Harder hit were the hundreds of small theater companies, often occupying storefronts, that have historically set the bar for originality. During Theater Week in February, which promotes productions with discount tickets, the sponsoring alliance League of Chicago Theaters had about half of the entries from small theaters compared to prepandemic festivals, but 80 percent of 2019 sales.

“Audiences were eager to come out,” said Deb Clapp, the executive director of the League, who noted the late spring return of several companies producing plays with social justice themes, such as Story Theaterr’s “ Marie Antoinette and the Magical Negroes ,” which mingles race history and the French Revolution (June 30 to July 17).

Dining and drinking

With pandemic mandates dropped, restaurateurs are still struggling to hire adequate staff, leading to more dark nights than before the pandemic.

A few high-profile favorites did not survive, including Blackbird, a sophisticated West Loop hot spot with tables just inches apart, as well as Spiaggia and Everest.

Still, some irrepressible entrepreneurs took the leap during the pandemic, including the chefs and spouses Genie Kwon and Timothy Flores, who opened Kasama in the summer of 2020 in Ukrainian Village as a takeaway cafe, with the goal of “making Filipino food mainstream,” Ms. Kwon said.

Last fall, the Filipino restaurant added a 13-course tasting menu at dinner — dishes have included oyster and green mango, and lamb belly with bagoong, a Filipino fish paste —available to just 40 diners a night ($215 a person) as a way to guarantee income and ward against possible future capacity restrictions. The restaurant recently earned a Michelin star, and dinner there is one of the hardest reservations to score.

“For Filipinos, seeing rustic foods mom-and-pop served in a 13-course tasting menu is eye-opening,” said Mr. Flores.

The South Side’s new Bronzeville Winery has its own social mission, to catalyze the revival of Bronzeville, the historically Black business and cultural district.

“I live in Bronzeville and I’m a foodie, but I’m always driving” to find fine food, said Eric Williams, a co-owner, who, as a retailer, helped spark the regeneration of the now trendy Wicker Park neighborhood on the North Side. “We should have something on our own block.”

Before the pandemic, the Brewers Association , a national trade group, called the Chicago metro area tops for breweries, and beer fans will find tap rooms strewn across the city and suburbs.

To support a start-up, hit a brew hall with shared production facilities, including District Brew Yards in West Town, featuring the Mexican-accented Casa Humilde , where a hazy I.P.A. might have pineapple notes, and the incubator Pilot Project Brewing in Logan Square, currently home to the Black-owned Funkytown Brewery .

Cultural currency

Early on, museums were places of solace when little was open, offering quiet reflection to the vaccinated and masked. A few protocols remain, including advance ticket sales at the Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum of Contemporary Art .

While it was closed during the pandemic, the National Museum of Mexican Art remained a vital member of the largely Latino community in Pilsen on the near South Side, serving as a vaccination center. Reopened, the lively showcase for Mexican art recently debuted “Frida Kahlo, Her Photos,” featuring images owned by the iconic painter that comprise what the museum calls a “photographic collage” of her life and times (through Aug. 7).

On the far South Side, the Pullman National Monument added a new visitor center in the 1880 clock tower of the first planned industrial town in the country, site of a factory producing Pullman train cars as well as hundreds of nearby worker’s homes, leafy parks and the shuttered Queen-Anne-style Hotel Florence. Exhibits examine a seminal worker’s strike and Black employment as Pullman porters.

“The same conversations and debates they were having in the 1880s and ’90s about what is a working wage, unionization and worker safety are still so relevant today,” said Teri Gage, the superintendent of the monument.

Festivals are back

As many workers remain remote, the downtown Loop district is quieter than before, though nearby Navy Pier is poised to keep visitors longer with the opening last year of its first hotel, Sable at Navy Pier , a Curio Collection by Hilton, offering panoramic views of Lake Michigan and the skyline.

A full slate of summer events is poised to renew interest in the city center, including the Chicago Blues Festival (June 9 to 12) and the Chicago Jazz Festival (Sept. 1 to 4). Taste of Chicago will take a hybrid approach with a downsized food event in Grant Park (July 8 to 10) along with a June series of neighborhood pop-ups.

At least one new festival is on the calendar, Pizza City Fest (July 23 to 24). Founded by the food journalist Steve Dolinsky, author of “The Ultimate Chicago Pizza Guide,” the event will bring 40 pizza makers to the Plumbers Union Hall in the West Loop to bake on site with additional discussions on topics like the perfect dough and pizza-making at home.

“I got tired of seeing people propagate myths about Chicago pizza that weren’t true anymore,” said Mr. Dolinsky, reeling off 10 styles of pizza, including the famous deep-dish, as evidence of the local appetite to experiment. “Chicago is a city of innovation.”

Elaine Glusac writes the Frugal Traveler column. Follow her on Instagram @eglusac .

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook . And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation.

An earlier version of this article misspelled the name of the Russian playwright who wrote “The Seagull.” It is Chekhov, not Chekov.

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Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

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Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

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Chicago Among Top Places To Visit In 2021: U.S. News

The annual list ranked more than 1,100 destinations on things like sights, culture, food, nightlife and adventure..

Shannon Antinori , Patch Staff

CHICAGO, IL — Planning your next vacation? If so, you won’t need to travel far. U.S. News & World Report this week released its annual list of best vacation spots in the United States, and Chicago is among them.

The annual rankings, which highlight the world’s best places to visit, include several region-specific lists, including the best places to visit in the United States and the best small towns to visit in the United States.

Destinations are also ranked among several niche lists, such as best weekend getaways in the South, the best weekend getaways in the Midwest and the best mountain towns to visit in the United States.

Find out what's happening in Chicago with free, real-time updates from Patch.

Chicago ranked 20th on the overall list of best places to visit in the United States.

U.S. News cited "the Windy City's architecture, cuisine and museums" among the reasons it's a great travel spot for tourists with a variety of interests. "Be sure to stuff your face at least once, whether it be with a Chicago-style hot dog (sans ketchup), an Italian beef sandwich or a slice of deep-dish pizza. Then, snap some pictures in front of Millennium Park's iconic 'Bean' sculpture, check out the Art Institute of Chicago's top-notch collections or go on an architecture river cruise," U.S. News urged travelers.

The site also ranked Chicago as the No. 1 best weekend getaway in the Midwest and the No. 3 best foodie city in the country.

• 8 Best Family Vacation Destinations In Illinois
• This Is The Most Beautiful Place In Illinois
• Summer Travel: Illinois Ranked Among Best 2020 Road Trips

To determine the annual rankings, U.S. News analyzed more than 1,100 destinations using a methodology that combines traveler opinion (collected through user votes) with expert and editor analyses.

Each destination is scored in 10 categories including sights, culture, food, nightlife, adventure and romance. The goal is to offer travelers a comprehensive evaluation of each destination.

Once again, the calming appeal of forests, canyons and mountain ranges helped several national parks land spots at the top of the list for best places to visit in the United States. Here are the top five:

• Grand Canyon National Park
• Yosemite National Park
• Yellowstone National Park
• Maui, Hawaii
• Glacier National Park

New to this year’s rankings is the niche list highlighting the best mountain towns to visit in the United States. These towns “offer the best of both worlds to travelers looking to hike or bike while still enjoying the comforts of small-town life,” according to the rankings.

Topping the list of best mountain towns is Gatlinburg, Tennessee, followed by Bar Harbor, Maine, and Telluride, Colorado.

Other interesting lists include the best historical cities to visit in the United States. Here are the top five, listed in order according to ranking:

• Washington, D.C.
• Boston, Massachusetts
• Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Williamsburg, Virginia

If you’re hoping to get out of town for cheap, there’s a list for that, too. These are the top five cheap vacations in the United States:

• Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
• Glacier National Park, Montana
• Olympic National Park, Washington
• St. Augustine, Florida
• Sequoia National Park, California

Ready to make a vacation bucket list? Check out the full rankings for Best Vacations available on U.S. News’ website.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

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40 Best Things to Do in Chicago, From Iconic Sights to Can't-miss Museums

Planning a trip to the Windy City? Here are 40 of the best things to do in Chicago.

Meena Thiruvengadam is a lifelong traveler and veteran journalist who has visited more than 50 countries across six continents. Her writing has appeared in The Wall Street Journal , Departures , TripSavvy , and other publications.

Chicago may not be the city that never sleeps, but there is surely more to do here than you'll have time for. Whether it's world-class art, a cultural experience, or sports you seek, you'll find it in the Windy City. Here are 40 of the best things to do in Chicago.

