Chicago Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Willis Tower featuring mist or fog, a city and city views

Chicago Travel Guide Video

Watch a baseball game at Wrigley Field, snap photos of your reflection in Cloud Gate and explore the Windy city’s fascinating museums.

Discover sightseeing, shopping and sports in Chicago. Illinois’ largest city has a cultural scene that is as impressive as its skyline on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Within downtown Chicago’s Loop, visit galleries and restaurants. Snap a photo of Cloud Gate, known as The Bean, the iconic silver sculpture in Millennium Park. See the city unfold beneath you from the glass-bottomed ledge of Willis Tower.

Explore the neighborhood of Lincoln Park. Sunbathe on the namesake park’s public beaches, visit the animals in the Lincoln Park Zoo and discover exotic plants in the Lincoln Park Conservatory.

Ride the Ferris wheel in the waterfront Navy Pier district. Go shopping along the Magnificent Mile, the city’s famed shopping strip.

At Ernest Hemingway Birthplace and Museum, tour the childhood home of one of America’s most enduring authors. Visit Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio for a peek into the legendary architect’s life and work. Nearby, see the self-proclaimed “jewel” that Wright designed, Unity Temple.

Team spirit is strong in Chicago. Watch the Chicago Bears play on their home turf at Soldier Field. Root for a home run for the Chicago Cubs at iconic Wrigley Field.

Visit Chicago’s many outstanding museums. See ancient Mesopotamian carvings and art by Claude Monet at the Art Institute of Chicago. Learn about the city’s past at the Chicago History Museum. Check out the Apollo 8 spacecraft and other fascinating exhibits at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. See dinosaur bones and Egyptian mummies at Field Museum of Natural History.

Transport yourself to an African savannah, the Australian outback and the Arctic tundra at the Brookfield Zoo.

Explore beyond Downtown Chicago and visit Shedd Aquarium. Farther afield, the North Suburbs, West Suburbs and Aurora offer a break from the city bustle. Visit LEGOLAND in Schaumburg or see a polo match in Oak Brook. Spin through dozens of roller coasters and rides at Six Flags America in Gurnee.

Where to stay in Chicago

Downtown Chicago featuring a city

Downtown Chicago

Known for its fascinating museums, stunning river views and gorgeous architecture, there's plenty to explore in Downtown Chicago. Top attractions like Grant Park and Navy Pier are major draws. Catch the metro at State Station or Clark-Lake Station to see more of the city.

Downtown Chicago
Magnificent Mile - River North

Magnificent Mile

Are you interested in fascinating museums, panoramic lake views and popular shops? A visit to Magnificent Mile might be the perfect thing. You can also explore top sights like Michigan Avenue and Chicago Water Tower.

Magnificent Mile
The Loop - Downtown featuring a river or creek

The Loop

4.5/5(93 area reviews)

Grant Park and Millennium Park are a few top attractions in The Loop. Hop around the city on the metro at Washington Station or Lake Station and check out the area's fascinating museums, popular shops and acclaimed art galleries.

The Loop
Chicago featuring a city and modern architecture

Lincoln Park

5/5(4 area reviews)

Known for its ample dining options and fantastic lake views, there's plenty to explore in Lincoln Park. You can visit top attractions like Lake Michigan and Lincoln Hall, and jump on the metro at Fullerton Station or Armitage Station to see more of the city.

Lincoln Park
Shops at North Bridge featuring street scenes, cbd and a city

River North

Known for its fantastic nightlife, stunning river views and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in River North. Top attractions like Merchandise Mart and Bally's Casino Chicago are major draws. Catch the metro at Merchandise Mart Station or Chicago Station (Brown Line) to see more of the city.

River North
Default Image

Lakeview

5/5(2 area reviews)

Known for its lively bars and lake views, there's plenty to explore in Lakeview. Top attractions like Wrigley Field and Lake Michigan are major draws, and you can catch the metro at Southport Station or Addison Station (Red Line) to see more of the city.

Lakeview
River Hotel
River Hotel
4 out of 5
75 East Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL
The price is NZ$275 per night from 7 Jul to 8 Jul
NZ$275
per night
7 Jul - 8 Jul
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Chicago. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,945 reviews)
"Staff was super nice and the location was perfect. I was unaware of how small the room/beds would be and wish it could have been communicated better considering we had 4 people..but overall had a great stay"

Reviewed on 4 Jun. 2024

River Hotel
Congress Plaza Hotel
Congress Plaza Hotel
3.5 out of 5
520 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL
The price is NZ$281 per night from 16 Jun to 17 Jun
NZ$281
per night
16 Jun - 17 Jun
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Chicago. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
7.6/10 Good! (6,854 reviews)
"Good location but very noisy"

Reviewed on 5 Jun. 2024

Congress Plaza Hotel
Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown River North
Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown River North
4 out of 5
600 N State St, Chicago, IL
The price is NZ$399 per night from 7 Jul to 8 Jul
NZ$399
per night
7 Jul - 8 Jul
Stay at this hotel in Chicago. Enjoy free breakfast, room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (2,361 reviews)
"I loved everything about this property. It was easy to take public transportation with nearby buses and trains.It was close to everywhere i wanted to be and see. Food was good, everything was spotless and smelled really good in the lobby and the suite. I was very comfortable and will definitely stay ..."

Reviewed on 5 Jun. 2024

Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown River North
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Sonder Market Hall
Sonder Market Hall
3.5 out of 5
1436 West Randolph Street, Chicago, IL
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Chicago. Enjoy a nightclub, a fitness center, and concierge services. Popular attractions United Center and Willis Tower ...
8/10 Very Good! (65 reviews)
"It was perfect for my needs for the week! Great area, right across the street from a park! Within walking distance/delivery distance to several dining options! Walking distance to Rush (about 20 minutes) & had 2 bike stations within a 10 minute walk in 2 different directions! Downside was it was ..."

Reviewed on 30 May 2024

Sonder Market Hall
Sentral Michigan Avenue
Sentral Michigan Avenue
4 out of 5
808 SOUTH MICHIGAN AVENUE, Chicago, IL
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Chicago. Enjoy a fitness center, valet parking (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (379 reviews)
"Property was beautiful and well kept. Room was comfortable and felt like home. The pool was disappointing and much smaller than it appears. Communication during check in and valets could be better."

Reviewed on 3 Jun. 2024

Sentral Michigan Avenue
Sonder South Wabash
Sonder South Wabash
3.5 out of 5
1419 South Wabash Avenue, Chicago, IL
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Chicago. Enjoy a fitness center, concierge services, and in-room washers/dryers. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (291 reviews)
"Pretty nice but the outlet and few other items not functioning"

Reviewed on 4 Jun. 2024

Sonder South Wabash
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Chicago

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
116
" "5 - Excellent 74.83870967741936%
4 - Good
35
" "4 - Good 22.580645161290324%
3 - Okay
4
" "3 - Okay 2.5806451612903225%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
16 Feb 2020

A great place to visit, love all difference architectures.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
1 Feb 2020

Great architecture, and a lovely walk by the lake

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
24 Jan 2020

Great city lots to see and do

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
1 Jan 2020

Clean, well laid out city with lots great attractions and amenities. Excellent nightlife and shopping.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
27 Dec 2019

Reminded me of New York except more relaxed and Chicago sleeps

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
14 Dec 2019

Andy's Jazz Club. Awesome night.

Cities near Chicago