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What are the top attractions in Chicago?
Must-see places, ranked by popularity
Quick answer 16 top-rated attractions in Chicago, ranked by traveler popularity. Tickets & tours bookable via Viator with free cancellation on most experiences.
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★ 4.8
Millennium Park
Chicago, IL 60602, USA
Explore →92,273 reviews
★ 4.6
Navy Pier
600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Explore →87,553 reviews
★ 4.8
The Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603, USA
Explore →37,997 reviews
★ 4.8
Wrigley Field
1060 W Addison St, Chicago, IL 60613, USA
Explore →35,598 reviews
★ 4.7
Cloud Gate
201 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60602, USA
Explore →39,344 reviews
★ 4.7
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
5700 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
Explore →34,935 reviews
★ 4.6
Lincoln Park Zoo
Chicago, IL 60614, USA
Explore →38,310 reviews
★ 4.7
Field Museum
1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605, USA
Explore →30,476 reviews
★ 4.6
Skydeck Chicago
233 S Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606, USA
Explore →36,582 reviews
★ 4.8
Chicago Riverwalk
Chicago, IL 60601, USA
Explore →22,438 reviews
★ 4.5
Shedd Aquarium
1200 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605, USA
Explore →32,487 reviews
★ 4.7
Clarence F. Buckingham Memorial Fountain
301 S Columbus Dr, Chicago, IL 60605, USA
Explore →16,774 reviews
★ 4.5
Willis Tower
233 S Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606, USA
Explore →23,807 reviews
★ 4.5
360 CHICAGO
875 N Michigan Ave 94th floor, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Explore →20,602 reviews
★ 4.8
Garfield Park Conservatory
300 N Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL 60624, USA
Explore →10,461 reviews
★ 4.5
Starbucks Reserve Roastery
646 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Explore →18,650 reviews
What are the best tours and experiences in Chicago?
Hop-on-hop-off, food tours, day trips, skip-the-line tickets
Quick answer Top tour formats in Chicago include hop-on-hop-off bus loops, food and walking tours, day trips, and skip-the-line attraction tickets. All bookable through Viator or GetYourGuide with free cancellation on most options.
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Hop-On Hop-Off
Walking Tours
Food Tours
Day Trips
Boat Cruises
Skip-the-Line
Private Tours
Adventure Tours
Photography Tours
Night Tours
Hop-On Hop-Off BusHop-On Hop-Off Bus in Chicago
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Food and Wine ToursFood and Wine Tours in Chicago
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City Walking ToursCity Walking Tours in Chicago
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Day TripsDay Trips in Chicago
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Boat and CruisesBoat and Cruises in Chicago
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Skip-the-LineSkip-the-Line in Chicago
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Private ToursPrivate Tours in Chicago
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Nightlife ToursNightlife Tours in Chicago
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Photography ToursPhotography Tours in Chicago
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Helicopter ToursHelicopter Tours in Chicago
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Where to eat and go out in Chicago?
Restaurants, bars, and entertainment
Quick answer Browse top-rated restaurants, nightlife venues, and live shows happening now in Chicago. Listings ranked by traveler ratings; tickets and tables bookable directly through partner sites.
Where to Eat
Pizzeria Portofino$$
★ 4.8
Giordano's$$
★ 4.5
Quartino Ristorante$$
★ 4.7
Portillo's & Barnelli's Chicago$
★ 4.4
Au Cheval$$
★ 4.7
Aba$$$
★ 4.8
The Dearborn$$
★ 4.7
Pequod's Pizza$$
★ 4.4
Nightlife
Gino's East$$
★ 4.7
360 CHICAGOBar / Club
★ 4.5
Starbucks Reserve Roastery$$
★ 4.5
Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!$$
★ 4.7
Three Dots and a Dash$$$
★ 4.6
Beatrix Streeterville$$
★ 4.7
House of Blues Chicago$$
★ 4.5
The Purple Pig Restaurant$$
★ 4.6
Shows & Events
Brokeback MountainJun 17
Kinky Boots (Chicago)Jun 17
Flawed Mangoes: The Killswitch Memories TourJun 17
Chicago Sky vs. New York LibertyJun 17
The Strokes - Reality Awaits North AmericaJun 17
UNTITLED VAMPIRE PLAYJun 17
Leftover Crack, Sadplant, the Dollheads, Mikey Classic and His DemonsJun 17
The Second City Mainstage 114th Revue (Minors must be accompanied by an adult)Jun 17
Where can I shop in Chicago?
Malls, markets, and retail districts
Quick answer Top shopping destinations in Chicago from major malls to local markets. Browse the rail below for hours, locations, and ratings.
★ 4.5
Water Tower Place
835 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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★ 4.3
Macy's
$$
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★ 4.5
Costco Wholesale
$$
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★ 4.5
Costco Wholesale
$$
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★ 4.1
Walmart Supercenter
$
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★ 4.6
Trader Joe's
$$
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★ 4.2
Christkindlmarket Chicago
50 W Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602, USA
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★ 4.6
Trader Joe's
$$
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★ 4.4
Nordstrom
55 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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★ 3.9
Walmart Supercenter
$
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★ 3.9
Walmart Supercenter
$
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★ 4.4
Whole Foods Market
$$$
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★ 4.2
Ross Dress for Less
$
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★ 4.4
Whole Foods Market
$$$
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★ 4.4
Whole Foods Market
$$$
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★ 4.2
Target
$$
View →
What events are happening in Chicago?
