Chicago Like a Local blog

Unique perspectives on the city from the people who live here.

Museums & art

Walk through space and time at Adler Planetarium

Welcome to the Adler Planetarium, the first planetarium in the Western Hemisphere. Extending out into Lake Michigan from its Museum Campus home, Chicago’s historic planetarium…

Museums & art, Tours & attractions

20+ free things to do in Chicago year-round

Want to do Chicago on the cheap? There are tons of free museums, cultural attractions, and things to do all over the city. Get a…

Museums & art

Explore Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium

At the Shedd Aquarium, the world’s waters come alive. From awe-inspiring sharks and colorful corals at Wild Reef to the tropical wonders at Amazon Rising,…

Free & cheap

10 free off-the-beaten-path things to do in Chicago

You’ll feel just like one of the locals as you wander throughout Chicago to discover little-known gems steeped in history and artistry. Best of all,…

At the center of Science Storms – an exhibit that explores nature’s most powerful and compelling phenomena – is a 40-foot vortex of swirling air and vapor guests can study and manipulate.

Museums & art

Get curious at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

Ignite your curiosity at Chicago’s Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, the largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere. Home to more than 35,000 awe-inspiring…

Family, Itineraries

Top Chicago must-dos with teens or tweens

One thing teens and tweens will never call Chicago is boring. Whether they’re thrill-seekers, explorers, artists, shopaholics or knowledge hounds, these 10 must-dos will have…

LGBTQ+

LGBTQ+ Chicago tours and attractions

Chicago is one of the most inclusive cities in the country, with a long and vibrant LGBTQ+ history. Come explore the local museums, tours, and…

Tours & attractions

Your guide to Navy Pier

Completed in 1916, Navy Pier is undeniably one of Chicago’s top attractions. Stretching into Lake Michigan, this year-round destination truly comes to life in the…

Architecture & history, Tours & attractions

Chicago architecture tours and cruises

From Gothic Revival survivors of the Great Chicago Fire to the birth and evolution of the modern skyscraper, the Chicago skyline is a mesmerizing homage…