Valerie de Leon/Travel + Leisure

See masterpieces at the Art Institute of Chicago.

This downtown museum isn't just an architectural gem, it's one of the best art museums in the United States. It's home to famous pieces, including Edward Hopper's "Nighthawks" and Grant Wood's "American Gothic," as well as the largest collection of works by Claude Monet outside of Paris.

Take an architecture river cruise.

With several buildings designed by greats like Frank Lloyd Wright and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Chicago is an architecture nerd's paradise. And one of the best ways to appreciate the cityscape is from the river. While there are dozens of cruise operators, Chicago's First Lady Cruises stands out for its 90-minute architecture cruise guided by experts from the Chicago Architecture Center.

Tour a submarine at the Museum of Science and Industry.

The largest science center in the Western Hemisphere, this Hyde Park museum is a great place to spend a cold or rainy day. The permanent exhibits focusing on science, technology, and nature are extensive but it's worth upgrading your ticket to include a tour of the only German submarine in the U.S. Check the schedule for special exhibitions, which can also be a treat.

Step back in time at the Chicago History Museum.

Chicago is where Al Capone once played and where Playboy was born. It's a city full of stories to tell, and there's no better place to discover them than one of the city's oldest cultural institutions, the Chicago History Museum .

Meet a dinosaur at the Field Museum of Natural History.

The Field Museum is one of the largest natural history museums in the world, and its permanent collection includes a number of fossils and the remains of Sue, the Tyrannosaurus Rex. Sue is estimated to be 67 million years old and made her debut at the museum in 2000.

Have a few laughs at a comedy club.

Several famous comedians (Tina Fey, Chris Farley, and Jim Belushi, to name a few) got their start at Chicago's well-known comedy clubs, including The Second City . New stages have since popped up, like Laugh Factory and The Revival . Who knows? You might see the next rising star of Saturday Night Live before they hit it big.

Listen to live music.

Chicago is a live music heaven, with venues that host performers of all genres throughout the year. In the mood for classical? Experience the talents of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra . Craving jazz? Head to the historic Green Mill jazz club. The city is also home to several music festivals, including Lollapalooza , Riot Fest , and world-famous blues and jazz festivals.

Go to the beach.

Believe it or not, Chicago is a beach town during the summer. Oak Street and North Avenue beaches are two sandy beaches along Lake Michigan that are close to downtown and will allow you to bask under both the sunshine and the shadows of the city's skyscrapers.

Brave the Skydeck of the Willis Tower.

Formerly known as the Sears Tower, this towering giant was once the world's largest skyscraper. That may have changed, but its expansive observation deck on the 103rd floor still offers some of the best views of the city. Those looking for a thrill can step onto The Ledge, a glass balcony extending out 4.3 feet from the building.

Stop at 875 North Michigan Avenue.

This 100-story building (formerly known as the John Hancock Center) may not be as well known as the Willis Tower, but it's another place for epic city views. There are restaurants, bars, the 360 Chicago observation deck , and occasional events like yoga classes.

Enjoy the free attractions in Millennium Park.

Located in downtown Chicago, Millennium Park is one of the city's largest green spaces. It's easy to spend a few hours here, especially since most of its attractions are free. The Frank Gehry-designed Jay Pritzker Pavilion hosts free concerts and other public events every summer. On a hot day, many cool off in the whimsical Crown Fountain , an interactive public artwork designed by Catalan artist Jaume Plensa.

Take a photo with "The Bean."

Chicago is full of public art , but this reflective sculpture by artist Anish Kapoor is one of the most recognizable pieces. While the Millennium Park attraction is officially titled "Cloud Gate," most visitors and locals affectionately call it "The Bean."

Admire Buckingham Fountain.

If you've ever watched Married with Children , this fountain set in sprawling Grant Park at the edge of Lake Michigan is one you'll definitely recognize. Opened to the public in 1927, it's one of the largest fountains in the world.

Take an architecture walking tour.

There are few better ways to experience Chicago's world-famous architecture than on foot. The Chicago Architecture Center offers several different walking tours, including some focusing on the skyscrapers that tower high above the city's streets.

See the animals at Lincoln Park Zoo.

This 35-acre zoo , founded in 1868, is one of the oldest zoos in North America. It's free to visit and hosts an annual holiday lights show .

Go to the theater.

Broadway isn't the only place to catch a show. Chicago has more than 200 theaters, including the well-known James M. Nederlander Theatre and Cadillac Palace Theatre in the Theater District. It's also worthwhile to check out the city's independent stages, such as the Tony Award-winning Chicago Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier or the innovative Steppenwolf Theatre in Lincoln Park.

Shop the Magnificent Mile.

If you're looking to do some serious damage with your credit cards, look no further than the stretch of Michigan Avenue known as the Magnificent Mile . You'll find a mix of high-end designer stores, sprawling department stores, and more affordable retailers like Marshalls.

Tour a Frank Lloyd Wright house.

If you're a fan of architect Frank Lloyd Wright's work, head to the University of Chicago campus in Hyde Park, where you'll find the Frederick C. Robie House . The house, built in the early 1900s as a single-family home, is a fine example of Prairie School design and is among nearly two dozen homes in the area designed by the famous architect.

See the "Home Alone" house.

You'll need a car to get to this house in the Chicago suburb of Winnetka, but if you grew up on "Home Alone," it'll be worth the drive. You'll recognize it the second you pull up, but remember it's a private residence, so you'll have to appreciate it from the outside.

Go ice skating.

Chicago may get cold in the winter, but the joy of ice skating almost makes you forget about the freezing temperatures. From November to March, the Maggie Daley Ice Skating Ribbon in Grant Park and the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park are popular spots for Chicagoans and visitors.

Catch a Cubs game at Wrigley Field.

Wrigley Field is one of the most charming stadiums in baseball. It's home to the former World Champion Chicago Cubs, and if you don't happen to be traveling during baseball season, you can still take a tour.

Learn about the history of Soldier Field.

The nearly 100-year-old Soldier Field is home of the NFL's Chicago Bears. Even if you're not into football, you might recognize it from the Clint Eastwood movie "Flags of Our Fathers" or the television show Chicago Fire . The stadium offers behind-the-scenes tours that pass through the locker rooms, interview room, skyline suite, and other areas.

Ride the Ferris wheel at Navy Pier.

If you're looking for a day of family fun, head to Navy Pier in downtown Chicago. The long pier features rides, games, restaurants, public artwork, and other attractions. Be sure to ride the Centennial Wheel for a truly spectacular view of Lake Michigan.

Take a walk in Oz Park.

There may not be a yellow brick road leading to Oz in Chicago, but there is a park that pays homage to the "Wizard of Oz," which author Frank Baum wrote while living in Chicago. Oz Park on the city's north side features sculptures of all your favorites, including Dorothy, Toto, and the Tin Man.

Explore a Chicago neighborhood.

Chicago is a city of neighborhoods — 77 of them, to be exact. Wicker Park, Bucktown, and Logan Square are worth exploring on the city's north side. On the south side, consider Pilsen and Chinatown. Architecture buffs are sure to appreciate the historical gems they'll find in Old Town.

Visit the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center.

This Smithsonian-affiliated museum celebrates Black culture and pays homage to Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, the first permanent settler of Chicago. The museum holds more than 15,000 works, including paintings, sculptures, and historical memorabilia, such as the former desk of investigative journalist Ida B. Wells.

Eat your heart out.

Chicago is a foodie paradise that offers something for every palate and every budget. You'll find everything from hot dog joints like Jimmy's Red Hots to Michelin-starred restaurants like Alinea to deep-dish pizza places like Pequod's . Be sure to pack your stretchy pants, and remember, Chicagoans don't ask for ketchup on their hot dogs.

Visit the National Museum of Mexican Art.

This museum in the Pilsen neighborhood is an ideal place to immerse yourself in Mexican art and culture within Chicago's city limits. It's one of few major museums in the U.S. dedicated to showcasing Mexican, Latino, and Chicano art and culture.

Kayak along the Chicago River.

If you're craving an active adventure in the city, you can't go wrong with kayaking on the Chicago River. Urban Kayaks organizes a range of guided excursions, including tours at sunset and during the weekly Navy Pier fireworks show.

Check out the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago.

Chicago has no shortage of museums, but when it comes to boundary-pushing exhibitions, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago (MCA) is second to none. The MCA's permanent collection includes more than 2,000 artworks from the 1920s to the present day, while rotating exhibits, performances, and talks are held throughout the year.

