Places to Visit in Chicago - Chicago Must-See Attractions
Things to Do in Chicago
Grab a slice of deep dish pizza, snap a selfie with the Bean at Millennium Park, and take in the city by boat on Lake Michigan or the Chicago River. For personalized recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
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Sightseeing Cruisesfromper adult₱1,690
Attractions & Museumsfromper adult₱2,295
Cultural Toursfromper adult₱1,751
Observation Decksfromper adult₱1,811
Beer & Brewery Toursfromper adult₱5,129
Observation Decksfromper adult₱2,656
Crime Toursfromper adult₱2,957- fromper adult₱1,751
- fromper adult₱4,466
Beer & Brewery Toursfromper adult₱6,011
Art Museums
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Urban park with serene Lurie Garden, interactive art installations like Cloud Gate, ice skating ribbon, climbing walls, and free open-air concerts.
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Neighborhoods
Renowned shopping district lined with a mix of high-end and specialty stores amid historic architecture, with scenic views and dining spots.
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Science Museums
Interactive science museum featuring a historic U-Boat tour, a coal mine exhibit, and engaging activities for all ages, including a Mirror Maze and fairy castle.
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Points of Interest & Landmarks
Admission tickets from ₱2,521
Elevated attraction with a glass-floored observation area for 360-degree city views and a thrilling ledge experience. Mini museum and photo opportunities available.
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Speciality Museums
River cruise and walking tours blend history with architecture, led by knowledgeable guides through lush green spaces and iconic buildings in diverse neighborhoods.
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Arenas & Stadiums
Historic baseball stadium renowned for its classic ballpark charm and iconic atmosphere, complete with tours of behind-the-scenes areas and traditional game-day treats.
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Architectural Buildings
Admission tickets from ₱1,719
Observation deck in the downtown area providing panoramic urban and lakeshore vistas, with a unique tilting attraction and a souvenir shop for mementos.
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Natural History Museums
Admission tickets from ₱1,661
Natural history museum with a vast array of dinosaur fossils, including a famed T-Rex skeleton, cultural artifacts, and a 3D dinosaur movie. Features special exhibits and educational moments.
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Points of Interest & Landmarks
Historic Walking Areas
Riverside walkway providing scenic views, casual strolls, and a variety of dining spots. Features include boat and kayak rentals and architectural tours.
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Located near public transit, this zoo showcases diverse wildlife in spacious habitats, from big cats to polar bears, set against a scenic park with nature paths and a boardwalk around South Pond.
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Other Top Attractions around Chicago
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
What travelers are saying
- BlarghBlarghBirmingham, UK439 contributionsFantastic range of art work on show - we mainly looked at the modern, primarily American art, e.g. Rockwell, O'Keefe, Wood. You could easily spend the whole day in here and I don't think we even touched the surface. Well worth a visit for any art lovers.Written January 11, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- JustAAdventurerChicago, IL5 contributionsWe love going here every time! It can be a little crowded, but there is so much here to enjoy, that you don’t really notice it! Definitely a must see, especially during the Chicago Marathon!Written January 12, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- BlarghBlarghBirmingham, UK439 contributionsPart of immersing yourself in a new city is just walking around and soaking it in. I'd really recommend walking along the Magnificent Mile, especially to see the incredible brutalist and art deco architecture.Written January 11, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- PrairiePaddlerWisconsin382 contributionsWe went to the Griffin Museum specifically to see the "007 Science" temporary exhibition of gadgetry used in the James Bond film franchise. As a former CIA employee I am a fan of and have seen much this material on display in museums around the country. This particular exhibit does a good job of telling the story through the lens of technology, making the point that Fleming's books and the visualization of his stories on film, often previewed emerging or horizon technologies, many of which are commonplace today. That said, much of the interpretation relied on the granular fine text in the labels. I would have sought a way to bring the character of "Q" to life in some fashion to narrate the story in a visual and interactive way and better tie it together, rather than relying on narrative text to make the scientific points. The graphics and AV are generally pretty good. Noticeably absent among the vehicles on display is the most important of them all, the Aston Martin DB5 from "Goldfinger" which has been on view elsewhere. I also would like to have seen the storyline include attention to how the stunts and exotic plots and locations in the Bond films pushed the envelope on motion picture technology.
