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- Chinatown Square. Attractions. Public spaces. Armour Square. Serving as the neighborhood's hub, Chinatown Square features a two-level mall housing a variety of local businesses, including restaurants, teahouses, beauty shops and candy vendors.
- Chicago Chinese Cultural Institute. Museums. Natural history. Armour Square. Founded to bring Chinese language and culture programs to local libraries and schools, this organization is best known for offering tours of Chinatown's attractions and restaurants.
- Ping Tom Memorial Park. Attractions. Parks and gardens. Armour Square. Originally a railroad yard, Ping Tom Memorial Park is named for the Chinatown resident who was the leading force behind the creation of this community space.
- Pui Tak Center. Attractions. Religious buildings and sites. Armour Square. As the first piece of traditional Chinese architecture to be built in the area, the Pui Tak Center is a cornerstone of Chinatown's community and one of the most visually striking structures in the area.
- Bottom Lounge. Bars. Lounges. West Loop. price 2 of 4. Punk, hard-rock and electronic acts rule the stage at Bottom Lounge, where you can grab a burger, some poutine or a beer before heading into the midsize music venue.
- Notre. Shopping. Menswear. West Loop. price 3 of 4. Whether you're in search of a new pair of Air Jordans or the latest pieces from Paris fashion label Maison Margiela, you'll find some of the most sought-after looks at this high-end menswear boutique.
- Aire Ancient Baths. Health and beauty. River West/West Town. Experience an utterly unique and engaging experience at Aire Ancient Baths, the sultry, vast candlelit bath house located in the basement of a historic industrial building on Superior Street.
- Cabra. 3 out of 5 stars. Restaurants. Peruvian. West Loop. Recommended. Boasting one of the best views in the West Loop from a chic, swanky rooftop, Cabra in The Hoxton hotel is the perfect spot for pre-dinner drinks or Peruvian-inspired cuisine courtesy of celebrated Chicago chef Stephanie Izard.
Oct 1, 2024 · The surrounding suburbs offer plenty of opportunities to do so, plus family-friendly activities and other delights like apple cider and apple cider donuts. Don’t miss: A one-of-a-kind apple tree ...
- Eat and drink the best of the city. Top Chicago eats. Eat Chicago pizza…and lots of it! Decide for yourself between deep dish and tavern style. Pile seven toppings on a Chicago-style hot dog… it’s the only way.
- Check off the culture musts. Experience Chicago’s music and nightlife. Pack a picnic and catch live music at Millennium Park free summer music series. Hear blues master Buddy Guy play live at Buddy Guy’s Legends.
- Be wowed by city sights. Top sights and attractions. Stand outside one of the world’s tallest buildings at The Ledge, an all-glass balcony at Willis Tower’s Skydeck Chicago.
- Soak in the great outdoors. Urban adventures. Go for a waterfront stroll through sandy beaches and green space on the 18-mile Lakefront Trail. Go ice skating or scale a climbing wall at Maggie Daley Park.
- 59 Best Things to Do in Chicago
- Chicago Sites & Attractions
- Outdoor Attractions in Chicago
- Food & Drink in Chicago
- Hidden Gems
- Chicago Entertainment & Nightlife
Explore Chicago’s Neighborhoods
Visit a few of Chicago’s many diverse and unique neighborhoods. 📍 18 Best Chicago Neighborhoods You may have heard that Chicago is a city of neighborhoods. Although the boundaries and names of each neighborhood are a bit subjective, the city is distinctly made up of 77 community areas; each one with its own unique flair. If you’ve never been to Chicago, it can be tempting to spend all your time in the city’s downtown Loop. And while the Loop is an area worth spending time in for sightseeing,...
Millennium Park
Go sightseeing in Chicago’s downtown Loop. 📍 Google Maps | Phone: (312) 742-1168 | Millennium Park Website| Hours: 6 am – 11 pm daily | Entrance: Free Millennium Park is one of Chicago’s most iconic spots (if not its most iconic spot). It’s situated in the Loop and housed within the larger Grant Park. Here, you can see Cloud Gate, or, as it’s better known, “The Bean.” Millennium Park has a lot more to offer besides a picture with the Bean, though. All year round, you can walk the park, enjoy...