Hop between breweries.

Home to more than 160 breweries, Chicago is often dubbed the craft beer capital of the U.S. From cozy brewpubs to bustling beer gardens, there's something for everyone. Several production facilities, including Goose Island , Revolution Brewing , Lagunitas Brewing Company , and Dovetail Brewing , are also open for tours and tastings.

Stargaze at the Adler Planetarium.

You don't need to leave Chicago to see the stars – just head to the Adler Planetarium on Northerly Island. America's oldest planetarium is a destination for sky shows, exhibits, and special events. As a bonus, it stays open until 10 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Bike along the Lakefront Trail.

Chicago’s Lakefront Trail is a scenic 18-mile paved path along Lake Michigan between Ardmore Street on the north side and 71st Street on the south side. For a fun outing, rent one of the Divvy Bikes and explore it from top to bottom — including a break at one of the beaches along the way.

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

Chicago's Irish pride beams as bright as the green dye in the river every March. Highlights include the annual Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade , river cruises, and food and drink specials at neighborhood pubs. If you're lucky (or a good planner), your trip might coincide with some of the festivities.

Stroll along The 606.

The Bloomingdale Trail Park (The 606) is an elevated recreational trail built on an abandoned railway. Similar to New York's High Line, the 2.7-mile-long path is dotted with public art installations and scenic lookouts. Access points can be found in four of the city's trendiest neighborhoods – Wicker Park, Bucktown, Logan Square, and Humboldt Park – so you can easily hop on or off.

Marvel at art among trees at the Morton Arboretum.

The Morton Arboretum was established in 1922 as a "great outdoor museum" by Joy Morton, founder of the Morton Salt Company. And with more than 1,700 acres and 22,000 plants, it certainly lives up to its mission. The park features rotating large-scale sculpture exhibitions and wellness events like forest therapy and yoga classes, making it well worth the journey 25 miles west of Chicago.

Spend an evening at the American Writers Museum.

Located in the heart of downtown Chicago, the American Writers Museum celebrates the work of historical and present-day writers, from poets to comics to novelists. The museum regularly hosts concerts and special events, including Get Lit museum nights, which bring together bibliophiles for drinks, special tours, and activities on the second Tuesday of every month.

Stop and smell the flowers at the Garfield Park Conservatory.

Garfield Park Conservatory is one of the largest conservatories in the nation, with two acres of public greenhouse space and 10 acres of outdoor gardens. The West Side centerpiece opened in the early 1900s and continues to be a destination for lovers of landscape architecture. In addition to permanent display houses, the conservatory often hosts special exhibits and spring flower shows. 

Learn about the city's criminal history.

Joining a crime tour is a fascinating way to learn about the city's prohibition-era gangsters like Al Capone, Bugs Moran, and Hymie Weiss. Opt for the Gangsters and Ghosts Tour for a storytelling stroll around the Chicago Loop, or board a bus for the Untouchable Tours' Original Gangster Tour led by guides in character as 1920s mafia members.

Admire the skyline from a cruise on Lake Michigan.

While Chicago's river cruises get a lot of attention, sailing around Lake Michigan can be just as fun. Tall Ship Windy offers a variety of cruises aboard a 148-foot, traditional four-masted schooner, including pirate-themed tours and skyline sailings that make the most of the Windy City's namesake weather.

The 30 things everybody should do at least once in Chicago, according to Tripadvisor ratings

Posted: April 28, 2024 | Last updated: April 28, 2024

Highest-rated things to do in Chicago, according to Tripadvisor

Stacker compiled a list of the highest rated things to do in Chicago on Tripadvisor . Tripadvisor rankings factor in the average rating and number of reviews.

#30. The Art Institute of Chicago

- Rating: 5.0 / 5 (24,407) - Type of activity: Art Museums - Address: 111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603-6110 - Read more on Tripadvisor

#29. Millennium Park

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (25,010) - Type of activity: Points of Interest & Landmarks • Parks - Address: 201 East Randolph Street, Chicago, IL 60601-6530 - Read more on Tripadvisor

#28. Cloud Gate

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (18,210) - Type of activity: Points of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues - Address: not available - Read more on Tripadvisor

#27. The Magnificent Mile

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (15,769) - Type of activity: Neighborhoods • Points of Interest & Landmarks - Address: North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611 - Read more on Tripadvisor

#26. Inside Chicago Walking Tours

- Rating: 5.0 / 5 (1,713) - Type of activity: City Tours • Historical & Heritage Tours - Address: not available - Read more on Tripadvisor

#25. The Escape Game Chicago

- Rating: 5.0 / 5 (2,820) - Type of activity: Escape Games • Game & Entertainment Centers - Address: 42 E Ontario St, Chicago, IL 60611-2710 - Read more on Tripadvisor

#24. Chicago Greeter

- Rating: 5.0 / 5 (2,795) - Type of activity: City Tours • Walking Tours - Address: not available - Read more on Tripadvisor

#23. Tours With Mike

- Rating: 5.0 / 5 (262) - Type of activity: City Tours • Historical & Heritage Tours - Address: not available - Read more on Tripadvisor

#22. Underground Donut Tour

- Rating: 5.0 / 5 (591) - Type of activity: Food Tours - Address: not available - Read more on Tripadvisor

#21. Fox in a Box Chicago

- Rating: 5.0 / 5 (1,433) - Type of activity: Escape Games - Address: 47 W Polk St Suite L5, Chicago, IL 60605-2000 - Read more on Tripadvisor

#20. Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (17,717) - Type of activity: Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings - Address: 233 S Wacker Drive entrance on Jackson Blvd (south side of building), Chicago, IL 60606-7147 - Read more on Tripadvisor

#19. Absolutely Chicago Segway Tours

- Rating: 5.0 / 5 (2,415) - Type of activity: Segway Tours • Ghost & Vampire Tours - Address: not available - Read more on Tripadvisor

#18. Chicago's First Lady Cruises

- Rating: 5.0 / 5 (5,735) - Type of activity: Boat Tours - Address: not available - Read more on Tripadvisor

#17. Shoreline Sightseeing

- Rating: 5.0 / 5 (7,394) - Type of activity: Boat Tours - Address: not available - Read more on Tripadvisor

#16. Tours and Boats

- Rating: 5.0 / 5 (739) - Type of activity: Boat Tours • Day Trips - Address: not available - Read more on Tripadvisor

#15. Bobby's Bike Hike Chicago

- Rating: 5.0 / 5 (4,058) - Type of activity: City Tours • Bike Tours - Address: not available - Read more on Tripadvisor

#14. Chief Chicago Limo

- Rating: 5.0 / 5 (150) - Type of activity: Taxis & Shuttles - Address: 300 N State St, Chicago, IL 60654-5414 - Read more on Tripadvisor

#13. Babylon Tours Chicago

- Rating: 5.0 / 5 (104) - Type of activity: City Tours • Cultural Tours - Address: not available - Read more on Tripadvisor

#12. Pizza City USA

- Rating: 5.0 / 5 (153) - Type of activity: City Tours • Walking Tours - Address: not available - Read more on Tripadvisor

#11. Echo Limousine

- Rating: 5.0 / 5 (175) - Type of activity: Taxis & Shuttles • Sightseeing Tours - Address: not available - Read more on Tripadvisor

#10. Rek Travel

- Rating: 5.0 / 5 (148) - Type of activity: City Tours • Multi-day Tours - Address: not available - Read more on Tripadvisor

#9. Chicago Architecture Center

- Rating: 5.0 / 5 (3,057) - Type of activity: Historical & Heritage Tours • Bike Tours - Address: not available - Read more on Tripadvisor

#8. Free Tours by Foot

- Rating: 5.0 / 5 (1,362) - Type of activity: Ghost & Vampire Tours • Bike Tours - Address: not available - Read more on Tripadvisor

#7. BATL Axe Throwing

- Rating: 5.0 / 5 (449) - Type of activity: Game & Entertainment Centers - Address: 4842 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60641-2718 - Read more on Tripadvisor

#6. The Magic Parlour

- Rating: 5.0 / 5 (604) - Type of activity: Concerts • Theaters - Address: 17 E Monroe St Palmer House A Hilton Hotel, Chicago, IL 60603 - Read more on Tripadvisor

#5. Chicago Fireboat Tours

- Rating: 5.0 / 5 (103) - Type of activity: Boat Tours - Address: not available - Read more on Tripadvisor

#4. Segway Experience of Chicago

- Rating: 5.0 / 5 (1,110) - Type of activity: Segway Tours - Address: not available - Read more on Tripadvisor

#3. See it All Chicago Tours

- Rating: 5.0 / 5 (647) - Type of activity: City Tours • Boat Tours - Address: not available - Read more on Tripadvisor

#2. Chicago Foodways Tours

- Rating: 5.0 / 5 (140) - Type of activity: Historical & Heritage Tours • Walking Tours - Address: not available - Read more on Tripadvisor

#1. Chicago's Finest Tours

- Rating: 5.0 / 5 (1,184) - Type of activity: Historical & Heritage Tours • Walking Tours - Address: not available - Read more on Tripadvisor

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24 travel tips every first-time Chicago visitor needs to know

Chicago is a friendly city for tourists, but we’ve collected a few useful things to know before you arrive.