The Griffin as it is now known is a very old school museum trying to catapult itself into the 21st Century and offerings like the Bond exhibit are a great way to do that. There's absolutely a need for imaginative kids to be able to climb into trains and planes, and newer permanent exhibits with modern graphics and interactives explore forward-looking topics like climate change. On the day of our visit we saw lots of happy families having a great time, and that's the best review any museum can aspire to.
Props, too, to the museum sending out an email on the day of our visit providing GPS instructions to take us directly to their parking garage. Well done.Written January 14, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Laurence PNewhaven, UK439 contributionsVery high and stunning views.
One of the better viewing platforms we had in America.
The information at the start gives all teh history you need to know.Written November 26, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Leslie LChicago, IL2 contributionsThe Monadnock Bldg tour with Virginia was outstanding. She is so knowledgeable about the structure and ornamentation - but her people stories are even better.Written January 10, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- TJtravelerXTijuana, Mexico312 contributionsIf you like Baseball, you have to visit the stadium. Fans are very engaged with the Cubs and much tradition to enjoy. The park is old but well mantained.Written October 2, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Elisabeth R. A.Copenhagen, Denmark26 contributionsWent here with a friend for their "Sky Yoga" experience. It was SO much fun to be allowed in before everyone else. The teacher was very sweet and the yogaflow was very well put together. I managed to build up a little sweat, which was nice. Complimentary drink after the class was either mimosa, coffee or mocktails. I reallt liked that they had a non-alcoholic option.Written December 30, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Elias47 contributionsWe had a great time strolling through the Field Museum. It’s conveniently located in Chicago’s Museum Campus and provides a perfect shelter during those rainy days. We thoroughly enjoyed the various animals (especially the bird section is incredible), as well as the dinosaur exhibit. Sue the T. rex is – of course – a major highlight, but the collection has many other beautiful fossils on display.
We also visited a couple of temporary exhibits, which were both educational and interactive, adding more value to our visit. The museum provides an on-site restaurant which offers a nice spot to pause with a drink or snack.
All in all, definitely recommended activity when you’re visiting Chicago!Written January 6, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - BlarghBlarghBirmingham, UK439 contributionsA must see if in Chicago to see the iconic bean sculpture - you need to walk under it and try and find multiple versions of yourself. The skyline in the area is also great and it's nice to wander around Millennium Park if it's a nice dayWritten January 11, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- phvi2617Anaheim, CA723 contributionsWith all the magnificent architecture surrounding the Chicago River, taking a stroll on the Riverwalk is like walking through a spectacular canyon of glass, steel, and concrete. Whether you walk though all of it or just a couple blocks, you'll be treated to great views of the Windy City.Written December 28, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Robert CamperConcord, NH105 contributionsIf you are in Chicago, have a couple spare hours, looking to stretch your legs and see some animals, this is great. It is not a huge zoo, but it is free, really more like a section of the park than a separate thing. I guess there are gates, but with several entrances, it feels like you just walked into another part of the park, and suddenly animals. It is not the most amazing zoo I have been to, but is certainly nice. Has a wide variety of animals, and could totally see, if you lived in Chicago, bringing your kids there to see live animals. Like most zoos, some of the exhibits made the animals hard to find. It was also a really hot summer day, so many animals were napping in the shade of their exhibits. It was one of the last things on our itinerary, when I was planning the trip had a few hours one afternoon and thought "Sure, lets add it." I am glad we did, it was a good break from indoor museums, traffic and the rushing around that much of our trip included.Written January 9, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
The above attraction descriptions were created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for any of the above attraction descriptions. Please read full traveler reviews for more details and information.
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