Concerts, sports & shows in the next 90 days
Quick answer 27 upcoming events in Chicago across the next 90 days, including concerts, sports, and live shows. Tickets via Ticketmaster.
EventBrokeback Mountain
Jun 17, 2026
Get Tickets →
Kinky Boots (Chicago)
Jun 17, 2026
Get Tickets →
Flawed Mangoes: The Killswitch Memories Tour
Jun 17, 2026
Get Tickets →
Chicago Sky vs. New York Liberty
Jun 17, 2026
Get Tickets →
The Strokes - Reality Awaits North America
Jun 17, 2026
Get Tickets →
EventUNTITLED VAMPIRE PLAY
Jun 17, 2026
Get Tickets →
Leftover Crack, Sadplant, the Dollheads, Mikey Classic and His Demons
Jun 17, 2026
Get Tickets →
Arts & TheatreThe Second City Mainstage 114th Revue (Minors must be accompanied by an adult)
Jun 17, 2026
Get Tickets →
Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise Aboard First Lady
Jun 17, 2026
Get Tickets →
EventBalloon Museum | EmotionAir - Art You Can Feel - Chicago
Jun 17, 2026
Get Tickets →
Going Bacharach: The Songs of An Icon
Jun 17, 2026
Get Tickets →
Arts & TheatreDrunk Shakespeare: Drunk Romeo & Juliet (21+ Event)
Jun 17, 2026
Get Tickets →
Arts & TheatreJeanie Doogan
Jun 17, 2026
Get Tickets →
ConcertMoe's N Co, Lyric and the New Band
Jun 17, 2026
Get Tickets →
ConcertMemory Card / imy3 / The Philadelphia Eagles / Cambodian SIM Card
Jun 17, 2026
Get Tickets →
EventBalloon Museum | EmotionAir - Art You Can Feel - Chicago
Jun 18, 2026
Get Tickets →
Club 90s Present BTS Night
Jun 18, 2026
Get Tickets →
EventBarstool Sports: The Dozen Live Tournament (18+)
Jun 18, 2026
Get Tickets →
Sports2ECOND WRESTLING: WRESTLE EDEN
Jun 18, 2026
Get Tickets →
ConcertChiddy Bang, Tba
Jun 18, 2026
Get Tickets →
ConcertKing Falcon, Cinema Stereo, Flash Flash Comfort
Jun 18, 2026
Get Tickets →
Chicago Comedy Club
Jun 18, 2026
Get Tickets →
ChiTown Drive-In Presents - Lilo & Stitch (the 2002 original)
Jun 18, 2026
Get Tickets →
ChiTown Drive-In Presents - Scream 7
Jun 18, 2026
Get Tickets →
Event
JUN
17
Brokeback Mountain
800 East Grand Avenue on Navy Pier, Chicago, IL
Arts & Theatre
JUN
17
Kinky Boots (Chicago)
24 W Randolph, Chicago, IL
Concert
JUN
17
Flawed Mangoes: The Killswitch Memories Tour
2033 W North Ave, Chicago, IL
Sports
JUN
17
Chicago Sky vs. New York Liberty
200 E Cermak Road, Chicago, IL
Concert
JUN
17
The Strokes - Reality Awaits North America
1901 W Madison, Chicago, IL
Event
JUN
17
UNTITLED VAMPIRE PLAY
821 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL
Concert
JUN
17
Leftover Crack, Sadplant, the Dollheads, Mikey Classic and His Demons
2109 South State Street, Chicago, IL
Arts & Theatre
JUN
17
The Second City Mainstage 114th Revue (Minors must be accompanied by an adult)
1616 N. Wells St., Chicago, IL
Event
JUN
17
Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise Aboard First Lady
112 E. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL
Frequently asked questions about Chicago
Common traveler questions answered
What are the top things to do in Chicago?
Chicago offers world-class attractions, guided tours, restaurants, nightlife, shopping districts and live events. Explore the rails above for ranked attractions, food & drink picks, shows and experiences happening in the next 90 days.
How many days do I need in Chicago?
Most travelers find 3-5 days is enough to see the main attractions in Chicago, with extra time for day trips or beach time. Long weekends (3 days) work for highlight tours; a full week lets you slow down and explore neighborhoods, cuisine and nearby destinations.
What's the best way to get around Chicago?
Public transport, walking, taxis and rideshares cover most central areas. Renting a car gives you the most flexibility for day trips, beaches, and destinations outside the city center, with all major suppliers available at Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW).
When is the best time to visit Chicago?
Shoulder seasons (spring and autumn) typically offer the best balance of weather, crowds, and prices. Summer brings peak attractions and events but also the highest hotel rates and longest queues. Check current event listings above to align your visit with festivals or shows that interest you.
Where is the best area to stay in Chicago?
Central neighborhoods near top attractions are convenient for first-time visitors. Compare hotel rates from hundreds of sites using the KAYAK link in the sidebar to find the right balance of price, location, and amenities for your trip.
Do I need a car in Chicago?
It depends on your itinerary. For city-focused trips with central hotels, public transport and rideshares often work fine. If you plan beach days, day trips, or visits to suburbs and surrounding areas, a rental car is usually faster and cheaper than booking individual transfers.