Welcome to Chicago! We’re glad you’re here (or considering a trip, at least). Whether you’re visiting on business or pleasure, we know it can be daunting to travel to a new city for the first time. There are logistical hurdles: figuring out the public transportation options , navigating the grid system, knowing the best neighborhoods to stay in. And then there are the cultural questions: What’s the best time to visit? What should you do with your time? Is deep dish truly all it's cracked up to be? We’ve drawn from our experience as Chicagoans, and polled our own visiting friends, to help prepare you for what you should know as a new arrival.

RECOMMENDED: Your essential Chicago travel guide

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Chicago travel tips for first-time visitors

1.  Take the "L" to and from the airports.

Beat the traffic and surcharges and skip the taxi or rideshare when you arrive. Our regular Chicago Transit Authority "L" (short for "elevated") trains offer direct service to both Chicago airports: the Blue Line serving O’Hare and Orange Line for Midway International Airport. A $2.50 fare from Midway or $5 from O’Hare for regular service downtown in under an hour feels like a steal to us when we travel to other cities without such easy airport access.

2.  Get a three-day (or seven-day) CTA pass.

No need to rent a car if you're sticking close to the city. In the smartphone age, the CTA is easy enough to navigate even for newbies. Fares, though, can be a little harder to keep track of: You could load a dollar amount onto a Ventra card and then try to do the math every time you spend $2.50 on a train ride and $2.25 on a bus—or maybe that counted as a $0.25 transfer if it was within two hours of your last ride? Much easier to buy a three-day pass, which is $15 for 72 hours of unlimited rides. If you’re staying longer, a seven-day pass on a new Ventra card will run you just $20—totally worth it if you’re spending that much time here. All can be purchased from the Ventra vending kiosks at either airport and any CTA station, as well as many supermarkets and pharmacies.

3.  If you do drive, download the ParkChicago app.

If you’re driving into the city and want to use your car while you’re here, download ParkChicago ( parkchicago.com ) to your phone for all your street parking needs. Create an account with your license plate number and link a credit card, and you’ll pay in the app using the zone number printed on signs like this one where paid street parking is available. Rates vary by neighborhood. (Many residential streets will be marked permit-only, while a blessed few unmarked streets are actually free to park on—check carefully for signage before you assume.)

4.  While you’re at it, download all of these apps to help you get around.

Google Maps, Apple Maps or Waze will give you solid directions, and the Uber and Lyft apps can find you a ride at just about any address and any time of the day or night (most rideshare drivers work for both services, in our experience). Transit Stop  is our favorite for real-time arrival projections for L trains and bus routes, and if you’re a nervous navigator, you can tell the app exactly where you’re going and it will give you a heads up when your stop is approaching. Check out more transportation apps we love here .

5.  Get the gist of the grid system.

Unlike a lot of cities, Chicago’s streets are laid out on a generally reliable grid system. Here’s the quick-and-dirty version: The intersection of State and Madison Streets, smack in the middle of the Loop, is the zero point of the grid. Street numbers fan out from there on north-south and east-west axes, and every eight blocks (outside of the Loop, at least) equals a mile. There are angle streets and river branches and historical quirks here and there to create confusion and six-corner intersections, but the grid is a solid foundation for getting around. Also, if you remember nothing else, east is always towards the Lake. 

6.  Give yourself plenty of time to get where you’re going.

In a city of almost 3 million people, delays are almost bound to happen whether you’re on the L or on the expressway (which, by the way, is what we call our controlled-access highways, a.k.a. freeways, interstates or motorways). If you’re trying to make an appointment with a rigid start time—whether it’s a meeting, a dinner reservation or a theater curtain—allow more time than you think you need, just to be safe.

7.  Tipping is standard for many services. Here's how to do it.

In the United States, tipping is customary for service in several situations, and the standard rates in Chicago may be higher than you’re used to elsewhere in the country. At sit-down restaurants, where you have a server taking your order at your table and seeing to your needs through your meal, you should tip at least 20 percent of your total bill for good service. If you’re out for drinks, a dollar per drink is usually fine if you’re ordering from the bar—more if they’re complicated cocktails.

If the establishment accepts credit cards, you can add the tip onto your total when you sign the bill. Many restaurants and coffee shops also now have a payment system that allows you to add a tip automatically to your bill via credit or debit card, and calculates the percentage for you.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, some restaurants and bars will add a surcharge to your bill to compensate for lost revenue and increased costs as a result of the pandemic. This charge is not a replacement for a tip, and you should still prepare to add a tip on your bill. 

Other situations will call for cash tips: Give a valet parking attendant a couple of dollars when they retrieve your car, and tip a bellhop or skycap a buck or two for each of your bags they handle. Hotel housekeeping staff should be tipped about $5 per day of your stay, which you can leave out in the room when you check out.

8.  You might need cash in other situations, too.

While it’s increasingly uncommon, there are a remaining few cash-only venues around the city that don’t accept credit cards—among them, some of our favorite dive bars and cheap eats establishments. It’s also good to have cash on hand if you’re planning on visiting any summer street festivals or looking to make a purchase at art or craft fairs; many small vendors can now accept credit cards via services like Square, but it's a good idea to bring cash just in case (and to avoid the high fees that are often found at on-site event ATMs). 

9.  Be prepared to have your purse or bag searched at large venues.

Whether you’re a business commuter or a tourist, unless you’re driving your own car everywhere you go you’ll probably be carrying a purse, tote, briefcase or bag of some kind to lug your stuff around. Security precautions at certain large venues—stadiums and ballparks, theaters, concert venues and music festivals—will mean an agent asking to take a cursory peek inside your bag before you go in; it’s standard practice. Certain venues, though, won’t allow very large bags or specific items inside at all, and they won’t be able to hold anything for you at the gate or the cloakroom. If you don’t want to find yourself making a trip back to your car or hotel and missing part of your event, it’s best to check the rules ahead of time.

10.  Skip the chains and stay in one of these local hotels…

You can stay in a Hyatt or a Hilton anywhere you go. When you’re here, splurge instead on one of the best hotels in Chicago —unique digs like the Chicago Athletic Association or the Ace Hotel. Or look at the city’s best boutique hotels , gems like the Freehand, Hotel Lincoln or the Robey.

11.  …or try an Airbnb, like one of these intriguing options.

Rent out an extravagant apartment or a homey condo for the duration of your stay—we’ve chosen some of the city’s most attractive options  here .

12.  There’s nothing “too touristy” about taking a tour.

The Chicago Architecture Foundation’s boat tours along the Chicago River are, frankly, one of our favorite reasons to have out-of-town guests (and they're fun to check out even when we don't have out-of-town guests). It’s just one of dozens of the best tours of Chicago , including walking tours and bike tours. You can also find food tours or brewery tours to maximize your use of time.

13.  Or take a self-guided tour of our best public art.

The unnamed Picasso sculpture in Daley Plaza and, more recently, Millennium Park’s Cloud Gate (a.k.a. “The Bean”) have become symbols of the city. But there’s great public art to be found all over the place in Chicago, from murals by Hebru Brantley to mosaics by Marc Chagall to sculptures like Lorado Taft’s Fountain of Time . Even the enormous facade of the Merchandise Mart  has become a canvas for video art with the Art on theMART program.

14.  Bring comfortable walking shoes.

Chicago’s terrain is relatively flat and you won't find many hills to climb, unless you’ve built a side trip to one of our nearby hiking trails into your visit. But you’ll probably wind up doing more walking than you might think. Our city blocks are long, and both CTA stations and parking spots can be a good distance from your destinations.

