Chicago Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Chicago which includes a high-rise building and a city as well as a family
Chicago showing a high-rise building, signage and a city
Chicago
Chicago showing a skyscraper and street scenes as well as a family
Willis Tower showing city views, a high-rise building and a city

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 Michigan Avenue and Navy Pier are major draws. Catch the metro at State Station or Clark-Lake Station to see more of the city.

Downtown Chicago
The Loop - Downtown featuring a river or creek

The Loop

4.5/5(93 area reviews)

Michigan Avenue and Art Institute of Chicago 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
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
Default Image

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
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
Chicago which includes rides

Theatre District

While you're in Theatre District, take in top sights like Michigan Avenue or State Street, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Washington Station or Monroe Station (Blue Line).

Theatre District
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$281 per night from 21 Apr to 22 Apr
NZ$281
includes taxes & fees
21 Apr - 22 Apr
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Chicago. Enjoy free breakfast, room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (3,750 reviews)
"Excelente customer service"

Reviewed on 23 Mar. 2025

Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown River North
River Hotel
River Hotel
4 out of 5
75 East Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL
The price is NZ$202 per night from 6 Apr to 7 Apr
NZ$202
includes taxes & fees
6 Apr - 7 Apr
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! (3,943 reviews)
"The only complaint I really have is about the elevators. They take way too long. At one point I waited about 20 mins"

Reviewed on 22 Mar. 2025

River Hotel
Crowne Plaza Chicago West Loop by IHG
Crowne Plaza Chicago West Loop by IHG
3.5 out of 5
25 South Halsted Street, Chicago, IL
Fully refundable
The price is NZ$201 per night from 30 Mar to 31 Mar
NZ$201
includes taxes & fees
30 Mar - 31 Mar
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Chicago. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,004 reviews)
"We really enjoyed staying here. The parking was easy to get to. The staff was very nice and helpful. The lobby is very nice and cozy. It just seems to be an older hotel, so with age some of the fixtures/decor were out dated. That wasn't a problem for me, but it could be for some! It's in a nice area ..."

Reviewed on 17 Mar. 2025

Crowne Plaza Chicago West Loop by IHG
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.
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! (701 reviews)
"Friendly staff"

Reviewed on 13 Mar. 2025

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. Popular attractions Soldier Field and Chicago ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (451 reviews)
"Nice property, big clean rooms"

Reviewed on 19 Mar. 2025

Sonder South Wabash
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. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (250 reviews)
"Appartement spacieux, super fonctionnel, lit et divan lit très confortables. Très bien situé, à 2 min du metro dans un quartier hyper sécuritaire."

Reviewed on 11 Mar. 2025

Sonder Market Hall
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 75%
4 - Good
35
4 - Good 23%
3 - Okay
4
3 - Okay 3%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

A great place to visit, love all difference architectures.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Great architecture, and a lovely walk by the lake

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Great city lots to see and do

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

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

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Reminded me of New York except more relaxed and Chicago sleeps

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Andy's Jazz Club. Awesome night.

Cities near Chicago