Skip to consent to cookiesSkip navigation
Choose Chicago
Visitors Guide
budget-2

Classic Chicago

The can’t-miss things to see and do.

StarStarStarStar

Take a spin on the Ferris wheel at Navy Pier. Grab a slice of deep dish. Snap a photo with “The Bean.” Looking for a classic Chicago experience? Explore our city’s one-of-a-kind attractions and experiences.

Chicago bucket lists and guides

Admiring art at EXPO CHICAGO
Articles, Bucket list, Itineraries, Parks & outdoors
Things to do in Chicago in the spring
Things to do in Chicago in the winter
Bucket list
Things to do in Chicago in the winter
Jacks Pumpkin Pop-up
Articles, Bucket list
Things to do in Chicago in the fall
Smaller Ballet Folklorico Xochitl girls in a line at the Arts in the Dark parade
Bucket list, Holidays
Halloween in Chicago: Top events and things to do
Man jumping into Lake Michigan
Articles, Bucket list
Things to do in Chicago in the summer
The ultimate Chicago bucket list
Bucket list
The ultimate Chicago bucket list
Explore more

Top Chicago attractions

Art Institute of Chicago
Museums & art
Admire masterpieces at the Art Institute of Chicago
Visitors gather around Cloud Gate, known as “The Bean,” in Millennium Park. An iconic Chicago landmark perfect for group experiences.
Parks & outdoors
Guide to Chicago’s Millennium Park
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
The Skydeck
Tours & attractions
Chicago’s observation decks: Skydeck and 360 CHICAGO
Sue at Field Museum
Museums & art
Explore natural history at the Field Museum in Chicago
Chicago Riverwalk
Free & cheap, Parks & outdoors
Your guide to the Chicago Riverwalk
Chicago water taxi parked at Navy Pier
Tours & attractions
Your guide to Navy Pier
Lincoln Park Zoo
Parks & outdoors
Chicago zoos
Shedd Aquarium
Museums & art
Explore Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium
Explore more

Chicago itineraries

Admiring art at EXPO CHICAGO
Articles, Bucket list, Itineraries, Parks & outdoors
Things to do in Chicago in the spring
Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood
Family, Itineraries
Top Chicago must-dos with teens or tweens
Wild Ree Shark Habitat at Shedd Aquarium
Family, Itineraries
30+ kid-friendly things to do in Chicago
Spring break family fun in Chicago
Family, Itineraries
Spring break family fun in Chicago
Corn Cob building
Architecture & history, Itineraries
Your guide to Chicago’s iconic architecture
Friends enjoy dim sum in Chicago's Chinatown
Food & drink, Itineraries
Chicago neighborhoods for food lovers
Explore more

Discover things to do

Community Art Garden at the Elliott Donnelley Youth Center
Tours & Attractions, Public Art
Community Art Garden at the Elliott Donnelley Youth Center
Montrose Beach Dunes
Tours & Attractions, Beaches/Gardens/Parks
Montrose Beach Dunes
The Comedy Bar
Music, Comedy, and Nightlife, Comedy Clubs
The Comedy Bar
Saint Alphonsus
Tours & Attractions, Historic Site/Architecture
Saint Alphonsus
Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show
Theater & Performing Arts, Tours & Attractions, Attractions
Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show
Saint John Berchmans Church
Tours & Attractions, Historic Site/Architecture
Saint John Berchmans Church
Episcopal Cathedral of St. James
Tours & Attractions, Attractions
Episcopal Cathedral of St. James
Ravinia Festival
Music, Comedy, and Nightlife, Live Music/Blues/Jazz
Ravinia Festival
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago – Money Museum
Tours & Attractions, Attractions
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago – Money Museum
Find more

Upcoming events

See more
bean-night

Explore Chicago hotels, flights, deals, and more

Plan your trip

Expedia
Expedia
Expedia
Expedia

CTA Newsletter

Chicago Newsletter

Stay in the know

Sign up

chvg26-enews-cropped

Chicago Visitors Guide

Start planning today

Get the guide