15.  Wear layers. Year-round.

The weather in Chicago can fluctuate wildly in a matter of hours: Summer storms roll in out of nowhere, or the temperature rises 30 degrees Fahrenheit from morning to midday. If you’re going to be out on the town all day, it’s best to dress with options to shed or layer on as the day progresses. Even at the height of summer or winter this is true: Pitchfork  or Lollapalooza summer festival attendees in tank tops and short-shorts often find themselves wishing for a hoodie when the evening chill sets in, and there’s nothing worse than the overheated feel of being too bundled up on a packed CTA car in January.

16.  But summer is what we do best.

We can make a great case for every season in Chicago, but it’s hard to deny that summer is when visitors and residents alike can take the best advantage of what the city has to offer. After a long winter, Chicagoans scramble outside to outdoor dining and rooftop bars , our great public parks , Cubs and White Sox games, and of course to one of Chicago’s finest features—the 26 miles of beaches and open lakefront that make up the city’s eastern edge. We take our summers seriously.

17.  Speaking of summer, street festivals are a must.

We’ve already breathlessly sung the praises of summer in Chicago, but summer festival season deserves a shoutout all its own. Every weekend from spring well into autumn, there are multiple lively festivals to choose from, each with delicious food, live music and other fun activities to explore. From art fairs and cultural and LGBTQ+ festivals to exuberant, jam-packed concerts and celebrations of a specific food or drink item (e.g. Ribfest, Apple Fest and something called Seltzerland), there’s truly something for every taste. 

18.  Get out of downtown.

A lot of the city’s hotels are clustered in River North, on the Mag Mile and in the Loop. Not coincidentally, so are a lot of chain restaurants and tourist traps. (It’s no surprise the only TGI Friday’s in the city is just off Michigan Avenue). Just like visiting Times Square doesn’t mean you’ve seen New York City, if you want to see how Chicago really lives, you’ll need to venture out into the neighborhoods. We like to call this a city of neighborhoods, and each area of the city has its own identity and attractions. Start here with our neighborhood guides .

19.  You could spend a week on museums alone.

Remember we said you’d be doing a lot of walking? A good chunk of that could take place inside Chicago’s must-see museums . The Art Institute alone is the second-largest museum in the United States—at over a million square feet and with 300,000 pieces in its collection, don’t expect to knock it off your list in an afternoon. You’ll have to pay admission to most of the big institutions; free days are generally offered only to Illinois residents, but a Chicago CityPASS is a good way to get discounted admission to several. And plenty of smaller free museums and galleries never charge admission and are definitely worth your while.

20.  We still love Old Style, but we’re increasingly a craft beer town.

While Chicago has always been a beer-loving city, there was a dark period of a decade or so after Peter Hand Brewing closed in 1978 when no beer was actually being made here. The closest you could get to a “local brew” was stuff from Milwaukee. But in the late ’80s and early ’90s, a few hops-headed entrepreneurs launched Chicago’s first brewpubs, where beer was made and drank on the same premises. One of these, Goose Island, made its first foray into bottling and distribution in 1995; within another decade, the craft beer boom had begun. Now, Goose sits alongside names like Half Acre, Revolution and Lagunitas on any list of Chicago’s best breweries , but there are well over 100 breweries operating in the city and suburbs, many of which have attached taprooms and offer brewery tours,  and events like FOBAB (Festival of Barrel-Aged Beers) and Illinois Craft Beer Week have become tourist draws all their own.

21.  You can (and should) skip the Magnificent Mile.

We mentioned the chain restaurants around Michigan Avenue. Well, these days most of the shops lining the pedestrian-packed sidewalks of the Mag Mile are also outposts of department stores and brands you can find elsewhere in the country (or even elsewhere in the city). For more unique retail, look where the locals do: great shopping neighborhoods like Wicker Park and Bucktown, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Logan Square or Andersonville.

22.  Experience the local sports culture.

From the Michael Jordan-led Bulls dynasty in the ‘90s to recent championship titles by the Blackhawks, Cubs and Sky, Chicago prides itself on heavy-hitting sports teams and wildly passionate fans. With most stadiums easily accessible by train or bus and single-game tickets relatively affordable if you book in advance (it’s possible to get White Sox tickets for as little as $8 , for example), cheering on one of the many local teams with a hot dog and an Old Style in hand is a great way to spend an afternoon in Chicago. 

If you’re not much of a sports person, it still helps to know when the local teams are playing for getting-around purposes. If you’re heading north on the Red Line and the Cubs are in town, be prepared for a packed-to-the-gills train or bus and possible delays. There’s even a handy website for quick references.

23.  There’s way more to Chicago theater than downtown, and more to comedy than Second City.

The big musicals that visit the Loop under the banner of Broadway in Chicago are a major tourist draw; some visitors build their trips to Chicago around getting to see Broadway-style shows without having to go to New York. And hey, we’re not going to tell you not to see Hamilton  (or whatever other marquee show is playing) if that’s what brings you here. But Chicago’s homegrown theater isn’t centralized around a theater district. Instead, theaters large and small have cropped up across the city and suburbs; you can catch a show in neighborhoods from Lincoln Park to Jefferson Park, Back of the Yards to Grand Crossing, and many residents become loyal subscribers of the theaters in their own backyards. Similarly, while Second City has produced a lot of famous names, it’s not the only game in town for the improv and sketch comedy Chicago’s famous for. You’ll find a greater variety of shows (and possibly more comfortable seats) at Lincoln Lodge or the Annoyance, and many more of the city’s best comedy nights take place in bars, bookstores and other non-theater venues.

While you’re here

Best things to do in Chicago that locals and tourists will love

• Things to do

These attractions and events are fun for first-time visitors and residents alike

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Everything you need to know before visiting Chicago

Aug 15, 2023 • 8 min read

Use these top tips to help you make the most of your time in Chicago © Ryan McVay / Getty Images

I’ve lived in Chicago for more than 30 years, and these are the top tips I tell all of my visitors: take public transport, hit the neighborhoods and drink Malört at your peril.

Then you need to know about local sports culture, the ridiculous taxes and the ketchup rule… and that’s just for starters. I've gathered together all the top insider tips you need to ensure a smooth visit to the Windy City.

Plan on 3 to 5 days to visit

It’ll take you two to three days to see the highlights, like the Art Institute , Wrigley Field , Millennium Park and Willis Tower . Adding an extra couple of days to your visit allows you to move out of the center and into the neighborhoods , where Chicago’s true heart beats.

Pilsen and Logan Square welcome you with chowhound eats and vibrant street art. Bronzeville has galleries and soul food restaurants and Andersonville is a jazzy, cafe-laden LGBTQI+ hub. Hyde Park, Wicker Park and Humboldt Park are other troves of great restaurants and attractions.

Don’t drive, especially downtown

Driving in Chicago is no fun. Traffic snarls not only at rush hours but also most times in between. Road construction on the main highway through town has only added to the nightmare. What’s more, parking is hard to find and costs a fortune, particularly downtown near the sights – garages routinely charge around $45 per day. Ditch the car and use public transportation to spare yourself the annoyance.

Buy a Ventra Card for public transportation

It’s easy-peasy to make your way around Chicago on public transport – mainly the L trains, which run on both elevated and subway tracks. They’ll get you to most sights and neighborhoods into the wee hours. Buses pick up the slack in areas that the L misses.

To save time and money, buy a rechargeable Ventra Card to use on transit and add value as needed. Cards are available at any L station (including at the airports) and save around $0.75 per ride over disposable fare tickets. You can also download the Ventra app and buy a digital Ventra Card. The app has the bonus of providing L and bus times, too.

Whether using a plastic or digital card, simply tap it at the turnstile as you enter the L station or at the farebox as you get on the bus. If you’ll be riding three or more times per day, consider buying an unlimited ride day pass for additional savings.

Use the L to get to and from the airports

The aforementioned traffic is no joke. Taxis and ride-shares can take forever to get between the city and airports. Instead, use the L train. The Blue Line from O’Hare and Orange Line from Midway take 30 to 40 minutes and cost $3 to $5. Not only are travel times often quicker on the L, but it’s about 10 times cheaper than a cab.

Book museum and theater tickets in advance

Many museums, including the Art Institute , encourage tickets to be purchased online in advance from the museum’s website. A day or so prior should do it, unless there’s a blockbuster exhibit going on.

It’s also wise to book theater tickets beforehand, whether it’s for a world-class opera or booze-addled Shakespearean improv. A week ahead is usually plenty of time. Browse Hot Tix for same-week drama, comedy and performing arts tickets for half price.