Cloud Gate
Chicago’s most iconic landmark—a mirror-like art sculpture that locals call “The Bean.” 📍 Google Maps | Website| Hours: 6 am – 11 pm daily | Entrance: Free Cloud Gate, more commonly referred to as “The Bean,” is Chicago’s most identifiable landmark. This giant structure is located in Millennium Park. The Bean is best known for its shiny mirror-like surface, which was inspired by liquid mercury and designed to reflect images of the Chicago skyline above. The Bean is a fun experience and a mus...
Navy Pier
Enjoy a day of views, attractions, and fun for the whole family. 📍 Google Maps | Phone: (312) 595-7437 | Navy Pier Website | My Guide to Navy Pier | Hours: Varies by season | Entrance: Free (entry fees for attractions and rides may vary) |👉 Fireworks Kayak Tour Navy Pier extends out into Lake Michigan and offers activities and restaurants for the whole family to enjoy. It’s a great spot for snapping pictures of the lake and Chicago skyline. Some of the popular activities and attractions at...
Magnificent Mile
Shop your heart out and take in the sights. 📍 Google Maps | Phone: (312) 642-3570 | Magnificent Mile Website| Hours: Open daily, shop hours may vary | Entrance: Free If you’re looking to do some luxury shopping and hit up those big-name stores, then pay a visit to the Magnificent Mile. This mile-long stretch is located on North Michigan Avenue,packed with shops, restaurants, luxury hotels, and more. Although a bit touristy, it’s worth visiting for anyone with an itch to shop. Not to mention,...
Lincoln Park Zoo
Come face to face with wildlife. 📍 Google Maps | Phone: (312) 742-2000 | Lincoln Park Zoo Website| Hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily | Entrance: Free Get up close and personal with animals at Lincoln Park Zoo. This Chicago zoo, which is free to all, is located in the heart of Lincoln Park. Almost 200 species of animals from around the worldcan be found here — bears, crocodiles, hippos, and everything in between. Most habitats are designed for visitors to observe the animals in their own environment,...
Grant Park
Visit one of Chicago’s biggest cultural hubs. 📍 Google Maps | Phone: (312) 742-3918 | Grant Park Website| Hours: 6 am – 11 pm daily | Entrance: Free Known as downtown Chicago’s “front lawn,” Grant Park is a cultural hub that spans over 300 acres. In many ways, it’s the central, go-to place for a nature escape downtown as it houses Millennium Park and Maggie Daley Park. This vast green space is more than just a park, though. Some of the top attractions in Chicago all converge in this one plac...
North Avenue Beach
Spend an afternoon on Lake Michigan. 📍 Google Maps | Phone: (312) 742-5121 | North Avenue Beach Website| Hours: 11 am – 7 pm daily | Entrance: Free If you plan on visiting in the summer, then I highly recommend planning for some beach time in Lake Michigan. For an afternoon by the water, head to North Avenue Beach. Though it can get a bit crowded on hot days, this Chicago beach is close to downtown and falls along the Lakefront Trail. Volleyball courts and water sports rentals are available...
Kayak the Chicago River
Paddle down the Chicago River and take in the city from a new perspective. 📍 Google Maps | Phone: (312) 965-0035 | Urban Kayaks Website | Hours: departure times vary | Entrance: $60 single kayak, $120 tandem kayak |👉 Riverwalk Kayak Tours If you plan on visiting during the warmer months, try something a little different: kayak down the Chicago River! This is a fun activity for visitors of all ages and a unique way to experience the downtown scene. This historic Chicago kayak touris a partic...
Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria
Pizza the Chicagoan way. 📍 Google Maps | Phone: (312) 828-9800 | Lou Malnati’s Website| Hours: Vary by location When it comes to food, deep-dish pizza is a distinctly Chicagoan thing. This style of pizza is sometimes referred to as “Chicago-style pizza” and is made with a thick crust, and stacked with layers of sauce, cheese, and toppings. The layers are even placed on the dough backward, with cheese placed first and sauce topped off last. If you’re looking to taste a classic deep dish, then...
Time Out Market
Options for everyone to enjoy. 📍 Google Maps | Phone: (312) 637-3888 | Time Out Market Website| Hours: 8 am – 10 pm Mon – Fri, 9 am – 10 pm Sat, 9 am – 9 pm Sun Time Out Market is a food hall located in the Fulton Market District in West Loop. Here, some of the best restaurants, bars, and bakeries from around Chicago have vendor stalls all “under one roof.”Not to mention, the different selection of vendors means a wide array of cuisine options. If you’re traveling in a group, then this is a...
