Chicago, often known as the "Windy City," is located on the beaches of Lake Michigan. This city draws tourists from all over the world because of its lively arts scene, many cultural attractions, great shopping, and fascinating architecture.
Chicago is known throughout the globe as a hotbed of twentieth-century architecture and art, with architects like Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright, as well as painters like Picasso, Mir, Dubuffet, and Chagall, leaving their imprint.
With the Chicago Bears in American football, the Chicago White Sox and Cubs in baseball, and the Chicago Bulls in basketball, the city has a lot to offer in terms of sports.
Last but not least, there are the magnificent beaches that extend down the waterfront throughout the summer, drawing crowds of sunbathers.
The ideal season to visit Chicago depends on your interests, especially if you are going for sports or cultural events, but the optimum weather is from spring through autumn.
See our list of the best attractions and things to do in Chicago for a full list of places to visit.
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1. The Art Institute of Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago is a world-renowned museum that houses hundreds of thousands of pieces of art. Paintings, prints, photography, sculpture, decorative arts, textiles, architectural drawings, and other media are represented in the collection, which spans thousands of years.
The Institute is renowned for its impressionist and post-impressionist paintings, which include Georges Seurat's 1884 A Sunday Afternoon on La Grande Jatte, Renoir's 1879 Acrobats at the Cirque Fernando, and many Claude Monet works.
The main structure, constructed in the beaux-arts style by Shepley, Rutan, and Coolidge for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, was completed in 1893. Over the years, many more buildings have been erected, bringing the total area of the complex to 400,000 square feet.
111 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60614
2. Take a stroll around Millennium Park
Millennium Park is a public park in New York City.
Millennium Park is part of Grant Park, which is situated in downtown Chicago and is bounded on the west by Michigan Avenue, the east by Columbus Drive, the north by Randolph Street, and the south by Monroe Street. Cloud Gate, a 110-ton sculpture with a polished, mirror-like stainless steel surface inspired by flowing mercury, is the centerpiece. It mirrors the surrounding environment, including buildings, the sky, and visitors passing through its central arch.
Crown Fountain, a unique contemporary version of the old gargoyle that creates the impression of water pouring from the mouths of projected pictures of Chicago residents, is another popular sight in Millennium Park. Other popular activities in the area include attending a concert at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, an outdoor music venue, and visiting Lurie Garden, which is free and accessible to the public all year.
This part of the city is a handy location to base yourself since it is near to many of the main attractions as well as excellent shopping. Our list of suggested hotels in the region may help you choose a place to stay.
201 East Randolph Street, Chicago, Illinois 60614
3. Take a walk around Navy Pier
Navy Pier is a naval pier in New York City.
The Navy Pier, which was opened in 1916 as an entertainment park and a shipping terminal, is today one of Chicago's most famous tourist destinations. The Navy Pier now spans 50 acres and includes gardens, attractions, stores, restaurants, music venues, and parks. Navy Pier Park has a 150-foot Ferris wheel and a vintage carousel.
Visitors may also travel to the 3D Imax Theater to see a movie, the Chicago Shakespeare Theater to see performers play classics, or Crystal Gardens, a one-acre, six-story indoor botanical garden. The Chicago Children's Museum is also nearby. The Chicago Festival, which takes place in August, is one of the many events held at the Pier during the year. From here, cruise ships go on different tourist trips.
600 East Grand Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60610
4. Museum of Science and Industry
The Museum of Science and Industry, which opened in 1933 and is probably Chicago's most spectacular museum, is located on the north end of Jackson Park. It's all about using natural principles to advance technical and industrial progress.
The museum is credited with being the first in the United States to integrate "hands-on" displays. Hundreds of displays invite visitors to engage with them. Permanent and rotating exhibitions, as well as an OMNIMAX cinema, may be found at the MSI.
5700 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60614
5. SkyDeck of the Willis Tower
The 110-story Sears Tower renamed Willis Tower, was the world's tallest office building until the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur were completed in 1996. Despite the fact that there are now many higher structures in the area, the view from here is breathtaking. You can see 40 to 50 miles over four states on a clear day, and get a bird's eye perspective of Chicago's magnificent architecture.
The Willis Tower was completed in three years and opened to the public in 1974. The skyscraper is 1,453 feet tall, including the SkyDeck, a 1,353-foot-high observation deck, on the 103rd level. The Ledge, a glass cage with a glass floor that juts out from the SkyDeck, allows guests to stand and gaze down at the city below.
The SkyDeck is a must-see for everyone visiting Chicago for the first time. To experience the Ledge, browse the exhibitions, and watch a brief film about the building's history, purchase your Chicago SkyDeck Tickets in advance.
233 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60614
6. View the Water Show at Buckingham Fountain
The Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain, which was built as a family gift in 1927, is one of the world's biggest. The center fountain is flanked by four seahorses that symbolize Lake Michigan's four surrounding states, and it was designed in the famous Art Deco style of the time. The fountain is activated every hour from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., blasting 15,000 gallons of water through almost 200 nozzles each minute to produce a spectacular show.
The water display is complemented by lights after dark, and it's a must-see if you're in the area in the evening. The fountain is the main point of Grant Park, a large public area in Chicago that includes numerous attractions and smaller parks such as Millennium Park, which is similar to Central Park in New York City.
Museum Campus, which houses the Field Museum of Natural History, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Adler Planetarium, and the Shedd Aquarium, is one of the park's most popular tourist attractions. Grant Park also has a number of gardens and recreational amenities, as well as hosting events such as music and culinary festivals.
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