Make restaurant reservations

Prepare to fork into platefuls of Michelin-starred comfort food and eat like royalty. Reservations are key, though, especially for weekend dining. Book through Tock , Open Table or Resy . A week or two in advance will work for most places, though hot spots such as Alinea and Girl & the Goat need to be reserved a couple of months out. Prime dining times are between 6pm and 8pm.

Pack a warm coat, but also a bathing suit

Chicago sits on the shore of vast Lake Michigan, which has a wild effect on the weather. It whips up heavy snow in winter and windy conditions year-round . Pack a warm coat, hat and sturdy shoes when visiting November through March. Even in summer, the temperature can drop fast, so bring a sweater when you head out for the day.

That’s not to say you shouldn’t also bring your bathing suit from June through August. The city has several beaches that beckon with sand and surf.

Where you stay depends on what you want to do

Downtown has loads of cool architectural hotels near the sights, but limited eating and drinking options after dark. Not ideal if you're looking to party but a good option if you're traveling with young kids.

Next door the Near North has hotels and evening action, but it’s pricey and a bit cookie-cutter. The West Loop, Lincoln Park, Lake View and Wicker Park all have abundant nightlife to keep you entertained into the wee hours. They’re not close to the main sights but are easy enough to access via the L. Book accommodations a month or two in advance, if possible.

Prepare for hefty taxes

A tax is levied on most goods and services in Chicago. It’s 17.4% for lodgings, 10.75-11.75% in restaurants and bars (it's higher the closer you are to downtown), and 10.25% for other items. The tax is typically not included in the price but added to the bill when you pay.

Cheer on the sports teams

Chicagoans are rabid sports fans – get to know the city's teams and you’ll make friends wherever you go in town.

Chicago’s two baseball teams inspire a diehard rivalry: the Cubs are the more moneyed North Side squad, while the White Sox are the blue-collar, working-class team on the South Side. Both have had great success in recent years. Then again, both have sucked in recent years, too! Usually, one team is up when the other is down.

The football-playing Bears ignite lots of fervor, but they’re typically not very good. They're followed by basketball's underachieving Bulls , hockey's try-hard Blackhawks , and soccer’s middling Fire .

Dress casual

Chicagoans dress informally. The apex of fashion for most men is a pair of khakis and a button-down shirt. Women's dress is similarly low-key, valuing comfort over high fashion. And don't worry about getting your best on for the evening. It's perfectly fine to wear jeans and casual clothes to dinner or the theater at night. No judgment here!

Never put ketchup on a hot dog

Weird but true: the red condiment does not go on local wieners. No one really knows why. One theory is that the famed Chicago-style hot dog – which is topped with mustard, sweet pickle relish, chopped onions, tomato slices, a dill pickle spear, sport peppers and celery salt – already has a perfect flavor balance. Adding ketchup is redundant and ruins the meaty harmony.

Grab a seat at the bar

Locals love to hang out in drinking establishments. Blame it on the long winter, when folks need to huddle together somewhere warm. Blame it on summer, when sunny days make beer gardens and sidewalk patios so splendid.

Beer is the drink of choice. No surprise given Chicago is home to more breweries than any other US city . Grab a seat in a neighborhood taproom, and you’ll be conversing about the Bears or the mayor in no time. You might even get offered a shot of Malört. It’s a local liquor famous for tasting awful . Downing one is a Chicago rite of passage.

Use the Pedway

Come wintertime, when the going gets tough and icy sleet knifes your face, head down to the Pedway . Chicago has a 40-block labyrinth of underground walkways, built in conjunction with the subway trains. The system isn’t entirely connected, and it’s confusing to figure out directions, but it’s also a dandy way to escape the elements. Look for "Pedway" signs above ground at points of entry.

Be courteous on the L

Let passengers get off the train before getting on yourself – wait beside the open door until everyone has departed. When you take the escalator in the stations, stand on the right side and walk on the left side.

Don’t smoke pot in public

Even though it’s legal to buy recreational marijuana throughout the city – at licensed dispensaries, cash only – you can only toke on private property. A backyard or balcony is fine, a car or cafe is not. Always check with the property owner to make sure they allow it.

As for cigarettes, you can’t smoke inside bars, restaurants and other public places, or within 15ft of the entrance.

Don’t let the headlines scare you away

Chicago has the unfortunate reputation of being the USA’s murder capital. While it’s true the city has the largest total number of homicides of any American municipality, it ranks much lower on the list when considered on a per capita basis .

Most of the violence is concentrated on the West and South Sides, where a handful of neighborhoods account for more than half of all shootings . These are communities where segregation and isolation have intensified inequality, and local gangs account for much of the bloodshed .

Overall, serious crime in Chicago has been dropping in recent years, according to city statistics. Still, it’s wise to take normal, big-city precautions, especially if solo at night. Many crimes involve cell phone theft, so be subtle when using yours. If driving, stay aware of your surroundings, as carjackings have been on the rise.

This article was first published September 2021 and updated August 2023

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Study ranks Chicago as most walkable city in America for tourists

By nbc chicago staff • published april 20, 2024 • updated on april 23, 2024 at 10:26 am.

With summer on the way and tourism ramping up in Chicago, a recent study shows that there is plenty of reason behind the appeal of traveling to the Windy City.

The study, conducted by Preply , analyzed major U.S. cities and measured how easy it was to navigate each city's most recognizable tourist landmarks on foot.

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Compared to European cities that are known for being walkable, the expansive and car-dependent nature of many American cities makes it much more difficult to see what a city has to offer without a vehicle.

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The study found that Chicago is the most walkable city for tourists in the U.S. by this metric, with it taking just 28 minutes to explore the city's most famous landmarks, including "The Bean" or "Cloud Gate" and the Magnificent Mile.

The brisk pace in Chicago is miles ahead of Orlando, which the study ranked as the least walkable city for American tourists.

According to Preply, it takes over 11 hours and 65,100 steps to cover Orlando's major landmarks on foot.

The only other cities where major landmarks can be seen within an hour on foot were Nashville and Dallas, taking 33 minutes and 41 minutes, respectively.

Rounding out the top five were Santa Fe and New Orleans, each requiring between 6,000 and 7,000 steps and less than an hour and 15 minutes to see the major attractions.

In addition to The Bean and the Magnificent Mile, Preply included Millennium Park itself, The Art Institute of Chicago and the Chicago Architecture Center as the spots that could be seen within 28 minutes of walking.

Outside of Chicago, Milwaukee was the lone U.S. city to crack the top 15, coming in at 15th at 2 hours and 35 minutes of walking and 14,280 steps.

You can see how other major American cities ranked along with more information about the study here.

This article tagged under:

Inside Chicago’s New Neighborhood Travel Show

Elizabeth Casolo , Skift

April 22nd, 2024 at 10:12 AM EDT

“The 77” video campaign is one way Choose Chicago is encouraging inclusive community tourism. And it’s a tasty one.

Elizabeth Casolo

Chicago is home to many iconic local eateries. At La Catedral Cafe & Restaurant, you can choose from up to 14 kinds of chilaquiles. At Old Fashioned Donuts, you can order fresh donuts from a man with over 50 years of experience making them by hand.

Choose Chicago, the city’s tourism bureau, invites you to dig into Chicago’s historic and culture-packed neighborhoods with its new web series, “ The 77: A City of Neighborhoods .”

Funded by an American Rescue Plan grant , the video campaign — posted on YouTube and Choose Chicago’s website — highlights five sets of neighborhoods across the city’s 77 community areas .

Mark Skala is the creative director and founder at Skalawag Productions, the production company behind the campaign. Skala said most episodes follow a similar trajectory: opening with a longstanding food establishment, transitioning to the neighborhood’s history and culture, and then ending with a small business “pioneer.”

Skift learned more about the campaign and its progress since the premiere earlier this month.

Gathering around the dinner table

Cinematic shots of food and cocktails greet viewers in each episode. Chicago is a foodie’s paradise, and the campaign’s creators embraced that.

“Food is the hook that gets people interested,” said Rob Fojtik, Choose Chicago’s neighborhood strategy vice president and the show’s host and executive producer.

As Skala puts it, the show gets you to salivate. Skalawag Productions specifically focuses on food and beverage videography, which set them apart when Choose Chicago solicited campaign pitches.

The series hopes to demonstrate the culture and history of the city’s neighborhoods, but food is an easy way to draw in an audience.

“You can learn about history, but, if there’s no place to go to get lunch or dinner or a cocktail, your trip is going to be less fun,” Fojtik said. 

Narrowing down the neighborhoods

Choose Chicago could only showcase a handful of neighborhoods in the series launch. There were two deciding factors when whittling down which communities would be featured.