McDonald’s Global Headquarters
A McDonald’s in the West Loop that serves up menu items from around the world. 📍 Google Maps | Phone: (312) 291-9224 | Website| Hours: 6 am – 10 pm daily I know it seems odd to list McDonald’s among Chicago’s top attractions, but hear me out. “Global McDonald’s,” as most people call it, has a bonus international menu. This “Global Favorites” menu includes McDonald’s items from around the world. The menu isn’t extensive, but it’s a fun way to try something different. For example, you can try...
Myopic Books
One of Chicago’s largest used bookstores in the heart of Wicker Park. 📍 Google Maps | Phone: (773) 862-4882 | Website| Hours: 12 pm – 8 pm daily | Entrance: Free Myopic Books is one of Chicago’s largest used bookstores. It’s located in the heart of Wicker Park and is the perfect place to wander if you’re a book lover. You’ll find three floors packed with floor-to-ceiling shelves of used books. Genres range from coffee table art books to classic novels and everything in between. The cozy but...
Poetry Foundation
A peaceful library and cultural center in River North that’s solely dedicated to poetry. 📍 Google Maps | Phone: (312) 787-7070 | Website| Hours: 11 am – 5 pm Wed & Sat, 11 am – 6 pm Thu, 11 am – 5 pm Fri, Closed Sun – Tue | Entrance: Free The Poetry Foundation is a poetry library and cultural center in River North. This hidden gem is for anyone who loves poetry, books, or anything literary. The best part? It’s totally free to visit. The library at the Poetry Foundation contains over 30,000 v...
Promontory Point
Relax and picnic at this small and scenic Lake Michigan outcrop near Hyde Park. 📍 Google Maps | Phone: (312) 742-5369 | Website| Hours: 6 am – 11 pm daily | Entrance: Free Promontory Point is a small park well-loved by locals who know about it. This outcrop of green space is located near Hyde Park on Chicago’s South Side. The park juts out onto Lake Michigan and provides beautiful distant views of the Chicago skyline. There are bonfire pits for barbecuing and plenty of grass to spread out an...
The Second City
Laugh your heart out at one of Chicago’s best comedy clubs. 📍 Google Maps | Phone: (312) 337-3992 | Second City Website| Hours: Showtimes vary | Entrance: $25+ Second City Comedy Club in Old Town has a long history and influence that’s made waves throughout the comedy world. Famous comedians like Joan Rivers, Bill Murray, Mike Meyers, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and so many others have performed and debuted here. If you’re someone who enjoys going out to shows (and frankly, just having a good tim...
Chicago Theatre District
Witness world-class theatre and music concerts in downtown Chicago. 📍 Google Maps | Theatre District Website| Hours: Showtimes vary | Entrance: $25+ In the northern part of the Loop is the Chicago Theatre District. Here, you’ll find a wide array of theatres and performance venues. One of the major ones? The Chicago Theatre. This theatre, which primarily serves as a music and comedy venue, is widely known for its iconic red and gold marquee sign. A few other big theatres in the district inclu...
Joffrey Ballet at Lyric Opera House
Get dressed up and treat yourself to an evening of ballet at a beautiful and historic opera house theater. 📍 Google Maps | Website| Hours: Showtimes Vary | Tickets: $36-$200 Treat yourself to a fancy night out by nabbing tickets to see the Joffrey Ballet perform at the Lyric Opera House. The Joffrey Ballet is one of the most renowned ballet companies in the country. They perform a mix of contemporary and classical repertoire. As someone with a ballet background, I can assure you they’re wort...
2 days ago · Along State Street from Lake to Van Buren. Now in its 10th year, this evening parade brings together various Chicago cultural organizations, youth programs, artists like Dee Alexander, J. Ivy and Tim Samuelson and an audience of 50,000 people. There will be unique floats, puppets and creative performances along the Loop’s historic State Street.
From seasonal festivals and cultural happenings to exclusive shopping events, the iconic District hosts a myriad of gatherings that add an extra layer of allure to this dynamic urban destination. Immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere, revel in unique experiences, and create lasting memories against the backdrop of Chicago's premier ...
