Chicago is open and ready to welcome visitors back to our amazing city. During this time, there’s nothing more important to us than your health and safety. That’s why Chicago is taking a responsible, phased approach to reopening. The city continues to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation, while introducing health and safety measures to protect Chicagoans and visitors during each phase.

Chicago is now in Phase Four of the city’s reopening plan, which allows the reopening of museums and zoos, outdoor and indoor seating at restaurants, movie theaters, and performance venues. Social distancing and face coverings are required whenever possible. Explore what’s open below and start planning your experience today.

What’s open in Chicago?

Restaurants & bars

Chicago restaurants are open for outdoor/limited indoor seating and carryout/delivery services with appropriate safety measures. Chicago bars and breweries that don’t serve food can offer outdoor seating. 

  • Required: Diners can have up to six people per table for up to two hours. Customers must wear masks when not seated, while interacting with waitstaff and other employees, when food and beverages are brought to the table, and when picking up carryout orders.
  • Encouraged: Contactless payments and pickups are recommended. Customers are encouraged to make reservations ahead of time and remain outdoors or in their vehicles while waiting to be seated.

Tours & attractions

Chicago’s boat tours, zoos, parks, and attractions are open to enjoy with new safety and social distancing practices. Check out open tours and attractions:

Tours

Attractions

  • Required: All individuals must wear masks/face coverings over nose and mouth (exceptions can be made for people with medical conditions or disabilities that prevent them from safely wearing a face covering). Physical distancing is encouraged. Check with tour or attraction for additional health and safety guidelines.

Museums

Chicago museums are now open to the public with enhanced cleaning and new social distancing measures. Keep in mind that many museums require tickets to be purchased in advance. Explore open museums in Chicago:

Shedd Aquarium Chicago kids
Dive deep at the Shedd Aquarium
  • Required: All individuals must wear masks/face coverings over nose and mouth (exceptions can be made for people with medical conditions or disabilities that prevent them from safely wearing a face covering). Plan to purchase tickets in advance. Capacity and hours may be limited, check with museums for details.

Parks & gardens

All Chicago parks (except all beaches and parks east of Lake Shore Drive) are open to enjoy:

  • The Lakefront Trail is open for exercise and transit (walking, running, biking, etc.) with safe social distancing
  • The 606 is open for exercise and transit (walking, running, biking, etc.) with safe social distancing
  • Millennium Park has begun reopening, some amenities and attractions remain closed
  • Maggie Daley Park has begun reopening, some amenities and attractions remain closed
  • The Chicago Riverwalk is fully open to the public
  • Chicago Botanic Garden has begun a limited reopening
  • Morton Arboretum is open with some restrictions
  • Garfield Park Conservatory outdoor gardens are reopening in phases
  • All lakefront parks west of Lake Shore Drive are opened to the public, including Lincoln Park, Grant Park, Burnham Park, Harold Washington Park, and Jackson Park, as well as the Jackson Park Golf Course and Diversey Driving Range. All parks and beaches east of Lake Shore Drive remain closed.

Outdoor activities limited to non-contact sports in small groups only (e.g. tennis). Playgrounds are temporarily closed.

Humboldt Park
See the historic boathouse in Humboldt Park.
  • Required: Everyone in the parks or participating in outdoor attractions are required to wear facial coverings at all times. Limit gatherings to no more than 10 individuals and maintain physical distancing. Runners, joggers, bikers and walkers should maintain at least 6 feet distancing while exercising.

Theatres & music venues

Chicago’s music/performance venues and theatres are opening up with capacity restrictions. Explore music, comedy, and nightlife options:

    • Required: Attendees must wear face coverings at all times, except if eating/drinking while seated.

Shopping

Both essential and non-essential retail are open. Indoor capacity is limited to 25% for non-essential retail, 50% for essential retail (stores that sell groceries and medicine, hardware stores, greenhouses, garden centers, etc.).

Penelopes boutique in Wicker Park
© Adam Alexander Photography 2019
      • Required: All employees and customers must wear masks at all times.
      • Encouraged: Physical distancing, contactless payments, and use of hand sanitizers when provided.

Hotels/lodging

Chicago hotels and accommodations are open. Check out the latest hotel special offers for deals and discounts.

Spend a weekend at Hotel Zachary in Wrigleyville.
      • Required: Face coverings are required for guests and employees in all common areas.
      • Encouraged: Physical distancing and mobile check-ins/outs are encouraged.

Salons, childcare, and more

      • Outdoor attractions (e.g. boating – not including the Playpen, non-Lakefront golf courses)
      • Personal services (e.g. hair/nail salons, barbershops, tattoo parlors)
      • Public transit, regional transit, taxis and rideshare
      • Gyms and fitness centers
      • Childcare centers and family childcare
      • Libraries and other city services
      • Office-based jobs, professional services, and real estate services
      • Hospitals, dentists, community mental health centers, and Federally Qualified Health Centers

What is Phase Four in Chicago?

The goal of Phase Four of the Protecting Chicago plan is to continue cautiously reopening the city, while ensuring the safety of residents and visitors. Guidelines include:

    • Indoor gatherings are limited to 50 people or less. Outdoor gatherings are limited to 100 people or less.
    • Indoor dining is allowed at 25% capacity. Outdoor dining, carryout, and delivery are allowed.
    • Movie theaters and performing arts venues are limited to 50 guests or 50% capacity.
    • Museums and zoos are limited to 25% capacity with tours limited to 50 people or less.
    • Gyms are open at 50% capacity and all patrons must wear masks.
    • Social distancing and face coverings are required whenever possible.
    • Advanced ticketing/reservations are encouraged whenever possible.