Partnerships with chambers of commerce and community development corporations establish trust with neighborhoods. This can get Choose Chicago into the door of that mom-and-pop shop, filming for up to 12 hours a day.

But, beyond the logistics, the chosen neighborhoods play a role in Chicago’s growth.

“Each of these five communities has a distinct cultural character, a distinct history, and something that also speaks to the larger Chicago story,” Fojtik said.

The series intends to challenge a narrative. As the show explains, segregation in Chicago led to inequality, socioeconomic diversity, and isolation of communities. While still contributing to pressing challenges across the city, Chicago’s history shouldn’t be ignored.

“Things that cause us to have lots of problems actually are also the same things that give us so many wonderful, rich experiences you can only get in Chicago,” Fojtik said.

Spreading the word

Choose Chicago posted the episodes online, but the group is also hosting community screenings around the city. Viewers can enjoy the same bites as seen on the big screen. 

Fojtik said Choose Chicago also started a paid ad campaign to get more eyes on the show. 

Through its promotional efforts, Choose Chicago targets a range of audiences, starting with Chicago residents themselves.

“We can hop on the CTA, or cars or a bike or whatever, and get to other communities pretty easily,” Fojtik told Skift. Choose Chicago also considers the regional and national levels with its campaigns, hoping to identify affinity groups and niches that would enjoy these travel experiences. More broadly, Fojtik emphasized the prominence of the “cultural explorer,” or a tourist interested in getting to know all aspects of a city. 

Empowering communities

Beyond showing travelers other corners of Chicago, neighborhood campaigns have the potential to empower communities themselves.

Mike Moreno runs Osito’s Tap, a featured Little Village bar with a Bohemian history and a Latin twist. While Osito’s has already been in the press, Moreno said there’s been such an uptick in customers that he needs to hire more staff.

“My bar has been slammed for the last couple of weeks, which is amazing,” Moreno said. “(The series) brings attention to a neighborhood that I love so much that a lot of people aren’t familiar with.”

Fojtik sees the series as a chance for communities to speak out for themselves.

“These were opportunities to really amplify and highlight those community voices and perspectives,” Fojtik said. “I think it gave a lot of folks who participated in it an opportunity to have their voices heard.”

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Tags: american rescue plan act , arts and culture , chicago , choose chicago , community , coronavirus recovery , culinary tourism , cultural tourism , culture , DMO , dmos , domestic tourism , food , food and beverage , food tourism , gentrification , local communities , neighborhood

Photo credit: Drinks at Bronzeville Winery, a featured restaurant and bar in the series. Source: The 77: A City of Neighborhoods / Choose Chicago

Chicago beach named among the best in the US by Travel and Leisure

CHICAGO - A Chicago beach has been recognized as one of the best beaches in the United States by Travel and Leisure, joining the ranks of popular beaches in Hawaii, Florida and California.

The 25 Best Beaches in the USA list, published earlier this month, names 25 of the best beaches in the country, listing Oak Street Beach in Chicago among the best in the nation.

The publication describes Oak Street Beach as: "Usually, you have to leave urban areas to find the best shorelines, but this Midwestern metropolis is one of the few exceptions. The impressive Chicago skyline serves as the backdrop for this popular beach, located on the shores of Lake Michigan. Lounge chairs, umbrellas, and cabanas are available for rent, and there's a variety of food from local vendors. Bikers, joggers, walkers, and roller-skaters abound on the paved path surrounding the beach. Relax in the sun, people-watch, or get in on a volleyball game or chess match — the choice is yours."

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JUNE 03: A lifeguard keeps watch over beachgoers at Oak Street Beach on June 03, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

The other beaches on the list:

• Poipu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii
• Ocean City, Maryland
• Coronado Beach, San Diego, California
• Pope Beach, Lake Tahoe, California
• Clearwater Beach, Florida
• Harris Beach, Oregon
• Glass Beach, Port Townsend, Washington
• Oak Street Beach, Chicago, Illinois
• Carlsmith Beach, Hilo, Hawaii
• Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina
• Grand Haven State Park, Michigan
• Santa Monica Beach, California
• Medano Creek, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
• North Beach, Tybee Island, Georgia
• Good Harbor Beach, Gloucester, Massachusetts
• Rockaway Beach, Queens, New York
• Crystal Lake State Park, Baron, Vermont
• Gulf Shores Public Beach, Alabama
• Asbury Park Beach, New Jersey
• Carmel Beach, Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
• Coligny Beach Park, Hilton Head, South Carolina
• Alki Beach, Seattle, Washington
• Ocean Beach Park, New London, Connecticut
• Coney Island Beach, Brooklyn, New York

Travel and Leisure does not reveal its methodology, but does say "Different criteria define the perfect beach for different people, such as the quality of the sand, the waves (or lack thereof), level of seclusion, public transportation and accessible parking, whether there's a boardwalk, activities, and even the amount of shade. Some beaches are found next to crystalline lakes, while others are beneath the peaks of majestic mountain ranges. Some are surf havens with stellar waves, while others cater to families with calm waters and things to do right on the sand."

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Week in Review: Chicago police seek justice for slain officer • Illinois phone scam • Bears unveil new stadium

CHICAGO - A Chicago police officer was fatally shot outside his home last week and his killer remains on the run; Illinois State Police are warning residents of a new phone scam; and the Chicago Bears unveiled plans for a new domed stadium on the lakefront.

These are the top stories on Fox 32's Week in Review.

Off-duty Chicago police officer fatally shot in Gage Park while returning home from work

An off-duty Chicago police officer was fatally shot in Gage Park on Sunday, April 21 while returning home from work.

Officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert near 55th Street and Kedzie Avenue early Sunday just before 3 a.m. and found 30-year-old Officer Luis M. Huesca suffering from multiple gunshot wounds nearby.

Chicago police have since issued an arrest warrant for the murder suspect and are offering a reward for information leading to his arrest.

Officer Huesca's visitation was scheduled for Sunday and his funeral Monday, April 29.

Illinois State Police warns public of phone scam

The Illinois State Police (ISP) has issued a warning regarding a recent phone scam .

Individuals have reported receiving calls from someone pretending to be an ISP investigator, claiming their identity has been stolen. ISP emphasizes that this is a scam and advises the public to be cautious.

Chicago Bears unveil new lakefront stadium plans

The Chicago Bears announced plans for their new domed stadium along the lakefront Wednesday, one day before kicking off the NFL Draft with the top overall pick.

Team officials, along with city and state stakeholders, showed off new renderings for the domed stadium at a noon press conference.

Suburban community named one of the best places to live in the U.S.

A suburban community is standing out above the rest after being named one of the best places to live in the U.S. in 2024.

Money Magazine recently released its list of the top 50 best places to live and Prairie Crossing, a subdivision of Grayslake that is located about 40 miles north of Chicago, has been ranked.

Chicago beach named among the best in the US by Travel and Leisure

A Chicago beach has been recognized as one of the best beaches in the United States by Travel and Leisure, joining the ranks of popular beaches in Hawaii, Florida and California.

The 25 Best Beaches in the USA list, published earlier this month, names 25 of the best beaches in the country, listing Oak Street Beach in Chicago among the best in the nation.

Dom's, Foxtrot close stores in Chicago, nationwide months after merger

Dom's Kitchen & Market and Foxtrot Market closed all stores in Chicago and across the country just a few months after the boutique grocers announced their merger.

Foxtrot released a statement Tuesday that the retailers will be closing their doors effective immediately. The closure will affect 33 Foxtrots in Chicago, Dallas, Austin and the DC area.

Hammond schools closed Wednesday due to 'excessive call offs'

The School City of Hammond district in Northwest Indiana canceled classes Wednesday due to a lack of staffing .

The district, which is made up of 16 schools, said they were unable to safely staff their buildings due to "excessive call offs."

Beloved 'Chicago Rat Hole' removed by construction crews

The "Chicago Rat Hole" is no more after city construction crews removed it Wednesday morning.

The city's most unusual attraction – the imprint of a rat pressed into the concrete – was located in the 1900 block of West Roscoe Street in Roscoe Village.

Illinois residents prep for 'cicada-geddon' as double-brood invasion imminent

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Hundreds of trillions or even quadrillions of bugs will emerge from the ground. If you do the math, that’s an average of 1 million per acre.

Village of Dolton, Mayor Tiffany Henyard sued by business owner

The Village of Dolton and Mayor Tiffany Henyard were hit with another lawsuit Tuesday, this time from a barbershop owner who claims his business license was improperly denied.

Tyrone Isom Jr., a longtime barber in the south suburbs, was denied two business licenses for his property located at 1031 Sibley Boulevard for no justifiable reason, according to the complaint.

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NBA playoffs: Anthony Edwards outshines Devin Booker, Kevin Durant to secure Timberwolves sweep of Suns

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Report: MLB's Nike uniform fiasco to be fixed, but maybe not until 2025

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Jalen Brunson vs. Joel Embiid is living up to the billing as Knicks are one game from advancing

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Damian Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo both out for Bucks-Pacers Game 4

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• our chicago

Our Chicago: The Class of 2020 Graduates From College & Enters The Workforce

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The class of 20-20 didn't experience the usual end-of-high school traditions. Thanks to the pandemic, they shifted to remote learning in March.

And when graduation came along, there wasn't a lot of pomp and circumstance. Instead, some students in the Chicago area pulled up in their cars, got out and collected their diplomas.

Others walked across the stage of a mostly empty auditorium. Now, four years later, things are much different and many of those students are graduating from college.

So what has the road from 2020 to 2024 been like for students and colleges? Justin Banks is a 2020 graduate of Oak Park and River Forest High School. Now, he's about to graduate from the University of Illinois Chicago with a degree in Integrated Health Studies.

"It was definitely a challenge," he said. "The transition from high school to college in normal circumstances is definitely not easy but under the pandemic it was definitely more of a challenge. From the social scene to the academic scene, thinking about taking all of my classes virtually, it was more challenging than I would expect. Even living in the dorm in that Covid era where I couldn't socialize with my friends as often as I would have liked."

He said the support he received from UIC and his church for pushing him to do his best academically despite the challenges.

"For us, this group of students is incredibly resilient," says Josephine Volpe, Associate Vice Provost for Advising Development at the University of Illinois Chicago. She says their students are extraordinary.

"Their adaptability is something that we talk about a lot. Their ability to overcome. Their thought processes, their challenges, their ability to express themselves with us and our opportunity to support them is also very different now. And so, I think they're amazing. So, we're very excited to be celebrating them at this time," Volpe said.

She says each student found their motivation in different ways.

"So each one of our students is unique and so how they experienced the pandemic may have been unique," she said. "They were dealing with healthcare, they were dealing with the health of themselves and others. And so for some of them, it was inspirational to be able to continue to do their work. And so I think some of it was really digging deep and overcoming and finding their joy in the ways that they could."

"I think the biggest thing for me, was adaptability," says Banks, "I feel like especially those first two years when we were still relatively remote, it taught me how to study different, how to figure out what I needed, how to prepare for exams in a different way than what we were used to." Next up for him, medical school at the University of Chicago.

Other members of the class of 2024 are headed into the workforce. So what is the the outlook for the job market?

"This is not the same economy that it was two years ago coming off of the Covid low and things were going 100 miles an hour," says Tom Gimbel, founder and CEO of the Chicago staffing agency, LaSalle Network. "Things are definitely a little more tepid. And it's not as much as a bull market on the employment side as it has been. So I think when you're graduating from college, it's really important to have an idea of what industry you want to be in or what role you want to be in. Don't focus as much about today's dollars. Don't go work for free, but don't think 'Oh my friend last year got $60,000 so I should get 60.' Might not be that good."

As for hot jobs, Gimbel says says sales is always going to be in demand. Also IT. "And I don't mean tech companies as much as if you're a developer, if you're into working on hardware, if you enjoy doing software type of work there's a lot of technology stuff going on both in Chicago and around the country."

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Trump international hotel & tower chicago.

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The Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago is conveniently positioned on North Wabash Avenue in the River North neighborhood of Chicago , offering easy access to both the business-centric Loop and the city's top attractions , including Navy Pier . From many of the rooms, you'll enjoy a picturesque view of the Wrigley Building and Tribune Tower, all brightly reflected in Lake Michigan. Accommodations also include floor-to-ceiling windows, fully equipped kitchens and bathrooms with limestone finishes and in-mirror TVs. Recent guests recommend booking a room with a river view to take full advantage of the hotel's enviable location. Though past lodgers raved about the views, some said the rooms are in need of a refurbishment. Cap off a Windy City day at Terrace 16, the hotel's on-site restaurant and bar located on the 16th floor. Guests praise the restaurant for its American cuisine and unbeatable views of the iconic Chicago skyline. Should you need a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, plan on spending some time at The Spa at Trump, which offers 11 treatment rooms and a wide array of services, as well as a fitness center and a 75-foot heated indoor pool with impressive views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago River.

• Hotel Class 5.0
• Critic Rating EXCELLENT

Tripadvisor Traveler Rating

U.S. News analyzed more than 35,000 hotels to find the best in the USA, Europe, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean, based on reputation among travel experts, guest reviews and hotel class ratings.

• # 4 in Best Chicago Hotels
• # 4 in Best Illinois Hotels
• # 53 in Best USA Hotels

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Critic Reviews

Other Awards

• Condé Nast Readers' Choice List 2023
• TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Best of the Best Awards 2023
• AAA/CAA Five Diamond Awards 2023

This 339-room Trump is one of the top luxury hotels in Chicago, located in a modern glass tower right on the Chicago river and within easy walking distance of the Magnificent Mile.

Condé Nast Traveler

Get past the 20-foot letters emblazoned on the building and there’s no denying: This hotel is a stunner.

Forbes Travel Guide

The 92-story glass and steel tower in which the luxurious Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago resides brought a dose of glamor to an already glitzy skyline.

Guest Reviews

A hotel's guest rating is calculated using data provided under license by Tripadvisor. A total of 4663 have reviewed the Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago , giving it a rating of 4.5 , on a scale of 1-5.

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Guest Rooms

• Bose sound systems and large flat-screen TVs.
• Bathtubs may be combined with the shower or separate, depending on room type

Standard room size :  600 square feet

• Premium channels
• Workspace/desk
• Bathrobes/slippers
• Shower/tub combo
• Separate shower
• Separate tub
• Wireless internet
• Free internet
• Fee for internet usage
• Guest rooms with patios and balconies
• Adjoining rooms available

Location & Parking

• Millennium Park and the Art Institute of Chicago are within a mile of the property
• Ohio Street Beach and Navy Pier are 10 blocks east
• Complimentary Cadillac car service takes guests to destinations within a 1-mile radius
• Several L train stations nearby
• About 20 miles southeast of O'Hare International Airport and 12 miles northeast of Midway International Airport
• 24-hour valet parking ($78)
• 24-hour self-parking ($62)
• Airport shuttle
• Car service

Within walking distance of :

• Restaurants
• Movie theater
• Train station
• Subway/metro stop
• Grocery store
• Rebar lounge open every evening for drinks
• Terrace 16 serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily
• Room service available 24 hours a day

Number of restaurants :  2

Cuisine Types :  American

• Fine dining
• Casual dining
• Quick service cafe/coffee shop/marketplace
• Room service
• 24-hour room service
• free breakfast
• Children younger than 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult in the pool area
• Wading pool
• Family pool
• Infinity pool
• Whirlpool/hot tub
• Adults-only pool
• Lifeguard on duty
• Poolside service
• Deck chairs or cabanas
• Spa treatments include use of robe, slippers and locker
• Nails, waxing and makeup application services
• Guests must be 16 years old or older to take part in spa services

Services offered :

• Body Treatments (i.e. scrubs, wraps)
• Salon services
• Outdoor treatment area
• Board games and children's books
• Nanny services, swim lessons and kids movie channel for an additional fee
• Free Kids Club
• Fee for Kids Club
• High Chairs
• Cardiovascular machines offer individual TV monitors and iPod docking stations
• Personal trainers available upon request
• Fitness center open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
• Weight equipment
• Cardio equipment
• Free fitness classes
• Premium fitness classes (with fee)
• Local faxing and in-room computers available upon request
• Audiovisual and telecommunication equipment
• On-site catering services
• 24-hour business center

Number of meeting rooms :  12

• Business center
• Meeting rooms
• Meeting and event planners available
• Water bowl and bottled water
• In-room dining menu offers dog treats
• Dog walking can be arranged through the concierge
• Pets allowed (free)
• Dog walking
• Pet-sitting
• Mobile dance floors and risers
• Audiovisual equipment and technical support
• Terrace is available for outdoor receptions

Maximum wedding guest capacity :  250

• Hotel hosts weddings
• Outdoor space for weddings
• Wedding planners available

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